At a glance
- Stages
- KG1 to KG2, then Cycles 1, 2, 3 (Grades 1 to 12)
- Streams
- General, Advanced, Elite, Applied
- Academic year
- Three terms
- 2025-26 start
- 25 August 2025
- Language
- Arabic; English for some science and technical subjects
Stages and cycles
| Stage | Grades | Usual ages | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | KG1, KG2 | 4 to 5 | Voluntary; prepares children for Grade 1 |
| Cycle 1 | Grades 1 to 4 | 6 to 10 | Foundations in Arabic, English, maths and science |
| Cycle 2 | Grades 5 to 8 | 10 to 14 | Elite stream entry possible from Grade 6; Applied stream option after Grade 8 |
| Cycle 3 | Grades 9 to 12 | 14 to 18 | General or Advanced stream from Grade 10; ends with the high school certificate |
The four-grade cycles have applied in government schools since 2018-19, according to the UAE Government portal.
The streams
| Stream | Who it is for | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| General | All students start here from Grade 1 | Standard range of maths and science |
| Advanced | Chosen after Grade 9, based on performance | More in-depth maths and science in Grades 10 to 12 |
| Elite (Advanced Science Program) | Academically outstanding students, from Grade 6 to 12 | Maths and science focused on analysis, reasoning and problem solving |
| Applied (professional) | Students who choose a vocational route after Grade 8 | Practical curriculum leading to an applied high school certificate |
The stream affects which university programmes a student can apply for, particularly in engineering, medicine and science. Check requirements before Grade 10.
How the MOE curriculum is assessed
The UAE school year has been divided into three terms since 2010-11, and all public and private schools must meet the Ministry's minimum number of instruction days. Students following the MOE curriculum sit end of term (EOT) assessments in the final weeks of each term, alongside continuous assessment through the term. The national calendar requires schools to run final assessments in the last week of each term, so attendance matters right up to the last day.
Grade 12 results lead to the UAE high school certificate. For many years the national EmSAT tests also formed part of university admission; from 2024 universities have set their own entry criteria instead. Our page on what replaced EmSAT explains the current position, and each university's admissions page has the final word.
The 2025-26 national calendar
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Start of the academic year | 25 August 2025 |
| Winter break | 8 December 2025 to 4 January 2026 |
| Spring break | 16 to 29 March 2026 |
From the UAE Government portal, checked October 2026. See our UAE school calendar page for 2026-27 dates and term exam weeks.
Who follows the MOE curriculum
The Ministry of Education supervises government and private schools across the UAE. In Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah that role is shared with ADEK, KHDA and SPEA; in Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah the Ministry supervises schools through its regional offices. Government schools teach the MOE curriculum, and a number of private schools also offer it.
Every private school, whatever its curriculum, must teach Arabic, Islamic education and social studies, which are based on the Ministry's requirements. Students who finish a foreign curriculum (British, American, IB, Indian and others) apply to the Ministry for equivalency of their Grade 12 certificate.
What parents often get wrong
- Leaving the stream decision to the end of Grade 9. Advanced stream maths and physics move quickly, and a weak Grade 9 foundation shows immediately.
- Treating the third term as a wind-down. Each term ends with assessments that count, and the calendar requires them in the final week.
- Assuming English is a minor subject. English is used to teach some scientific and technical subjects, and many university programmes require it.
- Relying only on memorising past questions. EOT questions test application, especially in Advanced and Elite maths and science.
How one-to-one tutoring helps
Most MOE families look for help in Advanced or Elite stream maths, physics and chemistry, and in English. A tutor follows the term's units from the Ministry textbook, makes sure the student can solve each type of problem without prompting, and practises EOT-style questions in the weeks before each assessment. For students moving into the Advanced stream, a few lessons on algebra, functions and trigonometry before Grade 10 make the transition smoother.
LiveTutor lessons are one to one, 60 minutes, in our own online classroom with video and a shared whiteboard. Arabic-speaking tutors are available for some subjects, so ask when you book if your child would prefer lessons in Arabic or with Arabic explanations.
Common questions
What is the difference between the General and Advanced streams?
Both run to Grade 12. The Advanced stream, chosen after Grade 9 based on performance, gives more in-depth instruction in maths and science, which matters for science, engineering and medical programmes at university.
What is the Elite stream?
The Elite stream, or Advanced Science Program, is for academically outstanding students from Grade 6 to Grade 12, with maths and science taught to develop analysis, reasoning and problem solving.
Is EmSAT still required for university?
From 2024 universities have set their own admission criteria instead of relying on EmSAT. Check the admissions page of each university your child is considering, and see our page on what replaced EmSAT.
How many terms does the UAE school year have?
Three. The academic year has been divided into trimesters since 2010-11, with assessments at the end of each term.
How much do MOE curriculum lessons cost with LiveTutor?
$15 a lesson for every subject and grade, on a weekly plan of 1 to 5 lessons a week billed monthly. The first lesson is a free trial, one per household.
Sources
Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.