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Virginia School Entrance Exam Prep Guides

We publish 24 in-depth prep guides covering 15 selective enrollment and competitive admission schools in Virginia, including Academies of Loudoun — Academy of Science (AOS) & Academy of Engineering and Technology (AET), Academies of Loudoun (AOS/AET), Franklin Military Academy, Governor's Career and Technical Education Academy for STEM at Richmond Technical Center (Governor's STEM Academy at RTC), Henrico County Specialty Centers — Center for Engineering at Highland Springs High School, Henrico County Specialty Centers — Center for Medical Sciences (Todd Allen Phillips Center) at Mills E. Godwin High School, International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program at Princess Anne High School, Maggie L. Walker Governor's School for Government and International Studies, and 7 more — covering essays, exam strategy, and application timelines.

The Complete Guide to the STEM Thinking Skills Assessment for Academies of Loudoun (2026)
Academies of Loudoun — Academy of Science (AOS) & Academy of Engineering and Technology (AET)
June 12, 2026 10 min read

The Complete Guide to the STEM Thinking Skills Assessment for Academies of Loudoun (2026)

The STEM Thinking Skills Assessment for the Academies of Loudoun is one of the least-documented high-stakes tests in Virginia — and with AOS accepting only 4–5% of applicants, preparation matters enormously. This post breaks down all five subsections, the 250–300 scoring scale, the ACL Writing Assessment, and exactly how to prepare before the October/November test window.

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STEM Thinking Skills Assessment Academies of Loudoun Insight Assessment STEM test prep
When Should You Start Preparing for Academies of Loudoun? (7th Grade vs 8th Grade)
Academies of Loudoun (AOS/AET)
September 11, 2026 7 min read

When Should You Start Preparing for Academies of Loudoun? (7th Grade vs 8th Grade)

The Academies of Loudoun accepts roughly 4–6% of applicants each year, and timing your prep correctly makes a real difference. This post compares starting in 7th grade versus an intensive 8th-grade summer push — and shows you exactly how to prepare for the STEM Thinking Skills Assessment and Writing Assessment on any budget.

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when to start academies of loudoun prep 7th grade AOS prep
STEM Thinking Skills Test for Academies of Loudoun: What Parents Need to Know (2026 Update)
Academies of Loudoun (AOS/AET)
August 02, 2026 9 min read

STEM Thinking Skills Test for Academies of Loudoun: What Parents Need to Know (2026 Update)

The Academies of Loudoun admissions process includes a specialized STEM Thinking Skills Test created by Insight Assessment—and most families don't know what it actually measures. This post breaks down the 250–300 scoring scale, the five skill areas tested, and exactly how to prepare your child for both the STEM and Writing Assessments before the late-October deadline.

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STEM Thinking Skills Test Academies of Loudoun
Franklin Military Academy Admissions 2027: How to Prepare for the Written Evaluation and Oral Interview
Franklin Military Academy
October 06, 2026 9 min read

Franklin Military Academy Admissions 2027: How to Prepare for the Written Evaluation and Oral Interview

Franklin Military Academy admissions requires an in-person written essay and oral interview — both scored on the same evaluation day. This guide explains exactly what each component measures, how RPS weighs your child's composite score, and the step-by-step prep plan Richmond families need before the December application deadline.

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Governor's STEM Academy at RTC Admissions: How to Ace the Evaluation Day Writing Sample (2027 Guide)
Governor's Career and Technical Education Academy for STEM at Richmond Technical Center (Governor's STEM Academy at RTC)
October 07, 2026 9 min read

Governor's STEM Academy at RTC Admissions: How to Ace the Evaluation Day Writing Sample (2027 Guide)

The Governor's STEM Academy at RTC Evaluation Day includes a timed, in-person writing sample scored double-blind — and most 8th graders have never practiced writing under those conditions. This guide explains exactly what happens on Evaluation Day, how the composite score works, and five strategies to sharpen your child's timed writing before the December application deadline.

