Your Guide to the HSPT
This guide will help you understand important aspects of the HSPT, including an overview of its structure and content, a breakdown of each section on the test, how to obtain test day information, and other details to consider in order to prepare for a positive test-day experience.
The High School Placement Test (HSPT) is a standardized, timed test that many Catholic and other parochial high schools require as part of their admissions process to 9th grade. It is designed to be taken by students in 8th grade to test them at their curriculum level.
One of the major ways that the administration of the HSPT differs from other high school or college placement tests is that it is not organized on a national scale, and there is not a national coding system for HSPT scoring. Each school or diocese has its own testing policies, schedule, registration process, and method of distributing scores. Therefore, it is imperative to contact the school or diocese where you will be testing to ensure that you understand the details of how and when the HSPT will be administered, as well as how and when your scores will be released.
Table of Contents
HSPT Test Dates and How to Register
The HSPT is designed by Scholastic Testing Service, Inc (STS) and is then ordered and administered by individual schools or dioceses. Many schools/dioceses offer one test day and one make-up test day between the months of November through January. However, each individual school or diocese handles HSPT registration directly, and they determine their own testing dates. Please contact the school where you’d like to take the test for details regarding their registration process, fees, and testing date(s).
While there is not a standard policy regarding how many times a student can take the test, the STS recommends only taking it one time. With that said, it is up to each school/diocese to decide whether or not they will permit a student to retake the test on a case-by-case basis.
What to Bring on Test Day
Because most HSPT exams are administered on paper, many schools/dioceses recommend bringing two #2 pencils with an eraser. Scratch paper is optional. Some may also require that you bring additional items according to the school’s registration process and test-day policies, such as a form of ID and proof of registration. It is best to inquire directly with the school or diocese where you will be testing to ensure that you have what you need on test day.
Calculators are not allowed on the HSPT. Students may use scratch paper or the test booklet to do any calculations.
Schools/dioceses may prohibit the use of cell phones and any other electronic devices.
Consider bringing a water bottle to help you stay hydrated throughout the test, if permitted by your test site.
Format of the HSPT
The HSPT is 2 hours and 21 minutes in length (not including breaks) and has a total of 298 questions. Refer to the school/diocese where you’ll be taking the test to confirm how many test breaks there are, and for how long, as it will differ at each location. The test is primarily administered on paper, although you may inquire with the school/diocese where you will be testing about the option to take it online, as a few select locations may offer this option.
There are five standard sections, or subtests, included on the HSPT that are outlined below. All questions are multiple-choice with four answer choices each.
| SECTION | TIME | NUMBER OF QUESTIONS |
|---|---|---|
|
Verbal Skills |
16 minutes |
60 questions |
|
Quantitative Skills |
30 minutes |
52 questions
|
|
Reading
|
25 minutes |
62 questions |
|
Mathematics |
45 minutes |
64 questions |
|
Language
|
25 minutes |
60 questions |
|
TOTAL
|
2 hours and 21 minutes |
298 questions |
The Verbal Skills Subtest
The Verbal Skills subtest measures a student’s ability to understand and reason using words. It tests the following skills:
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Verbal analogies
- Verbal classifications
- Logical reasoning
Students are given 16 minutes to answer 60 questions. That’s an average of 16 seconds per question.
The Quantitative Skills Subtest
The Quantitative Skills subtest measures the ability to understand and reason using numbers. It includes the following items:
- Number series
- Number manipulations
- Geometric and non-geometric quantitative comparison
Calculators are not permitted, unless the student has a test accommodation approved by the school/diocese to which they are applying. Use of scratch paper is permitted.
Students are given 30 minutes to answer 52 questions. That’s an average of 34 seconds per question.
The Reading Subtest
The Reading subtest asseses the following skills:
- Memory of important ideas and significant details
- Recognizing central thought or purpose
- Logical inferences
- Interpreting literary elements and techniques
- Vocabulary in context
Students are given 25 minutes to answer 62 questions. That’s an average of 24 seconds per question.
The Mathematics Subtest
The Mathematics subtest has 64 questions in total, testing:
- Computation and problem-solving skills
- Numbers & numeration concepts
- Measurements
- Geometry
- Algebra
- Statistics
Calculators are not permitted, unless the student has a test accommodation approved by the school/diocese to which they are applying. Use of scratch paper is permitted.
Students are given 45 minutes to complete 64 questions. That’s an average of 42 seconds per question.
The Language Subtest
The Language subtest evaluates a student’s understanding of standard English conventions in the following areas:
- Punctuation
- Capitalization
- Spelling
- Grammar
- Composition
Students are given 25 minutes to complete 60 questions. That’s an average of 25 seconds per question.
Optional Subtests
Some schools/dioceses may choose to include one optional 40-question subtest in addition to the standard 5-section HSPT test outlined above. There are two optional subtests to choose from: Science or Religion. These optional test booklets are separate from the standard HSPT test booklet. It is always best to confirm with the testing location whether or not one of these optional sections will be included on your test day.
The Science score is an achievement measure based on 40 questions sampling knowledge in the areas of astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth sciences, and physics.
The Catholic Religion score is an achievement measure based on 40 questions that assess the areas of theology, ethics, and doctrine.
HSPT Score Reports
Individual schools/dioceses decide which type of reports they would like to receive and what information they share or distribute to students and their families. Schools have the option of ordering any reports they like. This could result in your score report looking somewhat different from another student’s score report, depending on where you take the test.
To obtain a copy of your score report, or if you need to have your scores sent to another school, you will need to contact the high school where your student took the test, since schools/dioceses determine their own score distribution systems.
