Final term exams to begin on June 10: UAE Ministry announces new tech requirements

Abu Dhabi: As part of its preparations for the final examinations of the third academic term for the 2024–2025 academic year, scheduled to begin on June 10, the Ministry of Education has conducted a comprehensive update of the operating systems on devices used for electronic examinations.

In a circular distributed to schools, the Ministry clarified that the latest version of the secure browser software, SwiftAssess (version 1.9.14), along with the ESE Secure application, is essential for students to access the electronic exams. The Ministry emphasised that failure to install this software on students’ personal devices — which will be used during the exams — will prevent them from completing the assessments smoothly.

Students using personal devices are advised to consult the CCDI technical support team to update their operating systems and ensure correct installation of the secure browser.

For Ministry-issued devices, students have been instructed to power them on within school premises and connect them to the school network. This will allow updates to be installed automatically without requiring manual intervention.

To support this process, the Ministry has provided download links for the Lock Download Browser application, compatible with Android tablets, iPads, and Mac devices running iOS. Parents and students are urged to take the necessary steps promptly in preparation for the exam period.

The secure browser is specifically designed to prevent students from navigating away from the exam screen or accessing other websites during the assessment. It also blocks the use of any external applications that could be used inappropriately.

The Ministry noted that the system closely monitors user activity during the exam. If any attempt is detected to capture the screen, exit the exam window, or use unauthorised methods, the examination will be immediately terminated, and the student will be barred from continuing.

These technical upgrades form part of the Ministry’s broader initiative to ensure a stable, secure digital testing environment that guarantees equal opportunities for all students and minimises the risk of disruptions during the exam period.

Meanwhile, several school administrations have distributed replacement devices to students experiencing technical issues with their Ministry-issued equipment. Additionally, new devices have been issued to students who had not yet received their assigned devices, in accordance with approved lists.

Schools declare readiness and caution

Across the UAE, both public and private schools have declared heightened readiness for the end-of-year examinations. School administrations have issued strong advisories to parents regarding student attendance, warning against absences in the lead-up to final exams. Comprehensive support programmes and intensive review sessions have been announced, with plans to offer virtual support lessons through 17 June.

Some schools have already launched intensive academic support sessions in hybrid formats — offering both virtual and in-person options — in preparation for the final assessments.

According to support plans circulated to students, virtual lessons will be available for both lower and upper secondary levels. These sessions will run for two consecutive weeks leading up to 3 June and will resume during the final exam period, from 9 to 17 June. A structured schedule has been developed to focus on key skills and subject areas central to the exam papers.

The Ministry of Education has also approved the examination timetable for the end-of-term (second session) assessments for Grade 12 students enrolled in the Adult Education Integrated Programme, scheduled from 23 June to 3 July.

According to the approved timetable, students will sit for exams in seven subjects over nearly two weeks. Each exam will last two hours, from 4:00 to 6:00pm.

The examination schedule is as follows:

• Monday, 23 June – Mathematics

• Tuesday, 24 June – English

• Wednesday, 25 June – Social Studies

• Sunday, 30 June – Islamic Education

• Monday, 1 July – Physics

• Tuesday, 2 July – Arabic

• Wednesday, 3 July – Biology or Chemistry

In a related development, school administrations have urged students and their families to postpone Eid Al-Adha celebrations until after the final exams. They emphasised that academic focus and preparedness should take priority during this critical stage of the school year.

In messages circulated via digital platforms, schools reminded students that their commitment during this period reflects their awareness of their future goals and the importance of honouring the efforts made throughout the year. They reiterated that the true celebration lies in achieving successful and rewarding results — a reflection of hard work and perseverance.

SwiftAssess iOS Student Assessment App

With the SwiftAssess iOS Student Assessment App, students can take online and ACU exams, including tests, practice sessions, and surveys.

This app offers the following features out of the box:

• A secure, locked-down environment for high-security exam configurations

• An accessibility-enabled exam interface

• Offline capability, allowing assessments without requiring a network connection

• Support for over 25 question types and modes

• Advanced caching, syncing, and streaming capabilities to handle device failures, enable resuming, and support reviewing

The app provides universal access to your SwiftAssess account—whether hosted on the cloud or on-premise.