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Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Eighth-grade students interested in attending a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Baltimore can now register for the High School Placement Test. (pexels.com)

Catholic schools offering annual High School Placement Test


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Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools

Eighth-grade students interested in attending a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Baltimore can now register for the High School Placement Test.

Online registration opened Sept. 10. Test days are within the first two Saturdays in December, depending on the test location.

The High School Placement Test (HSPT) is a standardized, timed test required for every eighth grader applying to a Catholic high school within the Baltimore Archdiocese. It contains five sections that measure verbal ability, quantitative ability, reading comprehension, mathematics and components of written language.

“HSPT scores give us insights about how prepared our students are for high school,” said Laura Mooney, director of enrollment management for the archdiocese. “The results help us better understand what our strengths are across our schools, as well as areas of success and opportunities for growth at our individual schools. The results help us better tell our story of the successes that our students experience in our Catholic elementary schools.”

Eighth graders may test at any site. However, if they are a current student at a Catholic elementary school, they will take the test at their school Dec. 4.

The Archdiocese of Baltimore stopped offering an HSPT prep course last fall. However, test prep guides, books and courses not affiliated with the archdiocese are available for students. Some Catholic elementary schools also offer test prep for their eighth grade students.

“For families who cannot afford enrolling in an HSPT prep course, there are strategy and practice books available online and in bookstores for less than $20,” Mooney said. Scholastic Testing Services, which administers the HSPT, also provides helpful testing tips on its website.

Each testing site offers extended test time for students with documented need, and five testing sites offer the test in Spanish.

Things to know on test day

■ Check-in on test day begins at 8:30 a.m. for all test sites. The test will be administered from 9 a.m. to noon. Test time will be longer for students with accommodations.

■ If you registered and paid online before test day, you will need to bring your confirmation code and two number 2 pencils. If you did not register in advance, you will need to bring $45 in cash and all necessary personal information. Walk-ins cannot request testing accommodations on test day.

■ There are no points deducted for incorrect answers. Calculators are not permitted during the test.

■ Get a good night’s sleep before the test and eat a healthy breakfast the morning of the test.

Visit archbalt.org/schools/high-school-placement-test for more information and to register for the High School Placement Test (HSPT).

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