UAE schools report record GCSE results despite conflict-related exam disruption.
Dubai: UAE students are celebrating their GCSE and International GCSE results, with pupils across Dubai and Abu Dhabi achieving strong results despite disruption caused by the regional conflict.
Major UK exam boards, including Cambridge, Pearson Edexcel and OxfordAQA, cancelled all formal International GCSE and A-level examinations in the UAE for the May/June 2026 series over safety concerns linked to the regional conflicts.
Results released this week show strong academic performance across several British curriculum schools, with students securing a high proportion of top grades.
GCSE results show strong performance at the top end
More than 4,250 students across 23 GEMS Education British curriculum schools received results this year, covering around 30,000 exam entries.
Across the group, 30% of grades were awarded at 9–8/A*, while 48% were at 9–7/A*. Students collectively received 4,177 Grade 9s.
GEMS’ share of top grades was significantly higher than the latest national averages in England. While 30% of GEMS grades were at 9–8/A*, the 2025 national average was 12%. At 9–7/A*–A, GEMS recorded 48%, compared with 22% nationally.
The proportion of entries achieving grades 9–8/A* also rose from 26% in 2025 to 30% this year.
Dino Varkey, Group Chief Executive Officer of GEMS Education, said the results represented an important milestone for students as they move on to the next stage of their education. “We are incredibly proud of the Class of 2026 and excited to see where their journeys take them,” he said.
Among the top-performing GEMS schools was Jumeirah College Dubai, where 49% of grades were 9–8/A* and 71% were 9–7/A*–A.
GEMS Wellington International School recorded 50% of grades at 9–8/A* and 70% at 9–7/A*–A, while GEMS Wellington Academy Silicon Oasis achieved 42% and 59%, respectively.
GEMS Wellington Academy Al Khail recorded 38% of grades at 9–8/A* and 51% at 9–7/A*–A. At GEMS FirstPoint School, 38% of grades were 9–8/A*, while 53% were 9–7/A*–A.
Lisa Crausby OBE, Group Chief Education Officer at GEMS Education, said the results reflected students’ focus and resilience during a challenging academic year. “We are immensely proud of each of our students,” she said. “Behind every outstanding grade is hard work, inspirational teaching and the steady support of families.”
Straight 9s and strong pass rates highlight GCSE success
At British School Jumeirah Park, 81% of all grades awarded were in the 9–6 range, while the school recorded a 100% pass rate across all 31 GCSE subjects.
Several students achieved straight 9s across every subject, placing them among the highest-achieving pupils nationally.
Rebecca Coulter, Principal, said the cohort had demonstrated “resilience, courage and determination” throughout a challenging year. “They have demonstrated that resilience is not simply about coping with adversity – it is about continuing to strive for excellence despite it,” she said.
Dubai British School Emirates Hills had 81 students in its 2026 GCSE cohort, with 744 exam entries recorded.
Of the entries, 53% achieved grades 9–8/A*–A, while 75% achieved grades 9–7/A*–A. A further 90% secured grades 9–6/A*–B, and 99% achieved grades 9–4/A*–C.
The school also reported that 100% of students achieved five or more grades at 9–4, including English and Maths. The overall student pass rate at grades 9–4 was 99%, while 100% of exam entries received grades between 9 and 1/A*–G.
At Jebel Ali School, 122 students made up the 2026 I/GCSE cohort, with all students entered for examinations across 1,021 exam entries.
Overall, 21% of entries achieved Grade 9, while 38% secured grades 9–8/A*–A. A total of 59% achieved grades 9–7/A*–A, 77% achieved grades 9–6/A*–B, and 97% achieved grades 9–4/A*–C.
The results also showed that 98% of students achieved five or more grades at 9–4, including English and Maths. The overall student pass rate at grades 9–C was 97%.
The highest individual achievement was 10 Grade 9s.
Abu Dhabi pupils achieve strong share of top grades
Brighton College Abu Dhabi recorded its strongest GCSE results to date, with pupils delivering impressive outcomes across the curriculum despite the challenging circumstances surrounding this year’s examination series.
