Cooperative Admissions Examination Program (COOP)

The Cooperative Admissions Examination Program (COOP) is a regional entrance exam used by participating Catholic high schools, primarily in northern New Jersey. Eighth-grade students commonly take it when applying for ninth grade, although eligibility and application steps depend on the schools taking part in a given admissions cycle. COOP results may help schools evaluate applicants alongside other application materials; the exam alone does not guarantee admission. For the 2027–2028 cycle, families should confirm participating schools and current requirements with each school’s admissions office.

COOP assesses academic skills relevant to high school readiness, including reading comprehension, verbal skills, and quantitative or mathematics skills. Reading questions may ask students to identify main ideas and supporting details, draw inferences from evidence, recognize an author’s purpose and tone, and understand how a text is organized. Exact test details and admissions procedures can vary, so check current official guidance from participating schools. To prepare, review core skills, practice working carefully under time limits, and learn from explanations of both correct and incorrect answers.