UAE Schools Celebrates 100 percent Pass Rates in A-Level Results

UAE students have secured outstanding A-Level results in 2026 despite an unprecedented exam season in which not a single formal examination was sat. Cambridge, Pearson Edexcel and OxfordAQA cancelled all IGCSE and A-Level exams in the UAE for the May/June series, citing safety concerns linked to the US-Israel-Iran conflict. Pupils were instead assessed through a Portfolio of Evidence that drew on coursework, internal assessments and work completed throughout the academic year.

Schools across the country reported strong outcomes, with several achieving 100 per cent pass rates. Principals highlighted students who earned top grades and gained places at leading universities in the UAE, UK and US after navigating significant disruption in their final year.

Across GEMS Education’s British curriculum schools, 2,388 students sat 6,312 A-Level examinations in 22 schools in the UAE and Qatar. More than one-third of entries (39 per cent) achieved A*-A grades, while 67 per cent were awarded A*–B.

Standout schools included Jumeirah College, where 67 per cent of entries reached A*-A, and GEMS Wellington Academy Al Khail, which recorded 86 per cent at A*-B. GEMS Metropole School Motor City achieved 84 per cent A*-B, while GEMS Al Barsha National School reported 100 per cent of entries at A*-C.

On the BTEC Level 3 pathway, 564 learners completed the qualification. Almost half (46 per cent) achieved the highest Distinction* grade, and 72 per cent secured Distinction* or Distinction. The overall pass rate stood at 99.8 per cent, continuing a trend of year-on-year improvement.

Dino Varkey, Group Chief Executive Officer of GEMS Education, said the results reflected “the ambition, determination and resilience of young people who have worked tirelessly to achieve their goals, supported throughout by exceptional educators and families”. Lisa Crausby OBE, Group Chief Education Officer, added that every set of outstanding results represented a personal story of effort, courage and belief.

Jebel Ali School recorded 54 per cent of grades at A*-A across 188 entries a sharp rise from 30 per cent in 2025 and 26 per cent in 2024. More than one in five entries achieved the top A* grade, 99 per cent were graded A*-C, and the overall pass rate reached 100 per cent. Its BTEC provision also posted a 100 per cent pass rate, with 62 per cent awarded Distinction* or Distinction.

Principal Simon Jodrell described the outcomes as exceptional and a reflection of students’ dedication and academic ambition.

Dubai British School Emirates Hills reported 55 per cent of A-Level entries at A*-A and 22 per cent at A*, with every entry achieving A*-C and a 100 per cent overall pass rate. The 61-student cohort completed 194 entries. Year-on-year progress was clear: A* grades rose six percentage points and A*-A grades climbed 12 points. BTEC results were equally strong, with 76 per cent of 38 entries awarded Distinction*.

Principal Brett Girven said the school was 'especially proud' of achievement across both academic and vocational pathways.

Repton Al Barsha celebrated its first A-Level graduating cohort, with 50 per cent of entries at A*-A and 87 per cent at A*-B. Principal Chandini Misra noted that the results were “even more remarkable” given the year’s disruption.

Repton Dubai posted 39 per cent A*-A and 73 per cent A*-B, with students securing places at Columbia University, Northwestern University and University College London. Principal Michael Bloy praised the cohort for remaining focused and supportive of one another.

Repton Abu Dhabi recorded 37 per cent A*-A and 71 per cent A*-B. Students received offers from Wageningen University & Research, the University of Groningen and the University of Manchester. Principal Tracy Crowder-Cloe expressed pride in the students and gratitude to staff and families.

Brighton College Abu Dhabi achieved 63 per cent of grades at A*-A and 84 per cent at A*-B. In 15 of 22 subjects, 75 per cent or more of grades were A-B, with particularly strong results in Biology (82 per cent A*-A), Psychology (77 per cent) and Mathematics (76 per cent). The cohort recorded an average value-added score of 1.08.

Head Master Barney Durrant said the results reflected not only grades but the skills students had developed.

Brighton College Al Ain reported a 100 per cent pass rate, with 58.4 per cent of grades at A* or A and 90.9 per cent at A*-B. Emirati pupils achieved a 100 per cent pass rate across 23 full A-Level qualifications.

Brighton College Dubai posted its strongest results to date: 33 per cent of grades at A*, 61 per cent at A*-A, 87 per cent at A*-B and 98 per cent at A*-C. Head Master Simon Crane described a culture “where it is cool to care about learning, ambition is celebrated and excellence is the norm.”

At Horizon International School, 44 per cent of students achieved A*-A, 84 per cent A*-B and 95 per cent A*-C. A-Level students scored an average of 1.57 grades above expected outcomes across all subjects. Principal Stephen Quinn highlighted the resilience shown by students and the support of teachers and families.

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The 2026 results demonstrate that UAE schools adapted effectively to an assessment model based entirely on continuous evidence rather than high-stakes final exams. Students secured places at competitive universities while maintaining high academic standards under challenging circumstances.

School leaders consistently credited the combination of student determination, teacher support and family partnership for the outcomes. With many pupils now progressing to higher education in the UAE, UK and US, the results mark a successful close to an unusually difficult academic year.