UAE pupils advised to keep A-Level head while awaiting results

Anxious students and parents at British-curriculum schools across the country are waiting for the results of their A-Level exams.

ABU DHABI // Anxious students and parents at British-curriculum schools are awaiting the results of A-Level exams.

The results will not be released until 12pm on Thursday, UAE time.

“It’s a tense time, I think, for families who are waiting for A-Level results, because they are such an important step for their child’s future,” said Fiona McKenzie, head of the Dubai office for consultancy Gabbitas Education.

Many students worry that after receiving conditional offers from universities, they have not met the targets to qualify.

“The anxiety of this stage is that this won’t go quite according to plan,” Ms McKenzie said.

Families can ease the process by ensuring that the university admissions system, UCAS, has the correct contact information on file.

They should also know how and when results will be delivered.

If the results are not what is expected, families must act quickly if they have already discussed alternatives, said Ms McKenzie.

“The most important thing to recognise is that it’s not the end of the world – that if the results aren’t what you thought or hoped they would be, it is not all over. There are options out there,” she said.

The student can choose their insurance offer or opt for clearing, in which they choose unfilled spaces at universities. These can fill up quickly – two-thirds at Manchester University last year filled in 24 hours, Ms McKenzie said.

Other options include waiting a year and resitting exams or applying to colleges in other countries.

“I think the stress levels are high for everybody. Parents particularly in the UAE have invested a lot in their child’s future,” Ms McKenzie said. “I think the most important thing for parents to convey is that you love your child no matter what the results are.”

Stress can trigger problems such as anxiety and depression, said Dr Veena Luthra, consultant psychiatrist at the American Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology.

“Support and unconditional love and acceptance from parents can buffer the stress of waiting for exam results,” Dr Luthra said.

“Parents need to be aware that fear of failure and a sense of letting people down can be a huge burden for their child.”

Fatima Boush, 17, of Al Worood Private Academy in Abu Dhabi, said she was more optimistic than nervous about her grades.

“I feel like we have been preparing for years, and this is the final moment. But I am hopeful and optimistic that I will do well enough,” Fatima said. She said she was expecting “As and A stars”.