Admission Testing

At Horizon International Bilingual School, we believe that every student possesses unique strengths, talents, and learning potential. Our admissions assessment process is thoughtfully designed to help the Admissions Team, Principal, and Academic Coordinators gain a comprehensive understanding of each student’s academic readiness, language proficiency, and individual learning needs in order to provide the most suitable educational pathway from the very beginning.

As a bilingual international school, Horizon offers a dynamic learning environment where students are supported in developing strong English and Vietnamese language proficiency while building the confidence to thrive academically and socially in an international setting.

All applicants from Grade 1 to Grade 12 participate in an admissions assessment process designed to evaluate their English language proficiency and overall readiness for Horizon’s bilingual and international learning environment.

The assessment process includes:

WIDA English Language Assessment
Student Interview
CAT4 Cognitive Abilities Test (for students from Grade 3 onwards)

WIDA English Language Assessment

Students complete the WIDA assessment across four key language domains:

Listening
Speaking
Reading
Writing

In addition, students participate in a direct interview with a foreign teacher, designed to evaluate their communication skills and ability to use English confidently in an academic environment.

Both the assessment and interview are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), ensuring internationally recognised standards of language evaluation.

Students who do not yet meet the recommended WIDA entry level may join Horizon’s specialised English support programme, which provides additional language development to help students strengthen their proficiency and confidently integrate into the school’s bilingual and international curriculum.

CAT4 Cognitive Abilities Assessment

From Grade 3 onwards, students complete the CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test).

The CAT4 assessment evaluates students’ cognitive strengths, reasoning abilities, and learning potential across multiple areas of thinking and mental processing. The results help the academic team better understand how each student learns and support the development of personalised learning pathways tailored to individual strengths and future growth.

Assessments for Vietnamese Students Who have Studied International Programme

For Vietnamese students who have previously studied international programmes, Horizon may conduct an additional Vietnamese language assessment and other required assessments appropriate to the student’s age and year level. Assessment content may vary depending on the student’s programme and grade level to ensure a smooth transition into Horizon’s bilingual learning environment and long-term academic success.

Through this comprehensive admissions assessment process, Horizon aims to provide every student with the most suitable educational pathway while nurturing confidence, academic growth, and success within a multilingual and internationally-minded community.