The International GCSE (IGCSE), International A level and iPLS exams in schools for the May/June 2026 series have been cancelled in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Lebanon amidst the ongoing regional conflict.
According to leading UK education board Pearson, this move reflects guidance and decisions taken in response to the current situation, with the safety of students and staff placed first.
“Our priority is to ensure that you can continue to progress to your next steps and receive an overall grade and certification that is valid, trusted and fair. We are therefore putting contingency arrangements in place to enable grades to be awarded using secure evidence of student performance,” Pearson, which sets international GCSE exams, said in a statement on its website.
The Board stated that it was in touch with Ofqual regarding the current situation and would be in contact with schools offering UK regulated qualifications directly as soon as possible.
How Will Grades be Awarded?
The grades of students will now be awarded using Pearson’s established contingency arrangements. These arrangements are designed to support students’ progression and maintain the integrity of qualification, Pearson said in the statement.
The approach used will depend on students’ individual circumstances, including whether they are expecting their final grade this summer, and whether they have already completed or “banked” assessments earlier in their course.
As part of these contingency arrangements, the respective schools may be asked to submit appropriate evidence of students’ performance, such as completed mock examinations or other assessed work.
The schools may already have enough evidence. If not, they may ask students to complete an additional assessment under exam-style conditions, either in school or at home.
This helps make sure that the final grades are based on clear evidence and reflects each student’s achievement as accurately as possible.
Pearson said it had shared detailed guidance with schools so that they understand which approach applies to each student.
Students are advised to contact their schools for any clarifications regarding the exams and assessment and also follow further official announcements.
Pearson added that it was working closely with schools in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Israel and Palestine to understand local circumstances.
