HSPT test dates are nearing. Are you ready to tackle the HSPT entrance exam? This exam will open doors to a world of opportunities for private high school admissions, as it is a placement test that gauges where you stand in your academic journey thus far. An HSPT test prep course will help develop great recollection and test day skills so you can walk into test day confidently. Let’s overview the HSPT sections and structure, so you know what to expect on exam day and understand the significance of each section.
Overview of HSPT Sections
A. Verbal Skills
What it Covers: Analogies, synonyms, antonyms, and logic.
The verbal component measures your ability to perform reasoning tasks involving word use. This core performance ability includes language, reading, and various areas within social studies.
HSPT Verbal Skills Section Breakdown
- Analogies
- Logic
- Verbal Classifications
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
Why it Matters: Tests critical thinking and language proficiency.
Preparation Tip: Practice with HSPT vocabulary lists and analogy exercises, like the ones available through our HSPT Prep Course.
B. Quantitative Skills
What it Covers: Number series, geometric comparisons, and quantitative reasoning.
The quantitative skills section measures your ability to perform reasoning problems involving numbers and quantities. This is a core performance ability that includes mathematics and science.
HSPT Quantitative Skills Section Breakdown
- Sequence
- Reasoning
- Geometric Comparison
- Non-Geometric Comparison
Why it Matters: Measures problem-solving and mathematical reasoning.
Preparation Tip: Focus on logical puzzles and practice recognizing patterns.
C. Reading Comprehension
What it Covers: Identifying main ideas, understanding context, and drawing conclusions.
The Reading Section of the HSPT measures your ability to demonstrate adequate reading comprehension, recognize vital details and significant ideas, identify central thoughts and premises, make logical inferences, and understand vocabulary in context. The reading skills you’ve acquired and built up thus far, both in the classroom and your everyday life, will be tested during this exam section.
HSPT Reading Section Breakdown
- Comprehension
- Vocabulary in Context
- Literal Comparison
- Inferential Comparison
- Main Idea
- Drawing Conclusions
- Reasoning
- Implied Characterization
- Critical Composition
- Author Purpose
- Compare/Contrast
- Predictions
- Fact vs. Fiction
- Vocabulary
Why it Matters: Evaluates the ability to process and analyze written material.
Preparation Tip: Read diverse materials and practice summarizing passages like those in our course and HSPT practice tests.
D. Mathematics
What it Covers: Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and problem-solving.
The Mathematics Section of the HSPT is designed to measure your ability to perform arithmetic operations, apply key math concepts, and utilize sound mathematical reasoning to solve problems. The math skills you’ve acquired and built up thus far, both in the classroom and your everyday life, will be tested during this exam section.
The following is a breakdown of the topics you will encounter in the Math Section:
HSPT Mathematics Section Breakdown
- Numbers and Numeration
- Procedural Operations
- Roots / Exponents / Place Value
- Ratios / Proportions
- Properties / Factors / Multiples
- Word Problems
- Measurements
- Weight / Length / Dry / Liquid
- Metric / Monetary Conversions
- Algebra
- Equality / Inequality
- Functions / Coordinates
- Geometry
- Points / Lines / Angles
- Plane / Cubic Figures
- Perimeter / Area / Volume
- Diameter / Radius / Circumference
- Congruency / Symmetry / Pythagorean theorem
- Statistics and Probability
- Mean / Median / Mode / Range
- Probability / Concepts
- Data Graphs / Tables
Why it Matters: Tests core math skills essential for high school success.
Preparation Tip: Review math concepts and solve sample problems. Our HSPT Prep Course offers plenty of interactive lessons and knowledge checks on the topics above to build and assess your understanding.
E. Language Skills
What it Covers: Grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and sentence structure.
The Language Skills Section of the HSPT is designed to measure your knowledge of proper English language capitalization, punctuation, grammar, spelling, usage, and composition. The language skills you’ve acquired and built up thus far, both in the classroom and your everyday life, will be tested during this exam section.
HSPT Language Skills Section Breakdown
- Punctuation
- Capitalization
- Incorrect Usage
- Nouns / Pronouns
- Verbs / Adverbs / Adjectives
- Other Parts of Speech
- Correct Usage
- Spelling
- Composition
Why it Matters: Assesses written communication skills.
