This month will mark students return to modified classrooms to give first in-person exams ever since the start of COVID-19 pandemic. Since March the schools have been closed and International Baccalaureate exams are the first to take place. Guidelines instruct students to wear masks mandatory and invigilators to use gloves when handling exam papers.

In IB schools across the UAE, classes are being updated and restructured, and desks arranged to ensure physical distancing. The tests are to run until November 13.

In UAE, majority of students will take the baccalaureate exams in May. The in-person exams is a big step forward towards normalcy.

“Students have been already told of the rooms in which they will sit the exams and the social distancing measures we have in place in school,” said Amy Cooper, Assistant Principal at Gems Wellington Academy in Silicon Oasis, Dubai. The school has four pupils taking the IB exams, in chemistry, biology, IT and psychology.

“We are asking families to declare any family holidays or travel plans over the upcoming long weekend. We will then again contact each family 24 hours before each exam, asking them to declare whether their child has displayed any symptoms of Covid-19 or come into contact with anyone showing symptoms,” she continued.

In the UAE at least 43 schools offer the IB diploma programme which is gaining its popularity among students due to its focus on independent thinking.

IB exams in UAE schools are held in May as the programme has two sessions: May for the Northern Hemisphere and November for the Southern Hemisphere. Students in the UAE sit for some exams held only in November or repeats.

Some schools prepared the students for tests next month by having mock tests. Greenfield International School in Dubai had 75 pupils get ready for the tests.

Sarah Atienza, the school’s IB diploma co-ordinator said, “All the pupils and invigilators had to wear masks and the children were seated almost two metres away from each other. We know pupils might feel thirsty as they sit exams with masks on. We have allowed pupils to bring their own water bottles although food and drink are not allowed in exam halls.”

During test, only 15 children were in one class at a time and a block of the school building was isolated to block other pupils from entering.

Edwin Humpel, a 17-year-old South African student at Greenfield, will sit for the exam in Afrikaans in November, and the remaining will be held in May. “We had mock exams that took place with safety measures in place and this helped me feel more comfortable about my upcoming exams,” he said. Many pupils were given grades according to predicted scores and coursework, but Edwin wanted to take the test to check his standing.

“We are pleased to be following the guidelines set by Dubai Health Authority and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (Dubai’s schools regulator) in order that our students may take the examinations that will allow them to progress to their next stage of education,” said Maryssa O’Connor, principal of Gems Wellington International School. “These examinations are essential for our pupils as it is an opportunity to express themselves in a form that they were unable to in the May examinations.”

A survey was done by International Baccalaureate Organisation in September regarding exams in November. It found that 73% of schools would be able to hold the exams using local guidelines, while 27% of schools would not.

It was announced on Wednesday, that keeping Covid-19 safety guidelines and measures in place, UAE schools will hold in-person exams next month.

The Ministry of Education also confirmed that students who follow the curriculum at government and private schools will sit first-semester tests starting November 15.