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HCPS Specialty Center Assessment 2027: Complete Test Prep Guide for the Center for Engineering
Henrico County Specialty Centers — Center for Engineering at Highland Springs High School
October 07, 2026 9 min read

HCPS Specialty Center Assessment 2027: Complete Test Prep Guide for the Center for Engineering

If your Richmond-area 8th grader is applying to the Center for Engineering at Highland Springs High School, the HCPS Specialty Center Assessment is the first major hurdle — and almost no outside prep exists for it. This guide covers every section of the three-hour test, the CFE interest essay, and exactly how to build a prep plan starting in August.

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HCPS Specialty Center Assessment test prep Center for Engineering Highland Springs admissions test
HCPS Specialty Center Assessment 2027: Complete Prep Guide for the Math, Reading & Writing Sections
Henrico County Specialty Centers — Center for Medical Sciences (Todd Allen Phillips Center) at Mills E. Godwin High School
October 08, 2026 10 min read

HCPS Specialty Center Assessment 2027: Complete Prep Guide for the Math, Reading & Writing Sections

The HCPS Specialty Center Assessment is a three-hour, three-section test standing between your child and one of Virginia's most selective magnet programs. This guide covers every scored section of the Henrico County Specialty Center test — math, reading, writing, and the CMS-specific data task — with a realistic study timeline and targeted practice strategies. Godwin's Center for Medical Sciences accepts fewer than 1 in 10 applicants, so preparation has to start early and go deep.

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HCPS Specialty Center Assessment prep Henrico County Specialty Center test practice
VBCPS IB Admissions Entrance Exam: What to Expect and How to Prepare (2026-27 Admissions Cycle)
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program at Princess Anne High School
October 09, 2026 9 min read

VBCPS IB Admissions Entrance Exam: What to Expect and How to Prepare (2026-27 Admissions Cycle)

The VBCPS IB Admissions Entrance Exam at Princess Anne High School tests analytical reasoning and essay writing — and most students walk in without knowing what to expect. This guide covers exactly what is on the exam, who must take it, and how to build a 10-week prep plan before the January test date.

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VBCPS IB admissions entrance exam Princess Anne High School IB entrance exam
What Is the MLWGS Regional Evaluation Session? A Complete 2026 Guide for 8th Graders
Maggie L. Walker Governor's School for Government and International Studies
October 12, 2026 9 min read

What Is the MLWGS Regional Evaluation Session? A Complete 2026 Guide for 8th Graders

The MLWGS Regional Evaluation Session is a 3.5-hour on-campus test that determines admission to Maggie L. Walker Governor's School — and most families don't know what's actually on it. This guide explains both the timed evaluation activities and the timed written essay in plain language, breaks down the composite scoring system, and shows you exactly how to prepare your 8th grader before the January test date.

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MLWGS Regional Evaluation Session Maggie Walker Governor's School admissions test
MSA Ocean Lakes Entrance Examination: What to Expect and How to Prepare (2026 Guide)
Mathematics & Science Academy at Ocean Lakes High School
October 14, 2026 9 min read

MSA Ocean Lakes Entrance Examination: What to Expect and How to Prepare (2026 Guide)

Only about 1 in 5 applicants earns a seat in the Mathematics & Science Academy at Ocean Lakes High School. This guide breaks down exactly what the MSA Entrance Examination tests — STEM reasoning, math aptitude, and analytical writing — and gives Virginia Beach families a concrete plan to prepare before the February exam date.

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Norfolk Academy SSAT Scores: What's Competitive in 2027 and How to Prepare
Norfolk Academy
October 17, 2026 9 min read

Norfolk Academy SSAT Scores: What's Competitive in 2027 and How to Prepare

Norfolk Academy SSAT scores and admissions deadlines catch a lot of Hampton Roads families off guard. This post breaks down what percentile scores are competitive, how the holistic review works, and exactly how to sequence SSAT prep starting in September so your child walks into December ready.

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