HSPT Results

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:if a child has straight A's, solid recommendations and scored in 96% do they have a chance at a grant of some sort? Or, do you need 99% how does that work or is that a whole other thread? grants aren't that much money, either way, just curious

Depends on the school. Gz (in my limited experience) doesn't give out a lot of merit based aid, for example. Other schools give more (and maybe some less) but it does depend on HSPT in large measure (in my experience only, multiple children) and on grades of course, and possibly Catholic school background, recs, sports, etc.

It makes little sense, to be fair, for a school that attracts many, many, well-to-do, smart kids to be handing out merit aid but rather reserving it for those who can get in, but cannot afford it. Parents making 300-400K or more don't need aid if we're honest, even of the kid "deserves" it.

My guess is at 96% and all As you will get top or near top money that a school offers. 4-6K per year for 4y would be my guess.

Need based aid will be in addition, if applicable.

[Anonymous]

The test explanation doesn’t say what the “Choices/Other” 1st 2nd 3rd mean ... is that our kid’s rank in scores of applicants who applied (so the Xth best score for those reporting to choice 1)? Or is it just a number identifying which school you selected (school number X)?

Re: preparation, I thought all the Catholic schools did test prep during school. So it’s only those outside the system who are not necessarily coached. From the FAQ on the HSPT ADW site ...

“Q: What should I do to help my child to prepare for the HSPT?
A: Scholastic Testing Service will provide all Catholic elementary schools with a supply of practice questions and general HSPT preparation information. The intention of this preparation is to apprise students and their families of the substance and process involved in taking the HSPT. Students should be encouraged to become familiar with the test sections and the kind of questions they will be expected to address.

While guides are available in bookstores and libraries to supplement the materials that will be provided, content preparation is not advised, as the nature of the test does not lend itself to this kind of preparation.“

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if a child has straight A's, solid recommendations and scored in 96% do they have a chance at a grant of some sort? Or, do you need 99% how does that work or is that a whole other thread? grants aren't that much money, either way, just curious

Depends on the school. Gz (in my limited experience) doesn't give out a lot of merit based aid, for example. Other schools give more (and maybe some less) but it does depend on HSPT in large measure (in my experience only, multiple children) and on grades of course, and possibly Catholic school background, recs, sports, etc.

It makes little sense, to be fair, for a school that attracts many, many, well-to-do, smart kids to be handing out merit aid but rather reserving it for those who can get in, but cannot afford it. Parents making 300-400K or more don't need aid if we're honest, even of the kid "deserves" it.

My guess is at 96% and all As you will get top or near top money that a school offers. 4-6K per year for 4y would be my guess.

Need based aid will be in addition, if applicable.

I completely agree. I would rather the $ go to a kid whose family could not afford tuition. We donate for that reason too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The test explanation doesn’t say what the “Choices/Other” 1st 2nd 3rd mean ... is that our kid’s rank in scores of applicants who applied (so the Xth best score for those reporting to choice 1)? Or is it just a number identifying which school you selected (school number X)?

Re: preparation, I thought all the Catholic schools did test prep during school. So it’s only those outside the system who are not necessarily coached. From the FAQ on the HSPT ADW site ...

“Q: What should I do to help my child to prepare for the HSPT?
A: Scholastic Testing Service will provide all Catholic elementary schools with a supply of practice questions and general HSPT preparation information. The intention of this preparation is to apprise students and their families of the substance and process involved in taking the HSPT. Students should be encouraged to become familiar with the test sections and the kind of questions they will be expected to address.

While guides are available in bookstores and libraries to supplement the materials that will be provided, content preparation is not advised, as the nature of the test does not lend itself to this kind of preparation.“

Haaaaaaaa!!!! Every test prep company uses the books found off the Internet. We even were told by the prep center to purchase one.

If you are coming from public, the kid needs to get familiar with the format by taking a practice test which are in these books. The timing of sections matters and GUESS if you don’t know something. No points off for wrong answers. Just taking a practice test to get familiar with the types of questions will raise your score.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The test explanation doesn’t say what the “Choices/Other” 1st 2nd 3rd mean ... is that our kid’s rank in scores of applicants who applied (so the Xth best score for those reporting to choice 1)? Or is it just a number identifying which school you selected (school number X)?

Re: preparation, I thought all the Catholic schools did test prep during school. So it’s only those outside the system who are not necessarily coached. From the FAQ on the HSPT ADW site ...