Preparation Tip: Practice editing exercises and reviewing grammar rules. You can find an overview of some grammar rules in the English Usage and Punctuation section of our HSPT course.
D. Optional HSPT® Tests
Some schools might require that you take one of the three optional tests described at the beginning of this section: Mechanical Aptitude, Science, or Catholic Religion (for catholic schools). Only some schools you apply to will require this extra test. However, if you do have to take an optional test, the test is chosen by the school, and, like the basic HSPT exam, the test will involve multiple-choice questions and answers.
Your score on the optional test will not be included in your score on the basic HSPT exam. Instead, the school will receive a report on your overall performance on the optional exam and a topic-by-topic evaluation of your performance. The school will use this information to place you in appropriate classes. It might also use the information to determine the background of the student body as a whole in preparing the curriculum for the following year.
The optional science test consists of forty questions covering various topics. The questions are not neatly categorized. For example, a biology question might be followed by a physics question, and then a laboratory methods question might be followed by a chemistry question. The following outline gives you an idea of how many topics are covered on the science test.
| Distribution of Topics on the HSTP® Optional Science Test | |
| Biological Sciences | Plants Animals Life Processes Health and Safety Ecology |
| Earth Sciences | Astronomy Geology Weather Air Water |
| Physical Sciences | Matter and Energy Machines and Work Magnetism and Electricity Sound Heat and Light Chemistry |
| Implications of Scientific Technology | Societal Benefits Technical Applications |
| Principles of Scientific Research and Experimentation | Laboratory Methods Research Practices |
The Importance of HSPT Sections for Scoring
HSPT scores are calculated using the Total Cognitive Skills, Total Basic Skills, and battery Composite scores. National percentiles and standard scores are converted from the raw scores from each composite score’s subtests added together.
Subtests that comprise each composite HSPT scoring:
- Cognitive Skills: Comprised of student’s performance on the Verbal Skills & Quantitative Skills subtests.
- Basic Skills: Comprised of student’s performance on the Reading, Mathematics, & Language subtests.
- Overall Composite: Comprised of a student’s total score on all five subtests. Optional tests are not reflected, but schools individually receive scores to determine placement and prepare curriculum.
Real-life Applications to HSPT Sections
When taking a test, you may wonder why you are doing so, and if there will be any real-world implications to the subject you are tested on. As noted above, you already practice many of these skills daily inside and outside the classroom. Yet, we understand the desire to further apply your knowledge in everyday circumstances. We assure you the skills tested on this test are applicable and will give you an example of how for one of the sections as an example:
Creativity and Innovation (Verbal and Quantitative Skills)
- Creative Problem-Solving: Skills like analogies and logic foster innovative thinking and help design products, marketing campaigns, or unique business strategies.
- Art and Design: Even in creative fields, logic and structure (e.g., geometry for design layout) play a critical role.
Your strengths in certain HSPT sections may influence placement, scholarships, or even career paths. Consider your strengths in this way and capitalize on them.
How to Prepare for the HSPT Sections
- Study Materials: Peterson’s test prep includes HSPT online practice tests, flashcards, interactive exercises, and video lessons for a complete HSPT online practice test prep experience with a diagnostic test, 3 practice tests, 1192 HSPT practice questions, 17 video lessons, 34 flashcard sets, and 20 interactive exercises. The HSPT prep classes and HSPT tutoring available through Peterson’s will significantly help bolster your skills.
- Time Management: Balance your time on each question and section with wisdom. Don’t spend too much time on any one question.
- Practice Makes Perfect: HSPT practice tests help you become familiar with the format of the test and the questions you will see on test day for each section.
Conclusion
Now that you know what to expect in each section of the HSPT test, you understand what you need to work on to influence your overall score for test day. Remember to use what you have learned thus far in your academic journey and life to capitalize on your strengths and consider how this test may influence your future high school and career choices. Bolster your score and start prepping with Peterson’s now to make the most impact on your HSPT score. You can tackle this test. We have confidence in you and your abilities!
