How is the HSPT different from the SSAT or ISEE?

The HSPT is like that serious cousin who only visits once but expects to be remembered forever. Unlike the SSAT or ISEE, which allow multiple test attempts, the HSPT gives students one shot per admissions season. No retakes. No second chances. It’s also created specifically for Catholic high school admissions, while the SSAT and ISEE are used more widely by private and independent schools.

The HSPT includes five sections: verbal skills, quantitative reasoning, reading, math, and language. There’s no writing section, which is a nice break for kids who dread essays. It’s a fast-paced, multiple-choice test, and the format is consistent across schools. So while all three are tough, the HSPT has its own style and strategy.