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

Most schools accept either SSAT or ISEE scores. The HSPT is not as common as it is typically a requirement for admissions to Catholic or Parochial schools. It’s important to take the test that will highlight your child’s skills. Here are some of the differences between these standardized tests:

1. The ISEE can only be taken three times a year, while the SSAT can be taken as many times as possible. The HSPT, on the other hand, may only be taken once.   
2. There is a guessing penalty for the Middle and Upper-Level SSAT, where students receive 1 point for each correct answer, 0 points for unanswered questions, and lose one-fourth of a point for each wrong answer. Neither the ISEE nor the HSPT have a guessing penalty. Students get 1 point for each correct answer and 0 points for every incorrect answer or unanswered question. 
3. Students may begin taking the ISEE as early as 2nd grade, whereas the SSAT may be taken starting grade 3. These two tests scale in difficulty accordingly, and there are elementary, middle school, and upper school versions. The HSPT may only be taken by current 8th-grade students. 
4. Students complete an unscored writing sample for both the ISEE and SSAT. The writing is sent to schools together with the scores for the multiple-choice sections of the test. This is part of a student’s application portfolio submitted to the admissions officers. The HSPT, on the other hand, does not require a writing sample.