Testing Procedures
The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has announced that a more uniform process will be utilized for students applying to Selective Enrollment Elementary and High Schools and other schools with academic requirements (IB High Schools, Magnet High Schools, and Military Academies). CPS is adopting the Northwestern Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress (NWEA MAP) as the uniform assessment for students applying to these schools.
For students who do not currently attend a CPS school, tests will be offered free of charge in September and October at multiple locations around the city.
For Frequently Asked Questions regarding the NWEA MAP, click here.
To sign up to receive updates from the Office of Access and Enrollment regarding the NWEA-MAP testing, click here.
To be eligible to take the admissions exam for the programs below, students must score at the minimum percentiles on the NWEA MAP as indicated:
General Education Students and Students with 504 Plans:
CTE-College and Career Academies:
Most CTE-CCAs do not have eligibility requirements. To be eligible for Jones CTE, students must score at or above the 24th percentile in reading and math.
International Baccalaureate Programs:
At or above the 24th percentile in reading and math, and a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5
Magnet Schools:
At or above the 24th percentile in reading and math (for most magnet schools). The eligibility requirement for the Von Steuben Scholars program has not yet been determined. Science scores will no longer be considered for the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences or Von Steuben.
Military Academies:
Percentiles in reading and math that total at least 48 (e.g., 21st percentile in reading and 27th percentile in math; 15th percentile in math and 33rd percentile in reading)
Selective Enrollment:
At or above the 24th percentile in reading and math.
Students with IEPs and Students Receiving Bilingual Education Services:
CTE-College and Career Academies:
Most CTE-CCAs do not have eligibility requirements. To be eligible for Jones CTE, students must have percentiles in reading and math that total at least 48 (e.g., 21st percentile in reading and 27th percentile in math; 15th percentile in math and 33rd percentile in reading).
International Baccalaureate Programs:
Percentiles in reading and math that total at least 48 (e.g., 21st percentile in reading and 27th percentile in math; 15th percentile in math and 33rd percentile in reading), and a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5
Magnet Schools:
Percentiles in reading and math that total at least 48 (e.g., 21st percentile in reading and 27th percentile in math; 15th percentile in math and 33rd percentile in reading).
Military Academies:
Percentiles in reading and math that total at least 48 (e.g., 21st percentile in reading and 27th percentile in math; 15th percentile in math and 33rd percentile in reading)
Selective Enrollment:
Percentiles in reading and math that total at least 48 (e.g., 21st percentile in reading and 27th percentile in math; 15th percentile in math and 33rd percentile in reading)
For schools that select students through a point score system (International Gifted Programs, Academic Centers, and Selective Enrollment High Schools), the NWEA MAP scores will be worth up to 300 points, with grades and the admissions exam each worth up to 300 points.
For students who do not currently attend a CPS school, tests will be offered free of charge in September and October at multiple locations around the city.
For Frequently Asked Questions regarding the NWEA MAP, click here.
To sign up to receive updates from the Office of Access and Enrollment regarding the NWEA-MAP testing, click here.
To be eligible to take the admissions exam for the programs below, students must score at the minimum percentiles on the NWEA MAP as indicated:
General Education Students and Students with 504 Plans:
CTE-College and Career Academies:
Most CTE-CCAs do not have eligibility requirements. To be eligible for Jones CTE, students must score at or above the 24th percentile in reading and math.
International Baccalaureate Programs:
At or above the 24th percentile in reading and math, and a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5
Magnet Schools:
At or above the 24th percentile in reading and math (for most magnet schools). The eligibility requirement for the Von Steuben Scholars program has not yet been determined. Science scores will no longer be considered for the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences or Von Steuben.
Military Academies:
Percentiles in reading and math that total at least 48 (e.g., 21st percentile in reading and 27th percentile in math; 15th percentile in math and 33rd percentile in reading)
Selective Enrollment:
At or above the 24th percentile in reading and math.
Students with IEPs and Students Receiving Bilingual Education Services:
CTE-College and Career Academies:
Most CTE-CCAs do not have eligibility requirements. To be eligible for Jones CTE, students must have percentiles in reading and math that total at least 48 (e.g., 21st percentile in reading and 27th percentile in math; 15th percentile in math and 33rd percentile in reading).
International Baccalaureate Programs:
Percentiles in reading and math that total at least 48 (e.g., 21st percentile in reading and 27th percentile in math; 15th percentile in math and 33rd percentile in reading), and a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5
Magnet Schools:
Percentiles in reading and math that total at least 48 (e.g., 21st percentile in reading and 27th percentile in math; 15th percentile in math and 33rd percentile in reading).
Military Academies:
Percentiles in reading and math that total at least 48 (e.g., 21st percentile in reading and 27th percentile in math; 15th percentile in math and 33rd percentile in reading)
Selective Enrollment:
Percentiles in reading and math that total at least 48 (e.g., 21st percentile in reading and 27th percentile in math; 15th percentile in math and 33rd percentile in reading)
For schools that select students through a point score system (International Gifted Programs, Academic Centers, and Selective Enrollment High Schools), the NWEA MAP scores will be worth up to 300 points, with grades and the admissions exam each worth up to 300 points.
