Oct
14
2026
Choosing an international school is one of the most important educational decisions a family makes. In Dubai, where parents can choose from a wide range of curricula, teaching philosophies and school environments, the admissions process can feel complex, particularly when navigating different entry requirements, assessment procedures and application timelines.
A successful application involves more than submitting forms and academic records. It requires a clear understanding of a child’s needs, careful research into potential schools and thoughtful preparation for each stage of the admissions journey.
Before beginning applications, consider what matters most to your family. Dubai offers British, American, IB, Indian and other international curricula, each with its own approach to teaching, assessment and progression.
Consider your child’s learning style, academic strengths, interests and longer-term educational plans. Equally important are the school’s ethos, class sizes, pastoral provision, extracurricular opportunities and the environment in which your child is likely to thrive.
The most suitable school is not necessarily the most selective or widely recognised. It is the one that aligns with your child’s individual needs and offers the right environment for their development.
Admissions requirements vary between schools, curricula and year groups. Some schools have waiting lists for particular entry points, while others may have more flexibility depending on availability.
Parents should establish application deadlines, required documentation, assessment procedures and any age or curriculum-specific entry requirements early in the process.
Commonly requested documents include previous school reports, identification documents, transfer certificates where applicable and information about a child’s educational history. International families moving to Dubai should also consider how their child’s current curriculum aligns with the prospective school’s entry requirements.
Many international schools use entrance assessments, interviews or classroom observations to understand a child’s academic readiness and suitability for the year group. Depending on the school and age of entry, these may assess literacy, numeracy, reasoning, English proficiency or broader cognitive abilities.
Preparation should focus on building confidence and addressing genuine learning gaps rather than placing children under unnecessary pressure. Familiarity with assessment formats, consistent academic practice and a calm approach can help students feel more comfortable during the process.
School admissions should be viewed as the beginning of a longer educational journey, rather than an isolated milestone. Consider how each school supports academic progress, personal development, wellbeing and transitions between year groups.
It is also worth exploring the school’s approach to communication with parents, its expectations of students and the opportunities available beyond the classroom. These factors can have a lasting influence on a child’s experience.
Families working with a school admission consultant in Dubai can benefit from a more structured understanding of school options, entry requirements and application strategies, particularly when considering competitive schools or a move between curricula.
Receiving an offer is an important milestone, but it is equally important to evaluate whether the school is the right long-term fit. Review the available options carefully, understand any conditions attached to an offer and consider the practical implications of fees, transport and school routines.
An informed decision balances academic ambition with the individual needs and wellbeing of the child.
Navigating school admissions independently can require considerable time and research. Any school admission consultant in Dubai that families engage should provide informed guidance, help clarify options and support a well-planned admissions process without losing sight of the child’s individual needs.
At XellED, we take a personalised approach to education advisory, helping families explore suitable schools, understand admissions requirements and prepare for the next stage of their child’s educational journey. Our focus is on identifying environments where children can develop academically and personally, rather than pursuing a school name alone.
If you are considering international school admissions in Dubai, XellED can help you approach the process with greater clarity, confidence and a clear understanding of your child’s educational priorities.
BackOct
14
2026
For many students, assessments are a familiar part of school life. However, not every assessment measures what a child has memorised or how well they can recall information. The Cognitive Abilities Test, Fourth Edition (CAT4), takes a different approach, exploring how students think, reason and solve problems.
Used by many schools in the UAE and internationally, the CAT4 assesses a range of cognitive abilities to help teachers understand a student’s learning profile. For parents, understanding what the test involves – and how to prepare appropriately – can help children approach the assessment with greater confidence.
The CAT4 assesses four areas of reasoning: verbal, non-verbal, quantitative and spatial. Together, these explore how students work with words, numbers, shapes and visual patterns.
Unlike a conventional academic examination, the CAT4 is not primarily a test of curriculum knowledge. It is designed to assess reasoning abilities rather than what a student has been taught in the classroom. This means preparation should focus on understanding question formats, developing problem-solving strategies and becoming comfortable with different types of reasoning tasks.
1. Become familiar with the question formats
Understanding how questions are presented can help students feel more comfortable on test day. Practising examples of verbal analogies, number sequences, figure classification and spatial reasoning tasks can make unfamiliar formats easier to navigate.
2. Develop reasoning skills through regular practice
Short, consistent practice sessions are often more productive than lengthy periods of preparation. Encourage children to identify patterns, explain their thinking and consider different ways to approach a problem. The objective is to strengthen reasoning skills, rather than memorise answers.
