What is the difference between the SSAT, ISEE, and HSPT exams?

If your child is applying to U.S. private schools from Switzerland, you’ve likely come across the entrance exam alphabet soup: SSAT, ISEE, and HSPT. So what’s the actual difference? The SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) and ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) are the most commonly required by independent and boarding schools. The HSPT (High School Placement Test) is typically used by Catholic schools in the U.S.

Here’s the breakdown: The SSAT allows multiple test attempts and includes a guessing penalty on some levels—so test strategy is key. The ISEE allows up to three tries per year (Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer) and does not penalize wrong answers. The HSPT, by contrast, can only be taken once and has no writing section. Both the SSAT and ISEE include a writing sample sent to schools.

Swiss families should also plan ahead—testing centers are limited in Switzerland, and many students use online proctoring options to stay on schedule.