Grade 12 students across the three tracks — General, Advanced and Elite — continued sitting their end-of-third-term examinations in English on Wednesday, in calm and orderly conditions inside exam halls. The majority of students said the test was pitched at the level of an average student, with questions ranging from easy to moderate, while schools recorded no technical observations or significant complaints during the exam.
Students sat the test entirely electronically. It comprised two main sections: a writing test, which ran from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm, followed by a reading test from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm, in accordance with schedules approved by the Ministry of Education.
A number of students from all three tracks said that sitting the exam electronically no longer poses a challenge, after years of practice with digital assessments and computer-based writing. They noted that they have developed sufficient speed and experience in electronic typing, which allowed them to focus on ideas and content rather than on the mechanics of writing.
Students explained that the writing question asked them to produce an essay in English of between 350 and 400 words. They said the topic was clear and straightforward, giving them the opportunity to express their ideas in an organised manner. The reading comprehension questions were at a level appropriate for an average student, with a limited number of questions requiring a higher degree of analysis and inference.
They added that the time allocated between the writing and reading sections was sufficient, particularly given their familiarity with electronic exams over recent years, stressing that continuous practice at school on digital exam platforms had improved their efficiency and the speed at which they completed their answers.
Administrators at government and private schools following the Ministry of Education curriculum confirmed that exam halls maintained complete discipline from the moment students entered until the exam ended. Technical support and supervision were provided to ensure the electronic exam ran smoothly, with no faults or problems recorded that affected students' performance.
School administrations added that students have become better prepared to handle electronic exam formats, whether when answering reading questions or writing extended essays on computer, a fact reflected in their composure and confidence during the exam.
In Sharjah, Grade 12 students also sat their end-of-term exams in calm and well-organised conditions, with widespread satisfaction at the level of the questions, which many described as clear, straightforward and consistent with the exam structure and syllabus.
Student Nada Rabie Al Zein, from Grade 12 (Advanced) at Al Ahliya Private School — Ghubayba branch, said the English exam was easy and clear, and largely reflected what students had covered during classes and the revision sessions preceding the exams. She noted that thorough preparation had been a key factor in boosting students' confidence during the test.
The administration of Al Hikma Private School in Ajman confirmed that the English exam proceeded in an atmosphere characterised by smooth flow and high organisation, with no technical obstacles or problems recorded that affected the conduct of the examination inside the halls.
Student Mohammed Youssef said the exam questions covered the grammar and vocabulary prescribed for the term, were direct and matched what had been studied, which helped students approach them with confidence and composure.
Student Mohammed Khalid Ahmed, from the Advanced track, explained that the exam comprised two main sections, one electronic and one written, noting that both sections were at the level of an average student, with questions based on direct comprehension of the content without complexity or ambiguity.
Opinions among Grade 12 students in Fujairah and the cities of the Eastern Region were mixed after sitting the English exam. While a number of students confirmed that the exam was within the expected level and consistent with the organisational structure and practice papers — praising the clarity of the questions and the absence of surprises — others noted that some passages required a high degree of concentration and stronger inferential skills.
Student Hazzaa Rashid Al Zeyoudi, from the Elite track, said the exam was good and close to what students had anticipated following revision and practice on the guidance papers, noting that most questions were clear and relied on comprehension and focus more than memorisation.
Student Shahad Abdullah Al Kaitoub, from the Elite track, said the exam was within the expected level and consistent with the exercises and practice papers reviewed in advance, adding that the questions were clear and direct in most sections, which helped her answer with confidence and focus.
Student Abdulaziz Ahmed Al Amiri, from the Advanced track, said the English exam contained no complications or unexpected questions, and was organised, clear and consistent with the approved exam structure. He noted that the choice of topics close to real life in society was apt, enabling students to engage with the questions and answer them comfortably and confidently, and he wished all students success in the upcoming exams.
In the same vein, student Nour Abdulrahman Al Naqbi confirmed that the centralised English exam for the Advanced track closely matched the organisational structure on which students had been trained throughout the academic year.
Student Saud Abbas Murad, from the General track, felt the English exam was harder than he had expected, explaining that some questions required a high level of concentration and repeated reading to understand what was required, particularly questions based on inference and analysis.