Dubai private schools PISA 2025 results place students among the world’s top 10 across reading, maths, science and computational problem solving.
DUBAI: Dubai’s private schools have scored a major global education win, ranking among the world’s top 10 across every area assessed in PISA 2025. The Dubai private schools PISA 2025 results show particularly strong performances in reading, mathematics and science, alongside the newly introduced computational problem-solving assessment.
The numbers put Dubai firmly among leading international education systems.
Private school students ranked sixth globally in reading with an average score of 501 points. They took eighth place in mathematics with 511 points and eighth in science with 522 points.
Dubai also ranked ninth globally in computational problem solving, scoring 534 points. The new assessment looks at how well students can use computational tools and practices to explore ideas, build knowledge and solve complex problems.
Also read: KHDA introduces new guidelines to strengthen Dubai’s private schools
How much have Dubai schools improved?
The jump becomes clearer when compared with PISA 2022.
Dubai’s private schools previously ranked ninth globally in mathematics, 13th in reading and 14th in science. The latest results therefore show progress across all three traditional assessment areas.
The Dubai private schools PISA 2025 performance also continues a longer upward trend. Since private schools began participating in PISA in 2009, average scores have risen by 37 points in mathematics, 22 in reading and 36 in science.
A total of 9,600 students from 168 Dubai private schools participated in the latest assessment.
The Dubai private schools PISA 2025 performance also continues a longer upward trend. Since private schools began participating in PISA in 2009, average scores have risen by 37 points in mathematics, 22 in reading and 36 in science.
A total of 9,600 students from 168 Dubai private schools participated in the latest assessment.
PISA, or the Programme for International Student Assessment, is conducted every three years by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. It measures how effectively 15-year-old students can apply their knowledge and skills to real-world situations.
More than 760,000 students from over 90 countries and economies participated in PISA 2025.
Also read: Dubai private schools see 6% growth in student enrolment for 2024-25
Emirati students make strong gains
There was more positive news for Emirati students in Dubai’s private schools. Compared with 2022, their average scores improved by 31 points in mathematics, 30 points in science and 18 points in reading.
Students attending International Baccalaureate schools recorded the highest average performance across Dubai’s different private school curricula, scoring 557 points in science, 542 in mathematics and 538 in reading.
The results also achieve a key international assessment target under the Dubai Education 33 Strategy.
The Dubai private schools PISA 2025 rankings provide parents with a useful global benchmark while giving schools a clearer picture of how their students compare internationally.
Impact to expect
The results could further strengthen Dubai’s appeal to families looking for internationally competitive education. They also raise expectations for schools to build on the progress, particularly as the emirate works towards developing skills students will need in an increasingly digital and technology-driven world.
