The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has cancelled Class 12 board exams in several Middle Eastern countries due to the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict, officials confirmed on Sunday.

"All examinations of class 12 scheduled from March 16 to April 10 stands cancelled in case of students from Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Exams which were earlier postponed also stand cancelled," CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj said.

He added, "The mode of declaration of results in these countries will be announced separately."

The move follows an earlier decision to cancel Class 10 exams in the same region.

Students face uncertainty over results and university admissions

Class 12 students in the UAE are now navigating a period of intense uncertainty regarding their academic futures, according to the Khaleej Times. A primary concern involves the evaluation methodology, as final scores are vital for university admissions and securing scholarships, the report added.

According to the report, some students worry that their overall percentage might be calculated based on their most challenging subjects, such as Physics or Chemistry, while others fear disruptions to upcoming entrance exams like the NEET.

The report said the shift in testing has brought relief to some, easing the high-stakes pressure typically associated with final year exams. There is widespread speculation that an alternative assessment framework—similar to the one used during the pandemic—will be adopted. This model could incorporate a combination of internal assessments, pre-board performance, practical work, and marks from any papers already completed, the report added.

To prepare, schools are conducting online mock exams to maintain student focus and collect "supporting data," the report said. Principals emphasised that these measures aim to ensure that students’ consistent efforts throughout the academic year are duly recognised in their final result.