3. Build confidence with timed exercises
CAT4 assessments are timed, so students should become familiar with working at a steady pace. Practising under gentle time limits can help them learn when to move on from a difficult question and avoid spending too long on a single problem.
4. Identify strengths and areas for development
Students may find certain reasoning areas more intuitive than others. Reviewing practice exercises can help identify where further support would be useful. A balanced approach should strengthen less familiar skills while maintaining confidence in areas of existing strength.
5. Prioritise rest and wellbeing
Good preparation also means arriving at the assessment feeling rested and focused. A consistent sleep routine, a calm approach and reassurance from parents can help reduce unnecessary anxiety.
Some students feel comfortable working through reasoning questions independently, while others benefit from structured guidance. Families seeking CAT4 Test Preparation in Dubai can consider support that introduces the different question types, identifies areas for development and helps students practise effective strategies.
The most useful preparation is tailored to the individual child. It should build familiarity and confidence without creating the impression that the CAT4 is an examination that can simply be memorised or revised for in the traditional sense.
The CAT4 is one way schools build a broader understanding of a student’s cognitive profile. While preparation can help children become familiar with the assessment and approach questions more confidently, the aim should be to develop reasoning skills rather than chase a particular score.
At XellED, we believe academic preparation works best when it is personalised, purposeful and responsive to each student’s needs. Through structured practice and individual guidance, students can develop their reasoning skills and approach assessments with greater confidence.
If you are exploring CAT4 Test Preparation in Dubai, XellED can help you identify an approach suited to your child’s learning needs, age and school requirements.
BackOct
14
2026
Every child learns differently. Some grasp new concepts quickly, while others benefit from additional time, a different approach or more opportunities to practise. In a demanding and diverse educational environment such as Dubai, recognising when a child may need extra academic support can make a meaningful difference to their confidence and progress.
Private tutoring is not necessarily about addressing poor performance. It can also help children strengthen their foundations, develop independent learning skills and prepare for the increasing academic demands of their school years.
One of the clearest indicators is a persistent struggle with particular subjects or concepts. If a child finds it difficult to keep pace in Mathematics, English or Science, targeted support can help identify gaps in understanding before they become more difficult to address.
Other signs may be less obvious. A child who spends considerable time on homework, regularly feels overwhelmed by assessments or has begun to lose confidence in their abilities may benefit from a more individualised approach to learning.
Changes in motivation are also worth noticing. When a child begins avoiding certain subjects or becomes anxious about schoolwork, the underlying issue may not be a lack of effort. They may simply need concepts explained differently or more time to consolidate what they have learned.
There is no single age or stage at which tutoring becomes necessary. Some children benefit from support during the transition to secondary school, when subjects become more complex and independent learning becomes increasingly important. Others may need focused preparation for entrance assessments, CAT4 tests, GCSEs or A Levels.
An experienced private academic tutor Dubai families choose should be able to recognise a child’s existing strengths, identify areas for development and adapt teaching accordingly. The aim should be to build understanding and independence, rather than simply complete homework or prepare for the next examination.
Tutoring can also benefit high-achieving students who want to extend their knowledge, explore subjects in greater depth or prepare for more demanding academic pathways.
The quality of the relationship between a tutor and a child is as important as subject expertise. Effective tutors explain concepts clearly, encourage questions and create an environment in which children feel comfortable making mistakes and learning from them.
Parents should look for relevant curriculum experience, a clear understanding of the child’s academic needs and a structured approach to tracking progress. Regular feedback is valuable, as it allows families to understand what is improving, where further work is needed and how support can evolve over time.
A private academic tutor Dubai families engage should do more than reinforce classroom learning. The right tutor helps children develop problem-solving skills, resilience and the confidence to approach unfamiliar challenges independently.
Academic support is most effective when it responds to the individual child, rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach. With the right guidance, tutoring can help children address learning gaps, consolidate knowledge and develop habits that support them throughout their education.
At XellED, we believe academic preparation should be purposeful, personalised and responsive to each student’s needs. By understanding how a child learns and where targeted support can make the greatest difference, families can make informed decisions about the academic guidance that will help their child move forward with confidence.
If you are considering a private academic tutor Dubai families can rely on for tailored academic support, XellED can help you explore an approach aligned with your child’s needs, curriculum and longer-term educational goals.
BackOct
14
2026
School admission in Dubai can be an exciting milestone for a family, but with hundreds of schools, multiple curricula and different admissions processes, knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming.
