DEVELOPING STORY — LAST UPDATED APRIL 1, 2026
This page will be updated as the IBO and UAE schools release further details about NECM implementation. Check back for the latest information.
IB Diploma and Career-related Programme exams for May 2026 have been cancelled in the UAE. Students will receive grades through the Non-Exam Contingency Measure (NECM) — a process based on coursework, Internal Assessments, and predicted grades. NECM is not new: it was used globally during COVID-19. Results are still expected on 5-6 July 2026. Here is what this means for your child and what you should do now.
KEY FACTS
- Cancelled: IB DP and CP exams, May 2026 session, UAE only
- Alternative: NECM (Non-Exam Contingency Measure)
- Based on: IAs (externally marked) + predicted grades + IB cross-checks
- Results date: 5-6 July 2026 (unchanged)
- Precedent: Same process used during COVID-19 (2020, 2021)
- Schools affected: 59 IB schools across the UAE
- GCSE/A-Level: Still expected to proceed (as of April 1)
Latest Updates
APRIL 1, 2026
IBO confirms NECM will be applied to all DP and CP candidates in the UAE for the May 2026 session. IBO is communicating directly with universities worldwide. Schools are focusing on completing remaining IAs and coursework.
MARCH 30, 2026
IB World Schools Director Adrian Kearney confirms permission for NECM use. Dubai IB schools begin distributing circulars to parents. Distance learning extended until April 17.
What Happened
Following discussions between the International Baccalaureate Organisation and the UAE Ministry of Education, the government has decided that IB Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP) students in the UAE will not sit IB examinations for the May 2026 session.
The exams were originally scheduled for 27 April to 20 May 2026 (see our full IB exam schedule). Instead, students will be awarded results using the Non-Exam Contingency Measure (NECM).
This decision applies to the UAE specifically. The IBO has indicated that the May 2026 session "is still expected to proceed across much of the Middle East," with flexibility measures available for other affected regions. Approximately 59 private schools in the UAE offer the IB Diploma or Career-related Programme.
IB World Schools Director Adrian Kearney confirmed: "The IB Executive Team has given permission for the use of the Non-Exam Contingency Measure (NECM) for the DP/CP May 2026 examination session."
What Is NECM? (In Plain Language)
NECM stands for Non-Exam Contingency Measure. It is the IBO's established process for awarding IB Diploma grades when exams cannot safely take place. Think of it as the IBO's "Plan B" — a rigorous alternative grading system that has been used before and is recognised by universities worldwide.
The IBO describes NECM as a "safety-led, last-resort approach" used only in exceptional circumstances where government authorities determine that examinations cannot be conducted safely.
This is not a new or untested process. NECM was used globally during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, when millions of IB students worldwide received NECM-assessed grades. The vast majority of universities accepted these results without issue.
How Are Grades Calculated Under NECM?
Under NECM, your child's final IB grades are determined using three components:
| Component | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 1. Internal Assessments (IAs) | Your child's internally assessed coursework — this is externally marked by IB examiners, not by their school teacher. This includes subject-specific IAs (lab reports, essays, investigations, oral presentations) that students have been completing throughout the course. These carry significant weight under NECM. |
| 2. Teacher Predicted Grades | Your child's teachers submit predicted grades based on all available evidence of student learning — class performance, internal exams, mock results, assignment quality, and professional judgement. Teachers know their students' capabilities better than a single exam can show. |
| 3. IB Statistical Cross-Checks | The IBO applies rigorous statistical moderation to ensure that NECM grades are consistent with global standards. This prevents grade inflation and ensures that a Grade 7 from a UAE school under NECM carries the same weight as a Grade 7 earned through exams elsewhere. |
What about the Extended Essay and TOK? The Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge are assessed through submitted work (the essay and the TOK exhibition/essay), not through sit-down exams. These components should not be affected by the exam cancellation — they are assessed as submitted coursework. The TOK/EE bonus points (up to 3) are expected to be awarded as normal based on the quality of submitted work. However, confirm this with your school's IB coordinator.
What still counts: Everything your child has been working on throughout the IB programme — every IA, every piece of coursework, every class contribution that informed their teacher's predicted grade. None of that work was wasted.
What Students Should Do Right Now
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Do NOT stop studying or working. Under NECM, your IAs and coursework are the primary basis for your grades. Any IA that has not yet been finalised is now the most important piece of work you will submit. Complete it to the highest possible standard.
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Focus on any remaining IAs. If you have Internal Assessments that are still being drafted or revised, these are now your top priority. Your IA is marked externally by IB examiners — it is the most objective component of your NECM grade. Use your teacher's feedback to improve before final submission.
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Stay engaged with lessons and assignments. Your teacher's predicted grade is based on all available evidence. Continuing to perform well in class, completing assignments thoughtfully, and showing engagement all contribute to the evidence your teacher uses. Checking out now would directly hurt your predicted grade.
