Following the discontinuation of the EmSAT exam, universities in the UAE are focusing on developing alternative admission criteria to streamline the application process and enhance the efficiency of admissions. These changes follow the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research's announcement of the immediate cancellation of EmSAT for Grade 12 students, along with the introduction of revised university admission standards.

With EmSAT no longer a requirement for twelfth graders entering higher education, each university will now set its own criteria based on the academic specialization the student wishes to pursue. This move aims to ease the transition to higher education, enabling students to follow their aspirations while providing universities with greater flexibility in determining their admission criteria. For medical and engineering programs, admissions will now emphasize students' grades in science subjects over their overall scores.

Dr. Yousef M. Al Assaf, President of Rochester Institute of Technology, Dubai, noted, 'The new admission criteria will largely reflect our current approach. We will continue with our own placement tests in Physics, Math, and English, alongside the standard IELTS and TOEFL requirements.' He also mentioned that they will adhere to both the Ministry’s requirements for high school students and the established admission criteria from RIT NY. Certain placement tests will determine the appropriate level for each student, such as placement in Physics 100 or Physics 102.

Universities have indicated that they are open to considering international assessments like the SAT or ACT if they align with their admission standards. Nahid Afshan, Head of Admission at BITS Pilani Dubai Campus, stated, 'Abolishing the EmSAT Exam will simplify the university application journey and make the admission process smoother. It will relieve students of added pressure, allowing them to focus on their high school grades and showcasing their strengths and abilities.'

This shift will enable institutions to adopt a more comprehensive approach to evaluating candidates, considering a broader range of skills and accomplishments, such as academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and other personalized criteria. Sara Sleem, Associate Director of Student Recruitment and Admissions at American University in Dubai (AUD), said, 'Our admission requirements demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity by accommodating applicants from diverse countries and educational systems. For English and Math proficiency, we offer flexible testing options, including EMSAT (until now) and other internationally accepted alternatives.'

However, the specifics will depend on individual student profiles and the programs they are applying to. Academicians emphasized that this approach will help in cultivating skilled professionals in specialized fields, capable of adapting to the evolving needs of the job market. Prof. Manda Venkatraman, Vice Chancellor Academics and Dean at Gulf Medical University, noted, 'Following the discontinuation of EmSAT, our university will now focus on alternative criteria for admissions, including the College Board Proficiency Test, Grade 12 marks, and the GMU Admission Test scores.'

University heads explained that removing the EmSAT requirement and broadening admission criteria for medical universities allows for better assessment of applicants, focusing on science grades and skills rather than overall scores. In the long run, this strategy is expected to raise the quality of medical education and healthcare in the UAE, potentially leading to improved outcomes.

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