The 2026–2027 school year brings a full run of Cambridge exam series back to UAE classrooms. Students, parents and teachers all need one clear picture of the school calendar to plan the year properly.
This guide lays out the UAE academic calendar alongside the Cambridge IGCSE and A Level exam series for 2026–2027. It covers term breaks, registration timing, results dates and a few practical tips for building a study plan around them.
Key Takeaways
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The UAE academic year runs from 31 August 2026 to 2 July 2027, with three term breaks in between.
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The October/November 2026 series is the main exam window for many UAE students this year.
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Results for the October/November 2026 series arrive in mid-January 2027.
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A March 2027 series and a May/June 2027 series follow, giving students more than one route to sit exams.
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Building a revision timetable around these dates helps avoid last-minute pressure.
IGCSE and A Level Full Year Schedule in UAE and Exam Dates Overview
Cambridge schools in the UAE fall under Zone 4, and most follow the national academic calendar. The year starts on 31 August 2026 for students, with teachers usually returning a week earlier.
Three breaks divide the year into manageable chunks. A mid-term break runs from 12 to 18 October 2026. Winter break stretches from 14 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, giving families nearly three weeks off. Spring break follows from 5 to 11 April 2027, just ahead of the final exam push.
The academic year closes on 2 July 2027, with most schools expecting around 185 instructional days. Private British curriculum schools generally follow the same three-term structure. It still helps to confirm exact dates with the school directly.
Public and Eid Holidays
Public holidays and Eid breaks also affect the calendar, though exact dates depend on moon sighting. Eid Al Fitr is expected in early to mid-March 2027, and Eid Al Adha around mid-May 2027. These dates can shift school schedules slightly, so it helps to check with the school each term.
Cambridge Exam Series Explained
Cambridge runs three main exam series each year: October/November, March and May/June. Each series covers IGCSE, O Level, AS Level and A Level subjects, though not every subject appears in every series.
The June 2026 series was cancelled in the UAE due to the regional security situation. Schools used a portfolio-of-evidence route instead, covering IGCSE, O Level, AS Level, A Level and IPQ candidates. Results were still issued. AS and A Level grades arrived around 11 August 2026, with IGCSE and O Level grades following a week later.
October/November 2026 Series
This series is the main option for many UAE students this year, following the June 2026 disruption. Timetabled exams run from late September through to mid-November 2026, with practical and speaking components often scheduled earlier.
Registration usually opens in late June and closes in mid-August 2026. Late entry windows run into September. Results for this series are expected in mid-January 2027, ahead of the next round of exams.
March 2027 Series
Some Cambridge syllabuses offer a March series, and Zone 4 candidates may be eligible depending on the subject. The timetabled period runs from early to late February into early March 2027, with practical components sometimes scheduled earlier. Results usually follow later in spring.
May/June 2027 Series
This is the standard main series for most IGCSE and A Level students worldwide. The exam window usually runs from late April to mid-June 2027, based on the historical Zone 4 pattern.
Entry deadlines fall several months earlier, often in February. Late entries are accepted into April. Results are expected around mid-August 2027, with AS and A Level grades sometimes released slightly earlier.
Building a Study Plan Around the Exam Calendar
A clear calendar makes it easier to plan revision without last-minute cramming. Students preparing for the October/November 2026 series have a shorter runway than usual, so early planning matters.
Match Books to Each Subject
Matching revision materials to the right subject and level matters as much as knowing the dates. Students preparing for IGCSE or O Level exams should check their exact syllabus code before choosing a coursebook or workbook.
A Level students face the same task, though with an added step. AS content and full A Level content sometimes sit in separate books. Checking the syllabus year avoids gaps in coverage.
Know the Difference Between IGCSE and O Level
Some UAE schools offer O Level instead of IGCSE for certain subjects, and the exam calendar applies to both. Understanding the differences between IGCSE and O Level helps families choose the right route and avoid confusion at registration time.
Understand How A Level Fits the Year
A Level students often sit AS papers in one series and continue to full A Level the following year. Reading about how A Level study works in the UAE makes it easier to plan each subject.
Where to Find the Right Books for Each Series
Choosing the right coursebook and workbook matters as much as knowing the dates. Browsing the IGCSE and O Level collection makes it simple to match books to the right syllabus. A Level students can browse subject titles in the A and AS Level range in the same way. Browse the A and AS Level collection to find the right coursebooks and workbooks for the upcoming exam series.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the UAE academic year 2026–2027 start and end?
The academic year starts on 31 August 2026 and ends on 2 July 2027 for most schools. Exact dates can vary slightly by school, so it helps to confirm with the individual institution.
Which Cambridge exam series applies to most UAE students this year?
The October/November 2026 series is the main option for many UAE students this year. This follows the June 2026 cancellation. Results for this series are expected around mid-January 2027.
When should students register for the October/November 2026 series?
Registration usually opens in late June 2026 and closes in mid-August 2026, with late entry windows running into September. Exact deadlines are set by each school or exam centre, so early confirmation avoids missed windows.
Are the March and May/June 2027 series also available in the UAE?
Yes, both series remain part of the annual calendar for Zone 4 candidates. The March 2027 series suits some syllabuses, while May/June 2027 remains the standard main series for most students.
Planning around these dates gives students a clear runway to prepare, revise and register on time. Students who cannot find a specific title can request a book directly. The Book Souq will then source it where possible. More exam preparation guidance is also available across the blog section of The Book Souq.