What is the HSPT?
The High School Placement Test (HSPT) is a nationally recognized private school entrance exam, created by the 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 enter high school, so most test takers 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 schedules are managed school by school; parents should contact the schools their children are applying to for specific dates and deadlines. Registration for the test is not handled by STS, this is also handled on a school-by-school basis.
What’s in the HSPT?
The exam, which lasts approximately 2.5 hours, tests the following skills: verbal skills, quantitative skills, reading comprehension, mathematics, 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 the manipulation of numbers, 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 test a student’s understanding of core meaning, the ability to glean information from reading, and basic understanding of vocabulary.
Math
The math section contains questions that test the student’s problem-solving abilities and understanding of math concepts. Topics covered in this section include arithmetic, basic algebra, and basic geometry.
idiom
The language section assesses the student’s understanding of written English. The problems largely relate to spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax.
Some schools also run an optional science section, which covers general topics in astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth sciences, and physics.
The HSPT vs. the ISEE
The HSPT is comparable in both content and format to the ISEE Higher Level, 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 used primarily by Catholic private schools; the ISEE is used by a wider range of private schools. In addition, the ISEE has three levels: lower, medium and higher, which correspond 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 the HSPT experience as smooth and stress-free as possible.