Headteachers and university counselors in the United Arab Emirates are helping students deal with their results after the 2026 A-level grades came out. This year was really different because big exam boards like Cambridge, Pearson Edexcel and Oxford AQA did not have written exams everywhere in the country. This was because of some security problems in the area. Instead they used things, like portfolio evidence, internal assessments and external moderation to grade the students. The 2026 A-level grades are important for students and the headteachers and university counselors are supporting them with their results.
While many UAE schools celebrated overall strong performance and 100% pass rates, school leaders noted that the non-traditional grading process created anxiety among school leavers. Concerns centered on how alternative grading methods would impact university admissions, unconditional offer confirmations, and clearing options for competitive global institutions.
In response, leadership teams across major education groups including GEMS Education, Taaleem, and Nord Anglia established dedicated on-campus and virtual advisory centers. Experienced career counselors and subject heads worked directly with students and parents to review individual portfolios, clarify external moderation outcomes, and interface directly with university admissions offices, particularly in the UK, US, and Europe.
Educators reassured families that higher education institutions worldwide had been fully briefed on the non-exam contingency frameworks used across the Arabian Gulf, ensuring that grades awarded via externally moderated portfolios carry equal standing to traditional written exam scores. School leaders praised the class of 2026 for their emotional maturity and adaptability during months of distance learning and assessment shifts, advising students to focus on their next steps in higher education with confidence.
