• High School Placement Test

High School Placement Test Information

For eighth grade students not currently enrolled at a Diocesan elementary school, each high school within the diocese has a registration form on its respective website.

 

What is the HSPT?

  • How is this test used in the high school admissions process?
  • How do the HSPT and Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) differ?
  • Are accommodations available for students with a service plan, IEP, or recent evaluation?
  • When and where is the HSPT administered?
  • What time does the HSPT start? When is it over?
  • What is the registration process for the HSPT?
  • What is the payment process?
  • How do I change the ranking of my high school choices?
  • What is needed on testing day?
  • Are breaks offered during the testing period?
  • Are calculators permitted?
  • What happens if I arrive late to the test?
  • What happens if there is inclement weather on the day of the test?
  • May I take the test more than once?
  • Will there be a make-up test?
  • Can 7th graders take the HSPT?
  • When are score reports sent?
  • How do I read the scores?
  • Should I complete questions if I am not exactly sure of the correct answer?
  • Are prep courses a good way to prepare for the HSPT?  

 

The HSPT is a standardized, timed test required of every 8th grader applying to attend a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Arlington. It contains five sections that measure verbal ability, quantitative ability, reading comprehension, mathematics, and components of written language. The questions are designed to test students at their curriculum level.

How is this test used in the high school admissions process?

This assessment tool is used by high schools for admissions, scholarship selection, and course placement. Each high school has its own guidelines for evaluating applicants for admission, including performance on the HSPT. Students should contact the admissions department at their schools of choice with questions regarding the admissions process

Are accommodations available for students with a service plan, IEP, or a recent evaluation?

Yes, every testing site offers extended time to students with a documented need. Other accommodations vary according to the testing site. When registering for the HSPT, there will be a yes or no question asking whether a student needs accommodations. If indicated yes, upload documentation into the registration portal.  All documentation should date no earlier than the 5th grade year and must be submitted by November 17, 2023.

When and where is the HSPT administered?

November 30, 2023 at all elementary schools for currently enrolled students only.

December 2, 2023 testing for all public school students (or students not enrolled in diocesan schools) will be held at:

     Bishop Ireton High School, 201 Cambridge Rd., Alexandria, VA
     Bishop O'Connell High School, 6600 Little Falls Rd, Arlington VA
     Saint John Paul the Great High School, 17700 Dominican Dr., Potomac Shores, VA
     St. Paul VI High School, 42341 Braddock Rd, Chantilly, VA

8th grade applicants may test at any of the above-listed sites.  Exception: 8th grade students who currently attend a Catholic school in the Diocese of Arlington will test in their elementary school on November 30th.

What time does the HSPT start? When is it over?

Check in begins at 8:30am, and the test lasts from approximately 9:00am to 12:00pm.

What is the registration process for the HSPT?

Students are strongly encouraged to register for the HSPT via the online registration portal on the high school website where the student will take the exam. 

What is the payment process?

The cost of the HSPT is set by the high school administration site. The fee covers scoring the test and sending score reports to parents, as well as up to three high schools in the Diocese of Arlington. Score reports may also be sent to one high school in the Archdiocese of Washington (indicated as 3rd choice only) 

What is needed on testing day?

For those who registered and paid online, bring your confirmation code and two number 2 pencils. For all others, bring $45 in cash, and all necessary personal information to register. Walk-ins may not request testing accommodations the day of the test.

Are breaks offered during the testing period?

Brief breaks are offered between the five sections of the test. Students qualifying for accommodations may receive more frequent breaks. Please keep this in mind when planning pick-up, as the test may last longer than three hours.

Are calculators permitted?

Students may not use a calculator, unless they have submitted qualifying documentation for accommodations, and been approved for calculator use by the testing site in advance.  

What happens if I arrive late to the test?

Those arriving after the test has begun will be asked to leave and register for another test date.

What happens if there is inclement weather on the day of the test?

In the event of inclement weather, each testing site administering the HSPT follows the county their school typically adheres to for closings and delays. If weather forces a cancellation, registered students will be instructed to test on the pre-determined snow date.  If weather forces cancellation of the December 2 test date, those students will test on December 9 (in addition to all students originally scheduled to test on December 9).  If weather forces cancellation of the December 9 test date, those students will test on January 16th. 

May I take the test more than once?

No. The HSPT may be taken only once, and only by 8th grade students. It cannot be repeated under any circumstances.

Will there be a make-up test?

Each year, the Diocese of Arlington determines whether a make-up test date is needed due to inclement weather or excessive absences. Any potential make-up date is not an opportunity to retake the HSPT; doing so would invalidate your scores. Those who miss their December test date should contact the testing site for more information.

Can 7th graders take the HSPT?

No. The HSPT is designed to test the knowledge and achievements of 8th grade students, and scores are compared to that age group. If a 7th grader takes the HSPT, the score achieved is used as the final score, and the student will not be permitted to take the test again the following year.

When are score reports sent?

Expect to receive these within a month of the test date. The schools chosen by students during HSPT registration receive scores directly from Scholastic Testing Services (STS).  Students must limit their selection to two schools in the Diocese of Arlington, and one school in the Archdiocese of Washington (designated as the third choice only) STS will not send reports to additional schools.  If you have not received scores, please check your spam/junk email or contact STS at 1-800-642-6787.

How do I read the scores?

The score report includes five sections - verbal, quantitative, reading comprehension, mathematics, and language. Each score is used to calculate a composite score. The sub scores provide information on a student's strength in these areas. It is important to review the full range of scores, and not just the composite score. The HSPT compares each student's correct score to the national norm (a large group of students of similar age across the U.S.). The score represents not the percentage correct, but where that score falls compared to the large group of students. For example, a score of 75% indicates that your correct answers are where 75% of the norm group scored; it does not mean that 75% of the questions were answered correctly. The score is a comparison of test performance, not a measure of actual performance. Any questions regarding interpretation of scores should be directed to the admissions office of your high school of choice.

Should I complete questions if I am not exactly sure of the correct answer?

Students should answer all questions, as they are not penalized for wrong answers. The proctor explains all details prior to the start of the test.

Are prep courses a good way to prepare for the HSPT?

Scholastic Testing Services offers the following guidance for students who want to adequately prepare for a successful testing experience:

  • Listen to and read the directions for each subtest carefully.
  • Pace yourself - time limits are set for each sub-test. Test administrators announce when time is halfway through so students can check their pace. Avoid spending too much time on one item.
  • Read each question carefully.
  • Work out the problem - Calculators are not permitted for the Mathematics subtest. Use scratch paper or the test booklet to do any figuring.
  • Answer every question - If you are unsure of an answer, take your best guess. Your score is determined by the number of items answered correctly; there is no penalty for answering incorrectly.
  • Check your work - If there is time left, go back and review your answers. Make sure each item has only one response. Throughout the test, check that the answer you are marking on your answer sheet corresponds to the item number in the test booklet.