Thousands of pupils in the UAE have received their A-Level results, with many schools reporting record results, particularly in maths and science.
This year, unlike in 2020 when an algorithm was used, teacher-assessed grades will be given, verified by exam boards.
There have been concerns grades might be inflated, with UAE school heads echoing these fears. But school leaders stressed pupils had again risen to the challenge of the pandemic, which has disrupted the academic year once more.
At Brighton College Al Ain many pupils excelled in science and maths.
Forty-seven per cent of exams resulted in an A* grade, with 75 per cent A* to A and 90 per cent A* to B.
Girls thrive after 'difficult year' for learners
Dr Kenneth Greig, headmaster of Brighton College Al Ain, said: “This has been another extremely difficult year for our pupils with the changes to examinations due to the pandemic, but I’m so pleased that the awarding bodies have placed their trust in centre assessed grades.
“I am particularly pleased to see that so many girls have achieved top results in the sciences and mathematics. As a scientist myself, it is wonderful to see young women choosing careers in these areas.”
Brighton College pupil Dania Al Hashimi achieved four A* in maths, chemistry, biology and Spanish, and will be taking a gap year before applying to study medicine in the UK.
Ghalia Alsayed, another pupil at the school, achieved three A* in computing science, maths and chemistry, and is heading to University College London to study computer science.
Cambridge beckons for high achiever
Saleh Busaibe, a 19-year-old Emirati pupil at Brighton College Abu Dhabi, scored two A* grades in maths and economics, and an A in further mathematics to meet his offer conditions at Trinity College, Cambridge.
"I was really excited to get these results,” he said. I would have preferred to sit the exams and have the chance to prove myself. But the system this year was much better than last year."
The year 13 pupil said he was nervous on results day.
"It’s a huge relief as I have been able to confirm my offer. It has been a dream of mine for several years to study at University of Cambridge.
“I am just looking forward to being there and being able to travel."
He is keen to embrace the university's rich history in the sport of rowing and make the most of college life.
Anxious wait gives way to delight
Sama Salman, an 18-year-old British pupil at Brighton College Abu Dhabi, booked her place at Bristol University to study medicine thanks to an A* in biology and As in mathematics and chemistry.
“I was quite nervous, and was very happy when I saw my results," she said.
The pupil has suffered chronic migraines for the past five years, which often made it difficult to study.
"A lot of the time, I would lay in bed and rest when having a migraine. I would have to work twice as hard later to make up for lost time."
She had reservations about teacher assessed grading but felt the system was managed well.
London calling for star pupil
Atharv Naik, 19, an Indian year 13 pupil at Gems Cambridge International School Dubai scored five A* in maths, physics, chemistry, biology and further mathematics.
“I was hoping to get all A* but it was very exciting to get my results,” said Atharv.
He will be travelling to the UK to start his combined degree in engineering at Imperial College London.
“Now, I am waiting for university to start and I am excited to travel to London," he said.
“I am excited to meet people at the university and be part of the community.”
He is also hoping to compete in sports and chess.
Greeshma Giridas, an 18-year-old pupil at Gems Cambridge International, earned four A* grades in maths, chemistry, biology and psychology.
Greeshma's efforts secured her a scholarship to pursue her bachelors in psychology at New York University Abu Dhabi from September.
Gems learners shine as top grades soar
Gems Metropole School in Motor City, Dubai, had 42 A-Level class pupils and 123 entries, of which 20 per cent scored A* and 41 per cent earned A* to A.
Principal Nav Iqbal said this year was the school’s strongest A-Level performance.
He said the standout subjects were chemistry, drama, art and economics, and he had an increase in the number of A* to A grades, especially in maths (up 48 per cent) and chemistry (up 29 per cent).
At The British School Al Khubairat, 98 year 13 pupils undertook 269 A-Level subjects and 19 Level Three BTEC diplomas.
At the school, 58 per cent of A-Level results were A* to A and 82 per cent were A* to B.
In BTEC, 76 per cent of the grades were at a distinction level and 24 per cent at an A level.
Pupils will be attending Imperial College, University College London, Durham University, The University of Edinburgh, Stanford University, and New York University Abu Dhabi in September.
Mark Leppard, headmaster at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi, was delighted all the hard work was rewarded.
"This has been a sixth form experience like no other, with much of what students have come to take for granted taken away from them overnight; and it is therefore only right to be incredibly proud of the results achieved," he said.
"There has been a grade inflation and the explanation is that for borderline pupils, the teachers will be asked if the pupil would achieve an A or a B for example."
Aldar Academies in Abu Dhabi announced its highest A-Level results, with a 100 per cent pass rate and nearly 50 per cent of grades awarded achieving A* to A across all subjects.
Al Yasmina Academy, also in the capital, recorded its highest A-Level results, with 48 per cent of grades awarded at A* to A, and more than 77 per cent at A* to B, while Al Ain Academy achieved 59 per cent of grades A* to A.
Al Ain Academy achieved 59 per cent of grades at A* to A.
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 290hp
Torque: 340Nm
Price: Dh155,800
On sale: now
THE DETAILS
Director: Milan Jhaveri
Producer: Emmay Entertainment and T-Series
Cast: John Abraham, Manoj Bajpayee
Rating: 2/5
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ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
Friday's schedule in Madrid
Men's quarter-finals
Novak Djokivic (1) v Marin Cilic (9) from 2pm UAE time
Roger Federer (4) v Dominic Thiem (5) from 7pm
Stefanos Tsitsipas (8) v Alexander Zverev (3) from 9.30pm
Stan Wawrinka v Rafael Nadal (2) from 11.30pm
Women's semi-finals
Belinda Bencic v Simona Halep (3) from 4.30pm
Sloane Stephens (8) v Kiki Bertens (7) from 10pm
'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'
Director:Michael Lehmann
Stars:Kristen Bell
Rating: 1/5
Honeymoonish
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Results
2pm: Al Sahel Contracting Company – Maiden (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: AF Mutakafel, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
2.30pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: El Baareq, Antonio Fresu, Rashed Bouresly
3pm: Shadwell – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Lost Eden, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson
3.30pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,000m; Winner: Alkaraama, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi
4pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Lady Snazz, Saif Al Balushi, Bhupat Seemar
4.30pm: Hive – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
5pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – (TB) Handicap Dh64,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Lahmoom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Ireland v Denmark: The last two years
Denmark 1-1 Ireland
7/06/19, Euro 2020 qualifier
Denmark 0-0 Ireland
19/11/2018, Nations League
Ireland 0-0 Denmark
13/10/2018, Nations League
Ireland 1 Denmark 5
14/11/2017, World Cup qualifier
Denmark 0-0 Ireland
11/11/2017, World Cup qualifier
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
MATCH INFO
Hoffenheim v Liverpool
Uefa Champions League play-off, first leg
Location: Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim
Kick-off: Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Destroyer
Director: Karyn Kusama
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Sebastian Stan
Rating: 3/5
UAE release: January 31
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Everything Now
Arcade Fire
(Columbia Records)
