GCSE Results: How did UAE pupils fare compared to UK peers? 2023 data exclusive

GCSE results are out and schools across the UAE are celebrating a round of stellar grades, despite the grade inflation crackdown by exam boards.

The return to tougher pre-pandemic grading has indeed been reflected in lower results globally.  Just 4.9% of UK students received grade 9s this year – as predicted, this represents a big dip from the 2022 figure of 6.6%. However, the number of top 9 grades awarded in 2023 is still higher than the 2019 figure of 4.5%, which was the last year of external exams before the pandemic. This is the year which exam boards suggest is the most comparable year for 2023 results. (See table below for full data on UK schools’ GCSE results 2023).

Data adapted from Ofqual Analytics 2023

However, UAE pupils are bucking this global trend for lower grades, with many schools reporting results that are higher than those received in 2019, and some reporting results that are higher than those received even during the era of grade inflation (Repton Abu Dhabi).

While there is no overall average figure collected for UAE GCSE results, data from school groups suggest that UAE pupils have significantly surpassed their UK peers by comparison, with education groups reporting 7% of students achieving grade 9s (GEMS), 18% of students achieving grade 9s (Aldar Education) and a 100% pass rate (Taaleem).

Of course this is by no means a direct comparison since the two countries’ educational landscapes are so very different. For a start, there were more than five million candidates taking GCSEs in England, whereas the number of GCSE candidates in the UAE is in the thousands. Additionally, Ofqual’s analytics for the UK encompass results from both state and private schools, whereas UAE GCSE students are all predominantly at private-sector schools. And finally, many UAE students take the international versions of GCSEs, the IGCSE, which some argue can less demanding than GCSEs themselves, although this is open to debate.

Nonetheless, the performance of UAE schools in GCSEs in 2023 does appear to be high across the board, defying the doom-laden predictions of grade deflation, with several schools even announcing the highest GCSE results that they have ever had (Brighton College Dubai).

Highlights of UAE School GCSE Results

Aldar Education group

Aldar has seven Academies across Abu Dhabi, with four of them operating the British curriculum and catering to students who took GCSEs.

• 18% of students at Aldar achieved grade 9
• 36% achieved 9-8 grade (A*)
• 53% achieved a 9-7 grade (A*-A).
• Across Aldar Education, 89% of students achieved a pass rate of 9-4 (A*-C)

GEMS Education

GEMs operates 23 schools across the UAE and Qatar in which students took 2023 GCSE exams.

• 7% of students across the GEMS network (3,600 students) scored grade 9
• 22% of GEMS students achieved grades 9-8
• 39% obtained 9-7
• 66% scored 9-5
• 82% graded 9-4

Repton Schools

The Repton schools, now jointly owned by Excella and Cognita, had students taking GCSEs in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

GCSE 2023 Results	Repton Abu Dhabi	Repton School Dubai
% of exam entries graded A*/9-8	37%	41%
% of exam entries graded A*-A/9-7	56%	65%
% of exam entries graded A*-B/9-6	76%	83%
% of exam entries graded A*-B/9-5	91%	92%
% of exam entries graded A*-C /9-4	97%	97%

Taaleem Group

Taaleem operates at least three British curriculum schools that took part in the 2023 GCSE exams

• 100% pass rate

UK GCSE exam results 2023

Table data taken from Ofqual Analytics for 2023 GCSE results. See the full data here.

Dr Saima Rana, Chief Education Officer of GEMS Education, which represents by far the largest network of schools across the emirates, said that UAE school students had done themselves proud:

“On behalf of everyone at GEMS Education, congratulations to all our GCSE students on achieving such a strong set of exam results today.

“Your determination, focus, and hard work will stand you in good stead whether you are moving on to A-levels, the Diploma Programme, or a different pathway. You have shown that you have what it takes to succeed, supported by your teachers and families, and we wish you all the very best as you progress to the next stage of your academic journey.

“Today’s GCSE results round off what has undoubtedly been an excellent school exam season over the summer, despite the various challenges that all schools and pupils across the globe have had to navigate. We are incredibly proud of everything our students and teachers have accomplished and look forward to further success to come. Congratulations!”

Find out more about the GEMS Education school GCSE results here.

Find out more about Taaleem school GCSE results here.

See the SchoolsCompared.com LIVE GCSE results feed here.

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