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Use this thread to see compilation of scores: https://chicagoschooloptions.com/forums/topic/preact-9-data/
Not sure how helpful this is, but this is how CPS recommends non-CPS students report grades: https://cdn.bfldr.com/MXCD21SV/as/rxgq9nc54f9c5bs85mqrjjq/OAE_GoCPS_626408_Document_Grades_Guidance_for_Non-CPS_Grades_SY2026-2027_85x11_D_EN_06012026_V1
On pages 6 & 7, it shows how to calculate if grades are reported without cumulative totals but just straight letter grades.
This is their tour signup form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjJs1gzk2VQfoN299LWcrRCc1hDbOb_q67J__vdfkK23icsw/viewform
There are 7 academic centers that students can apply to. https://cdn.bfldr.com/MXCD21SV/at/wrcj7c7jpgfm5h9h78gcxhr/GoCPS_Academic_Centers_Scoring_Rubric_EN.pdf
Many accept students for 8th grade but Whitney and Lane tend not to.
The 7th grade GPA is being multiplied by 80 to get the other half of the rubric from above, so know that several “A” students can have GPA’s between 3.50 to 4.00. Student GPA’s are listed on their Enrollwise student account, up to 2 decimal places, so there will be variations on the GPA number for students across the 4 subject areas for the year for math, reading, science and social studies.
From https://www.cps.edu/gocps/high-school/apply/hsat-test/
Point Total Calculations
Similar to prior cycles, the GoCPS application scoring system considers the CPS HSAT / PreACT 9 Secure (50% of the total) and seventh-grade grades for core subjects (50%of the total). The weights for the components are established by using a total of 640 points, with each 50% element worth 320 points. Details below:HSAT points are determined by multiplying the PreACT 9 Secure Composite Score by 10, with a maximum score of 320. The possible PreACT 9 Secure scores are 1 through 32 depending on test performance. The composite score is made up of the English, Reading, and Math sections of the PreACT 9 Secure.
Grade points are calculated by multiplying a student’s final 7th grade GPA by 80. With a maximum possible point total of 320 (4.0 X 80 = 320)
CPS HS Scoring Rubric https://cdn.bfldr.com/MXCD21SV/at/sg5pkrxvkq4t4cwvb33cgq/GoCPS_HS_Program_Scoring_Rubric_EN.pdf
Some more info here from Test Prep Chicago (not an endorsement, just where the info came from): https://www.testprepchicago.com/selective-enrollment-high-school-admissions-cps-hsat
Dear Parents,
Yesterday, CPS announced to school leaders that, beginning this fall, the CPS HSAT test will be replaced by a new exam, the PreACT 9 Secure. This test will be the new exam used for the GoCPS high school admissions process, and will be offered to all 8th-grade students.
Test Prep Chicago is a licensed participant in the NTPA ACT Affiliate Tutor Program. Through our connection, we have been aware that such a change might occur, and our team had already begun creating new PreACT 9 Secure curriculum. As such, students enrolled or looking to enroll in any courses or one-day workshops, or students beginning individual tutoring, can be assured that the content they are being taught will reflect the content seen on the new exam. All of our scheduled courses and one-day Palooza workshops will continue to run as planned, with the new PreACT 9 Secure content instead of the old CPS HSAT curriculum.
Overall, students can expect the following changes when taking the new exam:
The PreACT 9 Secure is a longer test than the CPS HSAT. The CPS HSAT lasted one hour, while the PreACT 9 Secure will last approximately two and a half hours.
The PreACT 9 Secure includes 4 sections, while the CPS HSAT only included 2. The CPS HSAT had a 30-minute Math section and a 30-minute Reading section; the PreACT 9 Secure will have a 35-minute ELA section, 40-minute Reading section, 45-minute Math section, and 35-minute Science section.
The PreACT 9 Secure will only be available in English, though it will still have accommodations for ESL students. The CPS HSAT had been available in multiple languages, but the PreACT 9 Secure will not have this option available.
