The Ministry of Education reveals the dates and directions for the end of the first semester exams for students from 3-12

The Ministry of Education revealed the timetables for the end-of-first semester exams for the academic year 2025 – 2026 For grades three to twelve, in public and private schools that follow the Ministry’s curriculum, during the period from November 14 to December 4, 2025.

In-person tests

The Ministry explained that the tests will be conducted in person in schools, as they will be paper-based for grades three through five, while paper or electronic tests will be conducted for grades six through twelfth, depending on the nature of the subject.

Private schools

Twelfth grade students in private schools also take their exams in government schools under the supervision of the School Operations Sector.

General prompts

The general directives reviewed by Emirates Today confirmed that the English language test for the twelfth grade includes two electronic parts for writing and reading, and that students from the sixth grade and above must bring their own laptops to take the electronic tests.

Allowed calculator

Regarding the use of calculators, the Ministry allowed it starting from the eighth grade in scientific subjects, specifying the type of calculator allowed according to the track. Scientific or graphic calculators are allowed in advanced and scientific tracks, and their use is prohibited in lower grades.

Guidance for schools

The Ministry also directed school administrations in the general and advanced tracks to print and distribute the periodic table for chemistry during the exam, while students in the elite track use the electronic table via the platform. Swift Assess.

Test schedule

Twelfth grade students begin exams on Thursday, November 20, with physics, followed by chemistry on Friday, the 21st, mathematics on Monday, the 24th of the same month, then English on Tuesday, the 25th, and Arabic on Wednesday, the 26th, followed by Islamic education on Thursday, the 27th, and biology on Friday, November 28. The exams conclude on Thursday, December 4, with social studies. These appointments include all educational tracks (general, advanced, elite, and applied).

These directives come within the framework of the Ministry of Education’s keenness to unify assessment and testing procedures, ensure fairness in application between the various tracks, and promote digital transformation in the education system, which contributes to raising students’ efficiency and their readiness for national and international assessments.