TJHSST Admission Prep with Principia Education

What makes Principia’s TJHSST prep classes unique?

Our classes are held in-person—not only have we found that this helps instructors personalize their coaching for each class and student, we’ve also noted that this helps increase engagement and allows students to interact and encourage each other more effectively.

We also build lots of practice and feedback opportunities into the course—regular practice tests through our digital portal are included in tuition costs, and students receive feedback on every test that they complete on time. If students would like even more individualized guidance, they can add additional 1:1 sessions either during or after the completion of the course.

How often do students take practice tests?

That depends on the student and course!

• Spring 7th grade classes: Students complete four full practice tests by the end of the course and see multiple additional practice prompts for both SPS and PSE.

• Summer, fall, and winter 8th grade classes: After the first week of class, students take practice tests weekly.

• 1:1 sessions: Instructors will decide on the best cadence of practice tests depending on the individual student, when the student’s prep begins, and the student’s revision efforts. The vast majority of 1:1 students begin taking weekly practice exams in October and continue up until the official test day.

Access to full-length practice tests through our online test portal is included in tuition costs. 

What’s the difference between Summer, Fall, and Winter TJ admission courses?

The structure of summer, fall, and winter courses is quite similar—we’ve designed the courses this way to ensure that, no matter which course students take, they are all equally prepared for test day. The main difference between these courses lies in the assigned practice prompts and tests and a handful of math worksheets. Each course includes a couple of official practice prompts that are repeated across all 8th grade courses. The rest of the prompts are unique to that course. Math worksheets cover the same topics across courses but increase slightly in difficulty from summer to fall and from fall to winter. All other handouts and instruction are the same across the summer, fall, and winter courses.

Some students choose to take all group classes offered, as they find they go deeper into each topic, apply lessons more effectively under timed conditions, and remember more strategies with each course iteration. Others choose to take just one group class, then supplement with a few 1:1 sessions.

At the end of each course, families receive a detailed progress report with honest recommendations for next steps, whether that’s another group class, private 1:1 tutoring, or just some independent targeted practice. We’re happy to work with you to determine the best plan of action for your student.

When should my student start preparing for TJHSST admission?

That depends on your student. Some begin early—in elementary school—while others start in 8th grade. Our TJ-specific group classes officially begin in 7th grade and run all the way up to test day.

Before then, we recommend private 1:1 tutoring to target key academic skills and encourage deeper intellectual exploration. Whether it’s building writing confidence or digging into math competition problems, we meet students where they are — and help them grow from there.

What’s your refund policy?

Once the class begins, we don’t offer refunds—so we recommend checking in with your student beforehand to make sure they’re excited to participate. Our best classes are filled with students who are motivated and ready to work hard (yes, there’s homework!).

That said, if plans change before the course begins, we offer:

• 100% refund minus a $100 registration fee if canceled 3+ weeks in advance

• 50% refund minus the registration fee if canceled 2 weeks in advance

• No refund if canceled within 1 week of the start date

What if my student misses a class?

We don’t offer makeups for group classes, but we recommend students still complete the homework ahead of their missed class so they can receive feedback. Students can stay on track by reviewing all materials from the missed class and completing the assigned homework for the following class.

Can you guarantee admission to TJ?

We wish we could — but no. There are too many factors outside anyone’s control (school quotas, holistic review, etc.). What we can promise: your student will become a sharper thinker, a stronger writer, and more confident walking into the exam.

Our goal? Students walking out of test day saying, I nailed it.

What is your policy on AI use in TJ prep classes?

Because students cannot use outside resources on the official TJ admissions exam, we strongly encourage them to complete homework and practice tests without AI or other assistive tools, including calculators. If instructors suspect that a student has used AI on an assignment, they will verify using an AI checker and let parents know. Our instructors also do not use AI to evaluate student work or generate feedback—one of the hallmarks of our classes is thoughtful, individualized feedback from experienced instructors who get to know each student’s strengths, challenges, and stories—something AI can’t replicate.