For parents, the challenge is not simply finding a school with a strong reputation. It is understanding which schools are the right fit for their child, when to apply, what the process involves and how to prepare for each stage.
This is where working with an experienced school admission consultant Dubai can provide families with greater clarity and confidence throughout the process.
Before beginning an application, families should first establish which schools are genuinely suitable for their child.
Academic profile, personality, interests, learning style and future aspirations should all be considered. Curriculum is equally important, particularly for families who may eventually move countries or have a particular university pathway in mind.
Rather than applying to as many schools as possible, a considered shortlist can help families focus their time and energy on schools where their child is most likely to thrive.
Admissions timelines vary considerably between schools. Some begin accepting applications well in advance, while others may have waiting lists or rolling admissions.
Families should understand application deadlines, required documentation, assessment dates and potential entry requirements before beginning the process. Starting early can also provide greater flexibility if a preferred school has limited availability.
Depending on the school and year group, children may be asked to complete academic assessments, entrance examinations, interviews or other forms of evaluation.
Preparation should not be about teaching a child to give rehearsed answers. It should focus on building familiarity, confidence and the skills required to demonstrate their genuine abilities.
For more competitive schools, academic preparation and profile building may need to begin well before an application is submitted. An experienced school admission consultant Dubai can help families understand what a particular school is looking for and identify areas where preparation may be beneficial.
Receiving an offer is an important milestone, but it is not necessarily the end of the decision-making process.
Families should consider the wider school environment, pastoral support, extracurricular opportunities, academic expectations and how well the school will support their child over the longer term.
The right school should offer an environment in which a child can develop academically, socially and personally.
School admissions can involve many decisions, deadlines and unknowns. Having the right guidance can make the process more structured and, importantly, more personalised.
At XellED, we work with families to understand their individual priorities before identifying and navigating appropriate educational pathways. As a school admission consultant Dubai families can turn to, our role goes beyond helping with an application. We look at the wider picture – from school selection and admissions strategy to academic preparation, profile building and the transition into a new educational environment.
Ultimately, successful school admission is not simply about securing a place. It is about finding an environment in which a child can grow, flourish and develop the foundations for their future.
For parents, the most valuable question is therefore not simply, “Which school can we get into?” but, “Which school is right for our child?”
BackOct
10
2026
Choosing a school in Dubai can feel like an exciting opportunity – but also an increasingly complex decision.
Dubai’s private education sector is expanding rapidly. In the 2025-26 academic year alone, six new schools opened their doors, following ten new schools in the previous academic year. And for 2026-27, a further 26 new educational institutions are set to open across the emirate. Dubai now has more than 230 private schools, offering a diverse range of curricula and educational approaches.
For families, greater choice is undoubtedly valuable. But it can also make knowing where to begin considerably more difficult. Which curriculum is right for your child? Which school offers the right balance of academic challenge and pastoral support? And beyond a school’s reputation, will your child genuinely thrive in that environment? This is where an experienced international school consultant Dubai can help bring structure and clarity to what can otherwise feel like an overwhelming process.
The most effective school search begins with the child.
Every student learns differently. Some flourish in highly academic environments, while others benefit from a more creative, collaborative or individualised approach. Consider your child’s academic strengths, interests, personality and areas where they may need additional support.
It is equally important to think about the environment in which your child will develop confidence, independence and resilience. The right school should support far more than academic achievement.
Dubai offers an impressive range of international curricula, including British, American and International Baccalaureate programmes, alongside a number of other pathways.
The right choice will depend not only on your child’s current needs, but also on your family’s longer-term plans. If your child may eventually apply to universities in the UK, US or elsewhere, understanding how different curricula support those pathways is an important part of the decision.
A school’s academic results, facilities and inspection rating can provide useful information, but they do not tell the whole story.
School culture, class sizes, teaching approach, extracurricular opportunities, pastoral care and the way a school supports different learners can have a profound impact on a child’s experience.
Visiting schools, speaking with staff and asking thoughtful questions can help families understand what life at each school is really like. A good international school consultant Dubai will look beyond the information presented in a prospectus, helping families assess the less tangible aspects of school life and how well they align with their child.
For families navigating such a broad and constantly evolving landscape, the right guidance can make the process significantly more considered and personal.
The role of an international school consultant in Dubai should not simply be to provide a list of schools. It should be about understanding the child and family first, then identifying environments that genuinely align with their needs, aspirations and future pathway.
At XellED, we believe the right school is not necessarily the most prestigious or the most popular. It is the school where a child can feel challenged, supported and confident enough to become the best version of themselves.
