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Guide to enrolling your child in primary school (Years 1-6) in Dubai. Covers entrance assessments, transfer requirements, and age cutoffs based on KHDA guidelines.
Primary school admission in Dubai (Years 1-6) typically involves submitting an application with required documents, completing an entrance assessment (usually English and Maths), and confirming enrolment with the registration fee. Children must turn 5 by December 31 for Year 1 entry, for schools that start in August or September. Most schools accept applications year-round subject to availability.
Source: UAE Ministry of Education announcement, 17 December 2025; KHDA Student Placement Guidelines FAQs for parents; common school practices
Unlike FS1/FS2 which are observation-based, primary school admission from Year 1 onwards typically requires formal entrance assessments. The difficulty increases with each year group. Transfers between schools are regulated by KHDA and require a transfer certificate from the current school. Each school sets its own specific requirements and timelines.
The KHDA follows the UAE's minimum age requirements for Year 1 and Year 2. In schools that start in August or September, children registering at a Dubai school or nursery for the first time must reach the minimum age by 31 December 2026 for the 2026-2027 academic year. From Year 2 upwards, a child moving from another school is placed by the grade on the transfer certificate, so check the year group with the school.
| Year Group | Age by Dec 31, 2026 | British | American | IB PYP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 years | Year 1 (KS1) | KG2 | PYP Early Years |
| Year 2 | 6 years | Year 2 (KS1) | Grade 1 | PYP Year 1 |
| Year 3 | 7 years | Year 3 (KS2) | Grade 2 | PYP Year 2 |
| Year 4 | 8 years | Year 4 (KS2) | Grade 3 | PYP Year 3 |
| Year 5 | 9 years | Year 5 (KS2) | Grade 4 | PYP Year 4 |
| Year 6 | 10 years | Year 6 (KS2) | Grade 5 | PYP Year 5 |
Most private schools in Dubai require entrance assessments for primary school admission (Year 1 and above). The format and difficulty vary by school and year group.
Reading comprehension, vocabulary, and basic writing skills appropriate to age
Number sense, basic operations, and problem-solving at the appropriate level
Some schools use CAT4 or similar tests to assess reasoning and learning potential
Standardised assessments used by some British curriculum schools
Creative or structured writing appropriate to the year group
Some schools include a brief interview with the child or family
Assessment requirements vary significantly between schools. Contact your preferred school directly for specific details about their entrance assessment process.
School transfers are common in Dubai given the transient nature of the expatriate population. The KHDA regulates school-to-school transfers.
GetYourTutors provides in-home private tutors for primary school students in Dubai. Whether your child needs help settling into a new school, preparing for assessments, or building academic confidence, our tutors can help.
Contact GetYourTutors — Primary School Admission in Dubai
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Last verified: October 2026
This guide is for informational purposes only. Admission requirements vary by school. GetYourTutors is an independent tutoring company and does not facilitate school admissions.
Everything you need to know about our private tutoring services in Dubai.
For Year 1 (KG2 in other curricula) admission in the 2026-2027 academic year, children registering at a Dubai school or nursery for the first time must turn 5 years old by 31 December 2026 in schools that start the year in August or September. This follows the updated UAE age cutoff from 31 August to 31 December. From Year 2 upwards, a child moving from another school is placed by the grade on the transfer certificate, so check the year group with the school.
Most primary schools in Dubai require some form of assessment for admission from Year 1 onwards. These typically evaluate English reading and comprehension, Mathematics, and sometimes cognitive ability (e.g., CAT4 tests). The difficulty and format vary by school and year group. Year 1 assessments are generally simpler than those for Years 3-6.
Yes, mid-year transfers are possible subject to the receiving school's capacity. You will need a transfer certificate from the current school (all fees must be cleared first), recent school reports, and standard admission documents. The receiving school places the child under KHDA placement rules, and any change of year group during the year needs KHDA approval.
The choice depends on your family's long-term plans and your child's learning style. British curriculum (EYFS/National Curriculum) focuses on structured key stages with SATs assessments. IB PYP emphasises inquiry-based, transdisciplinary learning. American curriculum follows US state standards with a broad liberal arts approach. GetYourTutors does not recommend specific curricula — this is a personal decision for each family.
Yes. GetYourTutors provides in-home private tutors for primary school students in Dubai. Our tutors help with Maths, English, Science, Arabic, and exam preparation. Visit our Primary School Tutors page to learn more.
Get matched with a dedicated tutor who comes to your home. No commitments, no hassle — just results.