There is a major change to the higher education system in the UAE. The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research have decided to cancel the EmSAT (Emirates Standardised Test) exams for Grade 12 students. This decision gives universities more freedom to establish their admission criteria. It allows each institution to customize its standards based on the specific needs of its programs. This announcement comes after the recent endorsement by the Education, Human Development, and Community Development Council.
With the new guidelines, government universities in the UAE are no longer required to adhere to the standardized EmSAT criteria. This leniency allows them to adopt a variety of holistic admission approaches. Over all high school graduation scores are checked for students looking to enter competitive fields like medicine and engineering. This change shows the increasing importance of subject-specific knowledge. This knowledge is important in areas that require a solid background in scientific principles.
Education officials noted that the elimination of EmSAT exams opens higher education options in the UAE. Universities are now encouraged to evaluate a wide range of factors. It includes student’s achievements in specific subjects and extracurricular involvement. This policy shift will create more opportunities for students with specialized talents to pursue their chosen careers.
The response from parents, educators, and students has been largely positive. Many of them see this decision as a move towards a more professional education system. This system acknowledges individual strengths and prepares students for success in their selected fields. Universities have already started to reassess their admission processes with the new regulations.
