Scholastic Testing Service
HSPT 2026-27
The placement test many Catholic and private high schools give to 8th graders. Eighth graders seeking placement in 9th grade, mostly at Catholic and other private high schools. Each school or diocese orders and gives the test. A Pre-HSPT exists for 7th graders.
HSPT levels
- HSPT (Closed or Open form)8th graders entering 9th grade
- Pre-HSPT7th graders (practice edition, scored on 7th grade norms)
What is on the HSPT
| Section | Questions | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Skills | 60 | |
| Quantitative Skills | 52 | |
| Reading | 62 | |
| Mathematics | 64 | |
| Language | 60 | |
| Optional test (Science or Catholic Religion; school's choice) | 40 | |
| Total (five required subtests) | 298 |
Scoring
There is no penalty for wrong answers. Raw scores convert to standard scores from 200 to 800 for each subtest and for three composites (Total Cognitive Skills, Total Basic Skills, and the Battery Composite), with national percentiles from 1 to 99 and stanines from 1 to 9. Results go to the school or diocese, not directly to families.
HSPT dates, 2026-27
- Test datesSet by each school or diocese; no national datesStanding policy, no year given
- RegistrationThrough the individual school or dioceseStanding policy, no year given
Retakes
Scholastic Testing Service recommends taking the HSPT only once.
Keep this for planning
Frequently asked questions
Who takes the HSPT?
Eighth graders seeking placement in 9th grade, mostly at Catholic and other private high schools. Each school or diocese orders and gives the test. A Pre-HSPT exists for 7th graders.
How is the HSPT scored?
There is no penalty for wrong answers. Raw scores convert to standard scores from 200 to 800 for each subtest and for three composites (Total Cognitive Skills, Total Basic Skills, and the Battery Composite), with national percentiles from 1 to 99 and stanines from 1 to 9. Results go to the school or diocese, not directly to families.
How many times can you take the HSPT?
Scholastic Testing Service recommends taking the HSPT only once.
Sources, read October 6, 2026: ststesting.com, ststesting.com, ststesting.com, ststesting.com, ststesting.com. The HSPT is run by Scholastic Testing Service, which is not affiliated with Dewey Smart.
