The Mullen High School writing exercise is one of the least-talked-about parts of the entire admissions process — and one of the most consequential. Most Denver families spend September through December drilling HSPT math and vocabulary. Then January arrives, the family interview wraps up, and their 8th grader is handed a blank sheet of paper and an unfamiliar prompt.
I've seen students freeze in that moment simply because no one told them it was coming. This guide gives you the full picture: what the HSPT and the on-site writing exercise actually involve, when to start preparing, and how to practice so your child walks into that January interview ready for both.
Mullen High School Admissions Testing: Quick Facts
- Test names: HSPT (High School Placement Test) + On-site Writing Exercise
- Official HSPT date: Saturday, December 6, 2025 (shared across Denver Catholic high schools)
- Practice HSPT at Mullen: September 14 and October 12, 2025 (registered applicants only)
- Application deadline: December 12, 2025 (Class of 2030)
- Admissions interviews + writing exercise: Two Saturdays in January 2026
- Tuition assistance notifications: February 13, 2026
- HSPT format: 298 multiple-choice questions across 5 sections, approximately 2 hours 21 minutes timed (~2.5 hours with breaks)
- Calculators: NOT permitted — no exceptions
- Wrong-answer penalty: None — answer every question
- Writing exercise: Not scored by the HSPT; evaluated separately by Mullen admissions at the January interview
- Location: Mullen High School, Denver, CO
- Admissions info: mullenhigh.com/admissions/application-process
What Is the Mullen High School Writing Exercise — and Why Does It Matter?
Immediately after your family's January admissions interview, Mullen asks your child to complete a brief timed writing exercise on-site. No prompt is given in advance. No outside materials are allowed. Your child writes cold, in an unfamiliar room, minutes after a high-stakes conversation with a Mullen faculty member or administrator.
The writing sample is not scored by the HSPT algorithm. It is reviewed directly by Mullen's admissions team alongside every other factor in your child's file. Because most families don't prepare for it, the students who do walk in noticeably more confident — and it shows on the page.
Mullen's admissions team looks for authentic student voice and clear organization above grammatical perfection. A focused paragraph with a clear point of view impresses reviewers more than a polished essay that sounds coached. That means the goal of preparation is fluency and confidence under pressure — not memorized vocabulary lists or formulaic five-paragraph templates. When your child has written 15 timed essays before January, the blank page doesn't feel threatening. That's what practice actually does.
The Mullen High School admissions writing sample is administered on one of two interview Saturdays in January. Your child will not know the prompt beforehand. Persuasive, expository, and narrative formats are all possible. Practice all three styles in the months before January — and if you want structured prompts to work from, our Essay Writing Practice Tests cover all three formats under timed conditions.
Mullen High School Interview Prep: What to Expect in January
The Mullen admissions interview is a personal and family meeting conducted by Mullen faculty, staff, or administration. It is not a standardized evaluation — it is a conversation. Mullen wants to see genuine interest in the school's Lasallian Catholic mission, evidence of good character, and a student who is ready for a rigorous college-prep environment.
Prepare your child to speak about why they want to attend Mullen specifically — not just "good academics" or "college prep." A student who can mention Mullen's Lasallian values (faith, service, community, and inclusive concern for all) or reference a specific Mullen program like their service-learning opportunities or the Brothers of the Christian Schools tradition makes a real impression. Generic answers are forgettable. Specific, honest answers stick.
Spend about 20 minutes reviewing Mullen's mission and at least two or three specific programs or values your child connects with. That small investment pays off more than rehearsing generic interview answers about leadership and teamwork.
Immediately after this interview — likely while your child is still in the building — the writing exercise is administered. That sequence matters for how you prepare. Your child needs to shift from a relaxed, conversational mode into focused, solo writing mode within a few minutes. Practice that transition at home. Finish a mock interview conversation, then immediately sit down and write for 20 minutes without discussion or warm-up time.
In my experience, the families who prepare for the interview and the writing exercise as one continuous event — rather than two separate tasks — see a clear difference in how calm and organized their child is on the actual day.
Mullen High School HSPT Score Targets: What Is Competitive?
Mullen does not publish a minimum HSPT cutoff score. Based on community-reported results and Mullen's position as one of Denver's academically rigorous Lasallian Catholic college-prep schools, competitive applicants typically score at or above the 70th national percentile on the HSPT composite.
On the HSPT's 200–800 scaled score range, students admitted to selective Denver Catholic high schools frequently post composite scores between 650 and 750. Use 70th percentile as your preparation floor — not your ceiling. If your child scores below the 60th percentile on a practice HSPT, plan for focused preparation before December 6. That gap is closable with the right kind of practice, but it takes time.
