Students across GEMS Education‘s American curriculum schools have achieved the strongest Advanced Placement results in the group’s history, with more students taking university level courses and a higher proportion earning top grades than ever before.
The latest Advanced Placement results highlight growing interest in academically challenging programmes that help students prepare for university while still at school. For parents, the results demonstrate the increasing opportunities available to students seeking international higher education pathways, while educators and school leaders can see continued evidence of strong academic performance across the GEMS network.
More Students Choose Advanced Placement
More than 1,750 Advanced Placement examinations were completed by students in Grades 9 to 12 during the 2025 to 2026 academic year. This represents an 11% increase compared with 2025, reflecting rising participation in college level courses across GEMS Education’s American curriculum schools.
Advanced Placement programmes allow students to study university level subjects before graduation. Many universities around the world recognise AP scores for advanced standing or academic credit, making them an attractive option for students planning to study overseas.
Record Results Across Every Measure
This year’s results show improvement across all major performance indicators.
Key highlights include
| Achievement | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| AP examinations scoring 3 or above | 81% | 77% |
| AP examinations scoring 4 or 5 | 50% | 46% |
| AP examinations scoring the highest Grade 5 | 21% | 19% |
| Average AP score | 3.5 | Higher than previous year |
Scores of 3 or above are widely recognised by universities and colleges worldwide for advanced placement and college credit.
Additionally, the increase in Grades 4 and 5 demonstrates that more students are achieving at the highest levels of academic performance.
Strong Performance Across GEMS Schools
Students achieved impressive outcomes across all four GEMS American curriculum schools.
| School | Key Results |
|---|---|
| GEMS Dubai American Academy | 23% Grade 5, 83% Grade 3 or above |
| Al Khaleej International School | 54% Grade 4 or above, 83% Grade 3 or above |
| GEMS American Academy Qatar | 49% Grade 4 or above, 81% Grade 3 or above |
| GEMS American Academy Abu Dhabi | 65% Grade 3 or above, 37% Grade 4 or above |
Notably, GEMS Dubai American Academy recorded the highest proportion of Grade 5 scores across the network, while Al Khaleej International School delivered particularly strong Grade 4 and above results.
Why These Advanced Placement Results Matter
For students considering universities in the United States, Canada and many other countries, Advanced Placement courses provide valuable academic preparation and can strengthen university applications.
Meanwhile, strong AP performance may also allow students to earn university credit before starting their degree, potentially reducing both study time and tuition costs depending on the institution.
For schools, continued improvements in AP outcomes demonstrate the effectiveness of delivering rigorous academic programmes alongside personalised student support.
Supporting University Success
The latest results reinforce GEMS Education’s commitment to providing challenging academic pathways that prepare students for higher education.
As interest in Advanced Placement programmes continues to grow across the UAE, more students are benefiting from opportunities to experience university level learning while developing the knowledge, confidence and critical thinking skills needed for future success.
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Further Reading
- GEMS Education Students Achieve Record IB Diploma Results With 99% Pass Rate
- GEMS Education Launches New Founders School in Nad Al Hamar