Important Updates to our BCA/BT Prep Program
Important Updates to Our BCA/BT Admissions Prep Program
Bergen County Academies and Bergen Tech recently announced that they are moving their admissions exam date up by four weeks. Following the official announcement, the team at MEK hosted a workshop to discuss what the new timeline means for high school admissions prep.
Read our blog to learn more about the new BCA/BT Prep timeline and MEK’s plan for admissions success!
What changes have been made to the BCA/BT Admissions Timeline?
The Bergen County Academies and Bergen Tech recently announced revised test dates of December 9th and 10th for their admissions exam, shortening the original exam prep period by four weeks.
Below is a comparison of the original timeline with important dates highlighted versus the current timeline.
How MEK is Managing This Change
Our BCA/BT Prep Program is based on the following four pillars:
- Course Material & Curriculum
- Course Placement Shuffle
- Two-Phase Structure
- Semester-End Boot Camp
Please note, that we will maintain all four pillars, even in light of the recent changes.
What else are we keeping from our original program?
- English and Math classes will still have 18 sessions.
- English and Math classes will cover the same amount of material and administer the same amount of tests as previous years.
- We will still have class shuffles every 3 weeks.
- We will still have two phases: Phase 1 and Phase 2
- We will still have a Semester-End Boot Camp in the last week of prep.
However, we will be introducing new features to our program in addition to our four essential program pillars.
How is the Program Structure Changing?
Here is a side by side comparison of the original prep timeline versus the current timeline.
The Math & English Lecture Schedule for the Current Timeline Broken Down by Week
What your child will receive in the current timeline versus the original.
What’s Changing for English?
English classes will be doubled 9/30-10/26
Starting on 9/30, your child will take a second, virtual English class for four weeks concluding on 10/26 in addition to their current in-person class.
Application Essay Class
Application Essay Classes will take the place of the portion of the regular English class that was dedicated to the application essay, giving the teachers in your child’s regular English class the ability to cover the same amount of material relating to the test essay as before this timeline change.
There will be four classes in total, in a live, virtual class setting, that will prepare students for application submission by early November.
On 9/16, all parents will receive an email from Program Director, Rachel Erwin, with a link to sign their child up for the class time of their choice.
Application Essay Class Schedule:
- Saturdays 9:00am-10:00am
- Saturdays 12:00pm-1:00pm
- Wednesday, 5:00pm-6:00pm
- Thursday, 5:00pm-6:00pm
Meet the English Teaching Team
Rachel Erwin, Director of Exam Prep English
Rachel is an influential leader on the Exam Prep team. She teaches College Test Prep, H.S. Test Prep, and College Application Essays. Within the English Department, she serves as a leader for the Exam Prep team, working diligently to ensure all students’ success. With her clear and systematic approach to teaching, she helps students make huge improvements.
Iulia Boboc, Assistant Director of High School Admissions Test Prep
Iulia is a skilled English teacher who teaches College Test Prep, H.S. Test Prep, School Support Tutoring, and the MEK English Learning Circles. She is gentle but strong in her approach to teaching, making her a valuable addition to the MEK teaching team.
Michelle Sinno, Chief Mentor of Teachers
Michelle initiated our elementary school English curriculum and College Essay program, and serves as a mentor for our teachers. For over 10 years, Michelle has led countless students to success in the College Test Prep and H.S. Test Prep programs. She helped create many of the standards for our English programs and still oversees and reinforces those programs today.
Erin Doherty, English Teacher
Erin taught overseas in Japan for three years before coming to MEK. She is an educator who strives to create a calm and comfortable environment in her classroom through kind correction of student behavior and instruction. She sees teaching as a learning experience, as much for herself as for the students in her classes.
Ivan Yang, English Teacher
Ivan is a compassionate educator who strives to create lifelong learners in his classroom. He leads with kindness and care, while focusing on inclusion, equity, and student centered learning to ensure autonomy, engagement, and results.
What’s Changing for Math?
