SSAT, ISEE, and HSPT Test Prep for Washington, D.C. Private School Admissions

Great question. “Test-optional” might sound like a pass, but here’s the fine print: Optional does not mean unnecessary. At many top Washington, D.C. private schools, like Sidwell Friends, Georgetown Day, and Gonzaga, test scores are still considered, and they still help. If your child doesn’t submit a score, admissions teams will lean more heavily on everything else: grades, interviews, essays, and recommendations. But if you do submit a strong score, it becomes a competitive asset.

A high SSAT, ISEE, or HSPT score shows academic readiness, especially if your child comes from a school with unweighted grades or an unconventional transcript. It also helps admissions officers compare students across different schools and programs. In a city like D.C., where the applicant pool is overflowing with strong students, a great test score can push your child to the top of the stack. So is it required? Maybe not. But is it smart? Absolutely.

Welcome to one of the most common D.C. parent puzzles. The short answer? It depends on the schools you’re applying to. The SSAT is accepted by a wide range of independent schools and is the go-to for many selective institutions. The ISEE is more common among schools with a broader academic evaluation approach, and the HSPT is typically required by Catholic schools in the D.C. area, like Gonzaga College High School and Georgetown Visitation.

Each test has its own structure, pacing, and strengths. The SSAT leans heavily on analogies and advanced vocabulary. The ISEE is more math-focused with unique sections like Quantitative Reasoning. The HSPT is fast-paced and includes grammar, spelling, and logic components.

Our advice? Don’t guess. At Cardinal Education, we begin with a school list and a full diagnostic assessment. From there, we’ll recommend the best-fit test and create a plan that maximizes your child’s strengths—no second-guessing required.

Plenty of test prep programs offer flashcards and formula sheets. We offer something a little more powerful—strategy, customization, and real results. At Cardinal Education, we don’t just teach your child how to answer test questions. We teach them how to approach the test strategically, manage their timing, and develop the confidence to perform under pressure.

What really sets us apart? Our materials. They’re not available in bookstores or mass-market prep guides. They’ve been developed in-house by our founder and expert team, based on nearly two decades of success with students from top D.C. schools. Every tutoring session is personalized. Every lesson is tied to your child’s goals and target schools. And every milestone is tracked so you can see real progress, not just hope for it.

Whether your child struggles with test anxiety or wants to break into the top percentile, we know how to get them there, with less stress and more strategy.

Sooner than you think. Many D.C. families wait until fall of their child’s application year to begin prep—but by then, test dates are filling up, schoolwork is ramping up, and the stress is already setting in. The best time to start? Late spring or early summer, before the application year begins.

Starting early gives your child breathing room to master content, improve pacing, and take multiple full-length practice exams. It also allows for flexibility. If one section proves challenging, we have time to focus. If scores aren’t ideal the first time around, there’s space to retest without panic.

At Cardinal Education, we recommend beginning prep 4 to 6 months before your child’s target test date. That means if you’re applying in the fall, you should probably start prepping before the last day of school. With our structured timeline, strategic milestones, and expert tutors, your child can prep without pressure—and peak at the right time.

Unlock Potential, Achieve Results! Your path to test excellence starts here.