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Talk to your IB coordinator. Ask them specifically: What is the deadline for final IA submissions? How are predicted grades being determined? Is there anything I can do to strengthen my academic profile before grades are submitted?
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If you were relying on strong exam performance to compensate for weaker IAs: This is the most challenging scenario under NECM. If your IA scores are lower than what you were hoping to achieve in exams, speak to your teacher honestly about your situation. Ask if there is any opportunity to improve or resubmit coursework before the final NECM assessment deadline. Your teacher is your advocate in this process.
What Parents Should Do Right Now
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Contact your child's school. Ask specifically: How is NECM being implemented? What are the IA submission deadlines? How are predicted grades being determined? What support is the school providing during this transition?
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Contact target universities. If your child has conditional offers from universities (especially UK via UCAS), email the admissions office directly and ask: "Will you accept IB NECM-assessed grades for the May 2026 session?" During COVID-19, virtually all universities accepted NECM grades — but confirming for 2026 removes uncertainty and reduces your child's anxiety.
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Do not panic. NECM is a recognised, established IBO process with a proven track record from COVID-19. Adrian Kearney stated the IBO is "confident that these results will be respected by the vast majority of universities globally." The IBO is actively communicating with universities worldwide.
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Support your child emotionally. Months of exam preparation can feel wasted — even though it is not (that learning informed their teacher's predicted grade and their IA quality). Acknowledge their frustration. Reassure them that NECM is not a lesser qualification. Help them channel energy into completing remaining coursework rather than dwelling on what has changed.
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Keep perspective. Your child is still receiving an IB Diploma. The grades are still externally moderated by the IBO. Universities have accepted NECM grades before. This is a change in assessment method, not a devaluation of the qualification.
Will Universities Accept NECM Grades?
The IBO has stated it is "confident that these results will be respected by the vast majority of universities globally" and is actively communicating with universities worldwide to explain the NECM process.
What happened during COVID-19 (precedent)
When NECM was used globally in 2020 and 2021, the overwhelming majority of universities accepted NECM-assessed grades without issue. This included:
- UK universities (Russell Group, Oxbridge) — accepted NECM grades via UCAS
- US universities (Ivy League, state universities) — accepted NECM grades
- UAE universities — accepted NECM grades
- Canadian, Australian, and European universities — broadly accepted
What to do for 2026
While the precedent is strong, parents should take proactive steps:
- UK (UCAS): Contact your child's firm and insurance choice universities. UCAS is expected to issue guidance — check ucas.com for updates.
- US (Common App): Email admissions offices of target universities. Most US universities are flexible with international assessment changes.
- UAE universities: Contact admissions directly. UAE institutions are well aware of the situation and are expected to accept NECM grades.
- Document everything: Keep copies of all communications confirming NECM acceptance. If a university raises concerns, your school's IB coordinator can provide official IBO documentation.
How Does This Compare to COVID-19 NECM?
| Factor | COVID NECM (2020-2021) | UAE NECM (May 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Global (all countries) | Regional (UAE specifically) |
| Methodology | IAs + predicted grades + moderation | Same: IAs + predicted grades + moderation |
| University acceptance | Broadly accepted worldwide | Expected to be accepted (IBO communicating) |
| Results timeline | On schedule (July) | On schedule (July 5-6, 2026) |
| Other exams | Most exams cancelled globally | GCSE/A-Level still expected to proceed in UAE |
The key reassurance: the NECM methodology is identical. The only difference is that in 2026 it is being applied regionally rather than globally. The IBO's statistical moderation process ensures that NECM grades are calibrated against global standards regardless of geographic scope.
Academic Support During This Transition
Students whose Internal Assessments or coursework have not yet been finalised should ensure their remaining submissions are as strong as possible — these components now carry even greater weight in determining final grades.
GetYourTutors provides specialist IB DP tutors who can help with:
- Internal Assessment review and refinement across all subject groups
- TOK essay and exhibition preparation
- Extended Essay guidance and final editing
- Subject-specific support in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English, and Economics
Our tutors work alongside your child's school — supporting the work students are already doing, not replacing it. If your child needs help ensuring their remaining coursework is the best it can be, contact us to discuss your situation.
This follows the IBO's earlier May 2026 session plans — read our previous update: IB Exam Schedule 2026 — May & November Session Dates.
SOURCES
- Gulf News — "UAE schools cancel IB exams: What NECM grading means for students" (March 31, 2026)
- Khaleej Times — "No exams for UAE IB students this year: Alternative grading system announced"
- WhichSchoolAdvisor — "IB May 2026 Exams Cancelled in UAE: Students Move to Alternative Assessment"
- IBO — help.ibo.org (official guidance centre)
Last updated: April 1, 2026. This is a developing situation. Check with your school's IB coordinator and the IBO (help.ibo.org) for the most current information. GetYourTutors is not affiliated with the IBO.