News
CPS Cancels NWEA MAP Exam
Last week, on Thursday, 4/15, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced that they are cancelling the NWEA MAP test for all elementary students: kindergarten through 8th grade. In addition, the NWEA MAP will remain canceled through the full selective enrollment and academic center testing cycles for current 5th and 7th graders for both CPS and non-CPS students. It is still unclear what CPS will do for rising 5th and 7th graders in the next testing cycle.
Though the NWEA MAP is canceled, other components of the selective enrollment and academic center admissions processes will remain relatively the same. For students applying to academic centers, they will still need to take the Academic Center Entrance Exam (which is typically administered in late fall/winter), and schools will still also use the student’s 5th-grade grades in math, reading, science, and social studies. For students applying for admission into selective enrollment high schools, they will need to take the CPS High School Admissions Test (administered in late fall/winter). This test will be the same as the Selective Enrollment High School exam (SEHS) from previous years, however the name will be changed. In addition, as usual, selective enrollment schools will also look at the student’s 7th-grade grades in math, reading, science, and social studies.
Test Prep Chicago will offer test prep courses for both the Academic Center Entrance Exam as well as the CPS High School Admissions Test in the fall and will likely add dates for these to our website in the late summer (or as soon as CPS announces those test dates). In addition, we offer one-on-one tutoring for both tests as well as subject matter tutoring and help with school, and we can begin this at any time. For more information about our services or to set up tutoring, feel free to call us at (312) 848-1266 or send us an email at info@testprepchicago.com.
Lauren Lynch, Director of Tutoring and Communications
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266
NWEA MAP Test Information
The NWEA MAP test is a common-core-aligned, computer-adaptive test designed to quantify a student’s knowledge of math and reading. Unlike most other standardized tests, the NWEA MAP adapts its difficulty level based on whether or not a student selects a correct answer. If a correct answer is selected, the test becomes more challenging, asking out-of-grade-level questions.
After the student completes the test, both teachers as well as students and their parents will receive a RIT score which correlates to a percentile (both the RIT and the percentile should be included in the report from NWEA MAP). The percentile represents where a particular student’s level is compared with students across the country. NWEA’s website states, “NWEA uses anonymous assessment data from over 10.2 million students to create national norms…By drawing from an incredibly wide pool of anonymized test records (pulled from more than six million test events, 23,000 schools, and 49 states), we’re able to accurately represent the US school-age population.”
In addition, the RIT score is determined not by what kinds of questions the student can answer (for example, computation and problem solving), but rather at what level (for example, a simple addition problem versus an addition problem which has an imaginary number in it). To see examples of difficulty level compared to approximate RIT scores, visit the NWEA MAP website and search for the “RIT Reference Brochure.”
Furthermore, this test provides 1/3 of the points required to attend a Selective Enrollment High School or Academic Center. Each section of the test (reading and math) is worth 150 points, with a total of 300 points up for grabs based on their NWEA MAP score. While CPS has not yet announced the NWEA MAP test dates for this upcoming spring of 2021, we anticipate both CPS and non-CPS 5th and 7th-grade students will take the NWEA MAP during the testing window of mid-May to mid-June as was supposed to be the case last year (but was canceled because of Covid-19).
Visit Test Prep Chicago’s homepage (testprepchicago.com) to sign-up for our newsletter and receive up-to-date news. We’ll be sure to send an email as soon as CPS releases more concrete information about NWEA MAP test dates, as well as more information when we add one-day workshops to our website. As always, we offer one-on-one tutoring for NWEA MAP and can begin this at any time. Visit our website for more information on pricing, and how to reach out to us to set up sessions.
Lauren Lynch, Director of Tutoring and Communications
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266
Test Prep Chicago’s Online Tutoring FAQs
In light of COVID-19 concerns, Test Prep Chicago transitioned completely online on March 18th. While the city of Chicago remains on lockdown, we will continue to operate remotely for the safety of our students and staff. Below are frequently asked questions about our online tutoring.
What kind of online tutoring are you currently offering?
We can offer any test prep or subject-matter tutoring you need from 4th to 12th grade. Test Prep tutoring includes tutoring for the NWEA MAP, SEHS, HSPT, ISEE, Academic Center Entrance Exam, SAT, and ACT. In addition, we also offer tutoring for math placement tests like the Algebra Exit Exam.
With what program are you operating your online sessions? Can we use Zoom?
Test Prep Chicago is currently using Vedamo. Unlike Zoom, Vedamo is a platform specifically dedicated to remote tutoring and education, so it has more features available both to our students and tutors. Additionally, it’s provided at no additional cost to families.
What features can you access in Vedamo?
Like other video-chat platforms, Vedamo allows students and tutors to see and speak to one another through a video chat. Unlike other platforms, Vedamo has a digital whiteboard that also allows us to upload our material. During the session, the instructor and the student can write directly on the whiteboard, working through our custom material.
How does a Test Prep tutoring session work now that it’s online?
