Catholic School Entrance Exam
(High School Placement Test: HSPT)
   • What it is
   • Who takes the HSPT
   • The HSPT format
   • How the HSPT is scored
   • HSPT test dates, registration deadlines and fees

Catholic School Entrance Exam
(High School Placement Test: HSPT)

What it is
The HSPT is a test that quantifies students’ verbal, math, reading and language skills. It is part of the admissions process for many private and Catholic high schools.

Who takes the HSPT
Many students applying to certain private or Catholic high schools are required to take the HSPT.

The HSPT format
The test is approximately two and a half hours long. There are five sections on the test, totaling 298 questions: verbal (60 questions, 16 minutes), language (60 questions, 25 minutes), reading (62 questions, 25 minutes) quantitative skills (52 questions, 30 minutes) and math (64 questions, 45 minutes). There is no essay component. All questions are multiple-choice.

Many schools requiring applicants to take the HSPT may customize the test, emphasizing certain admission criteria.

How the HSPT is scored
Students are not penalized for wrong answers so it’s advantageous for students to answer every question. Scores are calculated based on the number of correct answers. The maximum possible score on the test is 800, while the minimum “passing” score is determined by each school administering the test. Students’ scores are compared locally and nationally and score reports indicate a percentile rank for both.

HSPT test dates, registration deadlines and fees
Private and Catholic high schools usually administer the HSPT once per year. Check with your high school of interest for registration dates and deadlines. There is a fee to take this test.