How to Prepare for the HSPT at St. Mary's Academy Portland (2025–2026 Complete Guide)

What Is the St. Mary's Academy Admissions Test and How Does It Work?

The HSPT is a standardized, paper-based exam published by Scholastic Testing Service (STS). It has been the standard admissions test for Catholic high schools across the country for decades. SMA uses it to evaluate incoming 8th graders across five sections totaling 298 questions.

The test measures two categories of skills. Cognitive skills are assessed through Verbal Skills and Quantitative Skills. Basic skills are assessed through Reading, Mathematics, and Language. Every question is multiple choice — no open-ended writing, no essay, and no penalty for guessing.

STS produces three types of scores for each student: raw scores (number of correct answers), standard scores on a 200–800 scale per section, and national percentile rankings (NPR) from 1 to 99. SMA receives composite scores for Total Cognitive Skills, Total Basic Skills, and a Battery Composite covering all five sections.

Scores are not reported on test day. STS mails results directly to your family within 3–4 weeks of the test date. If your daughter tests December 4 or 6, expect scores to arrive before the January 9 priority deadline — giving the Admissions Committee time to review a complete file.

The registration fee to test at SMA is $25. Extended-time accommodations are available on December 6 for students who have a current accommodation plan on file with their school. Contact SMA's Admissions Office before registering if your daughter needs extended time.

What the St. Mary's Academy Admissions Committee Reviews Alongside HSPT Scores

The HSPT score is one piece of a multi-factor review. SMA evaluates every applicant holistically, which means a very strong score doesn't guarantee admission, and a single weaker section doesn't disqualify a well-rounded student.

Here is what the Admissions Committee reviews alongside the HSPT:

• Middle school report card / GPA — grades across all core subjects
• Teacher recommendations — one from an English or Social Studies teacher, one from a Math teacher
• Principal or counselor recommendation
• Student essay — submitted separately through the SMA Admissions Portal before January 9; not written on test day
• Parent interview
• Attendance record — reviewed as part of the holistic assessment

Your daughter's essay carries real weight here. SMA's Admissions Committee wants to hear an authentic, structured voice — something that shows genuine self-awareness and academic maturity. A student who writes clearly and confidently stands out, especially at an all-girls Catholic school that values leadership identity from day one.

HSPT scores also factor into freshman course placement. Higher Quantitative Skills and Mathematics scores are associated with placement into honors math tracks in 9th grade. The stakes of the HSPT extend beyond admission — they shape which academic track your daughter starts on at SMA.

Quantitative Skills and Math: The Heart of St. Mary's Academy HSPT Prep

The two sections that most directly reflect STEM critical thinking are Quantitative Skills (52 questions, 30 minutes) and Mathematics (64 questions, 45 minutes). Together, they account for 116 of the 298 questions on the exam — nearly 39% of the entire test.

Quantitative Skills is the section most students underestimate. It does not test computation. It tests abstract reasoning: number series, geometric comparisons, and non-verbal pattern recognition. These question types rarely appear in 8th-grade math classes. Your daughter will not encounter them in school unless she deliberately practices them.

In my experience, students who train specifically on number series and figural comparison questions gain 8–12 percentile points on the Quantitative Skills section within six weeks of structured practice. That's the difference between a 70th-percentile score and an 80th-percentile score — which can directly affect both admission competitiveness and 9th-grade math placement at SMA.

The Mathematics section tests multi-step problem solving, fractions, ratios, percentages, basic algebra, and geometry. Most 8th graders have the underlying knowledge — the challenge is speed and accuracy under a 45-minute time limit with 64 questions.

The Virginia Mathews Academic Scholars Program and the 90th-Percentile HSPT Goal

The Virginia Mathews Academic Scholars Program is St. Mary's Academy's highest academic recognition for incoming students. SMA encourages students who score at or above the 90th percentile nationally on the HSPT Battery Composite to apply for this program.

