Entrance Exam

• Be sure that you are by yourself in a location free from distractions.
• Your testing device (PC or laptop) should be working well, all other windows on the device should be closed, and only one browser window should be open - the one for the exam.
• Either 1.) connect to the internet via Ethernet cable or 2.) ensure that you have plenty of WiFi bandwith for your device.
  • If you are using WiFi, all members of the household or people connected to the WiFi should place their devices on airplane mode for the duration of exam session (about three hours) so your WiFi is not interrupted.
• You may not have any other electronic devices with you in the testing space (phone, tablets, television, calculator, etc.)
• Have several sheets of blank scratch paper, as well as a pen or pencil, to take notes and work out math problems (you will shred and dispose of these papers after the exam).

Click here to review the HSPT Tutorial.

Overview

• There are often four options for answers: A, B, C, D
• There are five test sections, or subtests, and a countdown test clock is shown for each particular subtest (or section).
• The test questions are on the left-center of the screen and your choices will be to the LEFT side of the screen. You will need to press/select NEXT to advance to the next question or PREVIOUS to go back. The Previous or Next button is located at the top of each page.

The test session will be opened at 9:00 AM. To begin, you will need to enter the following:

• Test Code
• Student ID
• Password

When you log in, you will need to carefully read and agree to the Code of Conduct. The exam is private, secure and the intellectual property of the Scholastic Testing Service (STS). It is essential that you do not record (screen shot, video or photo) or communicate any aspects of the exam.

• The test session will begin at 9:00 AM. (The test must be taken during the designated time period.)
• You will likely finish the test between 11:30 AM and 12:00 PM.
• The test will last two and a half hours and includes two breaks that you give yourself.
• Testing time clock will be per test section (or subtest) and will begin once you begin that test section.

Test Sections (Subtests) & Rest Periods

• Verbal Skills:18 minutes
• Quantitative Skills: 30 minutes
• Two minute break
• Reading (comprehension and vocabulary): 25 minutes
• Mathematics: 45 minutes
• Five minute break
• Language: 25 minutes

• Pay attention to your time. The test is designed to have you use the time allotted.
• Work diligently and efficiently, don’t dwell on one question too long, feel free to move on to the next question if you don’t know the answer.
• Use the scratch paper and pencil you’ve placed in your testing space to work out mathematics problems or make notes (you will shred and dispose of these papers after the exam).
• If you have time, check over your work in the test section prior to clicking "Finish."
• Once you click "Finish," you may not go back into that particular test section so be sure you are ready to move on before you click “Finish.”
• You are ready for this based on all the material you’ve learned leading up to and in 8th grade
• Take a deep breath and relax – you’ll do great!