HSPT Archives - 91ÁÔĆć /blog/category/hspt/ Prep for Success Fri, 20 Feb 2026 16:37:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 https://assets.testinnovators.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/favicon-85x85.png HSPT Archives - 91ÁÔĆć /blog/category/hspt/ 32 32 Test Prep Tips: How to Improve Your Pacing /blog/how-to-improve-test-pacing/ Fri, 20 Feb 2026 16:37:57 +0000 /?p=18595 Have you ever felt the stomach-dropping realization that you have five questions left and only two minutes on the clock? For some students, time is the biggest challenge on tests like the SAT, ACT, ISEE, and SSAT. Perhaps you’ve studied the content, and you understand all of the concepts. But the moment the clock starts […]

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Have you ever felt the stomach-dropping realization that you have five questions left and only two minutes on the clock?

For some students, time is the biggest challenge on tests like the SAT, ACT, ISEE, and SSAT.

Perhaps you’ve studied the content, and you understand all of the concepts. But the moment the clock starts ticking down in the testing room, your pacing falls apart and anxiety kicks in. Maybe you didn’t finish a section, but you’re confident you could have answered those last few questions correctly with just a few more minutes. If this sounds familiar, time may be the ceiling on your score.

The good news is that pacing is a skill. It’s something you can improve with the right strategies and deliberate practice. Simply telling yourself to “go faster” isn’t a strategy that holds up under pressure.

To help you break through your own scoring ceiling, let’s look at practical ways to take control of the clock.

Study Your Timing Patterns

You can’t fix what you haven’t measured. Before you try to speed up, you need to understand where and how you’re spending your time.

After every practice test, look past the number of correct and incorrect questions and pay attention to how long you spent on each question.

If you’re using the 91ÁÔĆć platform, you can review the timing graph at the bottom of each section summary. You can also see how long you spent on each individual question compared to the average response time in the question-by-question results.

Here’s what to look for:

1. Any Long Bars on the Timing Graph

These are the questions that took significantly longer than average. Even if you answered correctly, ask yourself why it took so long.ĚýĚý

  • Did you reread the prompt multiple times?
  • Did you try a method that required extra steps?
  • Did you get stuck before switching strategies?
  • Did you freeze or blank out for a moment?

2. Performance Trends

Are you consistently slow on specific question types or content areas, like geometry or reading inference questions? Do certain types of reading passages slow you down? A consistent pattern may indicate that you need to do some focused content review.

A quick note: some question types naturally take longer than others. That’s why comparing your time to the average response time is helpful. It gives you context.

Ultimately, even if you got a question right, taking too long may still cost you points elsewhere in the section. Accuracy without efficiency can hold you back.

If you notice that certain problem types consistently slow you down, look for alternative methods. For example, could you:

  • Plug in numbers instead of solving algebraically?
  • Eliminate answer choices more strategically?
  • Answer some questions while reading a passage instead of waiting until the end?

When you practice new methods, don’t worry about speed at first. Focus on learning the process correctly. Efficiency comes with familiarity.

Don’t Be Afraid to Skip Questions

Your fundamental goal is simple: answer as many questions correctly as possible.Ěý

This goal sounds obvious, but it’s easy to forget when you’re mid-test, especially when you’re staring at a question you feel like you should be able to solve. That pressure can keep you stuck longer than you realize.Ěý

If you hit a wall, make a decision. Flag the question and move on. You can always return to it later if time allows.

Spending five minutes wrestling with one problem while three or four other questions sit unanswered is a losing trade. Even if you eventually solve the hard question, the opportunity cost may lower your overall score. (And yes, this basic principle is still true for an adaptive test like the SAT, even though scoring is more complex).Ěý

Remove the Pressure of the Clock

It sounds counterintuitive, but if you’re struggling with time management, one of the best things you can do is temporarily remove the clock.Ěý

Try this experiment: take a full practice test section untimed. Instead of setting a countdown timer, use a stopwatch and track how long it takes you to complete every question carefully and accurately.

If you’re using 91ÁÔĆć, you can also try extended time (1.5x) or double time (2.0x) accommodations. That way, you’ll still collect timing data for each individual question. You can adjust timing accommodations by clicking your name in the upper-right corner and selecting “My Profile.” We’ve outlined the steps in this if you need additional guidance.

