Nord Anglia Dubai Year 7 Entry 2026 — CAT4 Prep Guide
Nord Anglia International School Dubai (NAS Dubai) is one of the largest and most recognised British curriculum schools in the UAE. With over 5,000 students, partnerships with MIT and the Juilliard School, and a KHDA Outstanding rating, it is a first-choice destination for many Dubai families. Year 7 entry is competitive — and requires specific CAT4 preparation alongside strong English and Maths assessment performance.
NAS Dubai — School Overview
|
Feature |
Detail |
|
Full name |
Nord Anglia
International School Dubai |
|
Location |
Jumeirah,
Dubai |
|
KHDA Rating |
Outstanding |
|
Student
population |
5,000+
students from 120+ nationalities |
|
Curriculum |
British
National Curriculum, Cambridge CAIE IGCSE and A-Level |
|
Sixth Form |
A-Level (no IB
Diploma) |
|
Notable
partnerships |
MIT (STEM
integration), Juilliard School (performing arts) |
|
Fee range |
AED
52,000–82,000 per year (approximate) |
NAS Dubai's scale is both an advantage and a differentiator. The MIT partnership means Year 7–13 students access MIT-developed STEM content integrated into the curriculum. The Juilliard partnership supports music, dance, and theatre. This breadth makes NAS Dubai attractive to families who want a well-rounded British education with exceptional co-curricular provision.
Year 7 Admissions — What the Process Involves
NAS Dubai Year 7 admissions typically involve:
• CAT4 Level D assessment — all four batteries (VR, NVR, QR, Spatial Ability)
• English assessment — reading comprehension, writing, and verbal skills
• Mathematics assessment — Year 6 curriculum content applied in a problem-solving format
• School report review — current school academic record and teacher references
Unlike smaller schools where the CAT4 dominates the decision, NAS Dubai takes a holistic view. A student with a composite SAS of 110 but excellent school reports and strong English and Maths assessments may be preferred over a student with SAS 115 and weaker overall profile.
Year 7 Admissions Timeline (August 2027 Entry)
|
Stage |
Typical
Timing |
|
Enquiry and
registration |
September–October
2026 |
|
Applications
open |
September–October
2026 |
|
CAT4
assessments |
November 2026
– March 2027 |
|
English and
Maths assessments |
Conducted
alongside or near CAT4 |
|
School report
requests |
October–December
2026 |
|
Offers issued |
Rolling from
January; final round March–May 2027 |
|
Start date |
August 2027 |
|
NAS Dubai
processes a very large volume of Year 7 applications. Register early —
September 2026 — to secure an assessment slot in the November-December
window. Late registrants may face February–March slots, which are closer to
the intake and leave less time to consider options. |
CAT4 Preparation Targets for NAS Dubai
|
Battery |
Target SAS
for NAS Dubai |
Preparation
Priority |
|
Verbal
Reasoning |
108+ |
Moderate —
supported by reading widely |
|
Non-Verbal
Reasoning |
108+ |
High — not
taught in UAE schools, needs direct practice |
|
Quantitative
Reasoning |
108+ |
High — school
Maths does not prepare for QR format |
|
Spatial
Ability |
105+ |
Moderate–High
— 3D visualisation needs practice |
|
Overall
composite |
108–112 |
All batteries
should be consistent |
How NAS Dubai Differs From Repton and Brighton College
Families deciding between NAS Dubai and smaller premium schools (Repton, Brighton College) often ask: what does each school actually offer a Year 7 student?
|
Factor |
NAS Dubai |
Repton /
Brighton College |
|
Year group
size |
Larger — more
students per year group |
Smaller — more
intimate year group |
|
CAT4 SAS
target |
108–112
(lower) |
112–115+
(higher) |
|
Post-16
pathway |
A-Level only |
A-Level + IB
(Repton) or A-Level only (Brighton) |
|
Partnerships |
MIT +
Juilliard (unique) |
UK parent
school affiliation |
|
Fee range |
Lower end of
premium |
Higher end of
premium |
|
Campus
location |
Jumeirah |
Mohammed Bin
Rashid City / Al Barsha Road |
EdFlik CAT4 Preparation for NAS Dubai Entry
EdFlik prepares UAE students for NAS Dubai Year 7 CAT4 entry using a structured programme covering all four batteries, beginning with a diagnostic mock to establish the baseline across VR, NVR, QR, and Spatial Ability.
|
Sessions from
AED 60 per session. Free diagnostic CAT4 mock. Book at www.edflik.com or
WhatsApp +91 88788 96600. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Nord Anglia Dubai use CAT4 for Year 7 admissions?
Yes. NAS Dubai uses the CAT4 as part of Year 7 admissions alongside English and Maths assessments and school reports.
Q: What CAT4 score is needed for Nord Anglia Dubai?
Families should target a composite SAS of 108–112 across all four batteries. NAS Dubai also considers English and Maths assessments and school reports — the full application package matters.
Q: What makes Nord Anglia Dubai different from other British schools in UAE?
Scale (5,000+ students), MIT STEM partnership, Juilliard performing arts partnership, and KHDA Outstanding rating. NAS Dubai offers more subject and co-curricular breadth than smaller premium schools.
Q: When do Nord Anglia Dubai Year 7 applications open?
September–October for the following August intake. Register early to secure a November–December assessment slot.
Q: What curriculum does Nord Anglia Dubai follow?
British National Curriculum, Cambridge CAIE IGCSE and A-Levels. No IB Diploma. KHDA Outstanding. Located in Jumeirah, Dubai.
