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Free Diagnostic

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Free Diagnostic

Free NCSSM Admissions Diagnostic

See where your student stands for NCSSM today, and what to work on first.

12 questions · about five minutes · free

Answer for where your student is today.

Answer a few questions about where your student stands today. You see a free readiness snapshot right away. Enter your email to unlock the full report: every area scored, the NCSSM facts behind each one, and a dated plan to the deadline. This diagnostic covers the whole application. For the Math Assessment alone, try the free Math Diagnostic.

  1. EligibilityWhich year of high school is your student in?

    Students apply in their second year of high school to the Residential and Online programs, so they attend as juniors and seniors. Source: ncssm.edu

  2. EligibilityIs your family a legal resident of North Carolina?

    Only bona fide legal residents (domiciliaries) of North Carolina are eligible to attend NCSSM. Non-residents are ineligible for admission. Source: ncssm.edu

  3. Math AssessmentWhich program is your student applying to?

    Eligible applicants can apply to the Residential program (Durham and/or Morganton), Online, or Summer Ventures, or all three, using one electronic application. Source: ncssm.edu

  4. Application stepsWhere is the NCSSM application on CFNC?

    All sections of the Class of 2029 application must be completed on CFNC.org by 11:59 PM on Tuesday, January 5, 2027. NCSSM says there are no exceptions to this deadline. Source: ncssm.edu

  5. Application stepsHas your student chosen a STEM teacher, an English teacher and their counselor for evaluations?

    Evaluations are required by February 28 from a 9th or 10th grade STEM teacher, a 9th or 10th grade English teacher, and the applicant's current 10th grade guidance counselor. Source: ncssm.edu

  6. Application stepsWhere is your family on the Residency Determination Service (RDS) step?

    Class of 2029 applicants must complete the residency application with North Carolina Residency Determination Services (RDS) by January 30, 2027. Source: ncssm.edu

  7. EssaysWhere are your student's NCSSM essays?

    NCSSM says critical reading and writing ability can be demonstrated through the essay responses. It also says enthusiasm for STEM, need for NCSSM, and work ethic can be demonstrated through the application, essays, and academic record. Source: ncssm.edu

  8. EssaysCan your student explain, in a few sentences, what NCSSM offers that their current school cannot?

    NCSSM describes "Need for NCSSM" as whether NCSSM offers something unique and essential that the student's current school, no matter how good, might not be able to provide. Source: ncssm.edu

  9. Grades and STEM involvementHow are your student's grades in their most challenging 9th and 10th grade courses?

    NCSSM says it is looking for students who consistently excel, earning mostly A's in their most challenging courses. Source: ncssm.edu

  10. Grades and STEM involvementOutside class, how involved is your student in STEM, such as clubs, competitions, programs or projects?

    NCSSM suggests students show an interest in STEM through clubs, competitions, supplemental programs, leadership positions, and other related activities, and take accelerated and challenging courses. Source: ncssm.edu

  11. Math AssessmentHow comfortable is your student with pre-algebra, algebra and geometry done quickly without a calculator?

    The NCSSM Mathematics Admissions Assessment is a 30-question, 40-minute assessment taken without a calculator. Source: ncssm.edu

  12. Math AssessmentHas your student tried timed practice for the Math Assessment?

    NCSSM links a Math Test Preview and Math Assessment Examples for applicants. Source: ncssm.edu

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