Admissions Testing for Selective Enrollment K-8

SEES Admissions Exams

There are three types of Selective Enrollment exams. The number of tests your child takes depends on the programs to which you apply. Magnet programs are NOT considered SEES programs and do not require testing.

• One test for the Academic Centers and Regional Gifted Centers: The Regional Gifted Center (RGC) test measures reasoning skills, including abstract thinking and problem-solving with new information. Students receive a composite score and subscores in Verbal and Non-Verbal reasoning, which are used in tiebreakers. The test is administered only in English.
• One test for the Classical Schools: The Classical test measures academic achievement in Math and Reading. Scores in each subject are reported as both standard scores and percentile ranks. The test is administered only in English.
• One test for the Regional Gifted Centers for English Learners: The English Learner Regional Gifted Center (EL RGC) test measures reasoning skills and is administered in the non-English language (Spanish or Polish) indicated on the student’s application. Students receive a single composite score.

Admission Testing Requirements

To calculate GPA, assign each grade of the core subjects a score (using the table below). Add the scores together and divide the total by 4. (GPA will be automatically calculated in the application.)

Scheduling Admission Exam(s)

Appointments for admissions exams are scheduled in the GoCPS application. If a student does not participate in the required admissions exam, they will not be considered in the selection process for that school/program.

• Kindergarten: Both the Classical and Regional Gifted Center (RGC) tests are administered as one test session. If students want to also test for EL RGC programs, they must register for that testing separately.
• Grades 1-8: The test administered is based on the programs students are applying to. If a student is applying to both classical and regional gifted programs, the tests will be administered on two separate days. EL RGC testing is also separate and administered to students who apply to those programs.

Important: Be sure to submit your application immediately after scheduling a test event. Test events are automatically deleted if the application is not submitted within one hour of scheduling. After submission, you can still edit your application anytime until the application deadline.

Always log in to the application portal before your scheduled test session to confirm the date, time, and location details.

General Testing Window & Schedule

The testing window typically begins in October and continues through January or early February. While you must schedule your student’s exam and submit your application before the official application deadline, your actual testing appointment may take place after the application deadline has passed. General testing windows by grade level and program type are noted below:

• Applying to kindergarten (Classical/RGC): Testing occurs on weekdays (typically Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays). Testing appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays are available from 1:00-4:00 PM. Friday testing runs from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
• Applying to grades 1-8 (Classical/RGC): Testing typically occurs on weekends beginning in late October or early November. Testing for some grade levels and program types may not begin until December.
• Academic Centers (7th-8th grade RGC exam): Testing takes place on weekends in mid-to-late January (and may include the Monday of MLK Day).
• EL RGC (All Grades): Testing takes place on select Saturdays only.

When selecting a test date, please note that the dates and times visible in the application portal reflect all currently available testing sessions. Test sessions fill on a first-come, first-served basis, and additional dates are only added as earlier sessions reach capacity. Because make-up testing opportunities are extremely limited and cannot be guaranteed, we strongly encourage families to book early and plan ahead to ensure their student can attend their scheduled date. (If no dates are available, please contact the GoCPS hotline at (773) 553-2060 or email gocpstestingteam@cps.edu for assistance.)

A spring testing window will be offered for students who missed the fall opportunity and want to participate in rolling waitlists. However, seats for some programs are very limited during the waitlist period.

Testing Locations & Formats

Admissions testing takes place at designated testing sites, depending on the program type:

• Classical, Regional Gifted Center (RGC), & Academic Center programs: Testing is conducted at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). The specific building location and address will be noted on your test ticket.
• English Learner (EL) RGC: Testing is conducted at one of three elementary school sites: Orozco, Pulaski, or Greeley.

Students applying to kindergarten complete testing one-on-one with an examiner. Students applying to grades 1-8 complete a paper-and-pencil exam in a group setting with a proctor.

Test Tickets

Information such as parking instructions, what time to arrive, and other details will be emailed to parents/guardians in a testing ticket approximately 1-2 weeks before the scheduled exam. Please note that test tickets will be sent only to the primary guardian listed on the student’s EnrollWise account. If you do not receive an emailed test ticket, please check your spam or junk folder.

You are not required to present your test ticket to gain admission to the test site. Students will be provided a paper ticket upon arrival.

Rescheduling a Test

Do not take child(ren) to test if they are ill. If you need to reschedule due to illness, or for any other reason, please refer to the information below.

Missed test events will NOT be automatically rescheduled. You must take action if you wish to reschedule your student’s test session.

If the “Deadline to schedule” date listed in the online GoCPS application portal has not passed, return to that site to reschedule. As long as future test dates are available, families can complete rescheduling directly in the application.

If you are unable to reschedule in the application, contact the Office of Access and Enrollment by calling the OAE Hotline at (773) 553-2060 or by emailing  gocpstestingteam@cps.edu.

Students with Disabilities

Students with IEPs or 504s that require the student to get testing accommodations should verify that such accommodations are in place prior to the testing session. IEPs and 504 Plans must be current as of one year to the testing session for a student to receive allowable accommodations.

Non-CPS Families Please Note: In order for allowable testing accommodations to be provided, a student's IEP or 504 Plan must be current and within one year of the test date. Families should contact the Private School Evaluation Team (privateschoolevals@cps.edu) before the application period opens to ensure their child's plan is up to date. Due to the limited flexibility within the testing schedule, we strongly encourage families to address any needed updates as early as possible so that accommodations can be reviewed and considered prior to testing.

For questions regarding testing accommodations, contact the Testing Team at gocpstestingteam@cps.edu.

More About Accommodations 

Test Preparation

CPS does not recommend, endorse, or sponsor any test preparation courses, study guides, or sample questions for the Selective Enrollment Schools testing process. Learn More

Retakes

No retakes are allowed. Once your child has been exposed to the admissions exam, they cannot take the exam again for the coming school year.

Test Results

Applicants will receive their test results in the spring, on the same date that elementary offers are released. Test scores are posted in the GoCPS application portal and will only be released for those active in the selection process.