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HSPT

Learn about the HSPT exam.

About the HSPT

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Overview

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The HSPT, or High School Placement Test, is a comprehensive assessment for 8th grade students entering 9th grade.

The exam covers a variety of verbal, quantitative, reading, mathematics, and language skills. Some versions may also include optional science and/or Catholic religion sections.

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Versions

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Closed HSPT

The Closed HSPT is the main format of the exam. A new version of the Closed HSPT is produced every year, so information about the exact content tested is not typically available prior to exam dates.

Open HSPT

The Open HSPT is essentially the same as the Closed HSPT, but with a few caveats.

STS, the company that provides the HSPT, allows high schools to purchase older testing materials and handle scoring themselves. This means that the content of a given Open HSPT can vary from school-to-school, depending on the age of the HSPT exam they use.

Schools that use a specific version of the Open HSPT may also re-use the same exam materials between years.

Pre-HSPT

The Pre-HSPT is the same as the Closed HSPT, but is intended to help 7th grade students practice for the regular HSPT exam.

Although it has the same structure and content as the regular HSPT, the Pre-HSPT is scored using 7th grade standards.

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Structure

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Overview

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The following table illustrates the general structure of HSPT exams, though actual exam structures may vary.

  • Duration

  • 16 minutes

  • 30 minutes

  • 25 minutes

  • 45 minutes

  • 25 minutes

  • Questions

  • 60 questions

  • 52 questions

  • 62 questions

  • 64 questions

  • 60 questions

Verbal

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The verbal section assesses reasoning abilities using words and language.

Topics & Skills

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    Synonyms, antonyms, and analogies

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    Classifications of words (identifying which word doesn't belong)

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    Using prior statements to evaluate the truth to an argument

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Quantitative

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The quantitative section covers numeric and other mathematical concepts.

Topics & Skills

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    Number series: patterns & relationships

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    Geometric and non-geometric comparisons

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    Number manipulations, including multi-step arithmetic word problems

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Reading

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The reading section evaluates reading comprehension, presenting students with a variety of short passages.

Topics & Skills

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    Identifying main ideas and key details

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    Understanding vocabulary in context

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    Making logical inferences

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    Comparing literal and interpretative meanings

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    Drawing conclusions, including authorial purpose

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    Recognizing the difference between fact and fiction

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Mathematics

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The mathematics section tests core skills rather than advanced algebraic or geometric concepts. No calculator is allowed for this section.

Topics & Skills

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    Arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)

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    Numbers and numeration

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    Principles of measurement and geometry

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    Basic probability and statistics

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Language

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The language section emphasizes english grammar, including standard conventions and other linguistic constructs.

Topics & Skills

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    Punctuation using commas, semicolons, colons, and apostrophes

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    Capitalization rules

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    Grammatical parts of speech

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    Subject-verb agreement

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    Spelling

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    Syntax & word usage

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    Sentence structure

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