Comparing the CPS HSAT, HSPT, and ISEE: A Look at the Most Common High School Entrance Exams

Families applying to high schools in Chicago often hear about the CPS HSAT, HSPT, and ISEE, but these exams are used for different types of schools, and vary in content, length, and administration. Understanding the differences can make the admissions process much less confusing and simplify preparation. 

The CPS HSAT, or CPS High School Admissions Test, is the entrance exam for Chicago Selective Enrollment High Schools in Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Students applying to schools like Walter Payton, Northside, Whitney Young, or Jones take this exam during 8th grade, typically in October. The test is relatively short compared to other admissions exams, lasting only 60 minutes, and features only two sections: Math and Reading. It is designed to measure how well students have mastered middle school academics rather than advanced reasoning or vocabulary, and students take it online. As such, often, the biggest challenge students face is time management. Since students only get 30 minutes for 25 reading questions and multiple passages, and 30 minutes for approximately 39 math questions, moving quickly, but accurately, through the exam is an important skill for students taking the test to develop. Learn more about the CPS HSAT here.

The HSPT, or High School Placement Test, is the entrance exam commonly used by Catholic high schools. In the Chicago area, schools such as Loyola Academy, St. Ignatius, Fenwick, and DePaul Prep use HSPT scores as part of admissions decisions; many of these schools also use the HSPT to determine decisions around scholarships and financial aid. Note that most Chicago parochial high schools require students to sit for the exam, which is taken in December of a student's 8th-grade year, at the school to be considered for admission or scholarships (learn more about individual school requirements here). The HSPT is longer and much more fast-paced than the CPS HSAT. In addition to Math and Reading sections, similar to those on the CPS HSAT, it includes Verbal Skills, Quantitative Reasoning, and Language sections that test vocabulary, grammar, and mathematical reasoning/logic. Many students find the pacing challenging because so many questions are packed into a relatively short amount of time: students have 16 minutes to answer 60 questions on the Verbal Skills section, 30 minutes for 52 questions on the Quantitative Reasoning section, 25 minutes for 62 questions on the  Reading section, 30 minutes for 64 questions on the Math section, and 25 minutes for 60 questions on the Language section. Some schools also add an optional essay or science section. The entire exam takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete, not including additional sections, and is administered via paper/pencil. This results in an exam that requires high stamina and an extreme level of focus from students throughout the duration of the test. Learn more about the HSPT here.

The ISEE, or Independent School Entrance Exam, is used by many private and independent schools across the country, including in Chicago. Unlike the CPS HSAT, the ISEE places a stronger emphasis on reasoning and problem-solving skills in addition to academic knowledge. It includes Verbal Reasoning (20 minutes, 40 questions), Quantitative Reasoning (35 minutes, 37 questions), Reading Comprehension (35 minutes, 36 questions), and Math (40 minutes, 47 questions) sections, as well as an optional unscored Essay (1 prompt, 30 minutes). Many families consider the ISEE the most academically demanding of the three exams, because of its advanced vocabulary and reasoning components. Not including the additional essay portion, the exam runs a total of 2 hours and 10 minutes, and is typically offered online (though there is a paper/pencil option), with options to take the test in the fall, winter, and spring/summer. Learn more about the ISEE here.

Although all three are admissions tests, each is designed for a different school system. Students applying to multiple types of schools will need to take more than one exam, which is why it is important for families to understand which test each school requires and what differentiates them before beginning the admissions process. Though there is some overlap in terms of content, preparing for these exams presents different challenges. Test Prep Chicago can help your student prepare for any combination of exams that they plan to take. With the end of the school year just around the corner, now is the right time to get started! Parents can view our 8th-Grade HSEE Prep course offerings for the summer here and our one-day workshops for HSEE Prep here. Students can also sign up for individual tutoring for any combination of HSEEs here.

CPS Selective Enrollment Process: What You Need To Know

The Selective Enrollment High School (SEHS) admissions process for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) uses students' High School Admissions Test (HSAT) scores and final 7th grade scores in math, English, science, and social studies to determine eligibility. Each applicant is ranked using this criteria to match students with the highest-ranked school on their GoCPS application that still has available seats.

Admission begins by awarding the top 30% of seats to students with the highest overall points, regardless of socioeconomic tier. The remaining 70% of seats are evenly divided among four tier groups, with placement based on point rankings within each tier.

Students can receive only one selective enrollment offer—their highest-ranked match. Once offered a seat, they are removed from consideration for all lower-ranked programs and cannot be waitlisted for any selective enrollment programs, even if ranked higher. If no offer is made, students are waitlisted for all eligible programs to which they have applied. Tiebreakers are applied in this order: HSAT Math score, then HSAT Reading score, and finally, a computerized random lottery.

We offer 8-week group courses to prepare students for the CPS High School Admissions Test (HSAT), Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE), and Parochial School Entrance Exam (HSPT). Our course prepares students for these tests by focusing on math, reading comprehension, and test-taking strategies. To register your student for one of our courses, click here. We also offer 1-day palooza workshops where students can take a practice exam and review the answers with a skilled instructor. To register your student for one of our paloozas, click here. Finally, we offer individual tutoring, which can begin at any time. You can see our tutoring rates by clicking here. 

CPS and Catholic School Application Process

CPS Applications

All high school and elementary students who wish to apply to CPS schools outside of their neighborhood must apply through GoCPS. Families are required to rank their top choice schools and apply by the extended deadline of December 15th at 5:00 PM. The ranking process requires applicants to order their top 20 choice programs or top 6 selective enrollment schools. Applicants can be offered one choice school option and one selective enrollment option.  Students applying to selective enrollment schools or academic centers are required to participate in the testing requirements while all other applicants will be chosen via an independent lottery system or audition process. All offers will be announced in the spring of 2025.

Catholic School Applications

Students looking to test into Catholic Schools are required to complete their applications prior to the coming holiday break. While most students have already completed the required testing for exams, all remaining application requirements must be completed in the coming weeks to be considered for the 2025-26 school year. Students who were unable to test on their originally scheduled test date will be able to attend a make-up test on December 14th at specific schools such as St. Patrick’s and De La Salle.

Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

CPS High School Admissions Test Dates Announced

CPS recently announced test dates for the CPS High School Admissions Test (CPS HSAT). 8th graders are required to take this exam to test into Selective Enrollment High Schools. This year, CPS students will take the exam at their school on October 9th while alternative language students will take the exam on October 15th. 

Non-CPS students will have the option to take the exam in the following weeks at a CPS testing center. They will choose to test on October 19th, 20th, 26th, or 27th. You can find a list of all testing dates below.

CPS HSAT Test Dates
Wednesday, October 9 (For CPS Students)
Tuesday, October 15 (For Alternative Language Testing)
Saturday, October 19 (For non-CPS Students)
Sunday, October 20 (For non-CPS Students)
Saturday, October 26 (For non-CPS Students)
Sunday, October 27 (For non-CPS Students)

Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator

kayley@testprepchicago.com

312-848-1266

CPS High School Admissions Test Paused Due to Technical Difficulties

Due to technical difficulties, CPS has delayed High School Admissions Testing for many public schools across the city. In an email today to principals and network leadership, CPS assessment officials stated that many schools were experiencing technical issues with the testing platform.

Some schools were able to access the test with no issues. In email communications, it was indicated that students who finish the test today will be able to use their scores in their GoCPS applications. Any school that experienced difficulties was instructed to stop testing and wait for a rescheduled date, which will be shared “as soon as possible”.

Anna Jordan, Tutoring Coordinator
anna@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266