GEMS Wellington International School CAT4 Guide — Admissions & Preparation (2025)
GEMS Wellington International School (often shortened to GEMS Wellington or GWIS) is one of Dubai’s flagship British curriculum schools. Offering both the National Curriculum for England and the IB Diploma Programme, it attracts families from across the UAE and globally. As part of its selective and structured admissions process (especially for competitive year groups) the school uses the CAT4 cognitive abilities test.
This guide explains everything parents need to know about GEMS Wellington International School and the CAT4, including how the test works, what scores are typically competitive, and how to prepare your child effectively.
Is GEMS Wellington International School a good school in Dubai?
GEMS Wellington International School is widely considered one of the leading British curriculum schools in Dubai.
Families choose GWIS because:
It delivers a full UK curriculum through to GCSEs and then offers both IB and BTEC pathways.
Exam results are consistently strong, with graduates moving into top UK, Canadian, and US universities.
The school has excellent facilities, including specialist arts, sports, and STEAM spaces.
It has a strong focus on innovation, student leadership, and personalised academic support.
As a GEMS Premium school, it attracts a large number of applications, making some year groups competitive.
Because of this demand, the CAT4 is used to help assess academic potential, especially during key entry years.
Does GEMS Wellington International School use CAT4 in its admissions process?
Yes. GEMS Wellington International School uses the CAT4 test as part of its admissions assessments, particularly for students entering:
Year 4–6
Year 7 (major intake point)
Year 8–10, depending on availability
Mid-year entrants entering from non-British schools
CAT4 helps the school:
Understand learning potential
Benchmark students against UK and international norms
Support class placement and subject pathways
Ensure new students can cope with the academic pace, especially in upper primary and secondary years
GWIS follows a holistic admissions approach, but the CAT4 score is an important academic indicator.
What is the CAT4 test for GEMS Wellington International School?
The Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4) is a standardised reasoning assessment used across leading British and international schools worldwide. The CAT4 evaluates four key cognitive areas:
Verbal Reasoning
Understanding words, identifying relationships, interpreting language.Non-Verbal Reasoning
Recognising patterns and relationships in shapes and diagrams.Quantitative Reasoning
Numerical pattern recognition and logical number relationships.Spatial Reasoning
Visualising and mentally rotating shapes, 2D/3D mapping.
These domains collectively provide a picture of a child’s reasoning ability and learning potential making CAT4 particularly useful for selective admissions.
What CAT4 level does GEMS Wellington International School use (e.g., Year 7)?
While the exact level varies by year, British curriculum schools in Dubai commonly use:
CAT4 Level C – Year 6
CAT4 Level D – Year 7 (most common entry test)
CAT4 Level E – Years 8–9
CAT4 Level F/G – Years 10–11
For Year 7 entry, which is one of the busiest intake points at GWIS, students are typically given CAT4 Level D.
Students applying mid-year or transitioning from different education systems may also sit CAT4 for academic benchmarking.
What CAT4 score does GEMS Wellington International School expect?
GEMS Wellington International School does not publish official CAT4 score cutoffs, but the following benchmark ranges align with selective British schools in Dubai:
Target CAT4 SAS Scores for GWIS
110+ SAS – competitive for most year groups
115–120+ SAS – strong
125+ SAS – very competitive
130+ SAS – outstanding / top 2%
The school reviews the whole CAT4 profile, not just the total SAS score. A balanced performance across verbal, non-verbal, quantitative and spatial reasoning is viewed positively. Strong school reports and English proficiency also play a major role in admissions, especially for upper year groups.
What questions appear in the GEMS Wellington CAT4 test?
Students at GWIS complete standard CAT4 modules, each under timed conditions. Expect:
Verbal Reasoning
Verbal analogies
Word classifications
Verbal relationships
Non-Verbal Reasoning
Figure matrices
Pattern recognition
Shape sequences
Quantitative Reasoning
Number analogies
Number series
Relationship problems
Spatial Reasoning
Shape rotations
Cube nets
2D–3D visualisation tasks
Many UAE-based students are unfamiliar with spatial and non-verbal reasoning, meaning preparation here can dramatically boost performance.
How should my child prepare for the CAT4 test for GEMS Wellington International School?
CAT4 can be prepared for and students who prepare properly usually score significantly higher.
Here’s our recommended structured approach:
1. Begin preparation early (at least 3–6 months ahead)
CAT4 is very different from traditional school tests; familiarity is key.
2. Start with a diagnostic test
Identify whether the child struggles with verbal, quantitative, or spatial tasks.
3. Build domain-specific skills
Verbal:
Vocabulary building
Reading comprehension and analogy practice
Non-Verbal:
Visual puzzles
Pattern and matrix exercises
Quantitative:
Number sequence and logical number puzzles
Light algebraic reasoning
Spatial:
Shape rotation challenges
Cube nets and spatial puzzles
This is the least familiar domain and often offers the highest improvement potential.
4. Practise under timed conditions
CAT4 modules are short and fast-paced.
5. Use computer-based practice
This prepares students for the real testing format used at GEMS Wellington.
6. Build confidence and test-day readiness
A calm, confident student performs significantly better.
7. Consider structured CAT4 tuition
Given the academic level of GWIS, many parents choose specialist preparation to ensure competitiveness.
When are the GEMS Wellington International School admissions assessments?
While timelines vary by year group and availability, here are typical patterns:
Applications open early in the academic year (around September).
CAT4 assessments usually take place October–April.
Mid-year applicants may sit CAT4 shortly after application submission.
Year 7 and Year 6 are very high-demand years, so early applications are strongly recommended.
International applicants may have remote assessment options.
FAQs about GEMS Wellington International School & CAT4
Is GEMS Wellington International School hard to get into?
Yes spaces in certain year groups are highly competitive, especially Year 5–8.
Can students prepare for CAT4?
Yes. Preparation dramatically improves familiarity, speed, and accuracy.
Does CAT4 matter more than grades?
Both matter. CAT4 is one input; school reports, references, and English proficiency also play important roles.
Is CAT4 the same as an academic exam?
No, CAT4 assesses reasoning skills, not curriculum content like maths or science.
What if my child is from a different curriculum?
CAT4 is curriculum-neutral, which helps level the field for international applicants.
How to support your child’s application to GWIS
GEMS Wellington International School is known for its high academic expectations, global-minded curriculum, and excellent outcomes. A strong CAT4 performance can significantly enhance your child’s chances of success, especially when competing for limited spaces in popular year groups.
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