Interview prep
KG1 interview questions in Egypt
The kind of questions and picture tasks private and international schools in Egypt use in KG1 admission interviews, in English and Arabic, with what schools usually look for. Practice them at home as a game, with no scores.
Sample questions based on research into Egyptian KG assessments — each school’s real interview differs.
Motor skills
Can you draw a circle for me?
ممكن ترسملي دايرة؟
What schools usually look for: Holds the crayon with the fingers (not a fist) and closes the circle.
Show me how you jump with both feet. Can you stand on one foot?
وريني بتنط إزاي برجليك الاتنين. تقدر تقف على رجل واحدة؟
What schools usually look for: Balance and coordination. By KG1 most children can stand on one foot for a few seconds.
Can you copy these shapes on your paper?
ممكن ترسم الأشكال دي على الورقة؟
What schools usually look for: KG1: a cross and a square. KG2: a triangle too, with closed corners.
Can you write your name?
ممكن تكتب اسمك؟
What schools usually look for: KG1: the first letter or a try at the name. KG2: the whole first name, mostly readable.
Can you cut along this line with the scissors?
ممكن تقص على الخط ده بالمقص؟
What schools usually look for: Safe grip with the thumb on top, following a straight line (KG2: a curved line too).
Can you do this button up by yourself? Can you open your lunch box?
تقدر تقفل الزرار ده لوحدك؟ تقدر تفتح علبة الأكل بتاعتك؟
What schools usually look for: Everyday independence. Schools notice small self-care skills.
Language
What is your name? How old are you?
اسمك إيه؟ عندك كام سنة؟
What schools usually look for: Answers clearly with a word or short sentence and looks at the adult.
What is this animal? What sound does it make?
ده حيوان إيه؟ بيعمل صوت إزاي؟
What schools usually look for: Names common animals in the language the school teaches in.
What do we use this for?
بنستخدم ده في إيه؟
What schools usually look for: Explains what things are for ("We kick it"), which shows understanding, not just naming.
Tell me what is happening in this picture.
احكيلي إيه اللي بيحصل في الصورة دي؟
What schools usually look for: Uses sentences, not single words. In KG2, adds a reason ("because it is her birthday").
Which letter is this? What sound does it make?
ده حرف إيه؟ بيطلع صوت إزاي؟
What schools usually look for: KG1: a few letters, especially from their own name. KG2: most letter sounds.
How is this face feeling?
الوش ده حاسس بإيه؟
What schools usually look for: Names basic feelings. Schools look at emotional words as well as vocabulary.
Numbers & shapes
What color is this one?
ده لونه إيه؟
What schools usually look for: Names the main colors.
Can you point to the triangle? What is this shape called?
فين المثلث؟ الشكل ده اسمه إيه؟
What schools usually look for: Pre-K: circle and square. KG1: triangle and star too.
Can you count the stars for me?
عدّلي النجوم دي.
What schools usually look for: Counts to 10 one by one and says the last number as the total.
Which side has more? Which side has less?
أنهي ناحية فيها أكتر؟ وأنهي ناحية فيها أقل؟
What schools usually look for: Compares groups. In KG2, can say how many more.
Can you point to number 5? What number is this one?
فين رقم ٥؟ ده رقم كام؟
What schools usually look for: KG1: knows numbers 1 to 10. KG2: up to 20, and which number is bigger.
Which ball is the biggest? Which one is the smallest?
أنهي كورة الأكبر؟ وأنهي الأصغر؟
What schools usually look for: Uses size words: big, bigger, biggest.
What color comes next?
إيه اللون اللي بييجي بعد كده؟
What schools usually look for: Spots a simple pattern and continues it.
School readiness
I am going to sit over there while you play with the teacher. I will be right back.
أنا هقعد هناك وإنت تلعب مع الميس، وراجعلك على طول.
What schools usually look for: Many schools see the child alone for a few minutes. They look for a calm goodbye, and a few tears are normal.
Pick up the red crayon and put it in the box. Then close the box and give it to me.
هات القلم الأحمر وحطه في العلبة. وبعدين اقفل العلبة واديهالي.
What schools usually look for: Pre-K: one step. KG1: two steps. KG2: three steps in the right order.
Which one does not belong? Why?
أنهي واحدة مش زي الباقيين؟ ليه؟
What schools usually look for: Groups things (fruit vs. a car). In KG2, can explain why.
Which comes first? Can you put them in order?
إيه اللي بييجي الأول؟ ممكن ترتبهم؟
What schools usually look for: Understands order and time: first, next, last.
Let us take turns. You roll the ball, then me.
يلا نلعب بالدور: إنت الأول وبعدين أنا.
What schools usually look for: Takes turns and waits. Teachers watch for this in group play.
Can you put the toys back in the basket?
ممكن ترجّع اللعب في السلة؟
What schools usually look for: Helps tidy up without a fuss when asked.
Extra questions by school type
British school extras
What sound does "s" make? Can you think of a word with that sound?
حرف s بيطلع صوت إزاي؟ قولي كلمة فيها الصوت ده.
What schools usually look for: British schools teach phonics early. Letter sounds ("sss") matter more than letter names ("ess").
Can you tell me about your favorite book?
احكيلي عن أكتر كتاب بتحبه.
What schools usually look for: Talks about stories. British early-years teaching puts a lot of weight on loving books.
Can you sing me a song or say a nursery rhyme?
ممكن تغنيلي أغنية أو تقولي أنشودة بالإنجليزي؟
What schools usually look for: Is confident with English songs and rhymes.
American school extras
Tell me about something you like to do.
