What makes the HSPT different from other standardized tests?

The HSPT is like the SAT’s little Catholic cousin—shorter, faster, and far less forgiving. What makes it different? For starters, it’s only offered once a year and has no built-in do-over. Unlike the SSAT or ISEE, which let you test more than once, the HSPT gives Seattle students one crack at proving they’re ready for the rigor of Catholic high school. It covers five sections: Verbal Skills, Quantitative Skills, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics, and Language (think spelling, punctuation, grammar rules your kid forgot existed). And it’s fast. We’re talking multiple sections in just a couple of hours—no time to zone out.

That’s why prep matters. Knowing the content is step one. Knowing how to tackle it under pressure? That’s the game-changer. Our Seattle HSPT tutors not only teach students the material, but also how to handle the pacing, think strategically, and stay calm when the timer starts. It’s prep with a purpose.