Varsity Tutors can help your child get ready for the HSPT with an in-depth HSPT course. Taking an HSPT class gives your child the opportunity to work directly with an expert on the material they need to know before taking their exam. Continue reading for more information on how HSPT courses can add to your student's study plan. Or, get in touch with us today if you're ready to sign them up.
The High School Placement Test, or HSPT, is an exam that is typically taken by eighth graders who are seeking admission into a private or independent high school. High schools nationwide have been using the HSPT for over fifty years. A student's exam score may also influence whether or not they are chosen for competitive scholarships at these schools. HSPT classes could help your child develop a more effective and efficient study plan in the build-up to their examination.
Here's some more information on the different types of HSPT exams that are available to take:
- Closed HSPT - standardized national exam with a new edition released each year, scored by STS.
- Open HSPT - available to schools to purchase and handle scoring locally, allowing for additional exam customization at the school level
- Pre-HSPT - 7th-grade version of the Closed HSPT suitable as a way for students to warm up for the real HSPT the following year
When you sign your child up for an HSPT prep course, you can feel confident that they'll get the help they need to reach for more of their academic potential. Your student will get to work with their instructor through a series of one-on-one lessons. They can work through each lesson at their own pace and stop to get additional guidance with a challenging topic whenever they need to. Your child's HSPT prep class will also provide them with a customized study plan based on their specific areas of strength and weakness. This level of individualization in the learning process can be hard to find through other test preparation resources. For instance, if your student has a hard time with math, their tutor can spend extra time covering the math topics they need to know before taking the HSPT. Your child will be able to avoid having to work through material that they may already understand.
These are some of the topics that your child will encounter while taking their HSPT examination:
- Verbal skills
- Cognitive skills
- Reading
- Math
- Language
- Science (optional)
- Catholic religion (optional)

Kaan: HSPT course instructor
...helping kids with any problem related to Math and science. After focusing on my own academic career in college, I came back into tutoring with almost 4 more years of studying under my belt ready to get kids to want to learn. I pride myself getting students to be as confident in their answers, as I am in mine. My area of expertise ranges from algebra to physics to test prep and even basic Spanish....
Education & Certification
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Current Undergrad, Electrical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- ACT
- SSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +41 subjects

Luke: HSPT course instructor
...the teaching skills that I learned from guiding climbing. I worked with students in a variety of subjects from math, to history, to writing. In every subject, I was able to help lead my students into developing their own critical thinking skills. I also encountered some of the same fear that I saw from people 100 feet up a rock face. I used my guiding experience to help one student overcome what had become a...
Education & Certification
- Colorado College - Bachelors, Philosophy
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- ISEE
- ACT
- SSAT
- +39 subjects

Julie: HSPT course instructor
...have changed my life and I hope to instill the same passion I have for the written word within all my students! I have been teaching both high school and middle school in Philadelphia for the past five years. I have taught reading intervention and seen many of my students make enormous gains. I am in the process of being certified in the Wilson System of reading, which is a rigorous and research based intervention...
Education & Certification
- Fordham University - Bachelor in Arts, Sociology
- University of Pennsylvania - Masters, Urban Education
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT
- ISEE
- +26 subjects

Jeffrey: HSPT course instructor
...overwhelming. But you really can be prepared. Careful, concept-oriented preparation can help ensure that students don’t run into anything radically new on exam day. My preparation strategy aims to give students the instruction they need to recognize as many problem types as possible. Sitting for a standardized test can be a stressful experience for many people. I try to give students a firm toolkit of techniques and tactics so that they do not have to...
Education & Certification
- University of Washington - Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- SAT
- SSAT
- Advanced Placement
- +34 subjects

Diptesh: HSPT course instructor
...science tutoring as well as standardized exam preparation. In the past, I have helped students achieve significant improvements and success on the SAT, SHSAT, Regents and other exams! I truly believe education is a mutual learning and teaching opportunity and enjoy helping my students achieve a thorough understanding (those "Aha!" moments) and appreciation of whatever they choose to study! In the future, I seek to pursue clinical and pedagogical medicine and enjoy biking, skateboarding, dancing,...
Education & Certification
- New York University - Bachelor of Science, Global Public Health & Chemistry
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- SHSAT
- SAT
- SSAT
- +88 subjects

