Following the cancellation of the EmSAT exam, UAE universities are developing new admission criteria to streamline the application process and make university entry more efficient.
This change comes after the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announced the immediate discontinuation of the EmSAT for Grade 12 students and a shift to revised admission standards for higher education.
A Shift Toward More Flexible University Admissions
EmSAT will no longer be required for twelfth-grade students applying to universities. Instead, each institution will set its own admission criteria based on the student’s desired academic field. This change is designed to make the transition to higher education smoother and allow students to pursue their aspirations while giving universities the flexibility to tailor their admissions.
For students applying to medical and engineering programs, universities will now place more emphasis on grades in science subjects rather than overall scores.
A Comprehensive Approach to University Admissions
Dr. Yousef M. Al Assaf, President of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Dubai, explained, “Our admission process will continue with placement tests in Physics, Math, and English, along with standard IELTS and TOEFL requirements. We will also align with both the Ministry’s rules and RIT NY’s established criteria, ensuring students are placed at the right level based on test results.”
Universities also remain open to considering international assessments like the SAT or ACT, should they align with the revised criteria.
Nahid Afshan, Head of Admissions at BITS Pilani Dubai, shared, “The removal of the EmSAT will simplify the application process. Students can focus on their high school grades, showcasing their strengths without the added pressure of an extra exam.”
At BITS Pilani, the admission criteria will focus on high school exam results with minimum required marks in relevant subjects based on the student’s intended major. For English proficiency, alternative exams such as IELTS will be considered instead of EmSAT.
This change will also enable institutions to evaluate a broader range of skills, including academic performance, extracurricular activities, and other personal achievements, making the process more holistic.
Flexible Admissions at AUD and Other Institutions
Sara Sleem, Associate Director of Student Recruitment at the American University in Dubai (AUD), noted that their admission requirements reflect a commitment to diversity. “We offer flexible testing options for English and Math proficiency, including alternatives like IELTS and TOEFL for English, and SAT for Math, along with the AUD Math Placement Test.”
With the recent updates to EmSAT requirements, AUD continues to offer a variety of testing options, giving students a more accessible and flexible path to admission.
Specialized Programs and Skills Focus
Academics agree that these changes will benefit students applying to specialized fields, as universities will focus more on skills and knowledge in specific subjects, such as sciences, rather than just overall exam scores.
Prof. Manda Venkatraman, Vice Chancellor at Gulf Medical University, said, “We will now focus on alternative admission criteria, including Grade 12 marks, the GMU Admission Test, and proficiency tests in science subjects. This approach ensures candidates meet the necessary competencies for medical education, benefitting both Emirati and non-Emirati students.”
By focusing more on science grades and relevant skills, medical universities hope to better assess applicants’ readiness for their programs, which is expected to enhance the quality of education and healthcare outcomes in the UAE.
Although the discontinuation of the EmSAT is seen as a step forward in refining the admission process, Venkatraman added, “The continuation of EmSAT for English would have been ideal, but we are adapting to the new approach to ensure the best candidates are selected.”
