UAE students score above global average in IB exams

Imran Mojib, Special Correspondent

Students studying International Baccalaureate (IB) in UAE schools have continued to perform above international averages, as confirmed by the latest IB examination results.

This year’s cohort achieved the best ever results for GEMS Education, in terms of both pass rate and average points. The students’ performance continues to surpass international benchmarks, with a 2019 average pass rate of 94 per cent, set against the international pass rate of 78 per cent in 2018. GEMS Education schools are fully inclusive as per global trends and saw the number of students sitting IB Diploma exams increase to 501 this year.

A total of seven GEMS Education schools sat for the IB exams, including GEMS World Academy – Dubai, GEMS International School – Al Khail, Dubai American Academy, GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis, GEMS Wellington International School, GEMS Modern Academy, and GEMS American Academy – Abu Dhabi.

Highlights include GEMS Modern Academy who scored an average of 34.6 points, GEMS Dubai American Academy with an average of 34 points, GEMS World Academy – Dubai who scored an average of 33.8 points and GEMS Wellington International School with an average of 33.7.

GEMS Education students excelled with 49 students achieving an average score of 40 or more out of a maximum of 45, and 13 students achieving an average of 43 or more.

Two students achieved a score of 45, the highest score possible putting themselves in the top performing 1% across the world.

Adiba Ejaz, GEMS Modern Academy, was one such student. She said, “I went into the IBDP programme largely uncertain as to how I would receive it, but that’s what made it all the more exciting. The past two years have culminated in a degree of personal and intellectual growth I’d never have expected, and getting a 45 is just the cherry on top! I’m incredibly grateful to have had an unwavering support system – my teachers, especially, for some of the most engaging lessons I’ve had, and for being so understanding.”

Many of the students throughout GEMS are set to attend their first-choice university next year after receiving conditional offers from premium universities such as University College London, University of Cambridge, Oxford and Princeton Universities.

Repton School Dubai also celebrated top marks achieved by its students in this year’s International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations, with 90% of its students achieving over 30 points, surpassing the global average. Repton students have reached formidable point scores and will attend the most prestigious of Universities; for example, two students have attained 43 points (only 1% of students worldwide achieve this) and will study at St Andrews and UCL in the UK.

At Repton School Dubai, all pupils were entered for either the IBDP or IBCP programme, demonstrating the support afforded to every individual as they strive to achieve their best.

This year, 47% of Repton School Dubai students achieved 34 points of more, meaning that they have secured places at prestigious universities across the world, such as Durham University, University College London, King’s College London and Warwick University in England; Emory University and the University of Michigan in the USA; the University of Toronto (Canada); St Andrews University and the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

Additionally, 100% of IBCP students have successfully graduated from the programme; having completed a Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Business within the IB Careers-Related Programme. Yet another highlight for Repton School Dubai is that 100% of Emirati pupils who completed the examinations have successfully earned their IB Diploma or IBCP certificate, in line with the region’s aim of prioritising the education of its young generations.

An earlier report said GEMS Education has announced plans to open the latest addition to its Sharjah footprint, the GEMS Cambridge International Private School in Muwailih, which will offer a robust values-based approach to education with a strong focus on design thinking and problem solving. This will form a core part of the curriculum which will enable students to explore innovative solutions to complex challenges.