The HSPT produces two composite scores: the Total Cognitive Skills composite (Verbal Skills + Quantitative Skills) and the Total Basic Skills composite (Reading + Math + Language). For Mullen's rigorous curriculum, strength in the Cognitive Skills composite — which measures reasoning, not memorized content — carries particular meaning. This is also the composite most students underprepare for.
How to Prepare for the HSPT Quantitative Skills and Verbal Skills Sections
The Quantitative Skills section (52 questions, 30 minutes) tests number series, geometric comparisons, and pattern recognition. The Verbal Skills section (60 questions, 16 minutes) tests analogies, synonyms, antonyms, logic, and classification. Neither section rewards memorized content. Both measure how quickly and accurately your child reasons through unfamiliar patterns and relationships.
Here is the thing most families miss about HSPT prep: drilling arithmetic facts will not improve a Quantitative Skills score. Drilling vocabulary lists will not improve a Verbal Skills score. What actually moves these scores is practice with the specific reasoning format — timed, under pressure, with feedback on what went wrong and why.
STEM-style critical thinking practice — number series, logical analogies, classification exercises, pattern deduction — is the most effective preparation approach for these two sections. Students who practice this type of structured reasoning for 20–30 minutes, three times per week, over 8–10 weeks consistently outperform peers who only reviewed math facts and grammar rules. I've watched this happen repeatedly with students who started their prep in September versus students who started in November. The September starters are simply faster and calmer on test day.
The Mathematics section (64 questions, 45 minutes) covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and problem-solving — calculators are not permitted. The Language section (60 questions, 25 minutes) covers grammar, punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and composition. These sections do reward content knowledge, so standard academic review applies. Prioritize Quantitative Skills and Verbal Skills first, since those are the sections that consistently surprise students who feel academically strong going in.
Your Month-by-Month Mullen Admissions Prep Plan: September Through January
Mullen's admissions calendar gives you a clear preparation runway if you use it intentionally. Here is what each month should look like.
- September: Submit your inquiry form and register for the September 14 Practice HSPT at Mullen. Begin weekly timed HSPT practice sessions — one per week minimum. Start weekly timed essay writing: 20 minutes, cold prompts, no edits.
- October: Use your September Practice HSPT results to find weak sections. If Quantitative Skills or Verbal Skills are below the 65th percentile, shift 60% of your prep time there. Attend the October 12 Practice HSPT if you missed September. Keep rotating persuasive, expository, and narrative essay prompts weekly.
- November: Increase HSPT practice to 3–4 sessions per week. Submit teacher assessments and counselor forms — give recommenders at least 3–4 weeks of lead time. Complete your application by the December 12 deadline. Confirm your December 6 test site (Mullen, if Mullen is your top choice).
- December: Official HSPT is December 6. Application deadline is December 12. In the final week before the test, ease up on new content and focus on timed practice under real test conditions. Keep one essay writing session per week going to maintain fluency.
- January: Interview Saturdays. In the week before your scheduled date, practice the interview-to-writing-exercise transition at home. Your child should walk in having written at least 12–16 timed essays since September.
Students who follow a structured month-by-month plan like this arrive at January interviews visibly more settled than peers who crammed in December. The writing exercise especially rewards students who have built real fluency — and fluency takes weeks, not days.
How Mullen Weighs Your Child's Full Admissions File: HSPT, Writing Sample, and More
Mullen's admissions decision is holistic. The HSPT composite and percentile ranking sit in the file alongside official transcripts from the previous two years plus first-semester 8th grade grades, a math teacher assessment, an English teacher assessment, a counselor or administrator assessment, attendance records, immunization records, discipline records, the family interview, and the on-site Mullen High School admissions writing sample.
No single factor is publicly weighted above the others. A student in good academic standing with strong teacher assessments, a confident interview, and a well-organized writing sample can present a compelling file even if their HSPT composite sits at the 65th percentile rather than the 80th. On the other side, a high HSPT score does not neutralize a poor discipline record or weak teacher assessments.
The Catholic high school admissions writing exercise carries real weight at Mullen for one specific reason: it is the only uncoached, real-time writing sample in the entire file. Every other component — transcripts, recommendations, even the HSPT — reflects performance over time or through a standardized lens. The writing exercise shows the admissions team exactly who your child is as a writer and thinker when no one is helping them. Reviewers notice the difference between a student who has practiced and a student who hasn't. That difference is visible in the first paragraph.
Frequently Asked Questions: Mullen High School Writing Exercise and Admissions Prep
Q: What is the Mullen High School writing exercise?
A: Immediately after the family admissions interview in January, Mullen applicants complete a brief timed on-site writing exercise. No outside materials are allowed, and students do not receive the prompt in advance. The writing sample is evaluated by Mullen admissions staff — not scored by the HSPT — and gives the school a direct, uncoached look at each student's written communication skills. Most families are surprised to learn this component exists at all, since it is not prominently described on most prep resources.
