The Ministry of Education (MoE) has made changes to the admission requirements for UAE-based higher education institutions.
During the academic year 2023 to 2024, the Emirates Standardised Test (EmSAT) will be optional for universities starting their the admission procedures.
Higher education institutions can now choose to use the MoE-designed EmSAT or other approved assessment tools to evaluate a students' capabilities as part of their admission requirements, and can set their own minimum scores as long as university education standards are maintained.
The EmSAT is a national system of computer-based standardised tests launched in 2019, which is used to measure the knowledge and skills of students that have reached certain milestones at the higher education stage.
Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education said, "The decision is part of the ongoing efforts to develop a national education system that aligns with international best practices. This includes a comprehensive framework of nationally and internationally recognised tests that students must take."