Grade 9 was the most frequently awarded result, accounting for 43% of all grades. Overall, 60% of grades were at 9–8, while 76% of pupils achieved grades 9–7 across their GCSE subjects.
The strongest results came in the sciences. Across Biology, Chemistry and Physics, an average of 72% of grades were Grade 9, while an average of 93% were awarded grades 9–7.
Across the wider curriculum, 18 of the 24 subjects recorded at least 75% of grades at 9–6.
The results also highlighted strong academic progress, with 97 of the 120 pupils achieving a positive value-added score of at least one grade above their target in one or more subjects.
Barney Durrant, Head Master of Brighton College Abu Dhabi, said the results reflected both academic achievement and resilience. “We are incredibly proud of our pupils and the outstanding GCSE results they have achieved,” he said. “They have adapted to uncertainty with remarkable determination and remained committed to their learning.”
Nick Crafts, Head of Senior School at Brighton College Abu Dhabi, said the results were particularly impressive given the challenges students faced. “Most importantly, today belongs to our pupils. They should be immensely proud of what they have achieved,” he said.
At Brighton College Al Ain, 305 results were available at the time of reporting, including 102 Grade 9s, accounting for 33% of the results received so far.
The school recorded a 100% pass rate, with 58% of results at grades 9–8, 79.3% at grades 9–7 and 97.7% at grades 9–4.
In Physics, 90% of entries achieved Grade 9, with every result at Grade 8 or above. All Biology and Chemistry results were Grade 7 or above. In Arabic, 82% of entries achieved Grade 9, while 95% of Mathematics entries were Grade 6 or above.
Sarah Weaver, Headmistress of Brighton College Al Ain, said students had demonstrated determination throughout their GCSE courses. “Almost four in five grades awarded so far are at grades 9 to 7, an exceptional achievement,” she said. “Our pupils have shown resilience, curiosity and character.”
Nearly half of GCSE grades awarded at 9–8
Brighton College Dubai recorded strong GCSE results for the sixth consecutive year, with Grade 9 emerging as the most frequently awarded grade.
One in four grades were awarded at Grade 9, while 48% of examinations achieved grades 9–8. The school also recorded its highest-ever number of Grade 9s this year.
Simon Crane, Head Master of Brighton College Dubai, said the results reflected the combined efforts of pupils, staff and families.
“These exceptional results are a source of immense pride for our entire College community,” he said. “They reflect a culture where it is cool to care about learning, ambition is celebrated and excellence is the norm.”
Jane Clewlow, Vice Principal and Head of Senior School at Brighton College Dubai, said pupils had shown remarkable resilience and maturity during a challenging year.
“Our pupils have navigated a turbulent year with remarkable resilience, maturity and determination,” she said.
Results show consistent performance
Repton Abu Dhabi students recorded strong results, with 99% of grades awarded at 9–4, while 72% achieved grades 9–7 and 50% were at grades 9–8.
Jon Hughes, Headteacher, Senior, said the results reflected students’ hard work and perseverance.
“These results reflect the hard work, perseverance and determination of our students,” he said. “We are incredibly proud of what they have achieved.”
At Repton Al Barsha, 96% of grades were awarded at 9–4, while 80% achieved grades 9–6 and 63% reached 9–7. A total of 43% of grades were at 9–8, with strong performances across mathematics, sciences, humanities and languages.
Claire Togher, Head of Senior School at Repton Al Barsha, congratulated the students and credited families, teachers and staff for their continued support.
“I am immensely proud of the determination, resilience and maturity they have shown throughout,” she said.
Meanwhile, students at Repton Dubai achieved 92% of grades at 9–4, 70% at 9–6 and 51% at 9–7.
Daniella Aschettino, Head of Secondary at Repton Dubai, said the results reflected students’ commitment and the support of teachers and families. “We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of our students,” she said. “Their results are a testament to their commitment, hard work and ambition.”
