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If you’re a Swiss-based family with your sights set on elite Catholic high schools in the United States, there’s one test you can’t afford to overlook: the HSPT. Short for High School Placement Test, the HSPT is required by many top American Catholic schools—and here’s the kicker: students only get one chance to take it. No retakes, no second looks. That makes preparation not just important, but essential.
At Cardinal Education, we specialize in helping Swiss students prepare for the HSPT with tutoring that aligns with both U.S. admissions criteria and Swiss academic foundations. Whether your child is studying under the Swiss curriculum, the IB, or another international program, we’ll sharpen their verbal skills, build quantitative reasoning, and boost grammar and reading comprehension—all tailored for the high-pressure HSPT format. With flexible scheduling to suit Swiss time zones and experienced tutors who understand transatlantic expectations, we make sure your child is confident, calm, and ready to excel.
We start with a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation to identify your child’s strengths and areas for growth across all sections of the HSPT. Think of it as a roadmap—it helps us focus your child’s prep where it counts most, ensuring efficient use of time and targeted improvement.
Our tutors cover every part of the HSPT: Verbal Skills, Quantitative Skills, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics, and Language. We teach more than just content—we teach strategy, timing, and logic. Because on the HSPT, success isn’t just about what you know, it’s about how well you perform under pressure.
Practice makes perfect. Our full-length practice tests simulate real exam conditions to help Swiss students build stamina, master pacing, and reduce test-day anxiety. With each session, students grow more confident and more familiar with the HSPT’s unique structure.
From tricky multiple-choice logic to managing time under pressure, we help Swiss students develop strategies that actually work. Our coaching goes beyond content, teaching students how to stay calm, think clearly, and perform consistently when it matters most.
In addition to test prep, we offer admissions guidance tailored to the Catholic school admissions process. We help families in Switzerland target top U.S. Catholic high schools with faith-aligned application strategies that highlight both academic and personal strengths.
Because the HSPT is only offered once annually (typically in December or January), Swiss families must plan carefully. We recommend starting HSPT prep in late summer or early autumn. This timeline gives students time to become familiar with the test format, sharpen their skills, and complete multiple rounds of practice, without the rush.
Your child’s path to a top U.S. Catholic high school starts right here in Switzerland—no flights, visas, or stress required. At Cardinal Education, we provide far more than tutoring. For Swiss families, we craft a personalized HSPT prep and U.S. admissions strategy that bridges the gap between international academics and American expectations.
The HSPT is a one-time-only exam, and that makes every point count. With targeted coaching, timed practice, and deep insight into Catholic school admissions, we help your child turn preparation into performance. Let’s take the guesswork out of test prep—and open the door to a future grounded in faith, academic strength, and bold opportunity.
At the moment, the HSPT is not widely offered in Switzerland through open international test centers. Most students are required to take it directly at the U.S. Catholic high school where they are applying. This often means traveling to the U.S. for the exam or coordinating with the school to arrange a proctored exam during a visit.
That said, families based in Switzerland can prepare extensively from home. At Cardinal Education, we help students get fully ready before they set foot on campus. We provide mock HSPT testing conditions, real-time feedback, and strategies tailored to help students walk in with confidence, even if it’s their first time in that environment. For families unable to travel, some schools may allow remote proctoring under specific circumstances, but these are handled on a case-by-case basis. We’ll help you navigate those details and communicate directly with the schools. You won’t be doing it alone.
The HSPT is a unique beast. Unlike the SSAT or ISEE, which are used by a broad range of independent schools, the HSPT is specifically designed for Catholic high schools and is administered only once per student. That means no second tries and no room for error. What makes it tricky for Swiss students is that it blends familiar content—like reading comprehension and basic math—with American-style formatting, logic puzzles, and rapid-fire multiple-choice questions.
It also includes a language section and a focus on verbal skills that aren’t always emphasized in Swiss or IB programs. Most importantly, the test is fast-paced. Students have to move quickly and think strategically. At Cardinal Education, we coach Swiss students on how to shift gears, manage timing, and develop stamina. If your child has excelled in local curricula but has never taken a high-pressure U.S. exam, we make sure they’re more than ready—and that no surprises show up on test day.
Timing is everything—especially with a one-shot test like the HSPT. Since most Catholic high schools in the U.S. administer the test in December or January, we recommend Swiss families begin preparation by August or September at the latest. Starting early gives your child time to adjust to the format, build test-day stamina, and sharpen skills in verbal reasoning, language mechanics, and quantitative problem solving.
The Swiss academic calendar, whether you’re in Matura, IB, or a bilingual program, is already full of demands. Starting prep in advance means less stress, fewer scheduling conflicts, and a stronger performance. At Cardinal Education, we help build a realistic, sustainable prep schedule around your child’s existing workload and term breaks. This also allows time for mock testing and review cycles. We treat the HSPT like a marathon, not a sprint. The earlier you begin, the more confident and composed your child will be on the big day.
We go far beyond test prep. For Swiss families applying to U.S. Catholic high schools, we provide a full-service support system that covers every stage of the admissions journey. First, we assess your child’s academic profile, goals, and target schools. Then we build a customized prep timeline that integrates HSPT readiness with application planning—including interview prep, personal statements, and even faith-based elements that Catholic schools may expect in essays or parent statements.
We understand that applying from Switzerland comes with challenges: time zones, school calendar differences, and unfamiliar admissions expectations. That’s why we act as both academic coaches and strategic advisors. Our Swiss clients benefit from weekly progress tracking, personalized mock exams, and targeted tutoring that fits their curriculum. Most importantly, we help Swiss families feel at home in a process that can otherwise feel incredibly foreign. With us, you’re not just prepping—you’re positioning your child to thrive.
DISCLAIMER
Cardinal Education is an independent educational consulting company. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any private school, including those mentioned on this website. All school names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used here for descriptive purposes only.
