Following the cancellation of May/June 2026 A-Level and IGCSE examinations in the UAE due to regional security concerns, thousands of students have received their results via the Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) system. School leaders across the region have largely defended the alternative assessment model, describing it as a robust and fair method to evaluate academic performance in an unprecedented year. Educators highlighted the massive collaborative effort required to compile coursework and internal assessments, noting that the grades generally mirrored students' long-term achievements and predicted outcomes.

However, the transition has sparked significant frustration among students and parents, many of whom feel the PoE process lacked the transparency of traditional exams and imposed an unfair workload. While some students successfully secured their university placements, others have voiced concerns over inconsistent marking and the emotional toll of a condensed, high-pressure assessment period. Despite the logistical success of submitting thousands of pieces of evidence, the lingering uncertainty regarding how universities perceive these grades remains a point of anxiety for those who feel their final results did not truly reflect their potential.