Key Takeaways
- The HSPT includes five sections: Verbal, Quantitative, Reading, Mathematics, and Language – with 298 questions in total.
- HSPT scores are reported as percentiles, both national and local, rather than raw scores, so performance is evaluated relative to other test-takers.
- Many Chicago Catholic high schools require the HSPT as part of their admissions process, and some schools also use the scores to determine scholarship eligibility.
- The exam is designed for 8th-grade students and tests knowledge based on material typically taught from 4th through 8th grade.
- Most students see meaningful improvement with 6–10 weeks of structured HSPT preparation.
- Chitown Tutoring provides one-on-one HSPT tutoring, focusing on each student’s weakest sections to maximize score improvement.
For 8th-graders applying to Catholic and private high schools in Chicago, the HSPT is the gatekeeping exam. A strong score opens doors to competitive schools and merit-based scholarships. A weak score even for a strong student can limit options in a competitive applicant pool. This guide explains what the HSPT tests, how schools use it, and what preparation strategies consistently produce the best results.
What Is the HSPT?
The HSPT (High School Placement Test) is a standardized admission exam published by Scholastic Testing Service (STS). It is taken by 8th-grade students applying to Catholic and many other private high schools across the country. In Chicago, the HSPT is used by many Catholic high schools as a primary admissions and scholarship evaluation tool. It is typically administered at the high school itself during a designated testing weekend in the fall of 8th grade. Total: 298 questions in 2 hours and 22 minutes. The HSPT is entirely multiple choice there is no essay or open-response section.
How HSPT Scores Work
The HSPT does not report a simple raw score. Schools receive:
- National percentile rank (NPR): How your child scored compared to all students who took the HSPT nationally
- Local percentile rank (LPR): How your child scored compared to students who tested at that specific school
- Scaled scores: A standardized number between 200-800 per section
Many Chicago Catholic high schools use the local percentile for scholarship decisions, with top local percentile scorers earning the most financial aid. This is a direct financial incentive to score as high as possible not just to pass.
Chicago Catholic High Schools That Use the HSPT
The HSPT is accepted or required at many of Chicago’s Catholic high schools, including (not an exhaustive list):
- De La Salle Institute
- Marist High School
- Loyola Academy
- Providence Catholic High School
- St. Ignatius College Prep
- Regina Dominican High School
- Leo High School
Each school sets its own admissions criteria and cutoff score ranges. Always confirm directly with each school for current requirements and test administration dates.
What Content Does the HSPT Actually Test?
Verbal Skills: Analogies and Logical Reasoning
This section tests vocabulary range and verbal reasoning. Analogy questions follow patterns comparing relationships between word pairs. Students need a strong vocabulary and the ability to identify relationships between words quickly under time pressure.
Quantitative Skills: Number Series and Patterns
This section surprises many students. Quantitative Skills tests the ability to identify numerical patterns, complete number series, and solve non-verbal comparisons. It requires logic and pattern recognition, not formula application.
Mathematics: Pre-Algebra Through Geometry
The math section covers operations with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals; ratios, proportions, and rate problems; pre-algebra (equations, inequalities, variables); and geometry (perimeter, area, volume, coordinate plane). No calculator is permitted. See our Pre-Algebra Tutoring Chicago page: chitowntutoring.com/math-tutoring-chicago/pre-algebra-tutoring-chicago/ See our Algebra Tutoring Chicago page: chitowntutoring.com/math-tutoring-chicago/algebra-tutoring-chicago/
Language: Grammar and Mechanics
The Language section tests standard written English capitalization, punctuation, grammar, usage, and sentence structure. Students must identify errors in provided sentences. It rewards students who have internalized grammar rules.
Why One-on-One HSPT Tutoring Works Better Than Group Prep
Group prep courses cover the full HSPT systematically, regardless of a student’s actual gaps. A student who is strong in math but weak in Verbal Skills still sits through math instruction they don’t need. One-on-one tutoring starts with a diagnostic, identifies the sections dragging down the total score, and focuses instruction there. The result:
- More efficient use of prep time
- Faster improvement in the areas that matter most
- Personalized pacing slower for difficult concepts, faster where the student is already strong
- Real-time feedback on errors and reasoning mistakes
Learn about Chitown Tutoring’s HSPT Tutoring Chicago: chitowntutoring.com/test-preparation-chicago/hspt-tutoring-chicago/
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the HSPT given in Chicago in 2026?
HSPT administration dates vary by school. Most Chicago Catholic high schools administer the test in October or November of 8th grade. Contact each school directly for exact 2026 dates and registration deadlines.
Can students take the HSPT more than once?
Most schools administer the HSPT only once per admissions cycle. Some schools may accept scores from other administrations. Confirm with each school whether they accept scores from testing at a different location.
What is a competitive HSPT score for Chicago Catholic high schools?
Competitive scores vary by school. Top-tier schools typically see incoming classes with average national percentile ranks of 80 or higher. Check each school’s published profile for typical score ranges and scholarship thresholds.
Does the HSPT have a different version Closed or Open?
Yes. The HSPT is offered in an Open form available for student practice and a Closed form ordered annually by schools. Most students prepare using the Open form, which provides realistic and representative practice material.
How does Chitown Tutoring approach HSPT prep for each student?
We start every HSPT engagement with a diagnostic test, then build a session plan targeting the student’s lowest-performing sections first maximizing score improvement per hour rather than covering everything equally.
Raise Your HSPT Score With Chitown Tutoring in Chicago
The HSPT is a high-stakes exam but it is highly coachable. With the right preparation, most students see meaningful score improvements across their weaker sections. Chitown Tutoring’s HSPT prep produces those gains efficiently, with tutors who know the test structure, the content, and the strategies that work.
Schedule your first HSPT tutoring session: chitowntutoring.com/contact/
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Read: High School Entrance Exam Importance: chitowntutoring.com/high-school-entrance-exam-importance/