California School Entrance Exam Prep Guides

We publish 27 in-depth prep guides covering 26 selective enrollment and competitive admission schools in California, including Archbishop Mitty High School, Archbishop Riordan High School, BASIS Independent Fremont, BASIS Independent School, BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, Bellarmine College Preparatory, Bellarmine HSPT, Bishop O'Dowd High School, and 18 more — covering essays, exam strategy, and application timelines.

St. Joseph Notre Dame High School

July 22, 2026 9 min read

How to Prepare for the HSPT at St. Joseph Notre Dame High School (2026 Guide)

The St. Joseph Notre Dame High School HSPT is a one-shot test administered every January by the Diocese of Oakland — and your child's score affects admission, course placement, and scholarship eligibility all at once. This guide covers what SJND actually reviews, which sections matter most, and how to build the quantitative reasoning skills that move 8th graders from average to honors placement.

St. Joseph Notre Dame High School HSPT SJND HSPT prep

The Bishop's School

July 26, 2026 9 min read

How to Ace the Bishop's School Proctored Writing Sample: Tips, Prompts & Practice (2026–27)

The Bishop's School proctored writing sample travels directly to the admissions committee alongside your ISEE scores — yet almost no prep resource tells you how to prepare for it. This post explains exactly what the essay is, how it's evaluated, and how to practice for it before your November or January test date.

Bishop's School admissions ISEE writing sample

The Science Academy STEM Magnet

July 30, 2026 9 min read

How to Prepare for the Science Academy STEM Magnet Admissions Test (2026–2027 Guide)

The Science Academy STEM Magnet requires every applicant to pass the Science-Specific Verification Eligibility Assessment before entering the LAUSD lottery — regardless of GPA or gifted status. This guide explains exactly what the SVEA tests by grade level, how the full admissions sequence works, and how STEM Critical Thinking practice tests can give your child a real preparation edge.

Science Academy STEM Magnet admissions test Science-Specific Verification Eligibility Assessment