Legal Law

HSPT – What you need to know about the High School Placement Test

What is the HSPT?

The High School Placement Test (HSPT) is a nationally recognized private school entrance exam, created by Scholastic Testing Service (STS), available to students as part of the application process to private schools. The test is designed for high school students trying to get into high school, so most of those tested are eighth graders, although some seventh graders also take the test. For the most part, a typical middle school curriculum will have exposed students to the content tested on the HSPT, although a basic understanding of algebra and geometry is needed for the math sections.

Unlike most other standardized tests, the HSPT does not have national administration dates. Private schools administer the HSPT as part of the application process. According to the STS website, students should not take the test more than once. In fact, if a student takes the test more than once, the STS indicates that the lower of the two scores should be considered. Registration and exam times are handled on a school-by-school basis; Parents should contact the schools to which their children are applying for specific dates and deadlines. The STS does not handle registration for the exam, this is also handled school by school.

What’s in the HSPT?

The exam, which takes approximately 2.5 hours, tests the following skills: verbal skills, quantitative skills, reading comprehension, math, and language.

verbal skills

The verbal skills section contains questions related to analogies, synonyms, antonyms, vocabulary, and verbal logic. The purpose of this section is to assess the student’s ability to understand the relationships between words and concepts.

quantitative skills

The quantitative skills section contains questions related to number manipulation, geometric and non-geometric comparison, and patterns and sequences. Topics covered in this section include arithmetic, basic algebra, and basic geometry.

Reading comprehension

The reading comprehension section contains passages and questions that assess a student’s understanding of the core meaning, ability to extract information from the reading, and basic understanding of vocabulary.

Math

The math section contains questions that test a student’s problem-solving skills and understanding of math concepts. Topics covered in this section include arithmetic, basic algebra, and basic geometry.

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The language section tests the student’s understanding of written English. The problems are largely related to spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax.

Some schools also run an optional science section, which covers general topics in astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics.

The HSPT vs. the ISEE

The HSPT is comparable in both content and format to the higher level ISEE, another private school entrance exam. In terms of content, the biggest difference between the two tests is that there is no essay on the HSPT. The HSPT is primarily used by private Catholic schools; the ISEE is used by a wider range of private schools. In addition, the ISEE has three levels: lower, intermediate and higher, which corresponds to the grade the student enters; the HSPT is for prospective high school students only.

Preparing for the HSPT

As with any standardized test, preparation is essential for success. There are some HSPT study guides available online and in stores; If, after reviewing the concepts and practicing the problems, you and your student decide that more help would be beneficial, then consider professional preparation for the HSPT. The HSPT can have a significant impact on a student’s future and should not be taken lightly. Thorough preparation is the key to making your HSPT experience as smooth and stress-free as possible.

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