Schools and universities are calling for urgent clarity from the government after the announcement that GSCEs and A-Levels in England and Wales will be cancelled amid the coronavirus crisis.
Schools in the UK will close their doors on Friday except for vulnerable pupils or children of key workers.
Universities UK said pupils should not lose the chance to go to university this year because of the move.
The government says there are plans to ensure children receive qualifications.
It comes as the UK death toll rose by 33 to 104 on Wednesday.
In other developments across the globe:
China reported no new domestic cases on Wednesday for the first time since the outbreak.
But Asian countries are seeing a second wave of infections from people returning home
Australia and New Zealand will close their borders to non-residents from Friday.
Confirmed cases worldwide have passed 200,000, while more than 8,000 people have died.
Announcing the closure of schools in England on Wednesday, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson told MPs officials were working with exam boards “to ensure that children get the qualifications they need”.
Scotland and Wales earlier said schools would close from Friday while schools in Northern Ireland will close to pupils today and to staff on 23 March.