In-depth guides for selective enrollment and competitive admission schools across Massachusetts — covering essays, exam strategy, and application timelines.
The Arlington Catholic High School HSPT is a one-shot test — the Archdiocese of Boston allows no retakes. This guide covers 2026 test dates, school code 14, competitive score targets, and section-by-section prep strategies to help your child earn a top percentile score and maximize merit scholarship eligibility.
Getting into a Boston exam school in 2026 means understanding a 70% GPA, 30% MAP Growth formula — and knowing how competitive each school really is. This post breaks down Boston Latin School MAP score expectations, O'Bryant MAP requirements, and Latin Academy admissions so you can build the right strategy for your child.
Boston Public Schools now uses the MAP Growth Assessment — not the ISEE — for exam school admissions. This guide explains the 70% GPA / 30% MAP scoring formula, key dates for 2026, and exactly how to prepare your child for Boston Latin School and beyond.
If your child is applying to Cathedral High School in Boston, the HSPT is the one test they take once — no retakes allowed. This post breaks down exactly what HSPT scores Cathedral looks for, how percentile rankings affect scholarship awards, and how to prepare your 8th grader before the fall testing window opens.