What is the HSPT, and who needs to take it?

The High School Placement Test, or HSPT, is a standardized exam used by many Catholic and parochial high schools in the U.S. as part of their admissions process. The test covers five main areas: 

1. Verbal Skills (synonyms, antonyms, and logic)
2. Quantitative Skills(number series and comparisons)
3. Reading Comprehension
4. Mathematics (computation, problem-solving, algebra, geometry)
5. Language Arts (punctuation, capitalization, grammar, and composition)

So, who needs to take it? Generally, it’s for 9th-grade Catholic school applicants. While there are other factors to consider, like grades and interviews, HSPT scores are often a key piece of the puzzle for admissions, scholarship consideration, and even helping schools place students in the right academic levels for their freshman year.