CAT4 and Brighton College Dubai admissions

The Brighton College Dubai admissions policy sets out its aim as selecting and admitting pupils who will benefit from an academic education and contribute to the College community. It describes the assessment procedure as a combination of entry tests, interviews, previous school reports, character references, confidential reports, samples of work and, where applicable, consultations with specialist staff (EAL or Inclusion).

The How to Apply page sets out the practical steps: an online application, supporting documents (including the last academic year's school reports and any medical or educational psychologist reports or IEPs), an application fee, an assessment, and a decision. The College carries out admissions assessments on campus and remotely. After reviewing documents, the admissions team either arranges an assessment and interview with a member of the College Leadership Team, or asks for consent to contact your child's current school to arrange a remote assessment.

The policy describes the assessment for each stage:

• FS1 and FS2: a welcoming, play-based visit in which Pre-Prep staff observe the child's interactions and familiarity with basic concepts such as colours, numbers and letters.
• Years 1 and 2: a play-based element plus an evaluation of reading, writing and mathematics. Pupils applying to Year 2 for entry within the same academic year also sit CAT4.
• Years 3 to 6: CAT4 across verbal, non-verbal, spatial and quantitative reasoning (approximately two hours), followed by a creative writing task to supplement the CAT4 results.
• Years 7 to 11: CAT4, a creative writing task and an interview with a member of the Senior Team, which the policy describes as a general conversation about interests, attitude to school life, personal qualities and contribution to the College community.
• Years 12 and 13: CAT4, plus mock GCSE or IB results.

Because English is the main language of instruction, the policy says applicants from non-English-speaking backgrounds may be asked to complete a supplementary assessment in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Pupils with additional learning needs may be asked to take a specific assessment set by the Head of Inclusion.

For overseas applicants to Year 3 and above, the policy says the online assessment is sat and invigilated at an educational establishment in the country of residence, usually the pupil's current school. The College also requests a confidential character reference, completed by the pastoral or safeguarding lead at the current school, covering academic ability, attitude, behaviour and involvement in school life.

The policy lists when a pupil may be asked back for re-assessment: if they were upset or unwell at the first assessment, or if there is an unexplained mismatch between their school reports and assessment results. It also says the College takes into account circumstances such as illness, bereavement, differences between education systems, and language or learning needs.

The How to Apply page says the College communicates its decision within one week of the assessment. The policy is slightly tighter: a written decision within five working days of the final assessment, once all required documents have been received. Decisions are based on the meetings, the assessments and the recommendations of the Heads of School. The policy gives preference to children of current staff, pupils with a particular skill, talent or aptitude, and pupils with a brother or sister already at the College.

Separately, Brighton College Dubai offers academic scholarships for Year 10 and Year 12 entry. Applicants who meet the minimum criteria are invited to one of the College's scholarship assessment dates, which the scholarships page says are held throughout the year.

The College's assessment policy (version 11) lists CAT4 among the KHDA National Agenda Parameter tests, in Years 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 and for new pupils, in September or during admission. It says all pupils joining the Senior School take CAT4 as a baseline. From that baseline, the College sets a minimum expected grade (the CAT4 “most likely” grade, used internally) and a target grade shared with pupils and parents, which by default is the most likely grade plus one.

Brighton reads CAT4 alongside a writing task, school reports and a character reference, and from Year 7 an interview, so there is no single number to chase. Two practical points stand out. The CAT4 takes about two hours, which is long for a young child, so familiarity with the question types and calm pacing on screen help. And the writing task is separate, so regular practice in planning and writing a short piece is worth more than CAT4 drills. GL Assessment, which publishes CAT4, advises against extensive practice. If your child has additional needs or speaks English as an additional language, tell the admissions team early so the right assessment is arranged.