Testing in Dubai - CBSE Schools

For the academic year 2024-25, to align with KHDA’s ‘External Benchmark Assessments Requirements’, all CBSE curriculum private schools in Dubai should be using cognitive ability tests and reading skills tests. These requirements have been developed to ‘support schools with their whole school self-evaluation and improvement planning; and facilitate KHDA’s role in monitoring and quality assurance of schools.’

The recommended components supplied by GL Education are:

• Reading skills - NGRT - To be carried out 3 times in the academic year
• Potential to learn - CAT4 

The testing window for this year’s ability testing is from 1st April to 21st November 2025. 

The KHDA expect schools to test students from the following Grades/Years: 

Grades 3, 5, 7 and 9 or Years 4, 6, 8 and 10. 

New schools that have not previously tested with CAT4 are advised to test all their students from grade 3-9 (years 4 -10). 

Refer to the table below to identify the appropriate test level for each grade/year.

The 3 testing windows for this year’s literacy testing are 14th April to 30th May 2025, 25th August to 17th October 2025, and 5th January to 13th February 2026.

The KHDA expects schools to test all Grades/Years from Grade 1/Year 2 up to Grade 9/Year 10.

Testing should be carried out using Form B in the August-October testing window, Form C in the January-February window, and Form A in the April-May window.

Further information regarding NGRT can be found  here.

During registration, schools must clearly identify all Emirati students. Click here for further guidance on how to achieve this on the Testwise platform.

Please see the video below for guidance on updating your student records.

Email [email protected] with your testing requirements.