IGCSE results day marks the end of Key Stage 4 and the start of Sixth Form planning. In Dubai, many students sit IGCSEs with both Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel, and the two boards release results on different days and use different grading scales. This guide explains when IGCSE results come out, how to read the grades and what to do next.
When Is IGCSE Results Day?
Most students sit the June series, with exams in May and June and results in August.
| Exam board | June 2026 results | June 2027 results |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge IGCSE | Wednesday 19 August 2026 | Mid August, date to be confirmed by Cambridge |
| Pearson Edexcel International GCSE | Thursday 20 August 2026 | Expected on UK GCSE results day, Thursday 19 August 2027 |
Cambridge has moved its June AS and A Level results earlier from 2027, but IGCSE results stay on their usual timetable. Students taking both qualifications should not expect their IGCSE grades on the new A Level date.
Release times follow UK hours, so a release at 8am UK time in August reaches families in Dubai at 11am. The school will confirm the exact time and whether results are shared online, by email or in person.
November Series Results
Students who sit IGCSEs in the November series, often to resit a subject, receive their results in January.
Understanding IGCSE Grades
Cambridge IGCSE uses letter grades from A* to G, while Pearson Edexcel International GCSE uses numbers from 9 to 1, with 9 the highest. On both scales, U means ungraded.
Students who sat subjects with both boards will see both scales on results day. This table shows how they line up:
| Number grade (9 to 1) | Letter grade (A* to G) |
|---|---|
| 9 and 8 | A* |
| 7 | A |
| 6 | B |
| 5 | Between B and C |
| 4 | C |
| 3 | D to E |
| 2 and 1 | E to G |
The table is a guide rather than an exact conversion. The fixed points are that a 7 starts at the same level as an A, and a 4 at the same level as a C.
Grade boundaries are set after marking, so the marks needed for each grade change from one year to the next.
IGCSE or International GCSE?
The names differ by board. Cambridge calls its qualification the IGCSE, while Pearson Edexcel calls its version the International GCSE. Both sit at the same level as the UK GCSE, and sixth forms and universities treat grades from either board in the same way.
What IGCSE Results Mean for Sixth Form
IGCSE grades decide which A Levels a student can go on to study. Most sixth forms set entry grades, and many A Level subjects ask for a strong IGCSE grade in the same subject.
Those doors open earlier than results day. Choices made in Year 8 shape the whole path, which is why our guide to IGCSE subjects explains how option blocks work.
Universities may also look at IGCSE results for competitive courses, even though IGCSEs do not count towards UCAS points. If results come in lower than expected, speak to the school quickly about subject choices or resits before the new term starts.
Reviews of Marking and Resits
If a grade looks wrong, the school can ask the exam board to check it. Pearson calls this a review of marking and Cambridge an enquiry about results. Grades can go down as well as up after a review.
Students who want to improve a grade can usually resit in the next winter series, with results in January, or in the following June. The school will confirm which subjects and boards are available for a resit.
Supporting Your Child on Results Day
Results day can be emotional, especially when friends compare grades. A calm, steady response at home matters as much as the grades themselves, and it is part of the student wellbeing support that matters most in Year 11.
Praise the effort behind every result, avoid comparisons with siblings or classmates, and move the conversation towards the next step. If one grade is disappointing, focus on the options: a review, a resit or a different A Level choice. Most students have more routes forward than they realise on the day.
How to Prepare for IGCSE Results Day
IGCSE results day is simpler than A Level results day, because there are no university offers to confirm, but a little preparation still helps:
- Know your boards: list which subjects are with Cambridge and which with Pearson Edexcel, so you know when each result arrives.
- Check how results are shared: ask the school whether results come online, by email or in person.
- Know the Sixth Form entry grades for the A Levels you plan to take.
- Have a backup plan: think about alternative A Level choices in case one result falls short.
- Stay reachable: the school may need to contact you about reviews, resits or subject changes.
IGCSE Results Day at Dubai Scholars
As an IGCSE secondary school in Dubai, Dubai Scholars offers IGCSE subjects with both Pearson Edexcel and Cambridge, with choices made in Year 8 and courses starting in Year 9. Many students therefore receive results on two different days.
To enter Year 12 at Dubai Scholars, students need at least a B grade in the compulsory and optional subjects studied at the end of Key Stage 4. In Year 12, students then typically study four AS Level subjects.
The subject blocks are listed on the Sixth Form at Dubai Scholars page, or you can book a school tour to see the school for yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is IGCSE results day in the UAE?
In 2026, Cambridge IGCSE results came out on 19 August and Pearson Edexcel International GCSE results on 20 August. Both boards release June series results in mid to late August each year.
What time do IGCSE results come out in Dubai?
Release times follow UK hours, so an 8am UK release reaches Dubai at 11am in August. Your school will confirm the exact time.
Do IGCSE results come out on the same day as A Level results?
No. A Level results come first, and IGCSE results follow about a week later. From 2027, Cambridge A Level results move even earlier, to late July, while Cambridge IGCSE results stay in August.
Can I get my IGCSE results early?
No. Exam boards send results to schools shortly before students receive them, but schools cannot share grades before the official release time.
Is a grade 4 a pass in IGCSE?
A grade 4 is generally seen as a standard pass and starts at the same level as a C. Sixth forms and universities often ask for higher grades in key subjects.
What is the difference between A* and grade 9?
Cambridge IGCSE uses A* to G, and Pearson Edexcel International GCSE uses 9 to 1. Grades 9 and 8 both sit at the A* level, with 9 the highest grade on the number scale.
Can I resit my IGCSEs?
Yes. Students can usually resit in the next winter series or the following June. The school will confirm which subjects can be resat.
Do universities look at IGCSE results?
Yes, especially for competitive courses, although IGCSEs do not count towards UCAS points.
