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Massachusetts School Entrance Exam Prep Guides

We publish 13 in-depth prep guides covering 7 selective enrollment and competitive admission schools in Massachusetts, including Arlington Catholic High School, Boston Exam Schools (Boston Latin School, O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science, Boston Latin Academy), Boston Exam Schools (MAP), Boston Latin Academy, Cathedral High School (Cathedral 7-12), John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science and Malden Catholic High School — covering essays, exam strategy, and application timelines.

HSPT Quantitative Skills Practice: The Critical Thinking Section Boston Catholic School Applicants Overlook
Arlington Catholic High School
August 03, 2026 8 min read

HSPT Quantitative Skills Practice: The Critical Thinking Section Boston Catholic School Applicants Overlook

Most Boston-area 8th graders preparing for the HSPT spend their time drilling vocabulary and math facts — and completely overlook the Quantitative Skills section, the one that tests pure reasoning. This guide covers everything Arlington Catholic High School applicants need to know about HSPT quantitative skills practice, Archdiocese of Boston test rules, and how STEM Critical Thinking practice tests close the gap.

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Arlington Catholic High School HSPT Prep Guide 2026: Dates, Scores & How to Prepare
Arlington Catholic High School
May 25, 2026 9 min read

Arlington Catholic High School HSPT Prep Guide 2026: Dates, Scores & How to Prepare

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.

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Boston Latin School vs O'Bryant vs Latin Academy: MAP Score Requirements and Admissions Insights 2026
Boston Exam Schools (Boston Latin School, O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science, Boston Latin Academy)
May 22, 2026 8 min read

Boston Latin School vs O'Bryant vs Latin Academy: MAP Score Requirements and Admissions Insights 2026

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.

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MAP Growth Test Strategies for Boston Exam Schools: How to Master the Computer-Adaptive Format
Boston Exam Schools (MAP)
September 15, 2026 8 min read

MAP Growth Test Strategies for Boston Exam Schools: How to Master the Computer-Adaptive Format

The MAP Growth test for Boston exam schools uses a computer-adaptive format that most students have never specifically practiced — and that gap costs real points. This guide covers the MAP test strategies that help students reach harder questions, raise their RIT scores, and make the most of the 30% test component alongside a strong GPA. If your child is targeting Boston Latin School or any BPS exam school for 2026-2027, start here.

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Free MAP Test Practice Questions for Boston Exam Schools (Reading & Math by Grade Level)
Boston Exam Schools (MAP)
September 11, 2026 8 min read

Free MAP Test Practice Questions for Boston Exam Schools (Reading & Math by Grade Level)

Boston exam school applicants face the MAP Growth Assessment in Reading and Math — and free, grade-level MAP test practice questions are nearly impossible to find. This post gives 6th and 8th grade practice questions, explains the 70/30 GPA-to-MAP scoring split, and shows you exactly how to prepare for the computer-adaptive format before the May 2026 test date.

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70% GPA, 30% MAP: How to Maximize Your Boston Exam Schools Admissions Score in 2026
Boston Exam Schools (MAP)
August 06, 2026 7 min read

70% GPA, 30% MAP: How to Maximize Your Boston Exam Schools Admissions Score in 2026

The Boston exam schools admissions score is 70% GPA and 30% MAP Growth — and most families don't realize what that split actually means for how they should prepare. This post breaks down exactly how the composite score is calculated, how the 2026 policy changes affect your child, and what to do between now and test day to maximize every point.

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How to Write a High-Scoring MAP Argumentative Essay for Boston Latin Academy (With Sample Prompts)
Boston Latin Academy
June 15, 2026 9 min read

How to Write a High-Scoring MAP Argumentative Essay for Boston Latin Academy (With Sample Prompts)

The MAP Argumentative Essay is a scored, rubric-graded component of Boston Latin Academy admissions — and most families don't prepare for it at all. This post walks you through the exact BPS scoring rubric, step-by-step writing strategies, sample prompts, and a model response so your child walks into test day with a plan.

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Cathedral High School Boston HSPT Score: Admission, Scholarships & Prep (2026)
Cathedral High School (Cathedral 7-12)
June 08, 2026 8 min read

Cathedral High School Boston HSPT Score: Admission, Scholarships & Prep (2026)

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.

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STEM Critical Thinking on the MAP Test: What O'Bryant Applicants Need to Know
John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science
August 22, 2026 8 min read

STEM Critical Thinking on the MAP Test: What O'Bryant Applicants Need to Know

The MAP Growth test is the gateway to John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science — and knowing exactly how it scores, what it tests, and how to prepare your child's STEM reasoning skills can make the difference between an invitation and a waitlist. This guide gives you the O'Bryant-specific MAP strategy that no other resource covers, including the full scoring formula, spring vs. fall test timing, and the STEM critical thinking skills your child needs before test day.

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How to Get Into O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science: 2027 MAP Growth Prep Guide
John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science
June 28, 2026 9 min read

How to Get Into O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science: 2027 MAP Growth Prep Guide

Getting into the John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science means mastering two things: your GPA and the NWEA MAP Growth test. This guide explains O'Bryant's exact 70/30 admissions formula, the RIT scores you need, and a step-by-step prep plan built around the May and December test windows.

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Malden Catholic HSPT Prep: A Month-by-Month Study Plan for Boston Families (2026–2027)
Malden Catholic High School
August 23, 2026 9 min read

Malden Catholic HSPT Prep: A Month-by-Month Study Plan for Boston Families (2026–2027)

The Malden Catholic HSPT has three test dates in fall 2025 — and you only get one shot. This month-by-month prep plan maps exactly what Boston 8th graders should study from September through December to hit the 90th percentile and qualify for the Saint Francis Xavier Scholars Program.

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