Chicago Catholic High School HSPT: A Parent’s Guide
What the Archdiocese of Chicago says about the HSPT, first-choice testing, admissions, scholarships, make-up dates, and preparation.
The Archdiocese of Chicago states that all Catholic high schools administering an entrance exam use the closed version of the High School Placement Test, commonly called the HSPT. The exam is used alongside the student’s academic records, and each high school sets its own admissions and placement procedures.
Where should the student test?
Archdiocesan guidance says the student should take the entrance exam at the Catholic high school the student most wants to attend. The guidance also notes that merit scholarships are often tied to testing at a particular school, so choosing the testing site can have financial implications.
Can a student test at multiple schools?
The Archdiocese says a student who has tested at an Archdiocesan Catholic high school is not eligible to take another entrance exam at a different site. Families should not treat the first administration as a practice test.
What happens if the student misses the date?
Catholic schools offer an alternate date for illness or other unforeseen circumstances, but families must contact the individual school for its make-up procedure.
What does the HSPT include?
The standard HSPT structure commonly covers verbal skills, quantitative skills, reading, mathematics, and language. Because the version is closed, students should prepare with legal, publicly available practice materials and strong underlying skills rather than seeking secure questions.
How do schools use the result?
Each high school decides how the HSPT interacts with report cards, prior standardized tests, recommendations, and placement decisions. Some schools use results for course placement or scholarship consideration in addition to admissions.
Accommodations
Families should contact the target school’s admissions office and provide requested documentation. Schools may vary in which accommodations they can provide and in their deadlines.
Build a Plan Around the Student
Elevate begins with the student’s current skills, timing patterns, school goals, and testing timeline.
Apply for a Strategy ConsultationPreACT, ACT, CPS, GoCPS, HSPT, and the Archdiocese of Chicago are referenced for informational purposes. Elevate Academic Prep is not affiliated with or endorsed by ACT, Chicago Public Schools, Scholastic Testing Service, or the Archdiocese of Chicago.