Many private high schools require applicants to take the High School Placement Test (HSPT). This placement test is administered to eight grade students to ensure that they are registered for the high school course curriculum best suited to their current knowledge and skill sets.
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If you need some extra practice in a specific subject, click one of the subjects below to get started on a subject-specific HSPT practice test.
The High School Placement Test, which is administered twice a year, contains 298 multiple-choice questions. The time limit to complete the test is 2.5 hours.
The test is split into five sections:
The questions in this section test your ability to perform reasoning tasks that involve the use of words. Here’s a look at the specific topics that will be covered:
The questions in this section test your ability to comprehend various aspects of a text. Here’s a look at the specific topics that will be covered:
The questions in this section test your ability to perform arithmetic calculations and apply math concepts to solve problems. Here’s a look at the specific topics that will be covered:
The questions in this section test your ability to do reasoning problems that involve various quantities. Here’s a look at the specific topics that will be covered:
The questions in this section test your general language knowledge and skills. Here’s a look at the specific topics that will be covered:
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Each school has specific criteria you need to meet before you take the test, so you should contact the school you would like to test at and ask them how to register.
The testing days are established by each school, so there are no nationally-set dates set aside for testing. Usually, the HSPT is given in the spring and fall of each year.
The average test cost is between $20 and $25, depending on the school administering the test.
The scale the test is scored on provides a possibility of 200 to 800 points for the test. Each school sets the score they require a student to receive.
The composite score will tell high schools about your total performance on the five subtests of the HSPT battery. Because it is a total score, you must complete all subtests in order for this to be reported. It consists of three parts:
Normative scores are made up of five different types of scores. Your school will decide if and how to use each one:
Your high school placement test is used to help you be assigned to the proper classes and grades when you are admitted to a new school and during scholarship selections.
Each school is different in how they evaluate and use the scores from the HSPT. There is no unilaterally assigned use or importance given to the test scores.
To have testing scores sent to another school, you first need to contact the school that administered the test. The school can then forward the results to the other school or permit STS to send the report to the other institution. STS cannot deliver scores or reveal a student’s score without the permission of the school that first administered the test.
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Your success on HSPT test day depends not only on how many hours you put into preparing but also on whether you prepared the right way. It’s good to check along the way to see whether your studying is paying off. One of the most effective ways to do this is by taking HSPT practice tests to evaluate your progress. Practice tests are useful because they show exactly where you need to improve. Every time you take a free HSPT exam practice test, pay special attention to these three groups of questions:
This will show you exactly what your weak areas are and where you need to devote more study time. Ask yourself why each of these questions gave you trouble. Was it because you didn’t understand the material? Was it because you didn’t remember the vocabulary? Do you need more repetitions on this type of question to build speed and confidence? Dig into those questions and figure out how you can strengthen your weak areas as you go back to review the material.
Additionally, many HSPT practice tests have a section explaining the answer choices. It can be tempting to read the explanation and think that you now have a good understanding of the concept. However, an explanation likely only covers part of the question’s broader context. Even if the explanation makes sense, go back and investigate every concept related to the question until you’re positive you have a thorough understanding.
As you go along, keep in mind that the HSPT practice test is just that: practice. Memorizing these questions and answers will not be very helpful on the actual test because it is unlikely to have any of the same exact questions. If you only know the right answers to the sample questions, you won’t be prepared for the real thing. Study the concepts until you understand them fully, and then you’ll be able to answer any question that shows up on the test.
When you’re ready to start taking practice tests, follow this strategy:
If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online HSPT prep course. The course is designed to provide you with any and every resource you might want while studying. The HSPT course includes:
The HSPT prep course is designed to help any learner get everything they need to prepare for the HSPT. Click below to check it out!