Q: How long is the Mullen writing exercise?
A: Prepare your child to write a focused, organized short essay in 20 minutes — that target gives a comfortable buffer regardless of the exact time Mullen sets on the day. Mullen does not publish an official time limit, but timed in-person writing samples at comparable Denver Catholic high schools typically run between 15 and 30 minutes. Training at 20 minutes covers every likely scenario.
Q: What writing styles should my 8th grader practice before the Mullen interview?
A: Persuasive, expository, and narrative styles are all possible prompt formats for the on-site writing exercise. Practice all three under timed conditions — 20 minutes, no edits, cold prompt. One timed essay per week from October through January adds up to roughly 12–16 practice sessions before your interview date. Pay extra attention to narrative writing — it is the format least covered by standard school assignments and the one that most often catches unprepared students off guard on the day.
Q: Can my child take the HSPT at a different Denver Catholic high school instead of Mullen?
A: Yes — all Denver-area Catholic high schools share a single HSPT date (December 6, 2025 for the Class of 2030). Students take the test at one school only, and scores are shared with other schools they apply to. Mullen strongly recommends testing at your top-choice school. Students who test at Mullen also complete the separate on-site writing exercise during the January interview — testing elsewhere does not eliminate the writing exercise requirement.
Q: What is a competitive HSPT score for Mullen High School?
A: Mullen does not publish a minimum cutoff. Based on community-reported data and Mullen's academically rigorous Lasallian college-prep profile, competitive applicants typically score at or above the 70th national percentile on the HSPT composite. Students admitted to selective Denver Catholic high schools frequently post composite scaled scores in the 650–750 range on the 200–800 HSPT scale. Treat the 70th percentile as your preparation floor, not your ceiling. Confirm score expectations directly with Mullen admissions — these are community-observed estimates.
Q: Does the Practice HSPT offered by Mullen in September or October count as the official test?
A: No. The Practice HSPT sessions on September 14 and October 12, 2025 are diagnostic preparation events for registered applicants only — they do not count as your child's official HSPT. The official HSPT is administered on December 6, 2025. Attending a practice session is highly recommended because Mullen has offered on-site registrants a 50% discount on practice test fees in prior cycles — confirm current pricing directly with Mullen admissions when you register.
Q: Can my child receive extended time on the HSPT at Mullen if they have an IEP or learning difference?
A: Testing accommodations on the HSPT are not automatically granted based on a public school IEP. Contact Mullen admissions directly — before the December 6 test date — to request accommodations and submit supporting documentation. Do not wait until November. Reach out as soon as your application is submitted, ideally in September or early October, so there is enough time to process your request properly.
Q: How much weight does the HSPT score carry compared to grades, the interview, and teacher recommendations?
A: Mullen uses holistic review. The HSPT composite and percentile sit alongside two years of official transcripts, math and English teacher assessments, a counselor or administrator assessment, attendance and discipline records, the family interview, and the on-site writing exercise. No single factor is publicly weighted above the others. A high HSPT score cannot fully offset weak teacher assessments, and a standout interview with a below-average HSPT score leaves a real gap. Both components need preparation.
Q: When will we receive an admissions decision after the January interview?
A: Mullen sends tuition assistance notifications on February 13, 2026. Admissions decisions follow the January interview cycle and historically arrive in February or March — no single exact decision date is published. Families who apply after the December 12 primary deadline may be reviewed on a rolling basis as space permits, which can push timelines later. Watch your email closely after February 13, as admissions letters typically follow the financial aid notification within a short window.
Practice Both Components Before December and January
Your child faces two distinct challenges in Mullen's admissions process: a 298-question reasoning test on December 6 and a cold timed writing exercise in January. Both require consistent practice. Neither rewards last-minute cramming.
Start with the HSPT. Our STEM Critical Thinking Practice Tests are built for the reasoning patterns tested in the HSPT's Quantitative Skills and Verbal Skills sections — number series, logical analogies, pattern recognition, and classification under timed conditions. These are the exact skills that separate high HSPT scorers from students who only drilled arithmetic facts. I've seen students gain 10–15 percentile points on these sections in 8 weeks of consistent practice. The reasoning skills are learnable — they just need the right kind of repetition.
Once your child has their HSPT prep routine set, add timed essay practice. Our Essay Writing Practice Tests give your 8th grader structured timed-writing sessions with unfamiliar prompts across persuasive, expository, and narrative formats — the same conditions they will face in Mullen's on-site writing exercise. Each session builds the fluency and organizational confidence that admissions reviewers notice immediately.
Use both together and your child walks into December and January having practiced every component Mullen actually evaluates.
