Throughout this week, thousands of students across the UAE received their International Baccalaureate (IB) results, and the Class of 2026 graduates concluded a journey unlike any before.
These students began secondary education during the Covid-19 pandemic and finished amidst regional tensions that led to the cancellation of final IB exams across the Middle East. Despite these significant disruptions, students from the UAE demonstrated exceptional results for another year in a row, significantly surpassing global averages.
IB Results and Standards
According to data published by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), 3,278 students from the UAE achieved an average score of 34.5 in the Diploma Programme (DP), which is substantially higher than the global average of 30.88. The examination pass rate in the UAE reached 98.32%, and 428 students scored 40 or above—a threshold widely recognized as admission to some of the world's most competitive universities.
Globally, over 209,600 students took the IB Diploma or Career-related Programme (CP) this year, with the number of candidates increasing by 3.7% compared to 2025.
Performance Under Instability
The significance of this year's results stems from the fact that students were assessed via the IB Contingency Measure (NECM) after final exams were cancelled due to regional instability. Instead of traditional written tests, final grades were determined based on materials collected throughout the two-year course, including coursework, internal assessments, and externally moderated assignments.
Despite the change in assessment model, educators emphasized that academic requirements remained the same. Students still had to demonstrate analytical thinking, research skills, academic rigor, and independent learning, which are at the core of the IB curriculum. Thus, the Class of 2026 becomes one of the few cohorts in recent history to have experienced major disruptions both at the beginning and end of their secondary education.
For parents, these results confirm that universities continue to recognize and value IB qualifications obtained through the contingency process, with scores based on extensive data accumulated over two years of study.
Outstanding Achievements of UAE Schools
Several UAE schools reported outstanding results, with many students achieving the maximum score of 45 points. Among the most successful was Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS), which recorded an average DP score of 38, with 99% of students scoring over 30 and 34% scoring over 40.
North London Collegiate School Dubai also showed an average score of 38, with 84% of students scoring over 35 and 37% exceeding 40. Within the GEMS network, Wellington International School achieved an average score of 37, and Nord Anglia International School Dubai scored 37.1 with a perfect pass rate.
Other notable participants include Sunmarke School Dubai (average score 36.4, 100% pass rate), Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills (average score 36.3, 100% pass rate), Ambassador International Academy (average score 36.31, 100% pass rate), Aspen Heights British School Abu Dhabi (average score 36, 100% pass rate), and Deira International School (average score 35.7, 100% pass rate).
Across major school groups, including GEMS Education, Innoventures Education, Nord Anglia Education, Taaleem, and others, schools reported near-perfect or perfect pass rates. Innoventures Education, which includes Dubai International Academy and Raffles World Academy, recorded a cumulative average score of 35.8 among 311 DP candidates, with four students achieving the maximum score of 45. Their students also received over $15 million in university scholarships.
Success in Career-Related Programmes
Students enrolled in the IB Career-related Programme (CP), often combined with BTEC Level 3 qualifications, also achieved impressive results. Schools such as Jumeirah English Speaking School, Raffles World Academy, Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills, British International School Abu Dhabi, Deira International School, and Bloom World Academy reported a 100% pass rate.
JESS distinguished itself by having 92% of participants receive a Distinction grade, while Raffles World Academy registered 81% Distinction grades. Swiss International Scientific School reported that 95% of its students achieved Distinction. These strong CP and BTEC results reflect a growing understanding among parents that there are multiple paths to university success and career readiness.
UAE's Position on the Global Stage
The 2026 results strengthen the UAE's position as one of the strongest IB markets globally, as schools continue to report DP average scores above global benchmarks. The IB Diploma Programme, designed for students aged 16 to 19, combines six academic subjects with a core that includes the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and Creativity, and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS).
Richard Drew, Chairman of the IB UAE Association and Director of Jumeira Baccalaureate School, noted that this year's cohort demonstrated exceptional resilience through a challenging academic year. He stated: 'The Class of 2026 demonstrated remarkable resilience, determination, and maturity throughout an academic year shaped by significant regional challenges. Despite unprecedented disruptions, our students remained dedicated to their studies, embodying the curiosity, compassion, critical thinking, and adaptability that define IB education.'
He added that all IB schools in the UAE were supported through the IB Contingency Measure introduced following conflict-related disruptions. 'The resulting scores are fully recognized IB outcomes, reflecting rigorous IB quality assurance processes and its commitment to ensuring students can continue their educational journey.'
Philosophy of Top Student Success
For students who achieved the coveted perfect score of 45 points, success depended not only on ambition but also on consistency, discipline, and focus on learning. Samart Singh Juneja from GEMS Modern Academy, who scored 45, reported starting 12th grade with a clear goal but did not view this score as the ultimate objective. He said: 'To be honest, to some extent, yes. I wasn't obsessed with it, but I entered 12th grade knowing I wanted 45, and more importantly, knowing what it would take.'
He explained that the key was shifting the focus from chasing grades to understanding concepts. 'As soon as I stopped obsessing over what grade a particular topic might yield and simply focused on genuinely understanding it, the scores started to fall into place themselves. Chase knowledge, and the grade will follow.'
For a student from Dubai International Academy Al Barsha, Noor Bilal Al Hussein, the final stage of the IB program involved long hours and personal sacrifices. She recounted: 'Usually after school, especially during Internal Assessments (IA), I worked many overtime hours, sometimes until 2 AM. The coursework required a lot of effort, so I had to work for hours.'
Like many IB students in the region, she felt mixed emotions when the final exams were cancelled. 'It was a bittersweet moment when the exams in GCC countries were cancelled. On one hand, we didn't have to study anymore, but on the other hand, I was very disappointed because I had put in so much effort over the last two years.' However, she added: 'But ultimately, it didn't matter because my hard work paid off in the end.'
Significance of Results for Parents
For many families, IB results are more than just grades. They determine university admissions, scholarship opportunities, and access to highly competitive programs in medicine, engineering, business, and law. Historically, scores above 35 were considered strong by many leading international universities, while scores above 40 place students among the top IB candidates globally.
This year, many UAE schools reported a significant percentage of students surpassing these thresholds, underscoring the continued strength of the IB sector in the country. The results also demonstrate the growing popularity of the IB pathway in the UAE, which has become one of the world's largest IB markets, offering parents a curriculum recognized by universities in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
