Maryland School Entrance Exam Prep Guides

We publish 29 in-depth prep guides covering 15 selective enrollment and competitive admission schools in Maryland, including Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic High Schools (HSPT Cohort), Baltimore City College High School, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Eastern Technical High School (Magnet Programs), G.W. Carver Center for Arts and Technology — Information Technology / Interactive Media Production (IT-AI/IMP) Magnet, Montgomery Blair Magnet, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, Poolesville High School — Science, Math, and Computer Science (SMCS) House Magnet Program, and 7 more — covering essays, exam strategy, and application timelines.

Towson High School Law & Public Policy Admissions Assessment: Complete Prep Guide (2026–2027)

Towson High School – Law and Public Policy Magnet Program

September 26, 2026 11 min read

Towson High School Law & Public Policy Admissions Assessment: Complete Prep Guide (2026–2027)

The Towson High School Law and Public Policy admissions assessment includes 70 multiple-choice questions, a timed on-site essay, and a Personal Inventory — and most families walk in underprepared. This guide breaks down every component of the THS LPP assessment and gives you a concrete prep roadmap for the 2026–2027 BCPS magnet application cycle.

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Western High School

September 09, 2026 9 min read

How to Get Into Western High School Baltimore: 2026 Admissions Guide (Composite Score, MCAP & More)

Western High School Baltimore admissions comes down to one number: your daughter's composite score. This guide explains exactly how that score is calculated using MCAP ELA, MCAP Math, and GPA — and how targeted practice can push her above the 610 minimum and ahead of the competition.

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Western High School

August 01, 2026 9 min read

MCAP ELA Practice Test for Baltimore 8th Graders: What Western High School Applicants Need to Know

Your daughter's shot at Western High School — Baltimore's most prestigious all-girls public high school — may come down to two MCAP scores she took in 7th grade. This post explains exactly how the MCAP ELA practice test connects to the Baltimore City composite score formula, what the 610 minimum threshold really means, and how to build the writing and critical thinking skills that move that number up.

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How to Prepare for the BCPS Career, Humanities & STEM Magnet Assessment for Western Tech (2026–2027 Guide)

Western School of Technology and Environmental Science (Magnet Programs)

August 11, 2026 10 min read

How to Prepare for the BCPS Career, Humanities & STEM Magnet Assessment for Western Tech (2026–2027 Guide)

The BCPS Career, Humanities, and STEM Magnet Assessment is the gateway to Western School of Technology — and its 30-question Critical Thinking section is the part most families don't see coming. This guide breaks down every section of the test, explains exactly how BCPS scores Western Tech applicants, and gives you a prep timeline that starts before September.

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BCPS Magnet Assessment Critical Thinking Section: What 8th Graders Need to Know (With Practice Questions)

Western School of Technology and Environmental Science (Magnet Programs)

May 31, 2026 9 min read

BCPS Magnet Assessment Critical Thinking Section: What 8th Graders Need to Know (With Practice Questions)

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.

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