Naama: HSPT course instructor
...live once, and I really do learn something new every day. Of all the jobs I've had while pursuing music and art, I've found that teaching is the one in which I have the most to offer and that gives me the most in return. I believe that confidence is the largest factor in success at anything, and preparation leads to confidence. This applies to the SAT test; it applies to performing a concert; it...
Education & Certification
- New York University - Bachelor in Arts, Psychology
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- ACT
- SAT
- SSAT
- +41 subjects

John: HSPT course instructor
I graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC in 2008, the oldest English speaking acting conservatory in the world. I graduated Summa from University of St Thomas with a BA in English, and just wrapped up a MS in Data Science from Northwestern. I'm a huge Red Sox fan and love watching detective shows when I have free time.... Positivity. Always. I believe that if a student is given positive tools and is allowed to understand the material rather than be lectured at, they're more likely to do well in the future.
Education & Certification
- American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Associates, Acting
- University of St. Thomas - Bachelor of Fine Arts, English/Drama
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- SAT Subject Tests
- STAAR
- ISEE
- +110 subjects

Sean: HSPT course instructor
...have been tutoring for more than 6 years. For 2.5 years, I taught math to Cornell Engineering undergraduates, and I looked forward to it every week! On Varsity Tutors, I tutor up to college level mathematics and physics, test prep (including AP courses, and SAT reading/writing). Explaining difficult math and science concepts in plain English is my forte. I love teaching and will be glad to help anyone become an independent learner.... Teach students to teach themselves, and to love the act of learning itself.
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Bachelor of Science, Engineering Physics
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- SSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- ISEE
- +67 subjects

Sheena: HSPT course instructor
...rephrase questions and bring them back in ways that each student is interested in to see maximum results. Most importantly, I find ways to make the material interesting and easily relatable to my students. A personal investment in material is a great way to see progress! Aside from learning and teaching, I love traveling (I recently visited Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia and plan to go to South Africa in a bit), cooking/baking, and dancing. I...
Education & Certification
- Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College - Bachelors, Economics, Chinese
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- SAT
- SHSAT
- SSAT
- +48 subjects

Amy: HSPT course instructor
...neuroscience. Since college, I have continued tutoring students on a weekly basis in a wide variety of subjects. I graduated from Middlebury College in 2012 with High Honors in Neuroscience, and now plan to attend medical school. I am a diligent worker and consistently ensure that I am prepared to meet the student's needs. I am exceptionally patient and excellent at developing creative ways for learning when I see a student needs a new approach....
Education & Certification
- Middlebury College - Bachelors, Neuroscience
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- TACHS
- SHSAT
- SSAT
- +60 subjects

Paige: HSPT course instructor
...about the subjects that I tutor, which include mathematics, standardized testing preparation, reading, English, writing, and basic French, and I firmly believe that anyone can master these topics with the proper guidance. I incorporate various methods of tutoring, including showing many examples, giving thorough explanations, and prompting students with questions to help facilitate the correct thought process. I love helping students and seeing their knowledge and understanding grow as we work together.
Education & Certification
- The University of Tennessee - Current Undergrad, Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- ISEE
- ACT
- SSAT
- +53 subjects

Alexandra: HSPT course instructor
...to a tutor because the traditional classroom method is not best suited for their learning needs. There is nothing more joyful than when a student finally understands the material in a way that makes sense to them. Many times, students need flexibility and patience in order to grasp a foreign concept. I am a firm believer in the power of education and I hope to share my love of learning with all of my students....
Education & Certification
- University of North Texas - Bachelor in Arts, Creative Writing
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- GCSE
- SAT
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- +308 subjects

Daniel: HSPT course instructor
...ACT and SAT. I am very patient, and I enjoy working with students. When I tutor a student, I try to discover the root of the problem, usually a misunderstood or inadequately explained concept. Once I find the problem area, I can explain it as clearly and as simply as possible. If the student doesn't "get" the explanation the first time, I am willing to spend as much time on the concept as the student...
Education & Certification
- University of Dallas - Current Undergrad, Mathematics/Science
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- ACT
- SSAT
- PSAT
- +36 subjects

