tj problem solving essay prompts

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Prepare for Selective High School Admissions

Why fairfax collegiate.

Fairfax Collegiate has taught thousands of students over the last 30 years in a variety of subjects including standardized admissions preparation. With local founders, directors, curriculum developers, and instructors, we have a strong understanding of TJHSST and the Academies of Loudoun, along with their admissions processes.

Our prep courses have kept up-to-date with changes in the admissions processes for both schools, and we have successfully adapated these courses to be available to students remotely through Zoom. We have offered admissions prep courses online since 2020 and provide a classroom-like experience where students learn from the comfort of home.

TJHSST Prep

Prepare for the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology admissions process, with an emphasis on crafting strong personal statements and problem-solving essays.

The course is fully up to date for the revisions implemented by the FCPS School Board over the past years. Students practice answering a variety of Student Portrait Sheet essay prompts and learn what the TJ Admissions Committee is looking for in their essays. They also learn a framework for responding to the Problem-Solving Essay question, which requires a written answer and explanation for challenging mathematics or science-related problems.

Students practice efficiency in writing organized, informative and grammatically correct essays under time constraints. Instructor feedback emphasizes progress on Student Portrait Sheet responses and Problem-Solving Essays, developing strategies to highlight the strengths of each student.

Academies of Loudoun Prep

Prepare for the Academies of Loudoun (AOS and AET) admissions exam.

Students review content for each of the sections of the STEM Thinking Skills Assessment and learn a variety of effective test-taking strategies. Students also prepare for the Writing Assessment, including significant time practicing personal statements, instruction and feedback in writing organized, informative, and grammatically correct essays, and strategies for how to efficiently work under time constraints.

Students take two full-length practice tests, and receive a written evaluation after the class is complete indicating their strengths and further areas for improvement.

Classes Via Zoom

All TJ and ACL Prep courses during the school year are provided online via Zoom. Students and their instructor meet synchronously on weekends or weekday evenings to discuss content, practice skills, and work independently on problems and essays.

Students receive feedback on all the work they do in class, and instructors send individual evaluations at the end of each course to highlight each student's strengths and areas for improvement.

Summer Classes

• TJ Admissions Prep (In-Person)
• TJ Personal Statements (Online)
• TJ Problem-Solving Essay (Online)
• Academies of Loudoun Prep (In-Person or Online)

Summer Locations

PrepWise - TJ Test Prep

PrepWise TJHSST Prep Tutoring, created by current TJ students, offers comprehensive TJ test prep, including specialized TJ SPS prep and TJ PSE prep. We cover all aspects of the TJ Student Portrait Sheet (SPS) Prep and the TJ Problem Solving Essay (PSE) Prep to ensure you excel in the TJHSST admissions process. Our TJ admissions prep includes practice prompts from previous years, making sure you're fully prepared. Trust PrepWise for thorough TJHSST test prep and TJHSST admissions SPS/PSE prep, guiding you every step of the way to succeed in the TJHSST admissions.

Our offerings

TJ Admissions Prep

Great news: We are now offering TJ Test Prep! This course goes through the TJ admissions process, including Student Portrait Sheet (SPS) Prep, as well as Problem Solving Essay (PSE) Prep, ensuring you gain valuable insights, strategies, and access to practice materials to maximize your chances. Click here to register!

IBEST Biology Prep (COMING SOON)

Exclusive to PrepWise: IBEST Biology Prep (COMING SOON)! Prepare yourself for success in IBEST biology with our upcoming IBEST Biology Prep course. Stay tuned for more updates from PrepWise and get ready to excel in IBEST Biology at TJHSST.

RS1 Tutoring

Exclusive to PrepWise: RS1 (Research and Statistics 1) Tutoring! Our RS1 tutoring program provides specialized support to master this crucial subject, ensuring you excel in TJHSST's rigorous curriculum. Contact us at [email protected] for more information!

Math 3 Tutoring

Exclusive to PrepWise: Math 3 (Algebra 2) Tutoring! Our Math 3 tutoring program offers tailored support to help you excel in this key subject, fundamental to success at TJHSST. Contact us at [email protected] for more information!

Vision & Mission

Our primary focus is empowering through accessible education for all.

At PrepWise, our vision is to empower individuals through TJHSST admissions prep, TJ test prep, TJ SPS prep, and TJ PSE prep. We provide high-quality, accessible education, breaking down barriers and fostering lifelong learning. Our TJHSST test prep and TJ admissions prep help shape a brighter, more equitable future for everyone. "

At PrepWise, our mission is to help everyone achieve their potential through TJHSST admissions prep, TJ test prep, TJ SPS prep, and TJ PSE prep. We foster an inclusive, diverse learning environment that promotes lifelong learning and breaks down educational barriers. By providing equal access to quality education, we empower individuals to grow and contribute to a more equitable society.

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• Oct 17, 2022

What does the Student-Portriat-Sheet (SPS) look like?

We frequently get asked the question: what is the TJ Student Portrait Sheet (SPS)?

The Student Portrait Sheet (SPS) is a series of mini-essays that demonstrate Portrait of a Graduate (POG) skills as well as interest in STEM. Apart from the Problem-Solving Essay (PSE), this is a major component in the admissions process.

