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Texas School Entrance Exam Prep Guides

We publish 19 in-depth prep guides covering 14 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 6 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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How to Get Into Energy Institute High School (2026-2027 Admissions Guide)
Energy Institute High School
August 18, 2026 10 min read

How to Get Into Energy Institute High School (2026-2027 Admissions Guide)

Getting into Energy Institute High School means hitting a minimum HISD Magnet Matrix score of 75 — and most families don't know how that score is calculated. This guide breaks down Formula 1 vs. Formula 2, the December application deadline, and the exact academic steps your child should take starting in 7th grade.

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HISD Magnet Matrix Score Explained: How to Calculate Your Child's Score for Energy Institute High School (2026–2027)
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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How to Qualify for DeBakey High School: Understanding the HISD Magnet Matrix Score (2026 Guide)
Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions
August 26, 2026 9 min read

How to Qualify for DeBakey High School: Understanding the HISD Magnet Matrix Score (2026 Guide)

DeBakey High School admissions requirements hinge entirely on one number: your child's HISD Magnet Matrix score. This guide explains both matrix formulas, what STAAR and GPA scores your 7th grader needs, and how to build a 12-month prep plan that maximizes eligibility for Houston's most competitive high school magnet.

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DeBakey High School admissions requirements HISD magnet matrix score 80
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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How to Prepare for the SEM Townview Logic & Critical Thinking Test (2026 Guide)
School of Science and Engineering at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center (SEM)
September 01, 2026 9 min read

How to Prepare for the SEM Townview Logic & Critical Thinking Test (2026 Guide)

The School of Science and Engineering at Townview is one of the top-ranked STEM high schools in the country — and its on-campus admissions test includes a logic and critical thinking section that most students never practice for. This guide covers exactly what the SEM Townview logic test tests, how it is scored, and the most effective way to prepare before the January 31 deadline.

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