Applicants Entering After Grade 8

Online Info Session: November 19, Thursday, 16:00

The American College of Sofia integrates the values and best practices of American pedagogy with the rich educational traditions of Bulgaria and Europe. We seek to develop critical thinking, lifelong intellectual curiosity, leadership, and collaboration among multi-talented students from various social, cultural, economic, and geographic backgrounds.

The American College of Sofia admits qualified Bulgarian and International students who meet defined academic criteria and complete an entrance examination. Qualified candidates are ranked based on their entrance examination results.

ADMISSIONS PRINCIPLES

Admission is merit-based and competitive.

Applicants are evaluated according to clearly defined academic criteria and entrance examination results.

The College promotes equal opportunity and diversity within its student body.

ELIGIBILITY

• Bulgarian citizens who study in a Bulgarian school, complete Grade 8 in the year of application, and have achieved a GPA of 5.00 or above for Semester I of the school year.

• Bulgarian citizens who study in accredited international schools in Bulgaria, complete Grade 8 in the year of application, and have achieved a GPA of 5.00 or above for Semester I of the school year.

• Bulgarian citizens who study in the Victor Hugo French Lyceum in Grade 4 in the French system in the year of application, and have achieved a GPA of 5.00 or above for Semester I of the school year.

• Foreign citizens with permanent residency in Bulgaria and assigned Bulgarian identification number (EGN) who study in Bulgarian schools, complete Grade 8 in the year of application, and have achieved a GPA of 5.00 or above for Semester I of the school year.

• Foreign citizens with permanent residency in Bulgaria and assigned Bulgarian identification number (EGN) who study in accredited international schools in Bulgaria, complete Grade 8 in the year of application, and have achieved a GPA of 5.00 or above for Semester I of the school year.

• Foreign citizens with permanent residency in Bulgaria and assigned Bulgarian identification number (EGN) who study in the Victor Hugo French Lyceum in Grade 4 in the French system in the year of application, and have achieved a GPA of 5.00 or above for Semester I of the school year.

Eligible applicants take the standardized ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) in English. The exam is prepared and evaluated by the external organization, ERB (Educational Records Bureau), for independent academic assessment. The American College of Sofia is the test site for the admissions exam. All applicants take the Upper Level of the ISEE exam.

Based on the test results, selected candidates are invited for an in-person interview. The number of admitted students is determined by the number of available spaces in Grade 9.

Admitted students in this category are eligible to apply for a reduction of the annual tuition.

Enrolled students follow the five-year Bulgarian National High School Curriculum Program. Upon successful completion, students receive the National Bulgarian High School Diploma and the American High School Diploma.

ADMISSION PROCESS

The ACS admissions process after grades 8 consists of three parts: a written exam, an essay and an interview with the candidate.  

Applicants take the standardized ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) in English. The exam is prepared and evaluated by the external organization for independent academic assessment ERB (Educational Records Bureau). The American College of Sofia is the test site for the admissions exam. All applicants will take the Upper Level of the ISEE exam. 

The ISEE provides a standard assessment of each applicant’s academic skills at a certain age level. This test does not grade particular knowledge in a particular subject area. The ISEE test consists of the following parts: 

(a) Verbal and quantitative reasoning tests that measure a student's capability to interpret information;

(b) Reading comprehension and mathematics achievement tests;

(c) Essay. The ISEE essay is timed (30 minutes) and written in response to a prompt.  The essay is not scored by ISEE; it is sent to ACS for reference. 

Total timing of the admission exam: 2 hours and 40 minutes. ERB and ACS do not organize preparatory courses, nor have ever authorized any organization or individual to engage in such activity. ERB has created materials, which are free for download, to help students prepare. This booklet provides sample questions, scoring information, test directions, and other information. This link will take you to an online practice exam. 

The registration fee of $160 is payable by credit card directly to ERB. The American College of Sofia does not charge an additional fee.

After March 31, instructions are sent regarding the testing day, in addition to a notification regarding Personal Data Protection of candidates applying to the American College of Sofia.

POSTING OF ISEE TEST RESULTS – May 2027

A link to the results of the ISEE exam are sent by ERB via email to the address provided by the applicant during the online registration.    

INTERVIEWS WITH SELECTED CANDIDATES – June 2027

Based on the results, selected applicants will be invited to an interview with a small group of ACS faculty and staff.  Candidates will be evaluated on their ability to freely express themselves in English on the following topics and/or others: self-introduction, reason for wanting to attend ACS, past achievements, hobbies, etc. 

ENROLLMENT – July 2027

Those candidates with the best overall results from the ISEE exam section, essay and interview will be invited to enroll at ACS. The remaining applicants form the reserves’ list. They can be invited if there are vacancies after the deadline for enrollment has expired.

Enrollment documents are distributed in mid-July and due back to ACS before August. Transferring of students is performed by ACS after receiving a signed request from parents of invited students. Students may apply for tuition fee reduction corresponding to the financial need of their families. An orientation day is scheduled prior to the first day of school for all new ACS students.

Contact: 

Ms. Maria Angelova, Deputy Director

Tel.: (359-2) 434-1008. 

E-mail address: m.angelova@acsbg.org

This page of the website may contain links to other third-party websites. In particular, the page contains links to pages of ERB website. The American College does not control the privacy policies or practices of these third-party sites, including ERB. You should review those policies before providing any information. The ACS is not responsible for the content or practices of any linked third-party sites, and we provide these links solely for the convenience and information of our visitors.