The set-up of the session isn’t all that different from an in-person tutoring session once it gets going; the main difference is in the time leading up to tutoring. A day or two before the session, our tutor will send a PDF of what the student and tutor will work through during the session. This way, our students will have a paper copy if they’d prefer to write answers down rather than work through them on the computer, and they have a chance to briefly look over the material first if they’d like.
About 10 minutes before the session begins, the tutor will send a link to their virtual classroom. Once the student clicks the link, he or she is immediately logged into the session. Once the session begins, the tutor and student will work through the material as usual with their digital whiteboard. In addition (depending on which test the student is preparing for), after the session, the tutor will send an email link with online homework for the student to do in between sessions.
How does a Subject-Matter Tutoring session work now that it’s online?
Students will need to send a PDF version of what they’re working on with the tutor so the tutor can upload it to our platform before the session. Then, 10 minutes before the session, the students will receive a link from the tutor to log into the virtual classroom. Once in the virtual classroom, the session will proceed as usual as they work through the material on our digital whiteboard. After the session, the tutor can send supplemental material for homework if the student would like a little extra practice in between sessions.
Is Online Tutoring as Effective as In-person Tutoring?
Since this is new for Test Prep Chicago, we don’t yet have any data to show one way or another. However, there is no reason to believe it’s less effective given the same kind of one-on-one, personalized nature of the session as well as the fact that we are continuing to utilize our custom material.
Does Online Tutoring Cost the Same? Can I Get a Discount?
Yes. It’s the same price for online tutoring as it is for in-person. Our company is actually paying more to use the service to put everything online at no extra cost to our customers. Lastly, since we are a small business that has been greatly affected by the pandemic, we cannot offer any discounts at this time.
Lauren Lynch, Tutoring Coordinator
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266
High School Entrance Exam Prep Course at Test Prep Chicago
Every fall, Test Prep Chicago offers classes which encompass all three high school entrance exams: the selective enrollment high school entrance exam (SEHS), the independent school entrance exam (ISEE), and the high school placement test (HSPT). Over the course of eight weeks, students dive into the content of the tests, test-taking strategies, as well as the formatting and timing of each test. Though eight weeks may seem like a short amount of time to prepare for three tests, its an exceedingly accessible time frame given the likeness of each exam.
First, the content is exceedingly alike. Each of the tests include math (up through geometry), reading comprehension, vocabulary, and language skills (multiple choice for SEHS and HSPT, essay for ISEE). Given these similarities, students studying for any or all exams are able to work toward reviewing or learning the same concepts. Where there are a few differences, such as the essay section on the ISEE, students studying specifically for the ISEE will be provided with supplementary, exam- specific material for homework. However, since the student is engaging in language and grammar in our class, they will still be getting their fair share of in-class language and grammar prep for the ISEE. Additionally, another commonality on the tests is that there is no calculator permitted, nor is there a guessing penalty.
Next, the time permitted to take each test ranges from two hours and thirty minutes to three hours. Accordingly, the stamina needed to build up in order to successfully take each exam is almost indistinguishable. The only exception is that the HSPT has quite a few more questions than the other two exams. Similar to the essay section with the ISEE, supplementary materials will be provided for those students who wish to work on specifically on quickly getting through many questions that the HSPT will inevitably have.
Lastly, since the formatting of each exam is slightly different, we include questions formatted in the likeness of each exam so students feel fully prepared. If our comprehensive high school entrance exam prep course sounds like the right fit for your student, visit testprepchicago.com and sign up for a prep course today!
Lauren Lynch, Tutoring Coordinator
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266
An Overview of Robert Lindblom Math and Science Academy High School
Located in the West Englewood neighborhood of the south side of Chicago, Robert Lindblom Math and Science Academy (also known as Lindblom) originally opened in 1919 as a technical high school, reopening in 2005 as a Math and Science Academy and a selective enrollment high school. The school is ranked 11th best public high school in Illinois. Total Enrollment is 1,056 with a student to teacher ratio of 18:1. Of the total enrollment, 98% of students are people of color and 67% of students receive free or reduced-price lunch. It boasts an extremely impressive graduation rate of 100%.
Courses offered at Lindblom contain a “demanding college preparatory curriculum where all courses are offered at honors or Advanced Placement [levels].” These include conventional classes as well as more unique offerings such as Women’s Studies, Web Design, Environmental Science, Biotechnology, Horticulture and Plant Biology, and Art and History of Propaganda. Languages offered include Chinese and Arabic while fine arts encompass visual art, choir, and band.
Lindblom also incorporates a colloquium day where students have an array of electives and enrichment classes to choose from including but not limited to Tai Chi, Knitting, A Capella, Photography, African Dance, Archery, Basketball, History of Hip-Hop, Self Defense, Robotics, Aviation, Women in Medicine, and more. For students interested in athletics, they have many from which to choose: basketball, football, soccer, dance, water polo, wrestling, volleyball, cheerleading, bowling, cross country, and track and field to name a few.
