Al-Azhar Preparatory Certificate students are taking end-of-year exams in Usul al-Din (Tafsir and Hadith) and General Sciences and Health on Thursday, May 14, 2026. Simultaneously, Al-Azhar Primary Certificate students are testing in Islamic Education and Social Studies. These assessments are conducted under strict security protocols banning all unauthorized electronic devices.
The Al-Azhar educational system is conducting its end-of-year examinations today, May 14, 2026, targeting two distinct levels of certification. For students pursuing the Preparatory Certificate, the schedule focuses on a combination of theological and scientific disciplines. Specifically, these students are completing the first paper of Usul al-Din, which covers Interpretation (Tafsir) and Hadith, alongside the General Sciences and Health examination.
At the same time, students in the Primary Certificate track are sitting for exams in Islamic Education and Social Studies. The synchronization of these tests across different educational tiers requires significant coordination of personnel and facilities across the Al-Azhar network.
Strict Prohibitions on Electronic Devices
Examination committees have implemented a zero-tolerance policy regarding electronic hardware to maintain academic integrity. These regulations apply equally to students and the staff administering the tests. All personnel, regardless of their role or status, are prohibited from possessing mobile devices or Bluetooth headsets while the committee is in session. This ban remains in effect even if the devices are powered off.
The restrictions extend to specialized testing environments, including committees located within hospitals and prisons. For students, the list of prohibited items is extensive. Beyond standard mobile phones and Bluetooth headsets, the guidelines explicitly ban modern glasses or watches
that can interface with such devices. Students are also forbidden from bringing any books or papers related to the subject matter into the testing hall.
Responsibility for enforcement falls on the committee security officers and observers. These officials are tasked with verifying that no prohibited items enter the hall and bear legal liability if any such devices are discovered or used during the examination process.
Health Protocols and Student Conduct
The administration has established specific rules for students who encounter medical emergencies during the exam. Under current guidelines, if a student’s medical condition necessitates their departure from the committee to a hospital, they are not permitted to return to the same examination session.
This policy removes the possibility of re-entry for students who have already exited the premises for healthcare reasons, regardless of the urgency or nature of the medical intervention. Such measures are designed to prevent potential breaches of security or the unauthorized acquisition of exam content during a student’s absence from the hall.
Environmental Factors Affecting Test Centers
The timing of these examinations coincides with a significant rise in regional temperatures. The General Authority for Meteorology forecasts higher temperatures across most areas for Thursday, May 14, 2026. In Cairo, the maximum temperature is expected to reach 39 degrees Celsius.
While the weather is expected to be moderate in the early morning hours, the spike in heat during the day creates a challenging environment for students and proctors. High ambient temperatures in testing centers can impact cognitive performance and physical endurance, particularly in densely populated examination halls.
The integration of General Sciences and Health
into the preparatory curriculum reflects a broader effort to balance traditional theological studies with scientific literacy. By testing students in health sciences, the curriculum emphasizes the practical application of scientific knowledge alongside the study of Usul al-Din.