UAE Schools and the CBSE Exam Season

Exam Season in the UAE: How Students and Schools Prepare for CBSE Practical and Pre-Exams

The exam season has begun in CBSE schools across the United Arab Emirates, accompanied by excitement, tension, and preparation that started months ago. For high school classes (10th and 12th grades), one of the most important periods of the year has arrived: the time for practical exams, pre-exams, and concurrent preparatory programs.

The Significance of Practical Exams

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has repeatedly emphasized that practical exams carry significant weight in the final assessment, urging schools, students, and parents to approach these evaluations with the utmost seriousness. The officially designated period falls between January 1st and February 14th, during which all practical exams, internal assessments, and project presentations must be conducted.

This period represents early mornings in laboratories, long afternoons of studying, and a continuous search for balance between academic pressure and mental well-being for thousands of students.

Preparation Beyond Textbooks: Simulations and Parental Cooperation

CBSE schools operating in the UAE focus not only on covering the curriculum. Teachers and school leaders emphasize that exam preparation is not synonymous with studying—it is a comprehensive strategy that includes parental involvement, teacher coordination, and support for students' mental health.

Several institutions held so-called parent-student orientations as early as January, detailing the conduct of practical exams, assessment criteria, and logistics of the exams. Simultaneously, mock practical exams were organized to allow students to experience firsthand what it feels like to work in a live environment—but with the opportunity to make mistakes and learn from the experience.

Mental Balance and Stress Management

In addition to the curriculum, there is a strong focus on students' emotional states. Schools regularly conduct counseling sessions, stress management workshops, and programs promoting a healthy lifestyle. The goal is not only to deepen knowledge but also to ensure that students enter the exam room confidently and balanced.

Some institutions, for example, offer guided meditation exercises every morning or use a mobile application through which teachers can monitor students' emotional states daily. If any signs of stress are observed, targeted support is provided—either individually or in groups.

The Role of Pre-Exams: Practice and Adjustment

After the practical exams, most schools begin the second phase of pre-exams in mid-January. These evaluations help students become accustomed to the final exam format, practice time management, and address any knowledge gaps in time.

In several institutions, personalized support follows the pre-exams: students who performed poorly are called back for individual consultations, while better-performing students are given more free time for home preparation.

Complex Logistics in Larger Schools

Institutions where hundreds of students study simultaneously face unique challenges. One of the most important tasks is to avoid clashes: carefully planned exam schedules are created, taking into account the specific needs of students preparing for competitive exams as well (e.g., JEE preparation).

All laboratories are prepared for exams according to CBSE standards, and Grade 12 exams are overseen by officially designated external examiners—to ensure impartiality and consistent assessment.

The Common Goal: A Calm and Successful Exam Experience

Although the CBSE exam period poses a significant challenge for everyone involved, schools, teachers, and parents work in exemplary collaboration to provide the best possible environment for students. Besides educational outcomes, it is equally important that students emerge emotionally strengthened from this period.

This shared responsibility—the professional guidance of teachers, the supportive presence of parents, and the determination of students—can ensure that the exam period is not just an overwhelming challenge, but a growth opportunity for everyone involved in UAE CBSE schools.

(Source of the article based on a statement from the Central Board of Secondary Education, CBSE.)