Texas School Entrance Exam Prep Guides

We publish 13 in-depth prep guides covering 13 selective enrollment and competitive admission schools in Texas, including Cistercian Preparatory School, Energy Institute High School, Episcopal High School Houston, GCISD ASPIRE Academy for the Highly Gifted, Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions, School for the Talented and Gifted at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center (TAG), School of Science and Engineering at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center (SEM), St. Agnes Academy, and 5 more — covering essays, exam strategy, and application timelines.

How to Prepare for the Cistercian Entrance Exam Aptitude Section (With Practice Problems)

Cistercian Preparatory School

June 17, 2026 9 min read

How to Prepare for the Cistercian Entrance Exam Aptitude Section (With Practice Problems)

The Cistercian entrance exam aptitude sectionis the part of the admissions process that worries parents most — and gets the least coverage anywhere online. I've watched students with strong grades freeze up on reasoning questions simply because they had never practiced that style of thinking under timed conditions. This post gives you a concrete look at what the aptitude and reasoning section actually measures, what sample problem types look like for grades 5 through 9, and what your son can do right now to build real readiness before his one test date.

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Energy Institute High School

June 21, 2026 9 min read

HISD Magnet Matrix Score Explained: How to Calculate Your Child's Score for Energy Institute High School (2026–2027)

The HISD Magnet Matrix is the only admissions filter standing between your child and Energy Institute High School — and most parents don't know how it's calculated. This post breaks down Formula 1 vs. Formula 2, walks through a real score example, and tells you exactly what 7th and 8th graders can do right now to hit the minimum qualifying score.

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ISEE Essay Writing Tips for Houston Private School Applicants: What EHS Houston Wants to See

Episcopal High School Houston

June 21, 2026 8 min read

ISEE Essay Writing Tips for Houston Private School Applicants: What EHS Houston Wants to See

Episcopal High School Houston requires the ISEE Upper Level — and admissions reads your unscored essay as the only timed writing sample in your child's file. This guide covers target stanine scores, key deadlines, and how to frame your ISEE essay around EHS Houston's Four Pillars.

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GCISD ASPIRE Academy Test Prep Guide (2026): What Every Parent Needs to Know

GCISD ASPIRE Academy for the Highly Gifted

June 23, 2026 9 min read

GCISD ASPIRE Academy Test Prep Guide (2026): What Every Parent Needs to Know

GCISD ASPIRE Academy for the Highly Gifted uses a four-component admissions battery — and most families don't know where to start preparing. This guide covers every measure, the 99th-percentile score threshold, key testing deadlines, and the exact practice resources that target ASPIRE's critical and creative thinking component.

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7th Grade STAAR Prep for DeBakey Admissions: What Score Do You Really Need? (2026)

Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions

July 04, 2026 9 min read

7th Grade STAAR Prep for DeBakey Admissions: What Score Do You Really Need? (2026)

Your 7th grader's spring STAAR score is their DeBakey admissions test — and most Houston families don't realize it until it's too late. This post explains exactly how STAAR math and reading scores feed into the HISD Magnet Matrix, what score your child needs to hit the 80-point eligibility threshold, and how to build a prep plan starting now.

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TAG Dallas Timed Essay: What It Tests, How It's Scored, and How to Practice (2026)

School for the Talented and Gifted at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center (TAG)

July 16, 2026 9 min read

TAG Dallas Timed Essay: What It Tests, How It's Scored, and How to Practice (2026)

The TAG Townview on-campus timed essay is worth 25 out of 100 points — more than your child's entire GPA score. This guide explains exactly how the TAG Dallas timed essay is scored, what graders reward, and how timed writing practice tests give 8th graders a real edge before assessment day.

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SEM Townview Expository Essay: How to Write It, What It Scores, and Practice Prompts (2026)

School of Science and Engineering at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center (SEM)

July 16, 2026 9 min read

SEM Townview Expository Essay: How to Write It, What It Scores, and Practice Prompts (2026)

The SEM Townview expository essay counts for approximately 30% of the School of Science and Engineering admissions score — and most students have never practiced this kind of timed, fact-based writing. This guide explains what the essay tests, how it is scored, and how to prepare with targeted STEM practice prompts.

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St. Agnes Academy

July 21, 2026 8 min read

ISEE Essay Tips for St. Agnes Academy Applicants: How to Write a Standout 30-Minute Essay

St. Agnes Academy requires the ISEE Upper Level — and even though the essay is unscored, admissions officers read every word. This post gives Houston families school-specific ISEE essay tips, target stanines, and a prep timeline built around St. Agnes's exact deadlines.

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St. Mark's School of Texas

July 22, 2026 9 min read

St. Mark's School of Texas Admissions Essay: What to Write (and What to Avoid) in 2026

Getting into St. Mark's School of Texas means more than strong grades — your son's admissions essay and ISEE writing sample both land on the same desk. This post gives grade-specific essay strategies, an ISEE prep timeline, and writing tips aligned to St. Mark's core values of character and leadership.

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St. Pius X High School

July 23, 2026 10 min read

How to Get Into St. Pius X High School Houston (2026–2027 Complete Guide)

St. Pius X High School admissions requires the ISEE Upper Level, two written components, and a January 15 application deadline. This guide covers every requirement for the 2026–2027 cycle — from target stanine scores to the portal essay prompt — so your 8th grader walks in prepared.

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St. Thomas High School

July 24, 2026 8 min read

ISEE Upper Level Essay Tips for St. Thomas High School Houston: The Section Everyone Ignores (But Admissions Reads Carefully)

Most ISEE prep guides call the essay unscored and move on — but St. Thomas High School's Admissions Committee reads every word of it. This post explains what St. Thomas really looks for in the ISEE Upper Level essay, how stanine scores affect merit scholarships, and how to prepare your son for one of Houston's most competitive Catholic all-boys admissions processes.

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ISEE Upper Level Essay Section: What Private Schools Like Strake Jesuit Actually Want to See (2026)

Strake Jesuit College Preparatory

July 25, 2026 8 min read

ISEE Upper Level Essay Section: What Private Schools Like Strake Jesuit Actually Want to See (2026)

The ISEE essay is unscored — but Strake Jesuit admissions readers see every word your son writes. This post explains what Houston private school admissions teams actually look for in the 30-minute writing sample, how Jesuit values shape that review, and how timed essay practice can turn those unscored minutes into your strongest admissions asset.

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