DUBAI: The much-awaited A-level results are out, and UAE students have once again come out in flying colours.
The first off the mark to announce the results has been the GEMS Group which saw a record 1,883 students from 22 GEMS schools in the UAE (and Qatar) completing 5,191 A-level exams, the most apparently in GEMS’ 65-year history.
Twenty six per cent of the exam entries achieved A* to A grades while 52 per cent secured A* to B grades, the group said.
Aryan Saboo of GEMS Cambridge International School, Dubai, celebrated six A-levels, divided evenly between A*s and As.
Saboo said: “It’s actually kind of a funny story—I forgot my A-level username and password sheet back in Dubai. So, I couldn’t check the results myself. I ended up finding out when I got a call from my school counselor to congratulate me. When she told me the news, it was a mix of excitement and relief; I couldn’t believe it at first. After all the hard work and long nights, seeing those grades felt like a dream come true. I immediately shared the news with my family, and we were all over the moon. It was one of those moments I’ll never forget.”
Secret of sucees
The ‘secret’ of his success, he said, was just loving the subjects he chose and wanting to study them. “I genuinely enjoyed what I was learning, which made it easier to stay motivated. Despite the workload, I had tons of extracurriculars and clubs I liked and I still found time for things like skateboarding and playing guitar. It wasn’t all about studying; balancing my interests with my academics was key to staying energised and focused.”
He said he will doing a double major in Mathematics and Computer Science at Georgia Tech in the US. “I’m really excited about the opportunities ahead and looking forward to diving deeper into subjects that I’m passionate about. Georgia Tech has an amazing programme, and I’m eager to learn from the best and contribute to the field,” he added.
Dr Saima Rana, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, GEMS Education, said: “Today, we wholeheartedly celebrate our students, whose remarkable achievements with these impressive A-level results have left us in awe. Your dedication and success are a true testament to your potential, and we couldn’t be prouder of the heights you’ve reached.
“These results are a shining example of what can be achieved when the GEMS community – students, parents, and educators – comes together in pursuit of excellence. Your passion and focus have paved the way to your preferred universities, and we are excited to see now how you will continue to shine and shape a brighter future for all.”
At Jumeirah College Dubai, 14 per cent of the school’s A-level entries were awarded the top A* grade and 80 per cent were awarded A* to B grades.
Nicholas Brain, Principal/CEO, Jumeirah College Dubai, said: “Today’s A-level results at Jumeirah College highlight the incredible dedication and hard work of our students. We are immensely proud of their achievements and the high standards they have set. These results showcase not only academic excellence but also the development of critical skills and a passion for lifelong learning.
The Winchester School – Jebel Ali reported that 33 per cent of its A-level entries achieved A* to A grades, with 60 per centachieving A* to B.
Both GEMS Founders School – Dubai with over 500 exam entries and GEMS Metropole School – Motor City saw strong performance with 52 per cent of A-level entries achieving A* to B grades.
At GEMS Wellington Academy Al Khail, top performer Yuchen Zhang, said, "I am thrilled to have achieved these results and to be recognised as a GEMS WEK topper. This journey has been challenging but incredibly rewarding, and I am grateful for the support of my teachers, friends, and family. The lessons I’ve learned at GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail have prepared me well for the future, and I’m excited about the next chapter. This accomplishment is a testament to hard work, resilience, and the amazing community here. Thank you to everyone who believed in me and pushed me to reach my full potential."
Another topper Mariam Moursy said, "Being named one of the top achievers at GEMS WEK is an honour that fills me with pride and gratitude. These results reflect not only my efforts but also the incredible support system I’ve had throughout my time here. The encouragement from my teachers and peers has been invaluable, and I’m thankful for the collaborative and nurturing environment at GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail. I’m eager to apply the knowledge and skills I’ve gained as I move forward. This achievement is just the beginning, and I’m excited for what the future holds."
Taaleem Group results
The Taaleem Group of schools is also celebrating the performance of its A level students.
Glen Radojkovich, Director of Education, said , "The outstanding results we celebrate today are a true reflection of their collective hard work and perseverance. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated educators, whose commitment has been key to our students' success. I also deeply appreciate the unwavering support from families, who have been steadfast throughout their children’s academic journey."
"It is a proud moment to see our students secure places at some of the UK's top universities. As they embark on the next chapter, I am confident they carry with them both exceptional academic foundations and values-based education."
Dubai British School
At Dubai British School Jumeirah Park, Principal Rebecca Coulter said, “We are delighted with the A Level and BTEC results our students have achieved, with a 100 per cent pass rate and an increase in the number of entries awarded A*. Our students have overcome various challenges and demonstrated outstanding achievement and growth. These results are a testament to their hard work, passion and curiosity, as well as the support and guidance of our exceptional teachers and parents. As a fully inclusive school, we are extremely proud of all our students have accomplished and look forward to their continued success in their chosen pathways at the world’s top universities."
Dubai British School Emirates Hills also reported a 100 per cent pass rate, with 46 per cent of A level students getting A*-A.