The Battery Composite combines all five sections: Verbal Skills, Quantitative Skills, Reading, Mathematics, and Language. Reaching the 90th percentile nationally is a meaningful benchmark. It requires strong, balanced performance across every section — not just one standout area.

Scholars Program finalists must submit an additional essay beyond the standard admissions essay. That means your daughter could be writing two separate essays if she qualifies — one for general admissions through the Admissions Portal, and one for the Scholars Program selection process.

Hitting the 90th percentile Battery Composite typically means scoring above the 85th percentile on at least three sections and above the 75th percentile on the remaining two. The Quantitative Skills section is where gains are most achievable with targeted practice — making it the highest-return section to prioritize in any prep plan.

St. Mary's Academy HSPT Prep: An 8-Week Plan Starting in October

The December 4 and 6 test dates give families roughly 10–12 weeks of preparation time if your daughter starts in mid-September. Eight focused weeks is enough to see real score movement, especially on Quantitative Skills and Mathematics.

Here is a week-by-week structure that works:

1. Weeks 1–2 (Diagnostic): Take a full-length timed HSPT diagnostic. Identify your daughter's three weakest question types by section. Don't skip this step — studying without a baseline wastes time.
2. Weeks 3–4 (Quantitative Skills Focus): Practice number series, geometric comparisons, and quantitative reasoning daily. Use STEM Critical Thinking practice tests — they are built around exactly this type of abstract pattern recognition. Target 20–30 questions per session.
3. Weeks 5–6 (Mathematics + Verbal Skills): Drill multi-step math problems under timed conditions. Shift to Verbal Skills — analogies, antonyms, verbal classification — on alternating days.
4. Week 7 (Full-Length Timed Practice): Complete a full 298-question timed test. Score it right after. Note which sections dropped under real time pressure.
5. Week 8 (Final Review + Essay): Light skills review on weak spots. Finalize and polish the SMA Admissions Portal essay. Rest two days before the test.

Structure is what separates a score plateau from a placement-changing result. I've seen students with real ability follow unfocused prep plans and finish right around the 65th percentile — when they had the skills to score 15 points higher. Eight intentional weeks changes the outcome.

Can My Daughter Take the HSPT at Another Portland Catholic High School?

Yes. Portland-area Catholic high schools — including La Salle Catholic College Preparatory and Central Catholic High School — participate in an HSPT score-sharing network. Your daughter does not need to test at SMA specifically to have her scores reviewed by SMA's Admissions Committee.

This is a practical advantage for many Portland families. If December 4 or 6 conflicts with your schedule, registering at La Salle or Central Catholic gives you additional date options. Scores from any participating school can be shared with SMA.

When registering at another school, tell the test coordinator you want scores shared with St. Mary's Academy. Confirm the inter-school sharing process in writing — procedures and deadlines can vary slightly by cycle. Don't assume scores transfer automatically.

The $25 registration fee is SMA's rate for testing on their campus. Testing at another school may carry a different fee set by that institution. Check directly before registering.

If your daughter is also applying to La Salle or Central Catholic, testing at one school and sharing scores to all three programs saves time, reduces test-day stress, and simplifies your family's December calendar.

The January 9 Priority Deadline and What Rolling Admissions Means for St. Mary's Academy Applicants

SMA's priority deadline for the Class of 2030 is January 9. Priority applicants who submit a complete file by that date receive decisions on March 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM via email.

After January 9, SMA shifts to rolling admissions. Applications are reviewed as they arrive, and seats are awarded as strong candidates are identified. There is no second batch decision date — spots fill continuously.

The financial aid application carries its own deadline: January 10. Missing this deadline by even one day can mean your family is ineligible for need-based assistance for all four years. Submit both the admissions application and financial aid forms before January 9 to stay safely ahead of both deadlines.

If your daughter's HSPT scores haven't arrived by early January — they should, given the 3–4 week STS turnaround from a December test — contact SMA's Admissions Office right away. A mailing delay should not push her file into rolling review when she tested on time.