With the right fit, a school can shape far more than academic outcomes. It can influence a child’s confidence, friendships, interests and sense of what they are capable of achieving. Choosing carefully, therefore, is not simply about finding a good school. It is about finding the right one.
BackOct
02
2026
Why premium boarding schools are shaping the next generation of confident, self-directed global citizens
The most important lessons rarely happen in a classroom – how a child navigates a challenge, asks for help, manages disappointment, or even how to be comfortable in a room full of strangers. Soft skills, emotional intelligence, the art of being a decent human being are the skills that shape a life. Yet for all the hours spent on curriculum, how many are spent actually preparing a child for this? And does our system – at home or at school, truly support it?
Aanchal Kotibhaskar, Founder and Lead Education Advisor at XellED in Dubai, has spent her career guiding families through some of the most significant educational decisions of their lives. She points to the boarding school environment as one of the most powerful frameworks for developing exactly these qualities.
“Students are not just educated, they are immersed in an environment that shapes how they think, interact, and see the world,” she says. The structured rhythm of boarding life, balancing academics, sport, creative pursuits and genuine downtime, creates habits and a sense of purpose that become second nature over time. Independence, she is quick to note, is never forced. It is cultivated gradually, within a supportive framework that allows children to understand the consequences of their choices without being left to figure it out alone.
For families considering the investment, Kotibhaskar’s advice is to look beyond prestige. Cultural fit, pastoral care and how well a school nurtures individuality matter as much as facilities and rankings. And crucially, involve your child. When they feel aligned with the choice, the experience becomes transformative rather than simply expensive.
For those beginning the search, institutions across the UK – including Eton College, Wellington College and Cheltenham Ladies’ College, and Switzerland’s Le Rosey and Aiglon College remain among the most respected names globally.
BackSep
08
2026
RIYADH: Educational technology and public-private partnerships are key scaling tools in Saudi Arabia’s human capital transformation, helping close the gap between academic output and labor-market needs, experts told Arab News.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Human Capability Development Program forms the core of this goal, as the initiative aims to make the Kingdom’s citizens globally competitive across the full life cycle: early childhood, general education, higher education, technical and vocational training, and lifelong learning.
Alessandro Lanteri, teaching professor and executive director at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business in Dubai, told Arab News that PPPs in the Kingdom are increasingly used beyond physical infrastructure financing into core curriculum design and delivery.
He said: “This integration ensures that educational outputs are tied to employers’ demand.”
Partnerships move from financing to co-producing talent
Amitabh Jhingan, EY-Parthenon strategy partner for MENA and EY Global Education Sector Leader, echoed similar views and said that PPPs are playing an important role in helping the government expand capacity, bring in specialized capabilities, enhance internationalization and create stronger linkages between industry and academia.
“Saudi Arabia is making significant strides in strengthening its education and skills development ecosystem. Recent efforts to establish university hospitals in collaboration with specialized healthcare providers are expanding opportunities for clinical training, research, and health care education for students,” said Jhingan.
He further said that collaborations with leading international academic institutions are bringing global best practices and world-class educational models to the Kingdom at scale.
Continued expansion of industry-aligned vocational and technical training programs is helping bridge the gap between education outcomes and workforce needs, ensuring graduates are better equipped with skills demanded by a rapidly evolving economy.
Yigit Saf, principal in the Public Sector Practice at Arthur D. Little, Middle East, said that public-private partnerships are increasingly treated as a way to co-produce talent rather than merely finance education.
According to Saf, the strongest PPP models bring government, training institutions and employers together so that companies help design curricula, provide equipment and instructors, offer workplace experience and, ideally, create a pathway into employment.
He said: “We are also seeing greater private and international participation in higher education.
“The Ministry of Education has explicitly opened opportunities for foreign university branches, while the Human Capability Development Program reported approvals for new university branches in the Kingdom.”
The vitality of ed tech
Lanteri said that ed tech is one of the key scaling mechanisms to bridge the gap between academic output and labor-market realities.
“Unlike conventional delivery models, educational technology can offer faster iteration cycles, allowing training content and pathways to be updated more quickly as labor-market needs change,” said Lanteri.
Jhingan added that ed tech will also help the Kingdom develop world-class content, access best-in-class international material and deliver it to learners quickly, accelerating the broader transformation of education and human capital.
Aanchal Kotibhaskar, founder of school admissions guidance firm XellED, opined that technology is making Saudi Arabia’s human capital formation more powerful and effective.