“Q: What should I do to help my child to prepare for the HSPT?
A: Scholastic Testing Service will provide all Catholic elementary schools with a supply of practice questions and general HSPT preparation information. The intention of this preparation is to apprise students and their families of the substance and process involved in taking the HSPT. Students should be encouraged to become familiar with the test sections and the kind of questions they will be expected to address.

While guides are available in bookstores and libraries to supplement the materials that will be provided, content preparation is not advised, as the nature of the test does not lend itself to this kind of preparation.“

I suppose you could try it cold but boy do I disagree with “the test does not lend itself to this kind of preparation.” It’s a quirky test and it absolutely matters that you know its frequently used questions bc, vocabulary and especially the timing. My son took a practice that I proctored at our kitchen table and scored in the low 70s. When we went through the answers together I knew right away you could/should prepare. He ended up with a 95 and he is NOT a good standardized test taker. We hired a tutor for my next kid and she got 99th percentile. She is, typically, a good standardized test taker but this is all about the tricks you learn through practice. I wouldn’t count on your parish school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The test explanation doesn’t say what the “Choices/Other” 1st 2nd 3rd mean ... is that our kid’s rank in scores of applicants who applied (so the Xth best score for those reporting to choice 1)? Or is it just a number identifying which school you selected (school number X)?

Re: preparation, I thought all the Catholic schools did test prep during school. So it’s only those outside the system who are not necessarily coached. From the FAQ on the HSPT ADW site ...

“Q: What should I do to help my child to prepare for the HSPT?
A: Scholastic Testing Service will provide all Catholic elementary schools with a supply of practice questions and general HSPT preparation information. The intention of this preparation is to apprise students and their families of the substance and process involved in taking the HSPT. Students should be encouraged to become familiar with the test sections and the kind of questions they will be expected to address.

While guides are available in bookstores and libraries to supplement the materials that will be provided, content preparation is not advised, as the nature of the test does not lend itself to this kind of preparation.“

I’m confused by the choice numbers also. Anyone know?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The test explanation doesn’t say what the “Choices/Other” 1st 2nd 3rd mean ... is that our kid’s rank in scores of applicants who applied (so the Xth best score for those reporting to choice 1)? Or is it just a number identifying which school you selected (school number X)?

Re: preparation, I thought all the Catholic schools did test prep during school. So it’s only those outside the system who are not necessarily coached. From the FAQ on the HSPT ADW site ...

“Q: What should I do to help my child to prepare for the HSPT?
A: Scholastic Testing Service will provide all Catholic elementary schools with a supply of practice questions and general HSPT preparation information. The intention of this preparation is to apprise students and their families of the substance and process involved in taking the HSPT. Students should be encouraged to become familiar with the test sections and the kind of questions they will be expected to address.

While guides are available in bookstores and libraries to supplement the materials that will be provided, content preparation is not advised, as the nature of the test does not lend itself to this kind of preparation.“

I suppose you could try it cold but boy do I disagree with “the test does not lend itself to this kind of preparation.” It’s a quirky test and it absolutely matters that you know its frequently used questions bc, vocabulary and especially the timing. My son took a practice that I proctored at our kitchen table and scored in the low 70s. When we went through the answers together I knew right away you could/should prepare. He ended up with a 95 and he is NOT a good standardized test taker. We hired a tutor for my next kid and she got 99th percentile. She is, typically, a good standardized test taker but this is all about the tricks you learn through practice. I wouldn’t count on your parish school.

Agree prep is important -- and working on vocab is also important. We have an entire collection of vocab flash cards and by the time my daughter took the test, she knew each and every word's definition. She got 99.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The test explanation doesn’t say what the “Choices/Other” 1st 2nd 3rd mean ... is that our kid’s rank in scores of applicants who applied (so the Xth best score for those reporting to choice 1)? Or is it just a number identifying which school you selected (school number X)?

Re: preparation, I thought all the Catholic schools did test prep during school. So it’s only those outside the system who are not necessarily coached. From the FAQ on the HSPT ADW site ...

“Q: What should I do to help my child to prepare for the HSPT?
A: Scholastic Testing Service will provide all Catholic elementary schools with a supply of practice questions and general HSPT preparation information. The intention of this preparation is to apprise students and their families of the substance and process involved in taking the HSPT. Students should be encouraged to become familiar with the test sections and the kind of questions they will be expected to address.

