Math Sets & Streaming:
How to Move Up
"Why am I in the bottom group if I got 10/10 on my homework?" We explain how Dubai schools calculate sets, the "Glass Ceiling" of lower groups, and exactly how to get promoted.
The "Glass Ceiling" Trap
The danger of being in a lower set isn't just "slower teaching." It's curriculum exposure. Lower sets often skip "Greater Depth" questions (complex word problems). If your child is never taught these, they cannot prove they are ready for Set 1, creating a cycle that is hard to break without outside help.
The Criteria: The "Triangulation of Data"
Schools rarely rely on just one test. They use a formula to place students. Understanding this formula is the key to moving up.
| The Metric | What It Tells the School |
|---|---|
| GL Assessment (SAS) | Performance. The headline number. If your SAS is below 100, Set 1 is usually off-limits. |
| CAT4 (Quantitative) | Potential. If this score is HIGH but GL is LOW, teachers know the child is "underperforming" and needs a push. |
| Teacher Judgment | Fluency & Speed. Does the child finish the "Core" work fast enough to attempt the "Challenge"? |
How to Get Promoted (The Roadmap)
Complaining to the Head of Year doesn't work. You need to change the data points.
1. Attack the "Challenge"
In class, speed matters. If your child spends 40 minutes on the basic sums, they miss the reasoning questions. We drill mental math speed (Times Tables) so they can finish early and attempt the challenge tasks that teachers watch for.
2. The Mid-Year Pivot
Schools typically review sets in December and March (after termly assessments). The 6 weeks before these dates are critical. This is when we introduce "Greater Depth" material at home to prepare for the assessment.
Ready to Break the Ceiling?
We identify the specific "Set 1 Skills" your child is missing and teach them at home, giving them the ammunition to ace the next assessment.
Start the "Move Up" ProgramStreaming (Setting) policies vary by school. Some schools (like JESS or Kings') use "Fluid Grouping" (changing sets topic-by-topic), while others use fixed termly sets. Always discuss your child's specific targets with their class teacher.