GCSEs and A-levels 2021: Some British schools in UAE to hold two mock exams for pupils

Heads of schools say they are working to gather sufficient evidence of pupils’ performance in case final exams were cancelled this academic year

Fiona Cottam, principal at Hartland International School in Dubai, said the school has strict policies in place to tackle cyberbullying. Courtesy: Hartland International School

Pupils in some British schools in the UAE will sit two mock exams this year, to prepare them in case board examinations are cancelled in 2021.

Heads of schools said they were working to gather sufficient evidence of pupils’ performance in case final exams were cancelled this academic year.

Every year, pupils in exam classes sit for one set of mock tests under exam conditions.

The tests give pupils an indication of their current attainment level and are often used for entry into universities as predicted grades.

Last summer, the cancellation of final year exams – including the International Baccalaureate, A-levels, and some Indian School Certificate tests – meant pupils were graded based on mock exams or internal projects.

That led to resentment as many thought they were unfairly represented by their results.

Fiona Cottam, principal of Hartland International School in Dubai, said the school would hold its first set of mock exams in January and the second session in March for all 30 pupils appearing for GCSEs in 2021.

“There is still a lot of uncertainty in the UK about examinations next summer," said Ms Cottam.

“There is anxiety so it's better to gather evidence of a pupil's attainment over time and it's good practice.

“I think it's safeguarding the pupil’s results and ensuring we have all the evidence in place in case exams are cancelled.”

Ms Cottam said she was confident exams would be held but wanted to be safe.

She said holding double mock exams would help schools show how much pupils improved over time, while also helping children prepare under exam conditions.

Pupils at the school did not sit in-person exams at the end of last year because of the pandemic.

Ms Cottam said the mock exams would help prepare the children mentally and physically.

Joseph Hulme, a 15-year-old pupil at Hartland International School, will sit for GCSE exams in 2021.

He said two sets of mock exams would help him in case finals were cancelled.

“This will help us gather evidence that may need to be sent to the examination boards to grade us," said Mr Hulme.

"This backs us up if we end up using our mock results."

He said the additional mocks meant extra pressure on pupils, but would be helpful as it will prepare him for the targeted exam.

“The more experience we have with sitting formal examinations, the more prepared we are for the real thing,” said Mr Hulme.

He said the second set of tests would be crucial as these would allow pupils to balance their grades if they underperformed in the first mocks.

Other schools in the emirates have also opted for double exams this year.

Gems Metropole School in Dubai and Cambridge International School in Abu Dhabi will be testing pupils twice ahead of board examinations in May.

Gems Metropole School held its first set of mocks in November and will test GCSE and A-level pupils again in March.

In 2021, 250 pupils at the school will sit GCSE exams while 120 pupils will appear for A-levels.

Nav Iqbal, principal at Gems Metropole School said: “Pupils revise but the best way to prepare them is by simulating the examination experience.

“We want to build exam stamina in pupils after they have had months of distance learning.”

Pupils will get a chance to handle exam anxiety and can discuss strategies and gaps in their learning.

Photos of UAE pupils receiving their GCSE results in August 2020