We publish 3 in-depth prep guides covering 3 selective enrollment and competitive admission schools in Alabama, including Alabama School of Fine Arts — Math & Science Department, Birmingham City Schools Specialty Schools (Princeton, EPIC, J.H. Phillips Academy, W.J. Christian K-8) and Ramsay International Baccalaureate High School — covering essays, exam strategy, and application timelines.
The ASFA Math & Science audition replaces a traditional performance with two rounds of on-campus written tests — and no public resource explains what's actually on them. This guide breaks down Round 1 vs. Round 2 by subject matter, format, and difficulty, plus gives you a realistic prep timeline before the January deadline.
The BCS Specialty Schools Entrance Exam is one of the least-documented admissions tests in Alabama — and that puts unprepared families at a real disadvantage every January. This guide explains exactly what Princeton, EPIC, J.H. Phillips, and W.J. Christian applicants face on test day, how ACAP scores factor in for grades 5–8, and what a smart prep timeline looks like starting now.
The Birmingham City Schools Specialty School Entrance Exam for Ramsay IB is one of the least-documented tests in Alabama — and one of the most important your 8th grader will face. This post walks Birmingham families through exactly what the Ramsay IB entrance exam tests, the step-by-step admissions timeline, and how to prepare for the STEM critical thinking component before exam day.