HSPT vs ISEE vs SSAT - What's the difference? (Updated)

Last Updated On: July 1st, 2024

If your child is applying to independent or Catholic schools, you are probably familiar with the different entrance exams that schools utilize to help select students for admission– primarily the HSPT for Catholic schools, and the SSAT or ISEE for independent private schools. These tests serve to gauge the applicant’s academic level compared to their peers and help admissions officers decide whether or not the student will be able to keep up with the school’s curriculum.

To prep or not to prep?

Some schools discourage preparing for these entrance exams in order to more accurately assess the student’s aptitude. While it’s certainly understandable why a school might want all applicants to test naturally without preparation, the fact remains that a lot of applicants will utilize tutoring services and prep classes to raise their testing scores. Since scores are not based on the number of questions answered correctly, but rather on how students score in comparison to peers, even advanced students will want some level of preparation for these exams. For many, this standardized test will be the first test which covers such advanced topics and takes over two hours, so becoming familiar with the types of questions covered and the allotted time for each section will help to assuage nerves associated with these often intimidating tests. All standardized tests have similar test-taking strategies, so the same skills that your child will acquire while preparing for these entrance exams will be used again when preparing for the SAT or ACT later on.

What will the test look like?

Here is an example of a verbal question and a math question released by the creators of the ISEE exam. These questions are for students in 8th grade applying to high school.
1. The article on gene splicing was so ——- that only a handful of the students were able to understand it.
(A) contrite
(B) esoteric
(C) functional
(D) genuine
2. What is the solution set for x² + 49 = 0?
(A) 7
(B) 7i
(C) ±7
(D) ±7i

(Correct Answers: 1. B, 2. D)

If your eighth grade student has not yet been exposed to vocabulary of this level and math of this caliber, a good test-taker can still use strategies to eliminate wrong answers and increase their chances of correctly answering challenging questions. For more sample ISEE questions for Lower, Middle, and Upper Levels, check out our free question bank here: ISEE Concepts

Category	HSPT	ISEE	SSAT
Levels	The HSPT has only one level and is used for entrance into grade 9.	Primary Level entering grades 2-3 Lower Level entering grades 4-5 Middle Level entering grades 6-8 Upper Level entering grades 9-12	Elementary Level entering grades 5-6 Middle Level entering grades 7-8 Upper Level entering grades 9-12
Total Testing Time	2 hours 21 minutes	Primary Level 2 53 minutes + untimed essay Primary Level 3 & 4 60 minutes + untimed essay Lower Level 2 hours 20 minutes Middle Level 2 hours 40 minutes Upper Level 2 hours 40 minutes	Elementary Level 1 hour 35 minutes Middle Level 2 hours 50 minutes Upper Level 2 hours 50 minutes
Components	Verbal Quantitative Reading Mathematics Language Science* Religion* Mechanical Aptitude*	Verbal Quantitative Reading Mathematics Essay (unscored)	Mathematics Verbal Reading Essay (unscored)
Scoring	Ranges from 200-800 Schools will look more closely at the percentile rank	Ranges from 760-940 Schools will look more closely at the percentile rank or stanine (1-9)	Elementary Level Ranges from 300-600 Middle Level Ranges from 440-710 Upper Level Ranges from 500-800
Guessing Penalty	Points are not deducted for an incorrect answer Points are not deducted for a blank answer This means you should always make an educated guess!	Points are not deducted for an incorrect answer Points are not deducted for a blank answer This means you should always make an educated guess!	Points are deducted for an incorrect answer Points are not deducted for a blank answer Consult a tutor/teacher to find the best strategy for you!
Question Types	Multiple Choice (4 answer choices)	Lower Level Multiple Choice (4 answer choices) Essay Middle/Upper Level Multiple Choice (4 answer choices) Quantitative Comparison Essay	Multiple Choice (5 answer choices) Essay The Verbal section includes analogies, unlike the HSPT or ISEE.
Difficulty	Overall, the HSPT tends to be the easiest of the three tests.	The ISEE’s math sections tend to be difficult, even for advanced students.	The SSAT can be challenging but reasonable for well-prepared students.
Test Dates/Locations	Dates: Usually in January (check each school/testing site for specific dates) Location: The school you are applying to or online at-home	Dates: Multiple dates between November & April** Location: A testing center (typically a school or Prometric center) or online at-home	Dates: Once a month between October & June, except May Location: A testing center (typically a school or Prometric center) or online at-home

*The Science, Religion, and Essay sections of the HSPT may or may not be required by the school to which the student is applying. Contact each individual school for further details .
**The ISEE can only be taken once every testing season and must be submitted to a school.

When should my child start preparing?

It’s a good idea to identify target schools at least a year before the application process begins. Once you’ve done that, have your child take a diagnostic test! Once you know their baseline score, you can figure out how much preparation will be needed to bring that score up to the acceptance range of the target schools. Who knows? Your child may already be well within the range you’re shooting for! Either way, it’s a good idea to know where they stands before preparation begins so that you can utilize time wisely. Once you’ve come up with a preparation strategy, a tutor can be helpful to teach your child any missing concepts and strategies. Preparing for entrance exams, whether it’s for an independent or parochial school, can be overwhelming for not just the student but his/her family as well. For a FREE diagnostic test and consultation, click here or call 866.60.TUTOR today!

Final thoughts…

Admissions offices will supply you with all the information needed in regards to deadlines and testing requirements. No matter which test your child is planning to take, definitely have him/her take a diagnostic test first. Most students who sit for these tests are bound to be newcomers to the standardized-test experience, and it’s important to know where they are starting so that you can help them get to where they need to be. We have a great library of free SSAT, HSPT, and ISEE Resources on our website for student’s use. Bear in mind that, as with college exams, admissions offices of independent and parochial schools will be looking at much more than JUST entrance exams – with good planning, a lot of practice, and guidance from an expert tutor, your child will be well prepared!