We are IGCSE students from the Middle East asking Cambridge and other examination boards to reconsider requiring students in our region to sit the May/June 2026 examinations under the current circumstances.

Students across the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Iran, Palestine, and Iraq are living in a region affected by ongoing conflict, instability, and geopolitical tension. Airspace restrictions, disruptions, and constant uncertainty are affecting daily life.

Even for those not directly impacted, the atmosphere of stress, anxiety, and distraction makes it extremely difficult to prepare for such important exams. IGCSEs are already high-pressure, and expecting students to perform at their best under these conditions places them at a clear disadvantage compared to students in more stable environments.

The issue is not just whether exams can take place, but whether students can realistically prepare for them. Many are struggling to focus due to ongoing stress and uncertainty.

We are not necessarily asking for exams to be cancelled worldwide. We are asking exam boards to recognize that students in the Middle East are not working under normal conditions. Fair alternatives could include a non-exam route based on coursework and predicted grades, adjusted grade boundaries, or region-specific policies.

IGCSE boards value fairness and student wellbeing. We ask them to uphold these values by reconsidering the May/June 2026 examinations for students in the Middle East and providing fair alternatives.