CPS HSAT Test Prep in Chicago

Gateway to Chicago’s Selective Enrollment High Schools

The path to one of Chicago's best high schools starts with a key step: the CPS High School Admissions Test (HSAT). This is no ordinary standardized test; it's an important milestone that may determine the academic fate of your child. Scoring well on the HSAT gives your child access to unparalleled educational opportunities, but the pressure is on because the HSAT can only be taken once – retakes are not allowed.

Adding to the pressure is the considerable amount of material to learn, which is why getting an early start is so important. Don't procrastinate; give your child every chance to approach the HSAT in confidence!

Jump to a Section

1. Understanding the CPS High School Admissions Test (HSAT)

2. CPS HSAT Test Structure & Content

3. HSAT Prep Challenges Students Face

4. Chicago Home Tutor’s HSAT Test Prep Program

5. Testimonials

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

7. Give your child the Selective Enrollment edge

What is the HSAT?

The CPS High School Admissions Test (HSAT) is the school's official entrance exam, which Chicago Public Schools administers to students who are applying to its highly competitive Selective Enrollment High Schools. It's a comprehensive test meant to assess a student's preparedness for a challenging high school curriculum.

Why is the HSAT So Crucial?

The HSAT is not just a test; it helps determine your child's high school assignment and, by extension, their academic path ahead.

• Gateway to Top-Tier Selective Enrollment High Schools: An excellent HSAT score is most important for securing admission into Chicago's 11 top CPS Selective Enrollment High Schools such as Walter Payton College Preparatory High School, Northside College Preparatory High School, Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, Jones College Prep, Lane Tech College Prep High School, Lindblom Math and Science Academy, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. College Preparatory High School, Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy, John Hancock College Preparatory High School, South Shore International College Preparatory High School,  George Westinghouse College Prep. These elite schools are known for:

• Academic Excellence: Providing rigorous coursework, challenging curricula, and a rich learning atmosphere that prepares students for elite colleges.

• Exceptional Resources: Having access to cutting-edge facilities, varied extracurricular activities, and committed faculty.

• A Community of Achievers: Placing students among motivated, high-achieving peers, promoting a climate of success and aspiration.

• Improved College Opportunities: Graduates from these schools tend to have a clear advantage in college admission and scholarship opportunities.

• Your Ticket to Popular Choice Programs: Beyond Selective Enrollment, an excellent HSAT score will also bolster your child's application for popular choice programs at your local CPS high school, including specialized IB programs, STEM tracks, or fine arts academies. For instance, programs at schools like Lincoln Park High School (IB, Performing Arts), Von Steuben MSC (Scholars, STEM), or Morgan Park High School (IB) do look at test scores as part of their admissions requirements.

• Impact on Future Academic Opportunities: Your child's high school experience can go a long way in shaping their college future, scholarship options, and even career. The HSAT plays a major role in this process.

• Highly Competitive Admissions: Tens of thousands of students compete for a handful of spaces in Selective Enrollment High Schools yearly. Having a good HSAT score is necessary to compete in such a competitive environment.

What to Expect

Familiarity becomes confidence. Knowing the structure and content of the HSAT is the best place to start preparation. The test aims to evaluate skills built up over the course of elementary and middle school.

• Sections Covered:

• Reading: This section tests your child's capacity to comprehend complex passages, locate the main idea, make inferences, establish the meaning of vocabulary in context, and analyze literary devices.

• Mathematics: Expect a variety of math problems assessing skills in problem-solving, data analysis, pre-algebra, algebraic principles, and geometry applicable to the 8th-grade curriculum.

• Duration: The entire test is administered in about an hour, so time management skills become important in answering all questions during that time.

• Format: The examination includes multiple-choice questions given in timed sections. Students need to work efficiently and effectively to finish each section within the time allowed.

• Scoring: The HSAT is scored simply on the number of correct answers. The raw score is then scaled. For Selective Enrollment High School admissions, the HSAT score is an important factor, generally paired with your child's 7th-grade grades and NWEA MAP scores to create a combined admissions score out of a possible 900 points. Knowledge of this integrated assessment is important to ensure a thorough preparation plan.

• Admission Criteria: the admissions process for CPS Selective Enrollment High Schools consists of the High School Admissions Test (HSAT) and 7th grade grades in Math, Science, Reading and Social Studies. The CPS HSAT counts for 450 points and grades count for another 450 points, for a total score of up to 900 points.

The Path to Success Can Be Tough

HSAT preparation can be intimidating for students and families alike. We know the typical stumbling blocks:

• Test Anxiety and Pressure: The high-stakes HSAT environment causes students to become overly stressed, undermining performance even for those who might be well-prepared.

• Lack of Familiarity: Students are often unfamiliar with the exact nature of the HSAT test format, question type, or the desired pacing.

• Gaps in Basic Knowledge: During years of education, it's not uncommon for small knowledge gaps to build up. The HSAT can reveal these spots, necessitating focused review.

• Managing Time with Pressure: Managing time among the various sections and questions on a timed test is a skill set requiring practice.

• The Simply Massive Amount of Material to Review: Math, reading, vocabulary, and language arts concepts across several grade levels are often daunting to cover.