While guides are available in bookstores and libraries to supplement the materials that will be provided, content preparation is not advised, as the nature of the test does not lend itself to this kind of preparation.“

I suppose you could try it cold but boy do I disagree with “the test does not lend itself to this kind of preparation.” It’s a quirky test and it absolutely matters that you know its frequently used questions bc, vocabulary and especially the timing. My son took a practice that I proctored at our kitchen table and scored in the low 70s. When we went through the answers together I knew right away you could/should prepare. He ended up with a 95 and he is NOT a good standardized test taker. We hired a tutor for my next kid and she got 99th percentile. She is, typically, a good standardized test taker but this is all about the tricks you learn through practice. I wouldn’t count on your parish school.

Agree prep is important -- and working on vocab is also important. We have an entire collection of vocab flash cards and by the time my daughter took the test, she knew each and every word's definition. She got 99.

If you bought these, can you post a link? 7th grade mom here with a daughter who will need to prepare. Not a good standardized test taker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The test explanation doesn’t say what the “Choices/Other” 1st 2nd 3rd mean ... is that our kid’s rank in scores of applicants who applied (so the Xth best score for those reporting to choice 1)? Or is it just a number identifying which school you selected (school number X)?

Re: preparation, I thought all the Catholic schools did test prep during school. So it’s only those outside the system who are not necessarily coached. From the FAQ on the HSPT ADW site ...

“Q: What should I do to help my child to prepare for the HSPT?
A: Scholastic Testing Service will provide all Catholic elementary schools with a supply of practice questions and general HSPT preparation information. The intention of this preparation is to apprise students and their families of the substance and process involved in taking the HSPT. Students should be encouraged to become familiar with the test sections and the kind of questions they will be expected to address.

While guides are available in bookstores and libraries to supplement the materials that will be provided, content preparation is not advised, as the nature of the test does not lend itself to this kind of preparation.“

I suppose you could try it cold but boy do I disagree with “the test does not lend itself to this kind of preparation.” It’s a quirky test and it absolutely matters that you know its frequently used questions bc, vocabulary and especially the timing. My son took a practice that I proctored at our kitchen table and scored in the low 70s. When we went through the answers together I knew right away you could/should prepare. He ended up with a 95 and he is NOT a good standardized test taker. We hired a tutor for my next kid and she got 99th percentile. She is, typically, a good standardized test taker but this is all about the tricks you learn through practice. I wouldn’t count on your parish school.

My DC just did the prep course offered at our parish school and no other study. She scored in the 99th percentile.

[Anonymous]

No studying here. We couldn't make my son do it as it was during the pandemic last year and he was in a majorly sluggish mode. He ended up in the high 80s. It's definitely a test that can be studied for because the concepts are very straight forward (basic math, straight forward grammar). it killed me that he wouldn't just sit and read through a review guide.

[Anonymous]

36 here. With a score like this will they get in ANYWHERE?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:36 here. With a score like this will they get in ANYWHERE?

We aren't talking about college testing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:36 here. With a score like this will they get in ANYWHERE?

We aren't talking about college testing.

And neither is the PP.

PP - I don’t know what the other prices of your child’s profile are - but I would encourage you to have a conversation with your school principal now and start vetting options. There are a few Catholic schools that would understand a lower test score givien the pandemic and so many kids hurt by the hit on their educational and emotional development I dislike this test so much and it is a shame that colleges are test optional but not Catholic high school.

Best wishes to your child - she/he will find the right school!

[Anonymous]

My child didn’t study for this test, took it and came out average. Now I wish we would have buckled down and studied for it because he would have gotten a way higher score.

This test is unfair. It clearly points out who has prepared for,it, whether it be by hiring tutors, test prep or sheer discipline….and who just wings it from what they e learned or been exposed to in school. I dislike…clearly I’m jealous of everyone here touting their kids 99th percentile ranks. It’s just impossible that so many kids have gotten that type of score unless the parents threw money at it.

I wish the Catholic schools doing this test would drop it altogether. Their are so many straight A kids that are stellar but maybe just don’t test well, that are high achievers, and doers, and this test clear;y at híñalo es them.

I’m now scared that my son won’t get into the school we are applying for given the supposed 99th percentile test takers in abundance here on this thread, and the fact that more people are applying to private schools than ever before. It makes me want to move somewhere else, if we could.

[Anonymous]

The test is definitely very, very easy to study for because it's very straight forward, especially with math. In contrast, the math on the ISSE and SSAT is trickier and much harder to study for and more a test of applying concepts and innate math skill.