Brighton College Dubai CAT4 Entrance Exam — Admissions & Preparation (2025)
Brighton College Dubai is one of the most academically ambitious British schools in the UAE, known for its selective environment, strong UK heritage, and high expectations across all year groups. As part of its admissions process (particularly for competitive years) the school uses the CAT4 cognitive abilities test to assess student potential and suitability.
This guide explains how Brighton College Dubai uses CAT4, what score ranges are typically competitive, and how to prepare your child effectively for the assessment.
Is Brighton College Dubai a good school?
Brighton College Dubai is considered one of the top-tier British curriculum schools in the UAE, following the highly regarded model of Brighton College UK.
Parents choose it because:
It offers a rigorous British curriculum, modelled closely on the UK’s top independent schools.
The school places strong emphasis on academic excellence, character development, and leadership.
Facilities are exceptional, with dedicated spaces for science, performing arts, sport, design, and technology.
The school has a strong record of preparing students for GCSEs, A-Levels, and global university pathways.
It maintains a selective admissions approach, especially for key entry years such as Year 5, Year 7, and Sixth Form.
Because of this academic ambition, Brighton College Dubai uses CAT4 to help identify students who are well-suited to their pace of learning.
Does Brighton College Dubai use CAT4 in its admissions process?
Yes. Brighton College Dubai uses the CAT4 test as part of its admissions screening, especially for students joining:
Year 4–6
Year 7 (a key intake year)
Year 8–10
Mid-year or international applicants transferring from non-British systems
CAT4 provides the school with:
A standardised benchmark for reasoning ability
Insight into academic potential
Data to support placement and learning support decisions
A fair method to assess applicants coming from diverse global curriculums
Brighton College Dubai does not rely solely on CAT4, but the test is an important component of academic assessment.
What is the CAT4 test for Brighton College Dubai?
The Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4) evaluates how students think, learn, reason, and solve problems, core skills for succeeding in the British curriculum and eventually at GCSE/A-Level.
CAT4 evaluates four reasoning domains:
Verbal Reasoning
Understanding and manipulating language and word relationships.Non-Verbal Reasoning
Interpreting patterns, sequences, and visual logic.Quantitative Reasoning
Understanding number relationships and numerical logic.Spatial Reasoning
Visualising and mentally rotating shapes, interpreting 2D and 3D information.
These abilities are not tied to memorised knowledge, which makes CAT4 ideal for evaluating students from different academic backgrounds.
What CAT4 level does Brighton College Dubai use (e.g., Year 7)?
Brighton College Dubai typically uses CAT4 levels aligned with British curriculum year groups:
Level C – Years 5–6
Level D – Year 7 (most common for Dubai selective entry)
Level E – Years 8–9
Level F/G – Years 10–11
Year 7 entry, a key transition point, usually involves CAT4 Level D, designed for ages 11–12.
Students applying mid-year or transitioning from other curricula may be asked to sit an appropriate CAT4 level depending on age and year group.
What CAT4 score does Brighton College Dubai expect?
Brighton College Dubai does not officially publish CAT4 cutoffs, but as one of the more academically selective British schools in the UAE, parents should aim for:
Target CAT4 SAS Scores for Brighton College Dubai
110+ SAS – competitively placed
115–120+ SAS – strong performance
125–130+ SAS – highly competitive
130+ SAS – excellent (top 2–3%)
Selective British schools typically look for a strong overall profile with no major weaknesses across verbal, non-verbal, quantitative, and spatial reasoning. Strong past school reports and English proficiency are also important factors in admissions decisions.
What questions appear in the Brighton College Dubai CAT4 test?
Students will complete standard CAT4 modules under strict timed conditions. These include:
Verbal Reasoning
Analogies
Word classifications
Logic-based verbal relationships
This supports the English-heavy nature of the British curriculum.
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Pattern sequences
Figure matrices
Abstract shape comparisons
This tests visual logic not tied to curriculum knowledge.
Quantitative Reasoning
Number patterns and analogies
Series completion
Relationship problems
This supports the strong numeracy expectations at Brighton College.
Spatial Reasoning
Shape rotations
Cube net tasks
2D–3D mapping
This is often the least familiar and most difficult area but it offers the greatest room for improvement with practice.
How should my child prepare for the CAT4 test for Brighton College Dubai?
CAT4 preparation is highly effective to boost confidence and improve reasoning performance. A strong preparation plan includes:
1. Begin 3–6 months ahead
CAT4 is unlike school tests; students benefit from early exposure.
2. Complete a diagnostic practice test
Identify strengths and weaknesses to create a focused plan.
3. Build each reasoning domain
Verbal:
Vocabulary building
Reading variety
Analogy exercises
Non-Verbal:
Pattern puzzles
Visual reasoning practice
Quantitative:
Number sequences
Logical reasoning tasks
Spatial:
Shape rotation exercises
Cube nets and tangram-style puzzles
Visualisation training
Spatial reasoning is often the greatest differentiator for competitive applicants.
4. Train under timed conditions
Helps children develop speed and accuracy.
5. Use computer-based CAT4 practice
Brighton College Dubai uses digital testing, so students should prepare in the same format.
6. Build confidence and test-day readiness
Familiarity reduces anxiety, especially for younger applicants.
7. Consider specialist CAT4 preparation
Because Brighton College Dubai is academically demanding, many families choose structured support for CAT4 preparation.
When are the Brighton College Dubai admissions assessments?
While timelines vary slightly by year, typical patterns include:
Applications open early in the academic year (September).
CAT4 assessments usually run November to April.
Year 7 assessments often occur earlier due to demand.
Mid-year applicants sit CAT4 shortly after submitting their application.
Overseas applicants may be offered remote CAT4 options.
Parents aiming for high-demand year groups should apply as early as possible.
FAQs about Brighton College Dubai & CAT4
Is Brighton College Dubai hard to get into?
Yes, the school is selective and competition is strong, particularly for Year 5, Year 7, and Sixth Form.
Can students prepare for CAT4?
Yes. Familiarity and reasoning practice significantly improve scores.
Does Brighton College Dubai look only at CAT4?
No, school reports, interview performance, English proficiency, and overall fit are all important.
Is CAT4 suitable for students coming from other curriculums?
Yes, CAT4 is curriculum-neutral and ideal for international applicants.
Can CAT4 be retaken?
Usually once per admissions cycle.
How to support your child’s application to Brighton College Dubai
Brighton College Dubai is known for academic challenge, strong pastoral care, and a nurturing yet ambitious culture. A strong CAT4 performance helps demonstrate that a student can succeed in this fast-paced environment.
If you’d like structured CAT4 guidance, reasoning support, or school-specific preparation for Brighton College Dubai admissions, The Exam Coach team can support students across Dubai and the UAE with expert preparation.
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