This exercise will help you diagnose what’s really happening:

  • If you struggle to answer questions or fully understand what they’re asking even with unlimited time, your primary issue may be content, not pacing. You may need to review concepts or become more familiar with certain question types.
  • If you lose focus or find your mind wandering, you may be dealing with an endurance issue. In that case, gradually build up to longer practice sessions until you can sustain focus for a full section or test.
  • If you finish comfortably when the clock isn’t pressuring you, test anxiety may be playing a significant role. The ticking clock can create stress that disrupts an otherwise strong performance. You can find more information and practical strategies in our Test Anxiety Resources Center.
  • If you could answer most questions correctly with just 10–15 extra minutes, pacing is likely the main issue. The good news is that this gives you a clear, measurable gap to close.

Close the Gap Gradually

Once you know how much extra time you need to comfortably finish a section, you can begin closing the gap. Instead of forcing yourself to jump immediately to official timing, reduce your buffer gradually until you can complete the section within the allotted time.

For example, let’s say you currently need 10 extra minutes to complete a section accurately:

  • Practice Test 1: Give yourself 10 extra minutes.
  • Practice Test 2: Reduce the buffer to 8 extra minutes.
  • Practice Test 3: Reduce it to 5 extra minutes.
  • Practice Test 4: Reduce it to 2 extra minutes.
  • Practice Test 5: Complete the section under official time constraints.

This gradual tapering allows you to build speed incrementally. Just as you would if you were training for an athletic event, increase intensity in controlled steps so your performance improves without breaking down.

By analyzing your performance data, experimenting without time pressure, and gradually tightening your timing, you shift from reacting to the clock to managing it.

Ready to Improve Your Pacing? Start Practicing Today.

HSPT
ACT
PSAT
SAT

Sara Laszlo

Sara Laszlo has nearly ten years of experience in private tutoring. An opera singer by training, Sara is especially interested in exploring better ways to practice and improve skills, whether musical or test-related. She holds a B.A. in Classical Civilization from Duke University and a Certificate of Merit in Voice from the New England Conservatory of Music.

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]]> How to Manage Test Anxiety on Test Day /blog/manage-test-anxiety-test-day/ Fri, 07 Nov 2025 22:05:35 +0000 /?p=18139 It’s easy to get anxious before a big test. Even when you’ve studied, practiced, and done everything you can to prepare, you might still feel nervous when you sit down to take it. That’s normal. Your nerves mean this test is important to you.ĚýĚý At 91ÁÔĆć, a big part of our mission is helping […]

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It’s easy to get anxious before a big test. Even when you’ve studied, practiced, and done everything you can to prepare, you might still feel nervous when you sit down to take it. That’s normal. Your nerves mean this test is important to you.ĚýĚý

At 91ÁÔĆć, a big part of our mission is helping students understand and manage test anxiety. We’ve written a lot about the role of practice, preparation, and planning (and we have free resources for students and families who want to learn more). In particular, practice can make a critical difference, reducing anxiety by making the test feel more familiar.

Still, even the most prepared students can find themselves feeling anxious when the test begins.

So what do you do when that happens in the moment, when you are sitting down to take the test?

What Test Anxiety Is and Why It Shows Up on Test Day

Test anxiety is a kind of performance anxiety: the same emotional and physical response an athlete might feel before a big game, a musician before a concert, or anyone before doing something that matters to them. Symptoms can include: increased heart rate, shallow breathing, shaky hands, upset stomach, and racing thoughts.

These reactions are a natural part of your body’s response to stress, useful when you need to respond to physical danger, but not helpful when you’re trying to score a winning goal, sing an exposed high note, or solve a complicated math problem.

Performance psychologist Dr. Don Greene, who has coached Olympic athletes and professional musicians, discusses this phenomenon in Performance Success: Performing Your Best Under Pressure. “Stress is a human condition, integral to the structure and functioning of our bodies and minds,” he writes. The problem, Greene notes, is that “our bodies and certain primitive parts of our brains really haven’t changed much” since the days when we needed that stress response to escape predators. In other words, “[your body] doesn’t know the difference between a tiger and the solo horn part to Richard Strauss’s ”—or a high-stakes test.

When adrenaline kicks in during an exam, “you have no outlet… there’s nothing you can do but sit still.” That energy has nowhere to go, which means your stress may show up in unexpected ways: sweaty palms, shallow breathing, or doomsday thoughts.

Learning how to perform under pressure isn’t about eliminating stress but about redirecting the energy you get from it so that it works for you.

(Greene, Don. Performance Success: Performing Your Best Under Pressure. Routledge, 2002, pp. 16–19. Available on or )

What to Do in the Moment

It’s the day of the big test. You sit down at your desk, listen to the proctor’s instructions, and as you start the first question, your heart beats faster, your hands shake, and distracting doubts start to creep in. Then your inner critic asks, Why are you feeling this way? I thought you practiced for this. You must not be ready.

Here are a few things to do in the moment to manage test anxiety.