“Personalized learning, adaptive assessment and AI allow educators to understand aptitude and learning patterns with far greater precision,” she said, adding: “Yet their greatest value, in my view, is not replacing human judgment, but giving educators better insight into where an individual might thrive.”
Local ed tech startups differentiating themselves from global platforms
According to Arthur D. Little’s Saf, global ed tech firms enjoy advantages in content and scale, and language is becoming a less pronounced barrier.
Saf said that the strongest path is co-development that combines international academic expertise with Saudi economic priorities and direct employer involvement.
“In this context, local companies are more likely to thrive by being more relevant, integrated and available. Obviously it starts with Arabic. But then, successful local platforms can design around the cultural norms, national curriculum, local assessment systems, classroom practices, teacher workflows and the expectations of students and parents. They can also integrate more effectively with Saudi regulatory requirements and institutional systems,” said Saf.
He added: “Several platforms, including Noon Education, SQORI, ALW among others promote themselves as Arabic-first AI providers and anchor their offering in alignment with the Saudi curriculum.”
Skills gaps remain acute in key sectors
According to Jhnigan, sectors including healthcare, engineering and technology continue to see the greatest skills gaps.
“New sectors such as culture, tourism, hospitality and arts will also require a large number of trained professionals over the next 10-12 years,” said Jhingan.
The most important test for the next stage of the human capital agenda, Saf argued, is whether training produces durable employment and progression rather than temporary or subsidized roles.
“HRDF already supports private-sector recruitment and training, including salary support mechanisms that can extend for up to two years, while programs such as Tamheer provide structured on-the-job experience,” said Saf.
He added: “Going forward, the model should become even more outcome-based.
“Training providers should increasingly be measured on employment at six, 12 and 24 months, salary progression, occupation-to-training match and retention after subsidies expire.
“Employers should also have skin in the game through co-funding, apprenticeships or hiring commitments.”
Kotibhaskar noted that Saudi Arabia’s human capital transformation will succeed only if it is measured by how far individuals can progress — not merely by how many Saudis enter the workforce.
According to her, Saudization may ultimately be reflected in employment, but its foundations are built much earlier — through education, exposure and the ability to recognize and develop potential.
“The meaningful outcome is progression. When education enables young Saudis not simply to enter the workforce, but to keep developing, specialize, innovate and lead, human capital investment becomes something much bigger,” said Kotibhaskar.
She added: “Technology may help us understand potential earlier; education develops it; and the strength of the wider ecosystem determines how far that potential can ultimately travel.”
BackAug
22
2026
A new school year is more than new books, uniforms and timetables. It is an opportunity for children to build confidence, develop positive habits and prepare for a successful year ahead.
The first few weeks can shape a child’s attitude towards learning, friendships and personal growth. With a little preparation and support, parents can help make the transition smoother and more enjoyable.
Gradually return to school-time sleep schedules, meal times and morning routines. Consistency can help children feel prepared and reduce first-week anxiety.
Help your child set a few realistic goals for the year. These could include reading more, improving organisation, trying a new activity or making new friends.
Ask your child what they are excited or concerned about. Open conversations can help children express their feelings and feel supported before school begins.
Prepare school bags, study spaces, books and stationery together. Involving children in these tasks helps them develop organisation and responsibility.
Give your child ownership of small responsibilities, such as packing their bag, checking their timetable and organising homework. These habits can build confidence and self-management skills.
As the year progresses, students take on more challenging academics, co-curricular activities and opportunities to develop confidence, leadership and independence.
For families in the UAE following the British curriculum, assessments such as CAT4 can also be an important part of understanding how students think and learn.
CAT4 assesses four areas:
Understanding these areas can give parents a broader view of their child’s learning profile and help them provide the right support.
A successful school year is not only about academic results. Confidence, friendships, resilience and independence are equally important.
Stay engaged with teachers, celebrate progress and encourage your child to talk about both achievements and challenges. Small, consistent support can make a meaningful difference.
The goal is not to make everything perfect. It is to give children the routines, encouragement and independence they need to approach the year with confidence.
For parents looking to understand their child’s CAT4 results or explore the right educational pathway, the right guidance can make the journey clearer and more informed.
BackAug
18
2026
We speak often about growth.
About progress. Achievement. Resilience. Success.
But somewhere along the way, we have started to treat failure as the opposite of all of these things.
As though progress is a straight line – and failure is evidence that we have somehow stepped off the path.
I think we need to rethink that.
