Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are students allowed to take the HSPT more than once?
A: The High School Placement Test (HSPT) shall be administered a single time per student. Students may not take the exam more than once within the Archdiocese of Washington or in any neighboring (arch)diocese.

If a student takes the HSPT more than once, only the first score will be considered by admissions committees. Any additional score(s) will be disregarded and will not be factored into admissions decisions.

Please also note that no refunds can be issued after a testing session has taken place, including situations in which a student takes the HSPT a second time. Therefore, if your child has already taken the HSPT and is currently registered for a second testing session, we urge you to cancel that registration by Monday, December 1.

Q: Are students allowed to make-up a test?
A: To reschedule a missed HSPT date due to illness, the parent/guardian must send an email to [email protected], no later than the Monday following the missed test date. There will be no make-up opportunity offered by the Archdiocese of Washington beyond the January test date.

Q: What will happen if I arrive late on the day of the test?
A: If a student arrives after the test has begun, he/she will be asked to leave and register for another test date, if one is available. Testing begins at 9:00 a.m.

Q: Can seventh-grade students take the HSPT?
A: No. Only current 8th-grade students may take the HSPT.

Q: What is the calculator policy for the HSPT?
A: Calculators may not be used on the High School Placement Test unless approved as a testing accommodation. Students who are permitted to use a calculator as an accommodation must provide their own basic, four-function calculator.

Q: Can boys register to take the HSPT at an all-girls school, and can girls register to take the HSPT at an all-boys school?
A: Yes. Students may register to take the HSPT at any available testing center.

Q: Can a student register for the HSPT at one Catholic high school, but take the test at a different Catholic high school?
A: No. Students are permitted to take the HSPT at the testing location indicated on the registration confirmation letter.

Q: Can I register for the HSPT in the Archdiocese of Washington but take the test at a high school in the Diocese of Arlington or in the Archdiocese of Baltimore?
A: No. Students are permitted to take the test in the same (arch)diocese with which they are registered. For information on high school placement testing in the Diocese of Arlington or the Archdiocese of Baltimore, visit their websites.

Q: Do all high schools accept the HSPT?
A: 12 Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Washington require the HSPT as part of their admissions process. There are 6 Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Washington that have their own testing requirements for admission. However, you should speak with the admissions offices of the high schools to which you intend to apply to inquire about the tests that they are willing to accept with your child’s high school application. For a list of placement test times and locations, click HERE to view the schedule of placement testing.

Q: I understand that I can select up to four (4) Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Washington to receive my HSPT scores. Does that mean that I cannot apply to the other Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Washington?
A: HSPT results will be sent to up to four of the 12 Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Washington that require the HSPT as part of their admissions process. Students interested in sending their score reports to more than four schools should email [email protected] for instructions and assistance.

Students with their families may apply to as many of the 6 Catholic high schools that do not participate in the HSPT program as they would like.

For the 12 Catholic high schools that require the HSPT, a student’s application is incomplete and will not be considered for admission if the HSPT results are not included. Visit our website for information on each school’s admissions criteria.

Q: Can test results be sent to schools outside of the Archdiocese of Washington?
A: The official HSPT Score Report may be sent to only one (1) high school in the Diocese of Arlington or the Archdiocese of Baltimore for an additional $15 fee.

Q: When are test scores released?
A: All parents/guardians of students taking the HSPT will receive a copy of their child’s HSPT scores via email one week after high schools receive reports. All test results will be emailed from Scholastic Testing Services, Inc. Electronic results will be emailed from [email protected]. Catholic schools are not permitted to release students’ scores.

Q: What is a good score on the HSPT?
A: Standard scores range from 200-800. The average scaled score on the HSPT is 500. The average score for the Cognitive Skills Quotient is 100. Students in the Archdiocese of Washington have traditionally scored above the national average on the HSPT.