Understanding Your Score Report
Below are types of scores that you may see on your report and how they are computed:
- Raw Score – The number of questions answered correctly is added up to give you a raw score for each subtest. Note: You are not penalized (you will not lose points) for any questions that were answered incorrectly or skipped.
- Standard Score – Because schools need to review scores comparatively (to other students or across time), your raw scores are converted into standard scores using a nationally standardized scale that takes into account the varying levels of difficulty across tests administered at different schools/dioceses. The standard score scale is 200 to 800.
- Percentile Score – For more specific assessment and comparison, your score can then be converted to a percentile score, which compares your score to other students who are entering 9th grade, either on a national or local scale. Percentile scoring ranges from 1 (low) to 99 (high). For example, if your percentile score is 51%, that means that you’ve scored higher than 51% of other students in the same testing group (national or local).
- National Percentile Score – This percentile score compares your score to other students on a national scale.
- Local Percentile Score – Schools have the option to test their students as part of a group of schools within the same school district, or independently from other schools. The local percentile score compares your score to other students who are within the same school district or independent school, according to how your school chooses to test its students.
- Stanine – Percentile scores can be simplified into a whole number scale to get a stanine, which ranges from 1 (low) to 9 (high).
- Predicted Scores – After gathering data from recent validity studies, the STS is now able to predict estimated ACT and SAT scores based on a student’s overall performance on the HSPT. This is a new feature that may show on some score reports for students who complete all of the HSPT subtests.
- Composite Scores – There are three composite scores which are calculated by taking the total raw scores of various subtests, which are outlined below:
- The Verbal and Quantitative subtests added together make up the Total Cognitive Skills
- The Reading, Mathematics, and Language subtests added together make up the Total Basic Skills
The Verbal, Quantitative, Reading, Mathematics, and Language subtests added together make up the Battery Composite Score.
Accommodations on the HSPT
Because schools/dioceses handle the details of HSPT administration individually, you will need to contact the school for which you’d like to apply to find out which accommodations, if any, are offered there. The school or diocese will be able to provide details on their test policies regarding accommodations and, if applicable, they can tell you how to apply and whether documentation is needed.
How the HSPT Differs from the ISEE and SSAT
The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) and the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT) are also admissions tests taken by students applying to independent and private high schools. The HSPT, ISEE, and SSAT all test similar abilities and skills, but there are a few notable differences.
First, while the HSPT is only taken by 8th graders applying for entrance into 9th grade, the ISEE and SSAT are taken by students applying to grades 2-12. With that said, it will be important to know which test is required by the school to which your student will be applying.
Another difference is that the ISEE and SSAT both include an essay component as part of their official test while the HSPT does not include an essay section as part of its official test booklet.
The HSPT moves at a relatively rapid pace compared to the ISEE and SSAT. In fact, it can help a student’s score if they are able to move at a fairly quick pace throughout the test.
Fortunately, if you have to take more than one of these tests, preparing for one will almost certainly help you prepare for the other.
How to Prepare for the HSPT
In addition to keeping up with your schoolwork, the best way to get ready for the HSPT is to practice. Practicing for an important test can be broken down into the following steps.
- Determine where and how you will take the test.
Most schools administer the HSPT on paper, but some schools offer it online. It’s important to practice taking the test in the same format in which you will take the official HSPT. Refer to the high school(s) to which you are applying to determine which test format will be offered on test day. Once you know the format in which your test will be administered, you should practice using the same format (on paper or online). Also be sure that you understand the test dates offered by your chosen school(s) and their requirements, since they will be different for each school. - Establish your baseline score.
To start practicing, take a full-length practice test. This is the best way to get a diagnosis and to determine which areas need improvement. In order to get an accurate diagnostic, simulate the test day environment by limiting distractions—no calculators, cellphones, TV, food, etc. If you’re taking the test on paper, make sure to set a timer for each section. - Focus on the areas that were challenging.
After taking a practice test, you’ll have a better idea of which areas of the test were difficult or unfamiliar. It’s a good idea to focus on practicing those types of questions in order to improve your skills in those areas. Review every question and take note of questions you answered correctly, incorrectly, or skipped. You can then utilize specific exercises and vocab lists to help you target the skills you’d like to practice. Also, take note of how well you were able to manage your time, and implement a time management strategy as you continue to practice. - Repeat this process.
Take another practice test to see how you’ve improved, and continue to practice the question types and skills that need further improvement.
Tips for Test Day
When it comes time for test day, you’ll want to make sure you get a good night’s sleep the night before and eat a well-balanced breakfast in the morning.
During the test, listen to and read the directions for each section of the test carefully as each section will have a different set of instructions. Be sure to read every question carefully, too.
On the HSPT, your score is determined by the number of items you answer correctly—there is no penalty for incorrect answers. Because of this, it is best to answer every question on the test. If you are unsure of the answer, we recommend making your best guess! Make sure to pace yourself so that you have enough time to answer each question. You can go back and change an answer later if time allows.
Lastly, remember to check your work as you go along. Make sure the answer you’ve filled in on your answer sheet corresponds with the correct question number. If you have time left at the end of the test, review your answers and check your work. Make sure each question is filled in and has only one response.
When you’re ready to start preparing for the HSPT, Test Innovators is here to help! Our platform has two full-length practice tests, as well as over 700 additional practice exercises. Our practice tests can be taken on paper or online. Our personalized practice platform helps students build the important test-taking skills needed to succeed on the HSPT. Start practicing today!
Allison Goetz
Allison has a passion for learning and a genuine desire to help others. With nearly a decade of experience working in higher ed and study abroad, she has witnessed the many doors that a quality education can open. Allison earned both an MBA and a bachelor’s in art therapy from Arcadia University.
Originally published on August 27th, 2014. Updated on September 30th, 2024.