Khalil, Abdelhamid A.2024-04-052024-04-052024Khalil, A.A. (2024). The Challenges of Implementing the Emirates Standardized Test as a Proficiency Test in the UAE: An Exploratory Study. In: Al Marri, K., Mir, F.A., David, S.A., Al-Emran, M. (eds) BUiD Doctoral Research Conference 2023. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 473. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-56121-4_8Print: 978-3031561207 Online: 978-3031561214https://bspace.buid.ac.ae/handle/1234/2584https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-56121-4_8This open access book presents contributions on a wide range of scientific areas originating from the BUiD Doctoral Research Conference (BDRC 2023)This study investigated teachers’ and educational leaders’ perspectives regarding the challenges that EFL twelfth graders encounter in relation to the Emirates Standardized Test (EmSAT). The study context was a private school in the UAE that follows the Ministry of Education curriculum. The present qualitative study adopted the phenomenological interpretive research approach. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with four English teachers and four educational leaders. Data were also analysed using thematic analysis that led to the creation of relevant themes. The findings revealed a number of challenges related to the EmSAT exam and recommendations to overcome these barriers. These included issues related to time constraints, anxiety, stress, lack of teaching resources, and learners’ low e-maturity level. The study had some implications for teachers, educational leaders, school administrations and policymakers.enEmSAT English, standardized test, proficiency test, educational leaders, EFL teachersConference paper