Academies of Loudoun (AOS & AET) Test Prep in Ashburn, VA
A year-long, in-person program that prepares students for both parts of the admissions test, the writing assessment and the STEM thinking-skills test, in small batches of at most 10 students.
Max 10
Students per batch
Writing + STEM
Both parts of the test
12–15
Full timed tests
In person
Ashburn center
About 60–70% of our year-long students are selected for AOS or AET
Based on our students in recent years. Admission is decided by LCPS and can never be promised, so every family starts with a diagnostic that shows where their child stands.
The admissions test has two parts
The Academies of Loudoun use a timed writing assessment and a STEM thinking-skills test for both the Academy of Science (AOS) and the Academy of Engineering and Technology (AET). Strong math alone is not enough: students must also write a clear, well-supported response under time pressure. We prepare students for both.
Part 1
The writing assessment
Students respond to a prompt in a short, timed sitting with no time to prepare in advance. It is the part many families underestimate, and it is where steady practice shows. Our writing track is taught by our English faculty: every 2-hour class is one hour of STEM and one hour of writing.
1. Clear thinking on paper
Taking a position, supporting it with specific evidence and organizing ideas logically, across all the main essay genres.
2. The official formats
Students learn the essay formats LCPS and FCPS use, so the structure of test day feels familiar.
3. Past and similar prompts
Practice on past-style prompts of every type: science and technology, current issues and more.
4. Timed simulations with feedback
2–3 timed essays a month, alternating Academies of Loudoun and TJ prompts, plus full test-length simulations. Every essay comes back with written feedback.
Writing works differently from math, so students can join the writing track at any time and catch up with make-up sessions.
Part 2
The STEM thinking-skills test
The STEM test rewards students who can reason through problems they have never seen before. We teach every area of it.
Algebra, ratios & rates
Work and fill rates, percent change, three-part ratios, average speed.
Math puzzles
Clocks, calendars, patterns, counting and balance-scale problems.
Spatial thinking
Cube nets, painted cubes, folding and rotating figures.
Tech logic
Circuits, logic gates, flowcharts and binary rules.
Scientific thinking
Experiments, controls, variables and reading data.
Critical reasoning
Deduction, conditional chains and judging arguments.
Eligibility: enrolled in Algebra I or higher, with a C or better in math and science courses. The 2026 test is on November 12. See our 2026–27 admissions guide and AOS vs AET vs TJ comparison.
Five STEM phases, from 7th grade to test day
Each class is 2 hours: one hour of STEM and one hour of writing. One class a week through Phase 3, twice a week from Phase 4, with homework, review packets and an end-of-topic test in every phase.
Phase 1: Algebra core · September – January
Literal algebra, exponent rules, GCF, fractions, linear functions, and systems of equations with modeling.
Phase 2: Arithmetic & probability · January – March
Ratios, rates, percents, distance-rate-time, work problems, exponents and probability.
Phase 3: STEM & out-of-the-box thinking · April – June
Spatial reasoning, circuits and logic gates, scientific reasoning and unfamiliar puzzle-style problems.
Phase 4: Review · June – August
Quick review guides for every topic and harder mixed questions. Classes meet twice a week.
Phase 5: Full timed tests · August – November
12–15 complete timed tests, each followed by a review of every missed question.
Join at the start of any phase. Joining mid-phase? We schedule make-up classes so your child catches up.
Material built for this test
We write our own curriculum in-house, question by question, around the skills the test rewards. Students always know what they are practicing and why.
Full-length timed tests
12–15 complete STEM practice tests, modeled on the published format, each with an answer key that tags every question by skill.
Concept review packet
Every concept that appears in our tests: the rule, the shortcut, the common trap, a worked example and practice.
Topic packets & study guide
Deep practice on each area, plus a study plan, quick checks, a score tracker and a mistake log.
Writing with real feedback
Timed STEM-style writing prompts and full test-length simulations. Every essay comes back with written feedback on ideas, structure and clarity.
Start with the diagnostic
Every student begins with a timed diagnostic at our center, by reservation. It is built so an average 7th grader can answer at least half, while strong students still find it a real challenge. You get a report by skill area and a placement talk with us.
Placement 1
Ready
Joins the ACL track in the current phase.
Placement 2
Ready with support
Joins the track, with catch-up sessions on the specific areas the diagnostic flagged.
Placement 3
Building
Starts with a foundation phase (algebra core, small group or 1-on-1), then moves into the track ready to keep up.
Applying to TJ as well?
The same foundation carries into TJ's Student Portrait Sheet and Problem-Solving Essay. See our winter TJ class.
Questions parents ask
When should my child start preparing?+
Ideally in September of 7th grade. The program runs in five phases from September of 7th grade to the admissions test in the fall of 8th grade, so skills build steadily instead of in a last-minute rush.
Can my child join now?+
Yes. Students can join at the start of any phase; the next start is January (Phase 2). Students who join mid-phase get make-up classes to catch up, and writing runs on its own flexible track.
What is on the Academies of Loudoun admissions test?+
LCPS uses a STEM thinking-skills test and a timed writing assessment for both AOS and AET. The STEM test rewards reasoning through unfamiliar problems: algebra and rates, math puzzles, spatial thinking, tech logic, scientific thinking and critical reasoning. Students must be enrolled in Algebra I or higher, with a C or better in math and science.
How do you prepare students for the writing assessment?+
Half of every 2-hour class is writing, taught by our English faculty. Students start with core skills across essay genres, then learn the LCPS and FCPS formats, then practice past-style prompts on science, technology and current issues. They write 2–3 timed essays a month, alternating ACL and TJ prompts, and every essay comes back with written feedback.
How big are the classes?+
Each batch enrolls a maximum of 10 students, so every student gets attention and feedback in every class.
Can you guarantee admission?+
No one honestly can, because admission depends on the test and on decisions LCPS makes. In recent years, about 60–70% of our year-long students have been selected for AOS or AET. We start by showing you exactly where your child stands today.
What happens at the diagnostic?+
Your child takes a timed diagnostic at our Ashburn center. It is built so an average 7th grader can answer at least half of it, while strong students still find it challenging. Afterwards we walk you through a report by skill area and recommend the right starting point.
Is the program in person?+
Yes. Classes meet in small groups at our center at 21001 Sycolin Road, Suite 200, Ashburn.
Meet our teachers. Want to talk it through? Call us at +1 703 401 8779 or +1 703 729 3599.
Pricing & Enrollment
Academies of Loudoun (AOS/AET) Prep
Every student is different. Give us a call and we'll put together the right plan for your child.
- Year-long program in 5 phases, 7th through 8th grade
- Each batch enrolls a maximum of 10 students
- Join at the start of any phase; next start: January
- Starts with an in-person diagnostic and placement talk
Questions or looking for a different option? Call us at +1 703 401 8779 or +1 703 729 3599. We're happy to help.