How to Prepare for HSPT in Just 30 Days: A Complete Roadmap

What Is the HSPT?

The High School Placement Test, referred to as the HSPT, is a standardized test for students who will be starting their freshman year at a private high school. Students’ math skills, verbal skills, reading skills, language skills, and quantitative skills are tested. The test was developed by Scholastic Testing Service and is administered at the private schools that use it for admissions decisions.

OVERVIEW OF THE HSPT

The HSPT is a 2-hour and 23-minute test designed to measure students’ abilities in certain verbal skills (such as vocabulary and some logic), reading comprehension, mathematics, and language (such as grammar, spelling, and punctuation).

The HSPT has 298 questions in total, which means that test-takers have about 29 seconds per question on average (of course, some questions can be answered very quickly while others will take time).

The test is administered live at one of the schools you’re applying to, on paper (ie, not on a computer), and takes about 2.5 to 3.0 hours, depending on length of breaks and how long it takes to get started.

Calculators are not allowed. There is no essay to write. The HSPT has no penalty for incorrect answers, so be sure to answer every question!

How Can Student Prepare for the HSPT in just 30 Days?

Determine where and how you will take the test.

Most schools administer the HSPT on paper, but some schools offer it online. It’s important to practice taking the test in the same format in which you will take the official HSPT. Refer to the high school(s) to which you are applying to determine which test format will be offered on test day. Once you know the format in which your test will be administered, you should practice using the same format (on paper or online). Also be sure that you understand the test dates offered by your chosen school(s) and their requirements, since they will be different for each school.

Establish your baseline score.

To start practicing, take a full-length practice test. This is the best way to get a diagnosis and to determine which areas need improvement. In order to get an accurate diagnostic, simulate the test day environment by limiting distractions—no calculators, cellphones, TV, food, etc. If you’re taking the test on paper, make sure to set a timer for each section.  

Focus on the areas that were challenging.

After taking a practice test, you’ll have a better idea of which areas of the test were difficult or unfamiliar. It’s a good idea to focus on practicing those types of questions in order to improve your skills in those areas. Review every question and take note of questions you answered correctly, incorrectly, or skipped. You can then utilize specific exercises and vocab lists to help you target the skills you’d like to practice. Also, take note of how well you were able to manage your time, and implement a time management strategy as you continue to practice.  

Repeat this process.

Take another practice test to see how you’ve improved, and continue to practice the question types and skills that need further improvement.

Grade your practice test in Socrato’s online platform and get the detail diagnostic report.  The diagnostic report will  pin point which academic concepts you understand and which ones require your ongoing attention. Each HSPT problem is tagged down to the core, underlying concept that is being tested. The  HSPT diagnostic test results highlight how you performed on each area of the test. You can then utilize the results to create a personalized study plan that is based on your particular area of need. Check out the Socrato Diagnostic report and learn more about Socrato.