Application Preparation
Prepare for the test and the essay
BCA gives its own test and asks for one essay. The essay is part of the application, which is due before the test.
Checked against BCA's published admissions pages on November 4, 2026.
Testing
The admissions test.
BCA gives its own test. It uses neither the HSPT nor the COOP.
- Test days
- The admissions test is planned for Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22, 2026. BCA asks families to keep both days open between 7:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
- Your test time
- BCA selects each student's test date and time, and applicants cannot choose. Families check the student portal on or after November 12 to find the date and time.
- Format
- The admissions test takes about 2 hours. It is taken on Chromebooks that BCA provides, using the Pear Assessment software.
- Other tests
- BCA says it uses neither the HSPT nor the COOP.
- Practice test
- BCA posts a 40-question practice test that resembles the math portion of the entrance exam, with a full answer key.
- Practice test scoring
- On the sample test, applicants get sixty minutes without a calculator for 40 questions. Each correct answer earns two points, and one-half point is deducted for each incorrect answer. Unanswered questions are not counted.
- Scores
- Test scores are never released to applicants or parents and guardians.
- If your student is ill
- A student who is ill on test day must email Admissions@bergen.org on Monday, November 23, 2026. BCA says it will provide the make-up test date.
- Schedule changes
- In the event of a power failure, BCA says the test may be postponed to a subsequent weekend.
- Accommodations
- A student with a 504 plan or IEP should contact the guidance counselor at least 5 days before the admissions test.
- Tutors and prep
- BCA says the Admissions department is not affiliated with any programs or tutors and does not make recommendations. It suggests that all applicants review middle school English and math coursework and view the sample test.
- 01
Keep both November 21 and 22 open until you see your assigned time on or after November 12.
- 02
Have your student take the sample test once with a timer and no calculator, then review the answer key.
Essays
The application essay.
It is short, and BCA wants it to be the student's own work.
- The essay
- The essay asks the student to tell BCA about themselves and why they want to join the academy or programs of their choice, in 400 words or less. A separate part asks for extracurricular activities in 100 words or less. BCA says only the first 500 words are considered if the essay runs longer.
- Dual applicants
- A student who applies to Bergen County Academies and / or Bergen County Technical School, Teterboro counts as one application, and dual applicants should write two essays.
- Who writes it
- BCA recommends that every applicant complete all parts of the application, including the essay, as independently as possible.
- 01
Let your student write the essay alone. BCA recommends that applicants complete every part of the application as independently as possible.
- 02
Pick one real experience that shows why this academy fits, then cut anything that doesn't.
- 03
Check the word counts and read it aloud once before submitting.
Preparation plan
A plan that works backward from the deadline.
Work backward from the deadline. The order matters more than the exact days.
First
Check residency and proof
Confirm the Bergen County address and find a September to November electric, gas or water utility bill.
Early
Set up the email accounts
The student needs a personal, non-school email address. Recommender emails can be changed until December 1, 2026.
Next
Ask three teachers
Request recommendations from the English, science and 8th grade math teachers.
Next
Write the essay
Keep it to 400 words, and let your student write it as independently as possible.
Before the deadline
Review and submit
Check every section, then submit before November 8.
After submitting
Watch the portal
Look for your test date and time on or after November 12, and keep November 21 and 22 open.