Starting from the 2025–2026 school year, Grade 8 students must choose between the General and Advanced academic tracks under the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) updated system.
Experts say seeking guidance is beneficial for parents, who can consult educational advisers or specialized child psychologists during the academic decision-making stage. Such consultations can help assess children’s cognitive and professional abilities scientifically and objectively.
The General Track is designed for students pursuing higher education in humanities, literature, social sciences, law, economics, business, arts, and police sciences. The Advanced Track is intended for students studying medicine, engineering, pharmacy, advanced sciences, and other STEM-related disciplines. 
Dr Shhaju George, a psychiatrist at International Modern Hospital, Dubai, noted that parents should prioritise individual strengths. “Every child is different — what suits one may not suit another,” one specialist noted. “Support should be based on the child’s interests, not parental expectations.”
A positive environment is essential. “Emotional security helps children make better academic choices,” he added, stressing the importance of sleep, nutrition, and curiosity-driven learning.
As part of the new updates, students will select their academic path (General or Advanced) based on their university ambitions starting in Grade 8.
Track transition criteria
A student wishing to transfer from the General Track to the Advanced Track must achieve a minimum score of 80 per cent in core subjects — science, mathematics, and English — by the end of the first semester in Grade 8. The transition will occur at the end of Grade 9. This policy will be implemented at the beginning of the upcoming academic year.
Students can transfer from the Advanced Track to the General Track at any time based on personal preference. According to the MoE, these changes will not affect the academic plans of current Grade 11 and 12 students.
These updates were based on feedback from educators and parents, analysis of students’ university interests, and coordination with higher education institutions.
The updates aim to provide students with more tailored pathways and clearer choices. They include aligning the curriculum so that students in the General Track study the foundations of subjects, helping them refine their skills and talents.
Meanwhile, the Advanced Track focuses more deeply on science and mathematics to prepare students for future studies in scientific fields.
The primary goal of updating the academic tracks is to support students according to their abilities and scientific interests. This strategy ensures students’ academic ambitions are met while aligning with university requirements and job market needs.
Elite track to be discontinued
We will also discontinue the Elite Track, with the last cohort enrolling in the 2025–2026 academic year. Previously, there were four academic tracks: the General Track, the Vocational (Specialized) Track, the Advanced Track, and the Elite Track (Advanced Science and Mathematics Program).
The Elite Track is an academic pathway that fosters a competitive learning environment for gifted students. Students study Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Design and Technology, Computer Science, and Creative Design, all in English.
The Ministry encouraged parents to support their children by understanding their interests and developing their abilities through identifying their strengths and weaknesses and involving them in activities that build their skills.
It also emphasised that communicating with schools and consulting academic advisors is important in helping parents choose the most suitable path for their children, and regularly monitoring academic performance.
Students were also encouraged to explore their interests and discuss their options with academic counsellors to choose the educational track that best fits their goals.