For families who have already begun individual tutoring for the CPS HSAT, we will be reaching out to you directly with more information and suggestions on how to move forward. Note that much of the math and reading content on the old CPS HSAT and current PreACT 9 Secure is quite similar, so time already spent on CPS HSAT tutoring has been applicable to the new exam. Continuing to work on this material in individual tutoring, and to work on our HSPT ELA material, will be beneficial in preparing students for the new test.
Later this week, CPS will be sending out an email to all CPS parents about the exam change and officially announcing the official timeline for the GoCPS admissions process (see below). In the meantime, you can learn more about the PreACT 9 Secure here.
Please reach out to our team with any questions at info@testprepchicago.com, or call our office at 312-848-1266.
GoCPS Admissions Process Timeline
Application Opens: Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 10am
PreACT 9 Secure Testing for CPS Students: Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Application Closes: Friday, November 13, 2026 at 5pm
Initial High School Offers Released: Friday, February 12, 2027
CPS has provided Spring Testing for MANY years as a means for those who missed the Initial Application (“Round 1” in the old days) deadlines to try for any remaining seats AFTER first round offers were made. Some schools never dipped into waitlists so the only way for students to get offers to those programs would be to apply and test during the first round application cycle. In the past, if families missed the spring testing and late round application window, their only school option was their neighborhood program because it was not easy to add themselves to even a lottery (non-SEES) application after the late application deadline passed. Now with the more well-defined Rolling Waitlist process, families can join and remain on Choice (lottery based) schools until January and students who did either fall or spring SE testing can join to be on SEES waitlists until they expire after the 20th day of school.
So in short, spring testing has been around for years, but the waitlist process has changed over the years. Additionally, the initial application cycle has always been the best chance for a shot at any program.
Post Academic Center results for 2026-2027 at this link: https://chicagoschooloptions.com/forums/topic/spring-2026-cps-sees-academic-center-results/
Post Academic Center results for 2026-2027 at this link: https://chicagoschooloptions.com/forums/topic/spring-2026-cps-sees-academic-center-results/
Here is the Spring 2026 Results thread: https://chicagoschooloptions.com/forums/topic/spring-2026-cps-sees-gifted-and-classical-results/
Yes, your daughter can accept her Choice offer and do PD for her desired SEHS. Chances for waitlist and/or PD are not high so definitely dive into all the admitted student events for her Choice offer.
During the Rolling Waitlist period (starting 3/30/26), you can add or subtract any other SEHS schools to your list of 6, not necessarily those on your original application. Some schools like Westinghouse and Lindblom may take students from the waitlist, and SEHS waitlists are recalculated twice a week based on the test scores of students adding or removing themselves from the waitlists.
If a student applied to a Selective Enrollment High School (SEHS) and did not receive an offer but would like to be considered for a seat selected by the principal for up to 5% of the freshman class, they can enter into a holistic admissions appeal process known as Principal’s Discretion. Applicants can only select one of their original SEHS choices to apply to for PD and they should not turn down their original offer in order to try for Principal’s Discretion. Applications require an essay, recommendations and supporting materials to be submitted between 2/18/26- 3/6/26, with results released on 4/10/26. The applicant must show evidence of one of 4 criteria for submission: Unique Skills & Abilities, Activities Demonstrating Social Responsibility, Extenuating Circumstances or Demonstrated Ability to Overcome Hardship.
The student should write the letter, but parents can review and help with edits, of course. Some “successful” PD applications may involve a younger sibling to a current, involved family whose child was close to the cutoff, or it could be a student bringing in a talent to the school either academically, artistically or athletically.
High schools handle their own transfer requests so check each school’s website for details. Payton has a 3/6/36 deadline, Young and Jones have deadlines of 4/3/26, Northside’s deadline is 5/8/26. For any high school you are interested in, it’s best to reach out directly to each school to inquire about transfer policies, procedures and deadlines.
All those schools do take transfers, and sometimes Lane does, but if its student body is already maxxed out, it won’t. Students are evaluated holistically and whether they will be a good contribution to the school environment, so it is not solely based on academics.
Share HS results here https://chicagoschooloptions.com/forums/topic/spring-2026-cps-hs-results/
