Wow, this is exactly our dilemma. Kid decided to apply to Gonzaga just last week after the open house. Some online HSPT practice tests (not a whole test together but broken up sections) suggest he will not do particularly well on the HSPT. But he is a smart kid with great grades from a very rigorous middle school who will have great teacher recs. So we are concentrating on the essays. He now has familiarity with all the HSPT sections so the chips will fall where they will. I just don't think what we do this week will make a big difference on the HSPT. Good luck!

100% on taking some practice tests and getting used to the timing, the types of questions, the reading passages, etc. They just need a little "muscle memory" and familiarity going into the test.

Also remind your child that if they run out of time be sure to answer every question, they don't lose points for a wrong answer. 1/4 is better than zero.

Anonymous wrote:

Generally, test prep this week, essays after the test. Focus on test format and time management. You shouldn’t worry too much about content because your time is short. Take one practice test cold and identify weakest areas then do a few practice sets just to get more comfortable with how they ask the Qs. Look at the grammar section as that may be less familiar.

GL to your student.

Agree with this. My kid is a horrible test taker but was able to devise a test strategy to eek out a somewhat decent score (he did a review class) knowing how the test was structured and what he should focus on.

Depending on the school that you are applying they may have scholarships for high performers on the HSPT. I know a kid that scored 90% correct and got a free ride. Were in Northern MD so probably not the same school. If your kid isn't that high performing, then I wouldn't stress it too much because High Schools still do a another placement exam for English and Math.

There is also a test on the 14th

If this is Catholic high school, don't listen to people who say you need a high HSPT score. The HSPT is used for placement. Plenty of my child's friends got lower scores from public and from Catholic, but they're all awesome kids.

They have all levels of classes for a reason. Take a couple practice tests to get child used to it, but then work on essays. The schools would rather have children who will be a good fit for the school with lower test scores than the opposite.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid just decided to apply to a private school. They are in public. The HSPT is this coming weekend, and the application/essays are due in two weeks. I know we are probably in really bad shape here, but which would you focus on? Prep really hard for HSPT and then work on essays or don't prep for HSPT and spend the two weeks on the essays?

HSPT. Coming from public school, if you kid doesn't have a high enough score, the won't even bothering reading your essay.

What kind of score is needed?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid just decided to apply to a private school. They are in public. The HSPT is this coming weekend, and the application/essays are due in two weeks. I know we are probably in really bad shape here, but which would you focus on? Prep really hard for HSPT and then work on essays or don't prep for HSPT and spend the two weeks on the essays?

HSPT. Coming from public school, if you kid doesn't have a high enough score, the won't even bothering reading your essay.

This actually made me LOL. Thanks!

Thanks everyone.

Anonymous wrote:My kid just decided to apply to a private school. They are in public. The HSPT is this coming weekend, and the application/essays are due in two weeks. I know we are probably in really bad shape here, but which would you focus on? Prep really hard for HSPT and then work on essays or don't prep for HSPT and spend the two weeks on the essays?

HSPT. Coming from public school, if you kid doesn't have a high enough score, the won't even bothering reading your essay.

Generally, test prep this week, essays after the test. Focus on test format and time management. You shouldn’t worry too much about content because your time is short. Take one practice test cold and identify weakest areas then do a few practice sets just to get more comfortable with how they ask the Qs. Look at the grammar section as that may be less familiar.

GL to your student.

Just focus on the test now and do the essays later. It’s only a few days to go. Take some practice tests and see how it looks.

Don't "prep really hard." Take a practice test, identify any low-hanging fruit to work on that might bring the score up, and then focus a bit of test prep there.

Work on the essays the Sunday after the HSPT OR when kid needs a break from the standardized test prep.

HSPT prep until after this weekend, then essays.

My kid just decided to apply to a private school. They are in public. The HSPT is this coming weekend, and the application/essays are due in two weeks. I know we are probably in really bad shape here, but which would you focus on? Prep really hard for HSPT and then work on essays or don't prep for HSPT and spend the two weeks on the essays?