Master Essay Writing & STEM Critical Thinking

School Prep Guides

October 19, 2026 9 min read

How to Prepare for Open High School's In-Person Writing Assignment (2027 Admissions Guide)

Open High School's in-person writing assignment is the most unpredictable part of the RPS admissions process — no published prompts, no retakes, and a double-blind scoring system most families don't know exists. This guide explains exactly how the assignment works, what evaluators look for, and how Richmond 8th graders can prepare before the December deadline.

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Open High School writing assignment Open High School admissions writing

School Prep Guides

October 19, 2026 9 min read

Oakland Catholic High School Scholarship Entrance Exam: What It Tests and How to Prepare (2027 Admissions Guide)

The Oakland Catholic Scholarship Entrance Exam is a proprietary 3.5-hour test used for acceptance, course placement, and merit scholarships worth up to half of annual tuition. This guide covers the four uses of your daughter's score, the 90%+ threshold for Joan of Arc Scholars eligibility, and exactly how to prepare before the November and December test sessions.

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Oakland Catholic High School Oakland Catholic entrance exam

School Prep Guides

October 18, 2026 9 min read

How to Prepare for the Notre Dame de Sion PreACT 8/9 (2026–2027 Admissions Guide)

Notre Dame de Sion uses the PreACT 8/9 as its primary admissions and scholarship exam — and most KC families are still prepping for the wrong test. This guide covers every section, the 80th-percentile scholarship threshold, and the most overlooked prep area: Science reasoning.

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Notre Dame de Sion PreACT 8/9 prep Sion Kansas City admissions test

School Prep Guides

October 18, 2026 9 min read

How to Prepare for the ISEE at Norfolk Collegiate School: 2026–2027 Complete Guide

If your child is applying to Norfolk Collegiate School, the ISEE is the first major hurdle — and most families don't know there are two on-campus test dates in fall 2026. This guide covers exactly what the ISEE tests, what stanine scores are competitive for Norfolk Collegiate admissions, and how to prepare for both the scored sections and the unscored essay that the admissions committee personally reads.

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School Prep Guides

October 17, 2026 9 min read

Norfolk Academy SSAT Scores: What's Competitive in 2027 and How to Prepare

Norfolk Academy SSAT scores and admissions deadlines catch a lot of Hampton Roads families off guard. This post breaks down what percentile scores are competitive, how the holistic review works, and exactly how to sequence SSAT prep starting in September so your child walks into December ready.

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Norfolk Academy SSAT scores Norfolk Academy admissions test

School Prep Guides

October 17, 2026 10 min read

How to Prepare for the Nardin Academy Entrance Exam: HSPT + WNY Catholic Schools Guide (2027)

Nardin Academy entrance exam prep starts with understanding exactly what the HSPT tests — and most students skip the logic and critical thinking sections that matter most. This guide maps out the WNY Catholic Schools exam structure, Nardin's November test date, and a step-by-step prep timeline for Buffalo-area families applying to Buffalo's top all-girls Catholic high school.

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Nardin Academy entrance exam prep Nardin Academy HSPT

School Prep Guides

October 16, 2026 9 min read

Mount Notre Dame HSPT Prep Guide 2027: Billiart Scholar Score Targets, Dates & Study Plan

Your daughter has one Saturday in November to set her Mount Notre Dame scholarship tier for all four years. This guide covers the Billiart Scholar 90th-percentile HSPT target, Archdiocese of Cincinnati one-shot test rules, exact 2027 dates, and an 8-week STEM-focused study plan built for MND applicants.

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Mount Notre Dame High School HSPT prep Mount Notre Dame HSPT 2027

School Prep Guides

October 16, 2026 10 min read

How to Prepare for the HSPT for Mercy McAuley High School (2027 Admissions Guide)

Your daughter gets one shot at the November HSPT — and Mercy McAuley uses that single score for admissions, course placement, and scholarship decisions. This guide covers score targets, the no-retake rule, the Catherine McAuley Scholarship, and why STEM Critical Thinking practice tests are the most efficient way to raise her Quantitative Skills score before test day.

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Mercy McAuley HSPT prep how to prepare for HSPT Mercy McAuley

School Prep Guides

October 15, 2026 11 min read

How to Get Into Memphis University School: ISEE Scores, MUS ISEE Prep & Essay Tips (2026-27 Guide)

Memphis University School admissions requires more than vocabulary flashcards. The ISEE's two math reasoning sections and the unscored essay are where competitive applications are won or lost. This guide covers ISEE score targets, MUS ISEE prep strategy, and essay writing tips tailored to MUS's holistic review process — for Memphis families applying for grades 7–12.

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Memphis University School admissions MUS ISEE prep

School Prep Guides

October 15, 2026 9 min read

How to Get Into Meigs Academic Magnet Middle School: TCAP Stanines, SMQ Exam & Admissions Requirements (2027 Guide)

Getting into Meigs Academic Magnet Middle School means hitting a combined TCAP stanine of 14 or higher in Math and ELA — and knowing exactly what to do if your child needs the SMQ exam instead. This guide covers every requirement, deadline, and prep strategy Nashville families need for the 2026-2027 admissions cycle and beyond.

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Meigs Academic Magnet Middle School admissions TCAP stanine Meigs Middle School