UAE sets new rules for students switching between general and advanced school tracks

Abu Dhabi: The UAE Ministry of Education has set out new rules governing how students can move between academic tracks, with eligibility tied to grade level, academic performance and science subject requirements.

Under the study plan for the 2026-27 academic year, students may switch from one educational track to another only at the start of the school year and after meeting all approved requirements. Transfers will no longer be permitted after the first two weeks of the academic year.

Students in Grade 8 on the general track may move into Grade 9 on the advanced track, while Grade 9 general-track students may transfer into Grade 10 advanced, provided they achieved at least 80 per cent in English, mathematics and science at the end of the previous academic year.

The rules become more restrictive at higher grade levels. Grade 10 students in the general track cannot transfer into Grade 11 advanced, while Grade 11 general-track students are not eligible to move into Grade 12 advanced because they have not completed the scientific subject requirements needed for those grades.

All transfer procedures must be completed during the first two weeks of the new academic year. Eligible students must meet the admission requirements and are expected to receive academic guidance from their schools before making a final decision.

Moving to the general track

Students who successfully complete a year on the advanced track may choose to move to the general track by submitting the required voluntary transfer form.

The rules allow Grade 8 advanced-track students to move into Grade 9 general, Grade 9 students into Grade 10 general, Grade 10 students into Grade 11 general and Grade 11 students into Grade 12 general.

Students who fail while enrolled in the advanced track will normally be transferred to the general track. They may, however, apply to repeat the year in the advanced track under specific conditions.

Those seeking to remain in the advanced track after failing must submit a formal request to repeat the year, accompanied by a written undertaking from both the student and a parent committing to passing all subsequent terms.

If the student then fails the first term, the transfer to the general track becomes mandatory at the beginning of the second term.

The appropriate course of action in such cases will be decided jointly by the school administration, the student and the parent, with all three sharing responsibility for the academic and administrative consequences of the chosen track.

For the applied track, the ministry said Grade 12 students are not eligible to transfer into Grade 12 on the general track.

Schools have also been instructed to provide individual academic guidance and support to students considering a transfer, while students are expected to consult their academic adviser and school administration before making a decision.

The plan also places responsibility for addressing any resulting learning gaps on the student, school and parent, who must jointly manage the academic consequences of a change in track.