TPC Selective Enrollment Point Calculator Updated

Test Prep Chicago’s free point calculator for selective enrollment high schools has been updated according to last year’s cut-off scores, which increased from the previous year.

The admissions process for Selective Enrollment High Schools consists of two 450 point parts (900 total points). The two parts are:

• 7th grade grades in Reading, Math, Science and Social Studies: 450 points

• CPS High School Admissions Test: 450 points

To use the point calculator, enter your student’s 7th grade grades and select the socio-economic tier in which you live. If you’re not sure which tier that is, the point calculator will direct you to the CPS Locator. Once your student’s grades and CPS tier have been entered, click the “calculate” button.

The calculator will then show you the points your student has earned based on their 7th grade grades. Underneath this is a table showing the exam score they will need to achieve based on their grades, tier neighborhood, and the total points required by each selective enrollment high school based on last year’s cutoff scores. This includes a breakdown of the minimum total score required, exam points needed, as well as the exam score needed.

Test Prep Chicago has a similar calculator for Academic Center admissions, based on 5th grade grades and group tiers. To find out the scores your student would need for admission to Chicago’s Academic Centers, click here.

Anna Jordan, Tutoring Coordinator

anna@testprepchicago.com

(312) 848-1266

Selective Enrollment High School Cut Off Scores Rise

High School Entrance Exam scores are on the rise for 8th-grade students applying to Selective Enrollment High Schools. CPS recently released their Selective Enrollment cut-off scores for the 2023-2024 school year which details an increase in average point totals and minimum scores required for eligibility. This increase will affect applicants of all Tiers across the board.

According to the information provided by CPS, Tier 4 students must achieve a perfect 900 points to place into Walter Payton College Prep or Northside College Prep. This cut-off score remains stagnant for Payton while it has increased by 4 points at Northside in the last year. Similarly, Whitney Young has seen an increase across the board from Tier 1 to Tier 4 students. Tier 1 students must score a minimum of 834 points to be eligible which is up dramatically from 816.5 the year prior. Tier 4 students must score a minimum of 893, up 9 points from last year’s cut-off of 884. Other Selective Enrollment high schools such as Jones College Prep and Lane Tech College Prep have also seen surges in cutoff scores, though their Tier 4 eligibility requirement leaves a small margin for error.

Tier 4 cut-off scores have soared the most rapidly at King Jr. College Prep, Lindblom Math and Science Academy, South Shore International College Prep, and Brooks College Prep with some schools seeing as much as a 21% increase. Previously requiring 529 points for eligibility at Lindblom, the school now demands a score of 643, a 114-point difference. King’s requirement was raised from 501.5 to 600, followed by Southshore which now requires 613 points as opposed to last year’s 529. Lastly, Brooks’ Tier 4 cutoff has increased 46 points this testing season with a new standard of 718 points required. Because of the increasing demand for applicants to achieve higher scores, students who score under 600 points on the High School Admissions Test will not be permitted on the waitlist, making it more difficult than ever for students to test into the school of their choice.

Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266