In-depth guides for selective enrollment and competitive admission schools across Maryland — covering essays, exam strategy, and application timelines.
Every 8th grader applying to one of the 18 Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic high schools takes the HSPT once — no retakes. This guide covers the November test dates, no-retake rule, the hardest section most students ignore, and how to build a prep plan before the December 10 common application deadline.
Baltimore City College High School admits roughly 425 students from nearly 3,000 applicants each year. This post breaks down the BCPS composite score formula — including how MCAP ELA and Math percentiles feed into your child's total — and tells you what score range is actually competitive, not just the 610 minimum floor.
Getting into Baltimore Polytechnic Institute means mastering the BCPSS Composite Score — a formula most parents have never seen explained. This guide breaks down every component of the composite, shows the MCAP score ranges competitive Poly applicants actually hit, and tells you exactly what your child can do starting in 7th grade to build a winning application.
Montgomery Blair Magnet admissions 2027 explained: MAP-M test prep, application essay tips, deadlines, and Blair Magnet practice test strategies for 8th graders.
The 30-question Critical Thinking section is the largest — and least-practiced — part of the BCPS magnet assessment. This guide breaks down Argument Analysis, Identifying Assumptions, and Facts vs. Opinion with worked examples built specifically for Western Tech applicants and the BCPS Career, Humanities, and STEM Magnet Assessment.