Tests and scores
CAT4, GL Progress Tests, NGRT and the other tests your child sits at school, and what the scores mean.
- CAT4 scores explained
- CAT4 levels by year group
- GL Progress Tests explained
- Which tests UAE schools use, year by year
46 guides, every fact linked to its source
The British-curriculum guide for UAE parents
Your child's school sends home a CAT4 report, a Progress Test score or a letter about GCSE options, and it assumes you already know what it means. These guides explain it in plain English.
Checked against GL Assessment, KHDA, ADEK, the UAE Ministry of Education and the UK Department for Education
Start here
The questions parents ask most
- 01CAT4 scores explainedWhat your child's CAT4 score means, with every score from 69 to 141.
- 02GL Progress Tests explainedPTM, PTE and PTS: what they test, which level each year sits, when UAE schools test and what the scores mean.
- 03UAE school age cut-off and year groupsThe new 31 December cut-off, which year group your child joins, and how it compares with England.
- 04UK year groups vs US gradesOne table for UK years, UAE and US grades, IB, Indian and Australian years, by age.
- 05KHDA school ratings explainedWhat Outstanding to Very weak mean, what inspectors judge, and the 2026-27 inspection changes.
- 06UAE equivalency certificate for British-curriculum studentsWhat the Ministry of Education needs: 5 IGCSE/GCSE passes, 1 A level or 2 AS levels, and the Arabic and Islamic Studies rule.
All guides
Six sections, from Foundation Stage to university
The British curriculum, year by year
What children learn from Year 1 to Year 6, key stages, year groups and the UK primary tests.
All 10 guides
Admissions and entrance exams
Getting into schools in the UAE and the UK: entrance tests, Year 7 entry, 11+, UKiset and moving schools.
- UAE school age cut-off and year groups
- School admissions in Dubai
- Dubai College entrance exam (Year 7)
- Transfer certificate (TC) in the UAE
Secondary school and qualifications
GCSE, IGCSE, A levels, grades, options and the UAE equivalency certificate.
- UAE equivalency certificate for British-curriculum students
- GCSE and IGCSE grades explained
- IGCSE vs GCSE
- Year 9 options: how many GCSEs and IGCSEs
How UAE schools work
KHDA and ADEK ratings, compulsory subjects, the school calendar and the paperwork for UAE schools.
- KHDA school ratings explained
- ADEK school ratings explained
- Is Arabic compulsory in UAE schools?
- UAE school calendar 2026-27
Helping your child at home
Methods that are shown to work: revision, reading, times tables and getting ready for tests.
- Revision techniques that work
- How to learn times tables
- How to help your child with reading
- How to help your child with maths at home
How we check facts
Every number comes from the organisation that sets it
GL Assessment for CAT4 and the Progress Tests, KHDA and ADEK for UAE school rules, the UK Department for Education for the curriculum, and the exam boards for GCSE and A level. Each guide lists its sources and the date it was last checked.
About Leap Ahead- 46guides
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- Everyfact sourced