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How to Prepare for the CPS HSAT: 6-Month Study Plan for 8th Graders
School Prep Guides
September 25, 2026 10 min read

How to Prepare for the CPS HSAT: 6-Month Study Plan for 8th Graders

Your child gets one shot at the CPS High School Admissions Test — no retakes, 60 minutes, and it determines 50% of their selective enrollment score. This month-by-month HSAT study plan covers 7th grade GPA protection and targeted test practice so your 8th grader walks in ready. Learn exactly when to start, what to prioritize, and how to build the critical thinking speed the Math section demands.

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TJHSST Student Portrait Sheet (SPS) 2026: A Prompt-by-Prompt Strategy Using the Portrait of a Graduate Framework
School Prep Guides
September 24, 2026 10 min read

TJHSST Student Portrait Sheet (SPS) 2026: A Prompt-by-Prompt Strategy Using the Portrait of a Graduate Framework

The TJHSST Student Portrait Sheet tips you find on most prep sites stop at 'be specific' — and that leaves your child unprepared for what TJ evaluators actually read for. This guide maps each of the five FCPS Portrait of a Graduate attributes to concrete story-selection strategies, character limits, and timed writing practice that mirrors the real January exam.

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Understanding the CPS Tier System: How Your Address Affects Selective Enrollment Admissions
School Prep Guides
September 24, 2026 9 min read

Understanding the CPS Tier System: How Your Address Affects Selective Enrollment Admissions

The CPS tier system determines where 70% of selective enrollment seats go — and most families don't understand it until it's too late. This guide explains how Chicago selective enrollment tiers work, what HSAT cut scores look like by tier, and exactly what your 8th grader needs to prepare. If you're applying to a CPS selective enrollment high school, this is where to start.

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CPS HSAT Practice Test Options: Free vs Paid Resources for 2026
School Prep Guides
September 23, 2026 8 min read

CPS HSAT Practice Test Options: Free vs Paid Resources for 2026

Your child gets one shot at the CPS High School Admissions Test — no retakes, 60 minutes, and 450 points on the line. This post compares free and paid CPS HSAT practice test options so you can choose the preparation strategy that gives your 8th grader the best chance at their top selective enrollment school.

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Lowell High School Test Prep: When to Start & What Parents Need to Know
School Prep Guides
September 23, 2026 8 min read

Lowell High School Test Prep: When to Start & What Parents Need to Know

Getting into Lowell High School takes more than last-minute cramming — it takes a grade-by-grade plan. This post breaks down exactly when to start Lowell admissions preparation, what the STAR assessments test, and how Band 2 essay prep can open a second pathway to SF's most competitive public high school.

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lowell test prep timeline when to start lowell prep
TJHSST Student Portrait Sheet (SPS) Guide: What Admissions Officers Really Look For in 2026
School Prep Guides
September 22, 2026 9 min read

TJHSST Student Portrait Sheet (SPS) Guide: What Admissions Officers Really Look For in 2026

The TJHSST Student Portrait Sheet is the most misunderstood part of Thomas Jefferson's admissions process — and the part where qualified students lose their spot. This guide breaks down the Portrait of a Graduate framework in plain language, shows what strong responses look like, and explains exactly how admissions officers evaluate your child's writing.

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TJHSST Student Portrait Sheet TJ SPS tips
TJHSST Problem-Solving Essay (PSE) 2026 Prep Guide: How to Write a Winning Response
School Prep Guides
September 21, 2026 11 min read

TJHSST Problem-Solving Essay (PSE) 2026 Prep Guide: How to Write a Winning Response

TJ replaced its standardized test with a 90-minute all-essay exam that tests STEM reasoning and timed writing under real pressure. This guide breaks down the TJHSST Problem-Solving Essay by science domain, explains what evaluators actually score, and shows your 8th grader exactly how to prepare before January 2026.

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CPS HSAT for Non-CPS Students: What Suburban and Private School Families Need to Know
School Prep Guides
September 21, 2026 8 min read

CPS HSAT for Non-CPS Students: What Suburban and Private School Families Need to Know

If your child attends a suburban or private school, the CPS HSAT admissions process works differently for you — from weekend test dates to transcript submission rules. This guide covers every key difference non-CPS families face when pursuing a spot at Chicago's elite selective enrollment high schools.

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CPS HSAT non-CPS students suburban students CPS selective enrollment
SHSAT Prep Timeline: When to Start and What to Study (7th Grade Through Test Day)
School Prep Guides
September 20, 2026 9 min read

SHSAT Prep Timeline: When to Start and What to Study (7th Grade Through Test Day)

Most families start SHSAT prep too late and work on the wrong skills. This month-by-month roadmap covers every stage from spring of 7th grade through November test day — including how to adapt your plan if you only have 3 months left. Built for NYC Specialized High Schools admissions and the 2026 computer-adaptive SHSAT format.

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SHSAT prep timeline when to start SHSAT prep