Admissions guide · checked October 2026
Which Abu Dhabi schools use CAT4 for admissions?
ADEK asks Abu Dhabi private schools to run online benchmark assessments, and GL Education's guidance notes that ADEK also recommends schools give cognitive ability tests, of which CAT4 is one. Using CAT4 to decide admissions is up to each school. Here's what the schools themselves publish. [1]
Schools that say they use CAT4
| School | What's reported about CAT4 in admissions |
|---|---|
| GEMS Cambridge Abu Dhabi | GEMS Cambridge International School, Abu Dhabi says all applicants for Year 3 to Year 10 are assessed with CAT4. |
| Repton Abu Dhabi | Repton Abu Dhabi's admissions policy says a CAT4 assessment may be arranged, where necessary, for applicants from Year 1 to Year 13, alongside school reports. |
Schools often linked with CAT4, where we couldn't confirm it for admissions
| School | What the school's own pages say |
|---|---|
| Brighton College Abu Dhabi | Its admissions page describes a Playdate for Nursery to Year 2 and an Assessment for Year 3 to Sixth Form, but doesn't name the test as CAT4. [4] |
| The British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) | The school says all students sit CAT4 when they join BSAK, and again in Years 10 and 12, to measure their starting point. That's after admission, not an entry test. [5] |
| GEMS American Academy, Abu Dhabi | The admissions page lists school records, Mathematics and English assessments and an interview. It doesn't mention CAT4. [6] |
Why we only list some schools
Many websites claim particular schools use CAT4 for entry, but often without any source from the school. We only include a school when its own admissions page or a reputable news source says so, and we link to it. If your child's school isn't listed, ask its admissions team which assessments they use for your child's year group.
Getting ready, whichever school
- Know the eight question types. See how each one works, with examples.
- Practise little and often with fresh questions every time, or print a practice paper.
- Practise on a screen too. Several schools use online CAT4.
Take the free practice test Full practice test
Which Dubai schools use CAT4 for admissions →
Sources
- GL Education: testing in the UAE (Abu Dhabi section)
- GEMS Cambridge International School, Abu Dhabi: admissions process
- Repton Abu Dhabi: Admissions Policy 2024–25 (PDF)
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi: apply now
- The British School Al Khubairat blog: “The ‘British Curriculum’ School” (September 2025)
- GEMS American Academy, Abu Dhabi: admissions
Edzuno is independent and not affiliated with any school listed, or with KHDA, ADEK or GL Education. Requirements change, so always confirm with the school before applying.