Format: 4 questions, maximum of 1500 characters each, 1-hour total time limit; computerized exam (typed, not hand-written)

Sample Questions (2 of 4 questions that showed up on the 2021 admissions exam):

(TJ 2021 Test) Leader : You have probably heard the expression “born leader”. The phrase implies that the qualities which make a good leader are innate — you’re either born with the skills it takes to be a leader, or you’re not. Others believe that key leadership qualities can be learned over time implying that learners can be taught to lead. Discuss which leadership style you agree with in detail. Describe a situation about your experience with leadership. Lastly, name a person who exemplifies the leadership

(TJ 2021 Test) Goal-Directed and Resilient Individual : There are times when we are faced with challenges while working towards achieving a goal. Tell us about a time when you set a goal and had to overcome a challenge to achieve that goal. What was your goal; what challenges did you have to overcome; what did you do in response to achieve your goal? Please respond in a short answer/essay format and use examples and include specific details.

In 2014, the FCPS School Board developed and adopted the “Portrait of a Graduate,” which includes a set of “skills” every student should demonstrate. These skills include: Communication, Collaboration, Ethical and Global Citizen, Creative and Critical Thinker, and Goal-Direct and Resilient Individual . For TJ Admissions, in addition to the aforementioned portrait of a graduate's characteristics, students also need to show that they are an Innovator, Leader, and Problem Solver . That is a total of 8 skills that students need to demonstrate on the SPS.

On the SPS, students need to demonstrate that they embody these skills by writing essays that pull from their own experience (through extracurriculars and coursework).

In addition to these characteristics, students also need to show that they are passionate about STEM and interested in TJ specifically. They need to show their passion for STEM via the STEM extracurriculars/experiences that they write about, and show their interest in TJ by mentioning specific offerings they might take advantage of.

Want to learn more about the TJ Admissions Process? Visit TJTestPrep.com and consider one of our prep options. Questions? Reach out to us at [email protected]

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TJ Admissions SIS Math Problem

In 2016, first round tj applicants were taken by surprise when they went to their assigned testing locations to complete the thomas jefferson high school of science and technology admissions 2nd round student information sheet (sis) and essay hurdle., the students got the sis questions, but instead of a final essay prompt, they received this challenging math problem., it’s 5:30 am, and you, a helicopter pilot, have just been told there’s an injured man on a boat you need to get to a hospital. the boat is going towards where you are at 10 mph, but is currently 400 miles away. you need to get him as soon as possible, but you only have 6600 lbs of fuel in your helicopter, which burns 1200 lbs per hour, and always travels at 150 mph. also, you need to account for 30 min of fuel spent hovering over the boat to get the man into the helicopter, and 1 extra hour of fuel due to helicopter standards. under these circumstances, when can you depart your station to get the man as soon as possible, give the question a try, and check the video below for the answer and kate dalby’s explanation. if you would like to prepare for the sis, register for inspiring test preparation’s, private writing instruction ., link to 2017 sis math problem., link to 2018 sis math problem., link to 2019 sis math problem., link to 2020 sis math problem., link to 2016 sis math problem:, share this story, choose your platform.

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TJ math essay example prompts.

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To enable every aspiring TJ student to present their best self

See previous problem solving essay prompts here, check out our feature in wtop, probability:, permutations and combinations, bhaswith suresh.

Permutations and combinations: Learn about the various topics in this complex, vita; part of the test. To access this material, lets get started

Introduction

Lauren hyde.

This is the first step towards understanding patterns and sequences. In this lesson, you will find the basics of solving common sequences and learn the prerequisites.

Probability : Advanced Methods

Advanced methods: This lesson should be completed after permutation and combinations. It finishes many of the concepts necessary for probability like questions.

Algebra: Percentages

Sanjay jacob.

This lesson contains the essential concepts in fractions and is crucial to learn if you do not feel confident in your skills. Feel free to try questions to decide if you comprehend everything and move on if you are comfortable.

GCF & LCM

Learn about greatest common factors and least common multiples in this lesson. This is another good place to start in Algebra. 

Geometry: Circles

Pranav mathur.

Circles often give many students trouble due to the number of rules. This lesson is an important review concepts that cannot be derived. 

Venn Diagrams

Michelle ru.

Learn about set theory, venn diagrams, and more. This is a great lesson for an important topic and also to introduce the concepts of dependent probability. 

An introduction

Amrita sahu.

This is the First lesson in Geometry. It covers various elemental concepts and is a good place to start to build a strong foundation. 

Angles and Triangles

Hailena bian.

In this lesson, learn about the types of triangles, how to use special cases of triangles to solve problems quickly, and the types of angles found in triangles.

Geometry: Areas and Volumes

Algebra: ratios.

This lesson is crucial to review. Even though it is a concept you may know well, the fundamentals are important to memorize so that you can manipulate types of variation and scale efficiently. 

Algebra: Averaging

Averaging is where algebra meets statistics/probability. This lesson is a goldmine for possible questions, so be sure to take plenty of time to review this lesson. 

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