Admissions guide · checked October 2026
GEMS Cambridge International School, Abu Dhabi: CAT4 and admissions
GEMS Cambridge International School, Abu Dhabi says all applicants for Year 3 to Year 10 are assessed with CAT4.
What the school asks for
- Years 3 to 10: all applicants are assessed with CAT4, which the school says helps it understand a child's learning potential and areas of strength. [1]
- Years 1 and 2: an assessment of basic literacy and numeracy with the academic team, along with social, emotional and behavioural development. [1]
- FS2: a meeting with the academic team covering independence, engagement, following instructions, and fine and gross motor skills. [1]
- Years 11 to 13: no test is listed. Parents complete a form about the current curriculum and predicted grades, and a seat may be offered subject to availability. [1]
How the process works
- Where needed, a child may be referred for further specialist assessment by the school's Inclusion Support Team. [1]
What this means for preparation
CAT4 is the one assessment the school names for Years 3 to 10, so familiarity with all eight question types is the most direct preparation. Ask the admissions team whether it's taken on screen or on paper, and practise the same way.
Practise for the year your child is joining
Free CAT4-style practice with fresh questions every time. Start with the free 20-minute test to see which question types need attention.
The eight CAT4 question types
Figure classification · Figure matrices · Verbal classification · Verbal analogies · Number analogies · Number series · Figure analysis · Figure recognition
Sources
Edzuno is independent and is not affiliated with GEMS Cambridge International School, Abu Dhabi. This page summarises the sources above as of October 2026. Admissions requirements change, so please confirm the current process with the school's admissions team before applying.