Acknowledge It

First, acknowledge what’s happening and remind yourself that it’s normal to feel pressure in moments that matter. Simply noticing what you feel—saying to yourself, “I feel anxious right now”—can help. Naming the emotion can help move your brain out of fight-or-flight mode so that you can start to regain control.

Don’t try to repress the feeling or force yourself to feel calm. That approach usually backfires because it uses a lot of mental energy that would be better spent on the test itself. Instead, accept what you feel and work with it.

Adrenaline can be a useful ally during a test. It sharpens your senses and gives you energy. The key is to direct that energy toward focus and problem-solving rather than letting it spiral into worry.

It can help to remind yourself why you feel anxious. You’re not nervous because you’re unprepared; you’re nervous because you care about how you do. It means the test matters to you, and you want to do your best. That’s a good thing.

Ground Yourself in Physical Reality

Once you’ve acknowledged how you feel, bring your attention back to something real and concrete. Anxiety often pulls you into a spiral of what-ifs and critical thoughts. Grounding helps bring you back to the present moment, where you can refocus on the task in front of you.

Start by focusing on your body. Take a slow, steady breath in and out. Feel your feet on the floor, the texture of the test paper, and the weight of the pencil in your hand.

These physical details anchor you in the moment and help calm your body’s stress response. They remind your brain that you’re not in danger. You’re sitting in a chair, taking a test, and you prepared for this moment.

Take It One Step at a Time

When you’re anxious, your attention scatters, hopping from the question to the clock, to your score, to what it all means for your future. This thought pattern feeds anxiety. How do you break out of that spiral? Bring your attention back to the task in front of you and take the next small step.

Look only at the question you’re working on. What is it asking?Ěý

Even if you don’t yet see the full path to the answer, start with what you do understand. Take one step (e.g., identify key information, note the main idea, or eliminate choices you know are incorrect), then take the next step. If you get stuck, mark the question and move on; you can come back later. Each small action keeps you grounded in the process instead of lost in the “what-ifs.”

Test Prep Tip

Learn and practice test-taking strategies. Strategies aren’t magical shortcuts to the right answer. They give you a process, a series of steps you can follow even when your thoughts feel scattered.

Useful strategies to practice

  • Read the question carefully. It’s easy to miss essential details when you rush.
  • Underline key information. Highlight names, numbers, relationships, main ideas, and supporting details.
  • Come up with your own answer before looking at the choices (Reading Comprehension). Wrong answer choices (a.k.a. ‘distractors’) are designed to distract and mislead.
  • Backsolve (Math). For questions asking you to solve for an unknown, try plugging the answer choices into the equation.
  • Plug in values (Math). When variables appear in both the question and choices, plug in your own numbers. Check the question and all of the answer choices. If more than one answer choice works with your numbers, pick new values and check again.
  • Eliminate answer choices. Cross off choices that you know are incorrect to narrow down your options.
  • Move on when needed. Your goal is to answer as many questions correctly as possible, so go after the easy points first and tackle the tougher items at the end.

Strategies give you concrete steps to execute on the test and help keep you focused on the process of solving the problem, not the pressure of the test.

How Parents, Guardians, and 91ÁÔĆć Can Help

Adults play a fundamental role in how students experience testing. The messages students receive—about performance, preparation, and expectations—shape how they feel when test day arrives.

  • Validate feelings, don’t dismiss them. Phrases like “Don’t be nervous” may seem reassuring but can make students feel misunderstood. Try “It’s normal to feel nervous before something important.”
  • Label feelings, not people. Saying “You’re anxious” can make anxiety feel like a fixed trait. Instead, describe what’s happening in the moment: “You’re feeling nervous right now, and that’s okay.”
  • Model calm. Students pick up on adult emotions. If you stay steady and confident, they’re more likely to do the same.
  • Emphasize effort over outcome. Recognize persistence, preparation, and growth rather than focusing on scores.
  • Encourage healthy routines. Rest, balanced meals, and short breaks matter more than last-minute cramming.

A calm, supportive approach lets students build a healthier relationship with testing, teaching them to value effort over perfection and to understand that feeling nervous is a normal response to something that matters.

Remember This on Test Day

Feeling anxious during a test doesn’t mean you’re unprepared or incapable. It means you care about how you do. The goal isn’t to eliminate anxiety but to use it productively. After all, you don’t have to feel perfectly calm to do well. You just have to remind yourself to focus on the task at hand, one step at a time.

Explore 91ÁÔĆć’ practice

HSPT
ACT
PSAT
SAT

Sara Laszlo

Sara Laszlo has nearly ten years of experience in private tutoring. An opera singer by training, Sara is especially interested in exploring better ways to practice and improve skills, whether musical or test-related. She holds a B.A. in Classical Civilization from Duke University and a Certificate of Merit in Voice from the New England Conservatory of Music.