For more information about academics or athletics at Lindblom, visit their website: https://lindblomeagles.org/index.jsp.
Lauren Lynch, Tutoring Coordinator
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266
CPS Announces Application Process For 2019-2020 School Year
Last month, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) released information regarding the application process for the 2019-2020 school year. This refers to students who will be beginning high school during the 2019-2020 school year. The Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress exam (NWEA MAP) will once again be used for the eligibility and selection to Selective Enrollment Elementary Schools and to public high schools with academic requirements (Selective Enrollment High Schools).
For students who attended a CPS elementary school during the 2017-2018 school year, their 2018 spring NWEA MAP scores will be used for the admissions process.
Students who attended a non-CPS elementary school during the 2017-2018 school year will be required to take the NWEA MAP exam this fall. CPS will be administering the NWEA MAP exam free of charge throughout the city. The test will be offered at four sites: (1) Curie Metropolitan High School, (2) Lane Tech High School, (3) Lindblom Math and Science Academy, and (4) Westinghouse College Preparatory High School. Students will be scheduled for the test location closest to their residence.
CPS will offer the NWEA MAP exam on six dates in September (dates listed below). Parents must submit the registration form to the Office of Access and Enrollment by no later than 5 PM on Friday, September 7, 2018.
Test Dates
- Saturday, September 15, 2018
- Sunday, September 16, 2018
- Saturday, September 22, 2018
- Sunday, September 23, 2018
- Saturday, September 29, 2018
- Sunday, September 30, 2018
For more information about the application process for the 2019-2020 school year, please visit https://go.cps.edu/. Also, feel free to contact Charlie Howard with any questions.
Charlie Howard, Owner Test Prep Chicago
charlie@testprepchicago.com
(872) 221-0175
CPS Announces Application Process For 2018-2019 School Year
Yesterday, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) released information regarding the application process for the 2018-2019 school year. The Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress exam (NWEA MAP) will once again be used for the eligibility and selection to Selective Enrollment Elementary Schools and to public high schools with academic requirements (Selective Enrollment High Schools).
For students who attended a CPS elementary school during the 2016-2017 school year, their 2017 spring NWEA MAP scores will be used for the admissions process.
Students who attended a non-CPS elementary school during the 2016-2017 school year will be required to take the NWEA MAP exam this fall/winter. CPS will be administering the NWEA MAP exam free of charge throughout the city. The test will be offered at three sites: (1) Lane Tech High School, (2) Lindblom Math and Science Academy, and (3) Westinghouse College Preparatory High School. Students will be scheduled for the test location closest to their residence.
CPS will offer the NWEA MAP exam on two dates in September , two dates in October, and on two dates in January (dates listed below). CPS recommends that parents register their children to take the test in September or October. Parents must submit the registration form to the Office of Access and Enrollment by Friday, September 1, 2017 if they want their children to sit for the exam in September. For students to test in October, parents must submit the registration form by Monday, October 2, 2017. For students to test in January, parents must submit the registration form by Friday, December 1, 2017.
Test Dates
- Saturday, September 23, 2017
- Sunday, September 24, 2017
- Saturday, October 21, 2017
- Sunday, October 22, 2017
- Saturday, January 13, 2018
- Sunday, January 14, 2018
For more information about the application process for the 2018-2019 school year, please visit www.cpsoae.org. Also, feel free to contact Charlie Howard with any questions.
Charlie Howard, Owner Test Prep Chicago
charlie@testprepchicago.com
(872) 221-0175
CPS Announces Application Process for 2017-2018 School Year
Yesterday, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) released information regarding the application process for the 2017-2018 school year. The Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress (NWEA MAP) will once again count for 1/3 of the selection process for admissions to Selective Enrollment Elementary Schools (Regional Gifted Centers, Academic Centers, International Gifted Programs) and Selective Enrollment High Schools.
For students who attended a CPS elementary school during the 2015-2016 school year, their 2016 spring NWEA MAP scores will be used for the admissions process.
Students who attended a non-CPS elementary school during the 2015-2016 school year will be required to take the NWEA MAP exam this fall/winter. CPS will be administering the NWEA MAP exam free of charge throughout the city. CPS has not yet made known the different testing locations, however they have announced that they will attempt to assign each student to a location which is most convenient to his/her residence.
CPS will offer the NWEA MAP exam on four dates in October (dates listed below) and on one date in January (date not yet determined). The NWEA MAP registration form must be received by the Office of Access and Enrollment by Friday, September 9 for a student to test in October. If the September 9 registration deadline is missed, a registration form must be submitted before December 9 for a student to test in January.
October NWEA MAP Test Dates
Saturday, October 8
Sunday, October 9
Saturday, October 22
Sunday, October 23
(There will be two testing times on each of the dates listed above: 9am and 12pm).
For more information about the application process for the 2017-2018 school year, please visit www.cpsoae.org. Also, feel free to contact Charlie Howard with any questions.
Charlie Howard, Owner Test Prep Chicago
charlie@testprepchicago.com
(872) 221-0175