8th graders who want to go to a private Catholic high school in the Bay Area must take the HSPT test. The HSPT test, also known as the high school placement testing, is a placement test for high schools in the Bay Area, and you can take the test wherever you’re planning to attend high school. This year, it took place January 11, 2025.
These high schools use the HSPT test for many different reasons, though the main reason would be that they want to find out if the student qualifies for a scholarship towards their tuition. They may also use this to know who they are going to accept. Although the HSPT test is important, it is not the only thing that schools look for in a student applying. Many different things go towards your acceptance to the high school you are applying to and hoping to attend. Many schools also look at your application along with the HSPT as something to get to know you.
There are many different practice books to help you study and prepare for the test, with practice tests normally in the back of the book. By taking the practice test, you will be able to find out what your strengths and weaknesses are, along with what you need to study more.
The results of the test come back around March, and this year it’s March 21, 2025. This comes along with your acceptance letters from the high schools informing you whether you were accepted or not.
All you need to bring the day of the HSPT test is two sharpened #2 pencils, a water bottle, and a small snack. The test is 2.5 hours long with 298 questions, and 5 sections. During the test, there will be one to two small breaks where you can use the restroom, get a snack or just stretch. The five sections are quantitative skills, reading comprehension, mathematics, verbal skills, and language. This may seem like a lot of questions, but all of these are multiple choice so there is a higher chance of getting the question correct
During the day of the test, there may be lots of traffic coming into the high school so it’s best to arrive 30 minutes early and go to your classrooms. Some of the Bay Area high schools that require prospective students to take the HSPT test include Bishop O’Dowd, Holy Names, Saint Joseph’s, De la Salle, Carondelet, Moreau, and Salesian.
The HSPT test is not something to worry about a lot, but it is best to study and take the test feeling like you are prepared. By doing this, the test will feel like something you know, and make it feel less stressful. Some of the questions on the test will be things you have learned in the past, and some will be something you don’t know. Though both are ok and normal for everyone taking the test. When you take the test, be confident, calm, and most importantly, just try your best.