Exams commence today across the Kingdom, quelling speculation that the Education Ministry would change exam dates this year due to the coronavirus.

Jeddah was calm over the weekend ahead of the exams, Over 259,000 students will sit the exams in the city alone. Of them, there are roughly 145,000 middle-school students and 114,000 secondary school students, according to the Education Ministry.

Both the Education and Higher Education Ministries have made elaborate arrangements for the examinations across the Kingdom.

Jeddah’s traffic police have deployed additional patrols to control traffic, while medical teams will visit examination centers to render medical care where needed.

Students were taught common stress-busters and time management techniques ahead of exams, in addition to being provided with refreshments.

Students have a 30-minute interval between sessions.

Feras Bana, who is scheduled to graduate, told Arab News that he is hopeful he will secure good marks.

Another student, Mohammed Shami Jari, said that he is employed in the private sector, but opted to pursue further education to be able to further his career.