The Boston Latin Exam vs. the ISEE Test

Will your child be taking the Boston Latin Exam on November 4th?

The deadline to register for the Boston Exam Schools is September 29th! Students in grades 6, 8, and 9 can register to take the Boston Latin Exam for entrance into any of the three Boston Exam Schools: Boston Latin Academy, Boston Latin School, or the John D. O’Bryant School for Mathematics and Science. For more information, please click here. 

Starting in the second week of September, paper test registration materials will be available at all Boston area schools, BPS Welcome Centers, and all Boston Public Library branches. In order to attend Boston Public Schools, a student must reside in the City of Boston.

Many parents ask us what they should do if their child is going to apply for the Boston exam schools, but will also apply to other private or independent schools. Here is that information directly from the BPS website: 

“Families applying to private and independent schools, in addition to the Boston exam schools, should consider taking the ISEE at a national test site. A national test administration also includes an essay portion (the BPS test administration does not include the essay.) It is the parent’s responsibility to schedule, pay, and assure that their child tests no later than Saturday, November 18, 2017. Please remember to select the Boston Exam Schools, school code 888888, when you register for a national test. Test scores must be received by the BPS by Friday, December 8, 2017. To register for a national exam, visit  www.iseetest.org. Please note that students may sit for only one test administration within a four-month period. If national testing is selected, parents are not required to register for the November 4th ISEE with Boston Public Schools.”

In other words, if you are applying to only Boston Exam Schools, you need to take the Boston Latin Exam, but you do not need to take the ISEE test. If you are applying to other private schools in addition to Boston Exam Schools, you can take only the ISEE test, without taking the Boston Latin Exam. Boston Exam Schools will accept the ISEE test in place of the Boston Latin Exam ONLY if you are also applying to other private schools in addition to Boston Exam Schools. The Boston Latin Exam is held on November 4th. If your child is taking the ISEE, they must test no later than Saturday, November 18th, as stated above. Click here to find the best ISEE test date for you.

For more information on ISEE tutoring, click here. For more information on tutoring for the Boston Latin Exam, click here. You can also give us a call at 781-248-4558. 

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services