UAE enforces strict anti-cheating rules: Zero marks for students, Dh200,000 fines for staff

As exam season approaches, the UAE is drawing a firm red line under dishonest test tactics — and this time, the consequences sting on both sides of the classroom. Ahead of the first-term central exams on 20 November, the Ministry of Education has unveiled a tough new rulebook that hands zero grades and a 12-point conduct penalty to students caught cheating, while school staff who turn a blind eye or worse, assist, could be hit with fines of up to Dh200,000. The nationwide rules span public and private schools, signalling a clear message: exam integrity is no longer negotiable.

The new anti-cheating guide
The Ministry of Education ( MOE ) in the UAE has rolled out a sweeping new regulation titled the "Guide to Combating Cheating and Exam Misconduct." Circulated to both public and private schools, the guide aims to rigorously safeguard the integrity and fairness of the national evaluation system, ensuring all students have equal opportunities as the first-term central exams begin on November 20. The ministry stresses that academic honesty is not just an invigilator’s job, but a shared cultural responsibility involving students, teachers, and parents working together.

To ensure compliance, the MOE mandates that school administrations must:

• Disseminate the guide's contents to all students, staff, and parents.
  
• Conduct awareness programs before exams to educate students on behavioral expectations.
  
• Form internal supervisory committees to monitor exams, document irregularities, and report incidents directly to the MOE.
  
• Expect random inspection visits from assessment teams and local education authorities at all examination and grading venues.

Harsh penalties and prohibited acts
The new rules establish clear and severe disciplinary procedures for students caught violating exam integrity. The penalties apply to all forms of misconduct, whether inside the hall or through external digital means.

Major student penalties include:

• A deduction of 12 points from the student’s conduct record.
  
• Assignment of a zero grade in the specific subject where the cheating occurred.
  
• If a student deliberately damages their answer sheet, the paper will be excluded from the official grading process entirely.
  
• Students found guilty of misconduct must undergo behavioral rehabilitation programs under the ministry's "Behavior Assessment" initiative to reform negative practices.

The guide provides a detailed, non-negotiable list of prohibited actions during examinations:

• Using mobile phones or any electronic devices.
  
• Sharing, circulating, or photographing exam questions on social media or digital platforms.
  
• Helping other students inside the exam hall.
  
• Communicating or signaling during exams.
  
• Attempting to influence invigilators.
  
• Leaving the examination room without authorization

Dh200,000 fines for school staff

The UAE Ministry of Education has significantly raised the stakes for academic integrity by extending accountability to the professional level, imposing stringent penalties on school staff. Any employee found to be involved in cheating or compromising exam fairness faces a massive fine of up to Dh200,000.

Beyond the financial punishment, staff members will also incur administrative penalties under federal human resources regulations and have professional misconduct cases referred to competent authorities for further disciplinary action. These strict measures underscore the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to maintaining a clean, fair, and trustworthy testing environment for all students.

With the 2025-26 academic year underway, the UAE’s Ministry of Education has rolled out a tougher, more detailed regime to fight exam cheating. Students face immediate penalties like zero grades and conduct mark deductions. Staff and schools face fines up to Dh200,000 and disciplinary action.

The aim: preserve fairness, prevent digital abuse of exams and reinforce that honesty during assessment is everyone’s responsibility.