The Bergen County Academies entrance exam is one of the most competitive magnet school admissions tests in New Jersey. This free printable PDF gives you realistic practice questions across the three main tested areas — mathematics, language arts, and science reasoning — so you can identify your strongest and weakest subjects before the actual exam.
Downloading and printing the PDF means you can practice anywhere: at the kitchen table, in the car, or during a study session with a tutor. Work through each section, check your answers, and use the results to build a targeted study plan for the BCA application season.
Bergen County Academies is a public magnet high school operated by Bergen County Technical Schools in Hackensack, New Jersey. It consistently ranks among the top high schools in the United States, drawing applicants from all 70 municipalities in Bergen County. The admissions process includes a written entrance examination, a review of middle school grades and standardized test scores, and — for certain academies — an interview or portfolio review. Demand far exceeds capacity, making thorough exam preparation essential.
The math portion of the BCA entrance exam emphasizes problem-solving over rote calculation. Algebra questions test linear equations, inequalities, functions, and expressions. Geometry questions cover angle relationships, area and perimeter of polygons, the Pythagorean theorem, and coordinate geometry. Number theory questions address factors, multiples, prime numbers, and properties of integers. Multi-step word problems require combining multiple concepts — for example, setting up an algebraic equation to solve a geometry scenario. Students who have completed pre-algebra and are comfortable with introductory algebra perform best. Many questions are designed to reward logical reasoning rather than just memorized formulas.
The language arts section includes reading comprehension passages drawn from literary, informational, and scientific sources. Comprehension questions test the ability to identify main ideas, draw inferences, analyze author's purpose, and determine the meaning of vocabulary words in context. Writing analysis questions ask students to evaluate sentence structure, paragraph organization, and grammatical correctness. Strong readers who regularly engage with non-fiction and literary texts have a significant advantage in this section. Vocabulary in context questions specifically test whether a student can determine a word's meaning from surrounding sentences rather than relying on memorized definitions.
Unlike a traditional science content test, the BCA science reasoning section evaluates a student's ability to think like a scientist. Questions present hypothetical experiments and ask students to identify independent and dependent variables, recognize sources of experimental error, interpret graphs and data tables, and draw conclusions from presented evidence. Background knowledge of life science, physical science, and earth science helps, but the primary skill being assessed is the ability to apply scientific thinking to unfamiliar scenarios. Students who have practiced analyzing data in their middle school science classes tend to adapt quickly to this format.
BCA is organized into six distinct academies, each with its own curriculum focus and admission criteria. The Academy for the Advancement of Science and Technology (AAST) is the largest and most competitive, emphasizing STEM research, computer science, and advanced mathematics. The Academy for Medical Science Technology prepares students for careers in healthcare and biomedical research through partnerships with local hospitals and medical institutions. The Academy for Engineering and Design Technology focuses on applied engineering, robotics, and product design using project-based learning. The Academy for Information Technology develops skills in cybersecurity, networking, software development, and digital media. The Academy for Culinary Arts provides professional culinary training and requires a separate skills assessment as part of the admissions process. The Academy for Visual and Performing Arts trains students in fine arts, music, theater, and dance, with admission requiring a portfolio or audition in addition to the written exam.
While all six academies require the written entrance examination, the Academy for Culinary Arts and the Academy for Visual and Performing Arts also require additional materials. Visual and Performing Arts applicants must submit a portfolio demonstrating their creative work or complete an audition in their area of artistic focus. Culinary Arts applicants undergo a practical skills assessment. For these academies, the written exam is one component of a multi-part review, and strong creative or culinary talent can be a differentiating factor.
In addition to the entrance exam, BCA considers a student's middle school GPA, teacher recommendations, and performance on standardized assessments such as the NJSLA or MAP tests. Students with consistent academic records across all subjects are preferred. The admissions committee reviews each application holistically — a very strong entrance exam score can offset a modest GPA, and vice versa, though both components matter. Bergen County residency is required; students must live within Bergen County to be eligible regardless of their scores.
Looking for more practice? Our BCA practice test delivers additional multiple-choice questions with instant answer feedback across all three tested subject areas. Use the online tests to build exam stamina and speed, then return to this PDF to drill the topics that need the most work before your BCA application deadline.