احكيلي عن حاجة بتحب تعملها.
What schools usually look for: Speaks up in English with confidence. American schools often pay attention to this.
Can you count to 20 out loud?
تقدر تعد لحد ٢٠ بصوت عالي؟
What schools usually look for: Counts in English. Skipping the teens is common, so practice 13 to 19.
Can I have one of your blocks, please?
ممكن تديني مكعب من بتوعك لو سمحت؟
What schools usually look for: Shares and uses friendly words like "please" and "thank you".
IB school extras
What do you think will happen if we put this toy in water?
تفتكر إيه اللي هيحصل لو حطينا اللعبة دي في الميه؟
What schools usually look for: Curiosity and guessing. IB schools look for inquiry, not the right answer.
Tell me about something you made or built.
احكيلي عن حاجة إنت عملتها أو بنيتها.
What schools usually look for: Talks about their own ideas and choices.
What question would you like to ask the girl in this picture?
لو هتسأل البنت اللي في الصورة سؤال، هتسألها إيه؟
What schools usually look for: Asks questions of their own, which is a key IB learner trait.
French school extras
What is your name? (ask in French)
اسمك إيه؟ (بالفرنساوي)
Comment tu t’appelles ?
What schools usually look for: French schools often check whether the child has heard French. A few words is enough at this age.
What color is this? (ask in French)
ده لونه إيه؟ (بالفرنساوي)
C’est quelle couleur ?
What schools usually look for: Rouge, bleu, jaune, vert: basic colors in French.
Can you count to five? (ask in French)
تقدر تعد لحد خمسة؟ (بالفرنساوي)
Tu peux compter jusqu’à cinq ?
What schools usually look for: Un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq.
German school extras
What is your name? (ask in German)
اسمك إيه؟ (بالألماني)
Wie heißt du?
What schools usually look for: German schools may check whether the child has heard German. Children this age are not expected to be fluent.
What color is this? (ask in German)
ده لونه إيه؟ (بالألماني)
Welche Farbe ist das?
What schools usually look for: Rot, blau, gelb, grün: basic colors in German.
Can you count to five? (ask in German)
تقدر تعد لحد خمسة؟ (بالألماني)
Kannst du bis fünf zählen?
What schools usually look for: Eins, zwei, drei, vier, fünf.
National school extras
Which Arabic letter is this?
ده حرف إيه؟
What schools usually look for: Recognizes some Arabic letters, especially from their own name.
Can you sing me a song in Arabic?
ممكن تغنيلي أغنية بالعربي؟
What schools usually look for: Is comfortable speaking and singing in Arabic.
Tell me about your family (in Arabic).
احكيلي عن عيلتك.
What schools usually look for: Answers in Arabic sentences. National schools teach mostly in Arabic.
Questions schools ask parents
Why did you choose this school?
Be specific: name two or three things you saw on their profile or visit (curriculum, values, activities). Avoid giving "it is close to home" as your only reason.
How would you describe your child?
Give a balanced picture: two strengths and one thing they are still working on. Schools like honest parents.
What does a normal day look like at home?
Talk about routines: sleep, meals, play and screens. Routines show the school your child is ready for a structured day.
How do you handle it when your child misbehaves?
Describe a calm, consistent approach: explain, give a consequence, follow through. Show that you and the school can work together.
Which languages does your child hear at home?
Be honest. If the school teaches in a language you don’t speak at home, say how you will support it (stories, clubs, cartoons).
How does your child cope when they are away from you?
Mention real experience: nursery, grandparents, playdates. If goodbyes are hard, say what you are doing to help.
How much screen time does your child have?
Give a real number and your rules. Schools ask to understand attention and sleep, not to judge you.
How will you be involved in school life?
Mention concrete things: reading at home, attending meetings and events. Schools often ask about both parents.
Do you have any questions for us?
Always have one or two ready, e.g. class size, how they settle new children, how they communicate with parents. It shows you are engaged.
Get ready for the interview
What to expect
- Most KG interviews are short: about 20 to 45 minutes in total, often split between the child and the parents.
- Many schools take the child to a classroom with a teacher for part of the time, without you.
- The child’s part usually feels like play: drawing, picture cards, blocks, counting and a short chat.
- Some schools also interview parents about your family, routines and why you chose the school.
- Some schools watch children in a small group to see how they share and take turns.
The week before
- Do about 10 minutes of practice a day, as a game. Stop while it is still fun.
- Practice short times apart: with a grandparent, at a friend’s house, on a playdate.
- Keep a regular bedtime all week, not just the night before.
- Talk about the school positively: “You’ll meet a teacher and play some games.”
- Check your application page for the interview time and place, and for any documents the school asked for.
- Draw and write together each day: shapes, their name, a picture of the family.
The day before & the day itself
- Dress your child in comfortable clothes they can move in and sit on the floor in.
- Bring your application number, the documents the school asked for, a snack and water.
- Make sure your child has eaten before you leave.
- Arrive 15 minutes early so your child can settle in.
- If the school takes your child in alone, say a short, happy goodbye and tell them you’ll be right there afterwards.
- Stay calm and relaxed. Children pick up on nerves.
After the interview
- Praise the effort, whatever happened: “You were so brave meeting a new teacher!”
- Don’t quiz your child about which questions they got right or wrong.
- Watch your application page. Schools usually update the status or send a decision within a few weeks.
- If you are waitlisted, it isn’t a no. Places often open up later in the year.
Ready to try it with your child?
Run a 20-minute mock KG1 interview at home with picture cards. Nothing is saved.