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]]> Texas School Vouchers Are Coming in 2026: Here’s What Families Need to Know /blog/texas-school-vouchers-2026-what-families-need-to-know/ Thu, 03 Jul 2025 21:31:02 +0000 /?p=17057 In May 2025, Texas passed a new education bill launching school vouchers in 2026 through Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). Families may receive $10,000 per child to use toward private school tuition, tutoring, educational therapy, and more. With broad eligibility and limited spots, now is the time to explore school options, understand admissions requirements, and start preparing for entrance exams. Here's what you need to know—and how 91ÁÔĆć can help your family get ready.

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In May 2025, Texas passed an education bill that introduces a new school voucher program, giving families more control over where and how their children learn. Although the program won’t launch until the 2026 school year, now is the time to get familiar with what’s coming and how to prepare.

Whether you’re just starting to explore private schools or already thinking about next steps, here’s what you need to know.

What the Texas ESA Program Offers

Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, eligible families will be able to use to help cover the cost of private school and other approved educational services.

The goal of the program is simple: to expand educational choice for Texas families. Through these ESAs, families may receive each year to use toward approved :

  • Private school tuition
  • Tutoring
  • Textbooks and learning materials
  • Educational therapy
  • Testing services

Students with disabilities may qualify for the standard ESA amount plus in additional funding, while homeschoolers can receive up to $2,000 per year.

While the state will cover the cost, families must choose from an approved list of providers managed by the . That means participating schools, tutors, and service providers will need to be registered with the program in order to accept ESA funds.

When Can Families Apply?

While the program starts next year, families won’t be able to apply until the state finalizes key details. Over the next several months, Texas will release proposed program rules for public comment, issue a to select certified educational assistance organizations, and begin establishing the process to approve education service providers and vendors.

Who’s Eligible?

Eligibility is broad. Most school-age children in Texas will be able to apply, and even students already attending private school can qualify for funding. However, there are a few to keep in mind:

  • Students must be U.S. citizens

    Ěý

  • Students cannot be enrolled in both public school and the voucher program at the same time

    Ěý

  • Only accredited private schools that have been in operation for at least two years can participate

    Ěý

  • A bill is under consideration to exclude children of statewide elected officials


Learn how Texas plans to allocate voucher funds and here.

What Should Families Do Now?

Although the program doesn’t officially launch until 2026, families who are interested in private education should start preparing now.

That means:

  • Researching private school options
    If you’re considering private schools for the 2026-27 school year, now is the time to start looking into your options.Ěý

  • Learning about admissions requirements
    Applying to private schools involves several parts, such as interviews, essays, letters of recommendation, and testing, so it’s important to understand everything you’ll need to do.

  • Getting ready for entrance exams
    Entrance exams, such as the and , continue to play a role in competitive , and strong scores can help students stand out in a competitive pool.That’s why families should be aware of the testing policies at the schools on their list and begin preparing early—well before ESA funds are distributed.

How 91ÁÔĆć Can Help

At 91ÁÔĆć, we specialize in preparing students for high-stakes admissions exams like the ISEE and SSAT. Our tools are designed to build confidence and boost scores with:

  • Realistic, full-length practice tests
  • Interactive score reports and progress tracking
  • Strategy videos and targeted practice
  • Wild Zebra, an AI-powered study buddy, to help students identify and address gaps in their knowledge

We support practice for all levels of the ISEE and SSAT, as well as the SAT, ACT, and HSPT.

Even though the school voucher program is still a year away, now is the perfect time to take the first steps—researching your options, preparing your student, and getting ahead of what’s coming.

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]]> Your Guide to the HSPT /blog/your-guide-to-the-hspt/ Mon, 30 Sep 2024 20:36:22 +0000 /?p=13533 Are you gearing up for the HSPT? Our HSPT Guide is your go-to resource for understanding the exam, with detailed information on the test's sections and formatting, upcoming test dates, essential preparation strategies, and practical tips to help you succeed.

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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.Ěý

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.Ěý

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 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.Ěý

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:Ěý

  • 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.Ěý

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.Ěý

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:Ěý

  • 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).Ěý
  • 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.Ěý
  • Stanine – Percentile scores can be simplified into a whole number scale to get a stanine, which ranges from 1 (low) to 9 (high).Ěý
  • 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.Ěý
  • 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.Ěý

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 whetherĚý 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.Ěý

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.Ěý

  1. 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.
  2. 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.ĚýĚý
  3. 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.ĚýĚý
  4. 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, 91ÁÔĆć 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.Ěý 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.

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