Repton Abu Dhabi and Dubai
At Repton Abu Dhabi 39 per cent students achieved A* to A grades, while 77 per cent secured A* to B grades. Seventeen per cent of exam entries from Repton Dubai students obtained A* to A grades. Many of the grades surpassed expectations.
For their outstanding performances, Repton Abu Dhabi students received acceptance offers from prestigious universities worldwide, including New York University, University of Edinburgh, University of Exeter, and University of Amsterdam. Salma Ibrahim achieved two A* and one A grades and will be attending American University of Cairo to study Engineering. Harrison Maxwell, achieved A-Level grades which included two A*, and will be pursuing a degree in Economics and Finance at University of Exeter.
Steven Lupton, Principal of Repton Abu Dhabi, expressed his joy, stating, “We are incredibly proud of our A-Level cohort’s outstanding achievements this year. They have set a high benchmark for future students, and I congratulate all of them for their incredible performances. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated teachers and supportive parents, who have played a crucial role in nurturing a passion for excellence in our students. As our graduates move forward to new adventures, I am confident they will continue to excel and make us proud.”
Repton Dubai’s A-Level students achieved A* to A grades for 17 per cent of exam entries, and A* to C grades were awarded to 68 per cent of exam entries. Students have also received acceptance offers from esteemed universities around the globe, including The University of Durham, The University of Bristol, and Kings’s College University London. Youssef Thabet, who earned A*A*A grades, will be attending The American University of Sharjah to study Computer Science. Aayush Sen successfully achieved A*AA grades and will be pursuing a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science at San Diego University.
Gillian Hammond, Principal of Repton School Dubai, expressed her pride in the students’ achievements: “Repton Abu Dhabi and Repton Dubai’s A-Level students have attained exceptional results, reflecting their hard work, parental support, and the unwavering commitment of our educators. Congratulations to both schools for this remarkable accomplishment.”
Brighton College
At Brighton College Abu Dhabi, more than half of all grades awarded were A* to A grades, with 21 per cent being A* grades, 53 per cent at A* to A grades and 72 per cent A* to B. In addition to the outstanding A Level results, 66 per cent of Extended Project Qualifications (EPQs) were awarded an A* or A, with all EPQs achieving B or above.
High achievers include Yingchu Zhang, Ixchel Hodgson and Osama El Boraie, among others
The Class of 2024 is now set to advance to some of the best universities around the world, with pupils holding over 80 offers from Russell Group Universities such as Imperial, UCL, Leeds, Durham, Bristol, King’s College, London and Manchester. Beyond the UK, pupils are expected to attend prestigious institutions including Columbia, Stanford, Berklee College of Music, University of Toronto, University of Hong Kong, and RCSI Bahrain.
At Brighton College Dubai, almost half of all grades (47 per cent) were an A*/A. The most common grade for this year’s cohort is A*/A with 82 per ecnt of grades at B and above. Over 70 per cent of pupils achieved at least one grade A*/A with grades being, on average, two thirds above pupils’ targets. Notable highlights include Further Mathematics and Art with 100 per cent of grades at A*/A. High achieving pupils include Zaina Jadalla, Minyu Xia and Nishaat Gani.
Jebel Ali School
Jebel Ali School said its Year 13 students have achieved the best Post-16 results in the school’s history, with over a quarter of all A-Level grades being A and A*. “We could not be prouder of our Sixth Form students at Jebel Ali School, their hard work, diligence, and dedication to their studies is appropriately reflected in their success,” said Principal Simon Jodrell, adding that 62 students from Year 13 took the exams this year. High achievers included Azaan Yaqub and Ben Massingham, among others.
Ben Massingham, Head Boy, said, "I am incredibly happy with my results; I always aim for the best I can, and I feel Jebel Ali School put me in the best position I can be in going into my flight training at Skyborne in the UK before ultimately joining British Airways as a First Officer in 2026."
Kings School Al Barsha
At Kings’ School Al Barsha, 41 per cent of all entries were awarded A* or A grades.
Among the top performers of this year’s results are Emirati student, Rashid Benhendi, who achieved exceptional results with 3 A’s and 2 A* grades in Biology, Chemistry Mathematics, Arabic and EPQ.
Benhendi said, “The journey at Kings’ has been transformative. The support from my teachers and the opportunities I’ve been given have truly shaped who I am today. I’m grateful to be part of a community that always encouraged me to aim high.”
Cranleigh Abu Dhabi
Zayna Madanat, Year 13 student at Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, who scored 5As, said, "A lot of my preparation for exams came from studying for class assessments throughout the year. By the time study leave started, I didn’t have to write my notes from scratch which saved me a lot of time. I was also lucky to have teachers and classmates that I could rely on for help whenever I needed it, and I made sure to ask a lot of questions in class (probably too many questions)."
Cranleigh Abu Dhabi's A-Level cohorts recorded 42 per cent of exam entries achieving an A* or A grade.
Tracy Crowder-Cloe, Principal of Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, said, “Our A-Level cohort’s accomplishments this year are nothing short of extraordinary. They have established a high standard for future students, and I congratulate each of them on their outstanding performances."