Math classes will be doubled in November
For the second math course in your child’s schedule, you will choose which day works best for you from the times listed below.
These additional math classes are in-person and based on available seating, teacher class size, and which days your child is attending their English course. However, we will do our best to honor your first choice schedule.
Additional Math Class Information
- Friday Math classes @ Palisades Park Campus
- 4 Tuesdays (11/7 ~ 11/28) 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- @ Palisades Park Campus
- Tuesday Math classes @ Palisades Park Campus
- 4 Fridays (11/3 ~ 11/24) 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- @ Palisades Park Campus
- Wednesday Math classes @ Closter Campus
- 4 Saturdays (11/4 ~ 11/25) 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- @ Palisades Park Campus
Meet the Math Teaching Team
Pranav Gupta, Director of High School Admissions Test Prep & Subject Prep
Pranav is a devoted and enthusiastic teacher for all levels of math including College Test Prep, H.S. Test Prep and competition math. Within the Math Department, he coordinates with Exam Prep staff to maximize the impact of test preparations on students. A student favorite, he inspires students to stay focused and reach their potential.
Tony Kim, Director of Exam Prep Math
Tony is a leader on the Exam Prep team. He teaches math for College Test Prep and H.S. Test Prep and supervises and guides the Exam Prep staff to ensure student success. With a passion for teaching, Tony fosters strong relationships with his students and motivates them to achieve their goals.
Elise Kim, Tutoring Program Coordinator & Math Teacher
Elise Kim is a warm and perceptive Math teacher that knows how to pinpoint students’ areas of strengths and weaknesses to provide the best support for creating strong mathematicians. As someone currently applying to dentist school, she shows students firsthand how math does matter in the real world and how proficiency in math can open doors to their future.
Demir Radoncic, Math Teacher
Demir is a math teacher who contributes to all high school level teaching teams: College Test Prep, H.S. Honors, AP Course & Test Prep, and Tutoring. His enthusiastic and friendly teaching methods make him a favorite among students, always in high demand among his tutoring students. Demir is certified for Math Education for grades 7-12, and has many years of experience teaching in a public school setting.
Justin Kim, Math & Science Teacher
Justin has been teaching with MEK since early 2023. His experience with math and science topics make him a versatile educator, and his approach to teaching is both analytical and fair. He encourages students to take autonomy of their education through practice and diligence beyond the classroom.
New Deadlines and Program Features
1. 6th/7th Grade Report Cards & Standardized Test Score Reports:
- Due to Canvas as a file upload by October 1st
2. High School Application Plan Survey:
- Due by September 22nd
- Survey will ask what academy they are targeting, which schools they are applying to, and what private schools or other schools outside of BCA/BT they are applying to
3. 30-Minute Application Guidance Meetings with Mrs. Ahn:
- October 2nd through November 4th (Mon, Thurs, Sat)
Student attendance required - Application guidance meeting is dependent on filling out survey and submitting score reports/report cards
4. BCA/BT Open House by MEK Alumni:
- Date to be released by September 22nd
For students applying to private/Catholic high schools:
- 4 complimentary SSAT, ISEE, or HSPT exams, self-administered through Canvas
- Provided upon request
Semester End Boot Camp
Our Semester-End Boot Camp will take place between December 1st and December 8th.
The boot camp will require students to attend 3-4 days of classes that will strengthen their test-taking skills and confidence in the final week of exam prep. The intensity of this boot camp allows for students to make that final push toward reaching their goals in the days leading up to the test.
The boot camp schedule is based on your child’s course placement, so please keep this week open!
To Recap
- BCA/BT has moved up their timeline by a month.
- We have adjusted our program in order to make sure students receive the same level of material, experience, testing, and preparation as every other year.
- This includes
- Adding an Application Essay class in October
- Adding additional math classes in November
- Conducting Semester-End Boot Camp the week before the official test
Next Steps
To begin the registration process, email us at mek@mekreview.com or call us at +1 (855) 346-1410.
Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to work with a team that gets results. We look forward to hearing from you!
