Illinois School Entrance Exam Prep Guides

We publish 24 in-depth prep guides covering 11 selective enrollment and competitive admission schools in Illinois, including CPS Classical Schools (Skinner North Classical, Skinner West Classical, Metz Elementary Classical, Coonley Elementary Classical, LaSalle Language Academy Classical), CPS Selective Enrollment Elementary Schools – Regional Gifted Centers (RGCs), CPS Selective Enrollment High Schools (HSAT), CPS Selective Enrollment HS (HSAT), Francis W. Parker School, IMSA - Illinois Math & Science Academy, Latin School of Chicago, Loyola Academy, and 3 more — covering essays, exam strategy, and application timelines.

Skinner North vs. Skinner West vs. Metz vs. Coonley vs. LaSalle Classical: Which CPS Classical School Is Right for Your Child? (2026)

CPS Classical Schools (Skinner North Classical, Skinner West Classical, Metz Elementary Classical, Coonley Elementary Classical, LaSalle Language Academy Classical)

June 10, 2026 9 min read

Skinner North vs. Skinner West vs. Metz vs. Coonley vs. LaSalle Classical: Which CPS Classical School Is Right for Your Child? (2026)

Choosing among CPS Classical Schools — Skinner North, Skinner West, Metz, Coonley, and LaSalle Language Academy Classical — starts with understanding one test. This guide compares all five schools by location, grade span, admissions competitiveness, and exactly what the 300-point Classical exam measures. Find out how to prepare your child before the November testing window opens.

Skinner North Classical School admissions Skinner West Classical admissions

CPS RGC Score Explained: How Verbal, Nonverbal, and Composite Scores Convert to Admissions Points (2025–2026)

CPS Selective Enrollment Elementary Schools – Regional Gifted Centers (RGCs)

June 17, 2026 8 min read

CPS RGC Score Explained: How Verbal, Nonverbal, and Composite Scores Convert to Admissions Points (2025–2026)

The CPS Regional Gifted Center admissions test scores your child on verbal and nonverbal reasoning, then converts those results into a 300-point total that determines their seat. This post explains exactly how that conversion works, what score thresholds are competitive, and how your child can prepare for every section type before test day.

CPS RGC score explained CPS gifted test score verbal nonverbal composite

CPS HSAT 2026-2027: Complete Parent Guide to Chicago Selective Enrollment High School Admissions

CPS Selective Enrollment High Schools (HSAT)

May 23, 2026 12 min read

CPS HSAT 2026-2027: Complete Parent Guide to Chicago Selective Enrollment High School Admissions

The CPS HSAT 2026 is a single 60-minute test with no retakes — and it determines half your child's Chicago selective enrollment admissions score. This guide covers the 2026-2027 test dates, the 900-point scoring system, how socioeconomic tiers affect cut scores, and exactly when to start preparing. If your 7th grader has a top selective enrollment school on their list, bookmark this page.

CPS HSAT 2026 CPS HSAT 2027

Is CPS HSAT Test Prep Worth It? An Honest Cost-Benefit Analysis for Chicago Parents

CPS Selective Enrollment HS (HSAT)

September 26, 2026 8 min read

Is CPS HSAT Test Prep Worth It? An Honest Cost-Benefit Analysis for Chicago Parents

Is HSAT test prep worth it for your 8th grader? This honest cost-benefit analysis for Chicago parents breaks down the CPS High School Admissions Test scoring system, who gains the most from prep, and when a $3,000 tutor isn't the answer. Learn exactly how the 900-point system works and what affordable alternatives can do.

CPS HSAT test prep is HSAT test prep worth it

STEM Critical Thinking on the CPS HSAT: What Chicago Parents Need to Know for 2026

CPS Selective Enrollment HS (HSAT)

September 26, 2026 9 min read

STEM Critical Thinking on the CPS HSAT: What Chicago Parents Need to Know for 2026

The CPS HSAT gives your child one shot — no retakes, 60 minutes, and 450 points on the line. This guide breaks down exactly how STEM critical thinking skills drive HSAT math performance, how the 900-point scoring system works, and when to start preparing for Chicago selective enrollment in 2026.

CPS HSAT STEM critical thinking

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

CPS Selective Enrollment HS (HSAT)

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.

CPS HSAT how to prepare for CPS HSAT

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

CPS Selective Enrollment HS (HSAT)

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.

CPS tier system Chicago selective enrollment tiers

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

CPS Selective Enrollment HS (HSAT)

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.

CPS HSAT practice test free HSAT practice

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

CPS Selective Enrollment HS (HSAT)

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.

CPS HSAT non-CPS students suburban students CPS selective enrollment

$CPS HSAT Critical Thinking & Math Reasoning: The Skills That Actually Decide Your Score (2026 Guide)$

CPS Selective Enrollment HS (HSAT)

September 19, 2026 9 min read

CPS HSAT Critical Thinking & Math Reasoning: The Skills That Actually Decide Your Score (2026 Guide)

The CPS HSAT gives your child one shot — 60 minutes, no retakes — to secure a seat at Chicago's most competitive selective enrollment high schools. This guide identifies the specific critical thinking and math reasoning sub-skills that drive HSAT scores, explains the 900-point admissions system, and shows you how to build a prep timeline that actually works.

CPS HSAT CPS HSAT critical thinking

CPS Selective Enrollment HSAT Prep: The 7th Grade Head Start Guide (Chicago Parents 2026)

CPS Selective Enrollment HS (HSAT)

September 15, 2026 9 min read

CPS Selective Enrollment HSAT Prep: The 7th Grade Head Start Guide (Chicago Parents 2026)

Most Chicago parents start researching CPS HSAT prep too late. This guide gives 7th grade families a concrete, month-by-month timeline — covering the 900-point scoring system, socioeconomic tiers, and the reasoning skills that determine whether 8th grade prep is fast or frantic. If your child is aiming for Walter Payton, Northside Prep, or any CPS selective enrollment school, the work starts now.

CPS HSAT prep 7th grade CPS selective enrollment prep timeline

What to Do After CPS HSAT Scores Release: Ranking, Waitlists, and Principal Discretion

CPS Selective Enrollment HS (HSAT)

August 15, 2026 9 min read

What to Do After CPS HSAT Scores Release: Ranking, Waitlists, and Principal Discretion

CPS HSAT scores drop in mid-November and most families don't know what to do next. This post walks you through re-ranking schools, understanding your selective enrollment waitlist options, and pursuing Principal Discretion seats at Chicago's top selective enrollment high schools.

HSAT scores release CPS school ranking strategy