Emmelina: HSPT course instructor
...know the small things to practice and hone as well as the appropriate work schedule to help students not only understand the material or tests, but be able to noticeably improve their scores and cognitive skills. In high school I tutored students for the SHSAT as well as provided homework help after school near Stuyvesant HS. In college in Chicago, I also volunteer-tutored local kids as well as worked as an educational consultant and private...
Education & Certification
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Bachelor in Arts, Environmental Science
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- SAT Subject Tests
- MAP
- SAT
- +51 subjects

Moriah: HSPT course instructor
...but have at times assisted students in the math and science portions as well usually one-on-one. I strongly believe that every students has their own style of learning and must learn at their own pace. Although, sometimes giving them too much leeway may not always be the best solution, I am there to also provide encouragement and challenge to make the learning process enjoyable and beneficial. Apart from work, I do enjoy reading, jogging, exploring...
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Bachelor in Arts, Music
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- PSAT
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
- +61 subjects

Jacob: HSPT course instructor
...I loved my time in primary and secondary school and hope to instill my excitement for learning into my tutees. While sometimes tests (both standardized and otherwise) can be tricky and decrease students' faith in themselves, I am certain that, with a little confidence boost, any student can make great strides with their coursework. As a teacher, I offer patience, humor, and brevity. I have enjoyed the time I've spent getting students to become engaged,...
Education & Certification
- Wesleyan University - Bachelors, Music and Biology
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- ISEE
- SAT
- TACHS
- +68 subjects

Michelle: HSPT course instructor
...of teaching international folk dance to middle schoolers, which involves learning geography and social studies, tutoring in middle-school and high-school classrooms, teaching English as a second language to adults, and one-on-one tutoring in Math and Language Arts. I tutor Math up through Algebra II, middle and high school English & grammar, and the core subjects of middle school. My intent, when tutoring, is to responsively connect with students, so that they can engage in understanding...
Education & Certification
- Oregon State University - Bachelor in Arts, Sociology
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- GED
- ACT
- SSAT
- +50 subjects

Janet: HSPT course instructor
As an educator for 20 years in both the US and Canada, I enjoying working with students of all ages. With a background in Special Education and tutoring for test prep (GED, ACT, SAT), I have a heart for those who find it difficult to succeed in the classroom. It is my passion to encourage students and help them learn strategies to succeed in their education and in life. ... All students have the ability to learn, so the challenge, as a teacher or tutor, is to understand how the student learns best. Utilizing that learning style, I desire to encourage the student and provide opportunities for the student to succeed. Beyond the current learning style, I believe it is important to equip the student with skills to learn in any classroom environment which they may encounter. Critical thinking skills are equally important to prepare the student for both classroom success and life.
Education & Certification
- Moody Bible Institue - Bachelors, International Mnistries
- Lamar University - Masters, School Counseling
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- SAT
- PSAT
- STAAR EOC
- +64 subjects

Thomas: HSPT course instructor
...with both programs has helped me commit to an atmosphere of persistent evaluation and improvement. My performance studies including the opportunities I've had to artistically direct the work of other actors have granted me tools to adapt my interpersonal strategies and create a rich, varied instructional style. As in the classroom, it is of utmost importance in the rehearsal space to unconditionally validate the contributions of students. Through my work on- and off-stage, I have...
Education & Certification
- Duke University - Bachelors, Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- SSAT
- SAT
- SHSAT
- +53 subjects

Ben : HSPT course instructor
...test prep, but my foremost strength is the three sections of the SAT. I have roughly three years of experience tutoring and last year taught a test prep class. My approach to tutoring is to identify a students strengths and build upon them through frequent quizzes and reflective analysis. Additionally, having just gone through the college admissions process, I am privy to its length and complexity so can lend advice on anything, namely essays. I...
Education & Certification
- Kenyon College - Bachelor in Arts, Philosophy
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT
- SSAT
- +137 subjects