The MAP for BPS Exam Schools

General Info About the NWEA MAP

• The NWEA MAP test is a computer-based adaptive test used by both public and private schools to assess student progress over years of schooling.
• Reading, language usage, and math skills are tested.
• Students typically take the MAP several times throughout each school year. Some schools use the assessment as part of their admissions criteria.
• The MAP is computer adaptive, making it hard to predict what kinds of questions a student will get on test day. If a student answers a question correctly, their next question will be more challenging; if they answer incorrectly, their next question will be easier.

The MAP for BPS Exam Schools

Boston Latin Academy, Boston Latin School, and the John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science are BPS Exam Schools. Students who wish to attend any of those schools as a 7th or 9th grader for the 2027-2028 school year must take the MAP test. (O'Bryant also admits a small number of 10th graders). Their MAP results will account for 30% of their admissions score.

BPS will give students opportunities to take the MAP in the spring and/or fall. They will consider a student’s higher scores from both tests during the admissions process. The BPS website has more info about this timeline and registration.

Another (very important) part of the admissions puzzle is GPA. In order to be eligible to apply to a BPS exam school, students must have at least a B average. The GPA is calculated from grades in each subject from both the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years. In addition to being an eligibility factor, GPA also counts for 70% of a student’s admissions score. Scroll down to the GPA section on the BPS website for more info.

Preparation for the MAP

Nurturing Wisdom has extensive experience preparing students for the MAP! For years, we successfully prepped hundreds of students to take the MAP as part of the admissions process to Chicago Public Schools Selective Enrollment High Schools (the MAP is no longer used for this purpose).

Our tutoring focuses on building skills for the test’s content and format. A diagnostic pre-test helps us tailor lessons to each student’s specific needs, and tutors consistently adjust instruction based on progress. Independent work and additional practice tests provide students with a variety of ways to apply what they’re learning.

It's important that students are comfortable with the structure of the MAP test so that they feel prepared and confident for test day. Since MAP is taken on the computer, all in-session practice questions and homework are also done on the computer. Additionally, our tutors teach students how to answer various types of questions, effectively use scratch paper, and understand how the adaptive exam progresses.

How to Get Started

All MAP students start by taking a pre-test. Our graders will score the test and give you an analysis with personalized feedback and recommended areas of focus. We'll also put together a tutoring timeline outlining how much tutoring we recommend and goal scores. The pre-test, test analysis, and plan are free!

Contact us today to get a free pre-test or sign up for one of our proctored tests.

Why Nurturing Wisdom

Nurturing Wisdom's one-on-one tutoring goes beyond just helping your child get a great score. With a strong tutor match, your child will look forward to tutoring sessions, follow through on independent work, and become a more confident learner.

We're here to support parents as well! Your tutoring director will help you navigate through the MAP testing process by putting together an optimal timeline, keeping you posted on progress, reminding you of important deadlines, and answering any questions you have along the way. Give us a call to learn more!