Academic Center Extrance Exam
(For 6th Graders)

Academic Center Entrance Exam Prep Services

Information About Academic Centers

Academic Centers are Selective Enrollment programs for 7th and 8th grade students. If a student is accepted into an Academic Center, the student is automatically granted admission to the Academic Center's affiliated high school.

The 7 Academic Centers are: Brooks, Kenwood, Lane Tech, Lindblom, Morgan Park, Taft, Whitney Young.

The admissions process for Academic Centers consists of two 300 point parts (600 total points). The two parts are:

  • 5th-grade grades in Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies 300 points

  • Academic Center Entrance Exam 300 points

Feel free to use the calculator below to see what point totals are required for admission to the different Academic Centers (based on last year’s cutoff scores).

Academic Center Entrance Exam FAQs

  • The Test Prep Chicago AC Entrance Exam course prepares students for both the Verbal and Non-Verbal sections on the AC Entrance Exam.

  • Our courses are structured around 3 core learning principles: Teach, Practice, Apply; Building Blocks; and Practice Makes Perfect. Learn more about our philosophy.

  • Any 6th grader who is interested in applying to an Academic Center. The Academic Center admissions process in Chicago is extremely competitive, and our course will give students a competitive advantage for the entrance exams.

  • Your child will receive weekly packets that include worksheets for use in class. These handouts include easy-to-understand teaching notes as well as practice questions. Our materials are designed to facilitate active-learning by striking the right balance between instruction and student participation. Students will also have access to weekly online homework assignments (in our online testing platform) that will allow them to hone the skills learned in class. These online assignments will mimic the format of the Academic Center Entrance Exam.

  • Students will take an online diagnostic exam (during Session 1) to measure their strengths and weaknesses. An online final exam will be administered (during Session 6) to measure how students have improved during the course. Additionally, graded homework assignments will provide insight into your child's weekly comprehension and improvement.

  • You will receive weekly emails from your child's teacher detailing what topics were covered in each class. Additionally, parents/students can access practice test results and weekly homework results in our online testing platform. These results include detailed analysis of each subtopic within each section.

  • Your child will be taught by one of Test Prep Chicago's highly skilled instructors. All Test Prep Chicago instructors have completed our intensive interview and training process.

  • Our course consists of 6 two-hour sessions offered once a week.

  • Classes will be held weekdays after school and on weekends. Classes will be taught in your child's middle school or, when necessary, at a nearby school or public classroom. We also offer online courses.

  • The tuition for our 6th-grade courses is $505 (~$42/hour for in-class instruction). This tuition covers all in-class instruction, test prep material, and student feedback.

  • "VERY helpful for students looking to get into a competitive academic center. Highly recommended!"

    - William W.

  • "My son is going to Lane Tech Academic Center. He crushed the gifted test with a score of 158! Total points 885. Thank you!!!"

    - Patty H.

  • "Hi Maura, I wanted to thank you for your time spent tutoring Ashley, she found it extremely helpful. She scored 160 (300 points) on the AC entrance exam, and she has decided to go to Lane Tech (her 1st choice) next year. Thanks!"

    - Bree W.

  • “Hello Charlie, My son, LP, took your test prep classes at Hamlin Park in January.  I met you briefly in the hallway downstairs and we chatted about Test Prep.  Anyway, I’m pleased to tell you that my son got an offer to go to the Academic Center at Lane Tech.  I wanted to thank you because Test Prep Chicago was extremely helpful when my son took the entrance exam.  When my younger son is ready, we will sign him up too.  Thank you again and I wish you much success in your organization!”

    - 6th Grade Parent