Failure is not mutually exclusive with growth. In many cases, it is part of the process.
A child who struggles with a difficult concept is not necessarily falling behind. They may be learning how to persist. A student who does not get the result they hoped for is not necessarily moving backwards. They may be learning how to reflect, adapt and try again.
The problem is that we often celebrate the outcome without acknowledging the process that made it possible.
We celebrate the student who succeeds – but not always the attempts, mistakes and setbacks that came before.
Yet real development rarely happens when everything goes according to plan.
It happens when we are given the space to try something difficult, get it wrong, understand why, and try again.
This is particularly important in education. If we want young people to become independent thinkers, confident decision-makers and resilient individuals, we cannot create environments where avoiding failure becomes the primary measure of success.
We have to make room for it.
Not to glorify failure. Not to lower expectations.
But to understand that failure can be information.
It can tell us what needs to change. Where we need support. Which approach is not working. What we might try differently next time.
The goal is not to protect children from every experience of failure.
It is to ensure that failure does not become a definition of who they are.
Because a failed attempt is not a failed child.
And progress is not the absence of failure.
Often, it is what happens because we were willing to keep going after it.
BackApr
15
2026
In an increasingly competitive global education landscape, families are moving beyond conventional decision-making when it comes to their children’s schooling. A recent study by The Association of Boarding Schools, conducted by the Art and Science Group, highlights a growing preference for boarding education — not just for academic outcomes, but for long-term personal development.
The findings are compelling. Nearly 87 percent of boarding school graduates report being very well prepared for college, compared to 71 percent of private day and 39 percent of public school alumni. Around 70 percent of boarders say their schools helped them develop self-discipline, independence, and critical thinking skills, while 77 percent cite access to leadership opportunities — significantly higher than their day school counterparts.
Boarding schools, by design, create an environment where students must engage with responsibility far earlier than their day-school counterparts. Removed from the daily scaffolding of home, children begin to make decisions for themselves – how they manage their time, balance priorities, and respond to challenges. This shift from dependence to ownership is, in many ways, the starting point of business thinking.
At its core, business is about accountability. It is about making choices and understanding their consequences. In a boarding setting, this plays out daily. Whether it is meeting academic expectations, participating in activities, or simply navigating interpersonal dynamics, students quickly learn that outcomes are closely tied to their own actions. Financial awareness, another critical yet underdeveloped life skill, is often introduced organically in these environments. Many boarding schools encourage students to manage personal allowances, budget expenses, and make trade-offs. These early interactions with money instil a level of financial discipline and awareness that formal education systems frequently overlook.
Beyond structure and exposure, boarding schools also provide platforms for experimentation. Entrepreneurship clubs, student-led initiatives, leadership councils, and project-based learning opportunities allow students to test ideas, take initiative, and experience both success and failure. Crucially, they do so in a relatively low-risk environment – where failure becomes a learning tool rather than a setback.
Against this backdrop, XellED is emerging as a key player in helping families navigate these high-stakes decisions with greater clarity and precision. Positioned as a boutique education advisory firm, XellED works closely with families across the UAE and beyond, supporting placements in leading boarding schools in the UAE, UK and Switzerland, as well as top-tier day schools locally.
“What differentiates XellED is its emphasis on depth over process. The firm invests significant time in understanding each student, their personality, readiness, and learning style, before recommending pathways,” said Aanchal Kotibhaskar, Founder and Lead Education Advisor, XellED, Dubai.
Equally notable is how families are introduced to schools. Moving away from traditional open days, XellED facilitates private, one-on-one engagements with admissions teams, senior leadership, and academic staff. This allows for more meaningful conversations and better-informed decisions, grounded in substance rather than presentation.
Preparation plays a central role. Students receive targeted support for CAT4 and school-specific entrance assessments, alongside interview coaching that focuses on clarity of thought and authentic communication rather than rehearsed responses. Written components, including personal statements, are also carefully developed to align with school expectations.
Importantly, the firm’s involvement does not end with placement. Ongoing support during the transition phase helps students adjust academically and socially, addressing what can often be a challenging first year.
“While the UAE and UK remains a dominant choice for its academic rigour and established university pathways, Switzerland is gaining traction for many families too. The appeal lies in its international environment, smaller cohorts, and a more balanced, experience-led approach to education,” Kotibhaskar said.
Over the next five years, XellED aims to deepen its role as an advisor in the education space. A key focus will be expanding its preparation services, not as traditional tutoring, but as a more holistic approach to academic and interview readiness.
Back
