Ministry scraps standardised test for university admissions

An exam used to assess entry to universities in the United Arab Emirates has been scrapped with immediate effect and replaced with revised admission criteria, authorities announced on Sunday 3 November, reports The National.

The Emirates Standardised Test, known as Emsat, was previously mandatory for Emiratis in Grade 12 in public and private schools, as well as non-Emiratis studying in private schools affiliated with the Ministry of Education curriculum, until September of last year.

In February 2023, the Ministry of Education announced universities in the country would be allowed to set their own entry requirements for pupils at publicly run schools, with the changes coming into effect in September of that year. Universities that chose to continue Emsat were given the freedom to set the minimum score needed by students, as well as the option to rely on final exams approved by the ministry or request other internationally approved assessment such as A-levels or the International Baccalaureate. Now education authorities have taken the step of discontinuing the Emsat completely.
Full report on The National site