• No Re-takes, No Second Chances: The fact that the HSAT can only be taken once creates a special level of pressure and highlights the importance of being well-prepared the first time.

Acknowledging these difficulties is the initial step. The next step, which is most crucial, is beginning preparations well in advance. Procrastination can result in hurried, unsuccessful cramming. A systematic, well-planned approach is necessary for genuine mastery and confidence.

Your Partner in Success

At Chicago Home Tutor, we turn these obstacles into success and growth opportunities. Our HSAT Test Prep Program is carefully crafted to help your child gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence required to succeed.

How We Overcome the Obstacles:

We offer specific solutions to each of the typical HSAT challenges:

• Study in a Relaxed, Concentrated Setting – At Home! We eliminate the tension of adding a new classroom environment. Studying in the comfort and familiarity of your own home increases concentration and decreases tension!

• Comprehensive Curriculum: Our program exhaustively teaches all parts of the HSAT including Math and Reading topics – so no stone is left unturned.

• Expert Instructors Knowledgeable about the CPS HSAT: Our instructors are not novice freelancers but experienced teachers, with detailed expertise in the CPS HSAT subject matter and format.

• Serious Practice Tests: We provide practice tests that closely simulate the structure, question types, and timing of the real HSAT, becoming accustomed to and minimizing test-day surprises.

• Proven Strategies for Test-Taking and Time Management: We instruct proven methods for pacing, handling tough questions, and scoring high under timed conditions.

• Personalized Feedback and Custom Support: Every student is given one-on-one attention, with feedback and lesson plans optimized to their individual strengths and weak points.

What Sets Chicago Home Tutor Apart:

• 1-on-1 Tutoring by Qualified Teachers: Your child enjoys the full attention of a trained professional to enable full comprehension of all material. Our tutors are certified educators with extensive classroom and tutoring background.

• In-Person Sessions for Maximum Accountability & Effectiveness: We value the importance of live instruction. In-person tutoring allows for greater personal connection, enables tutors to more accurately assess student comprehension, and helps keep students motivated and accountable.

• Flexible Scheduling Accommodates Your Lifestyle: We realize that families have busy summer itineraries. Our tutors coordinate with you to schedule times that suit you, whether during the day or on evenings and weekends.

• The Unrivaled Convenience of Home Tutoring: Convenience at its best. Our tutors drive to your home, making learning a smooth and relaxed experience for your child and a hassle-free option for busy parents.

• Personalized Practice Work Focused on Student's Areas of Improvement: We do not subscribe to a cookie-cutter system. Homework and practice sheets are adjusted to address your student's particular areas of weakness, making them strengths.

• Comprehensive Expertise Across the Spectrum of Learning Differences: We have extensive experience working with neurodiverse students, including ADHD students, dyslexic students, autistic students and students with other learning difficulties, tailoring our approach to meet their individual needs.

• A Confidence-Boosting Approach: We are experienced in instilling self-confidence along with academic abilities. We have a nurturing and supportive atmosphere where students are encouraged to question and challenge. 

Program Details

• Flexible Intensity: Most students require 1-2 sessions a week, especially during summer break leading up to the beginning of 8th grade. We can also offer more intensive support where needed, but do not advise last minute "crash courses." Additional home work and practice tests will be assigned outside of this time to maintain the student’s progress.

• Customized Attention: We can focus specifically on areas of your child that require the most improvement (e.g., only math or reading) or conduct a thorough review of all HSAT sections. Our questions are always customized to your student's areas of improvement.

• Adapting to Summer Schedules: We know summer is the time for vacations and trips. Our accommodating scheduling lets you modify sessions according to your schedule – simply give your tutor 24 hours' notice on any cancellations or rescheduling requests.

No Lock-Ins or Upfront Packages: You pay only for the tutoring sessions your student takes advantage of. There are no long-term contracts or high upfront package prices, which provides you with complete control and peace of mind.

What Parents and Students Say

As Featured In

Q1: When is the CPS HSAT test typically held?

The CPS HSAT is generally administered in October for 8th-grade students. Specific test dates and registration deadlines are announced by Chicago Public Schools annually.

All CPS students are registered to take the test by default. Non-CPS students, such as those from private schools, homeschoolers or out-of-state students must create an account and register for the HSAT through the GoCPS platform. Registration deadlines vary depending on the specific test date. For example, in the past, the deadline to register for the October 14 or 15 test date was October 2nd, and for the October 21st test, it was October 6th. Be sure to check the specific dates for the current year on the GoCPS website. 

Q2: What HSAT score is needed for a specific Selective Enrollment High School?

This is a common question, and the answer is that cutoff scores vary each year and by school. Admission is based on a 900-point system, combining HSAT scores, 7th-grade grades, and NWEA MAP scores. Generally, the most competitive schools require higher total point scores.

• Highly Competitive (Often requiring scores in the mid-800s to high 800s, sometimes approaching 900): Walter Payton College Prep, Northside College Prep, Whitney Young Magnet High School, Jones College Prep, Lane Tech College Prep.

• Competitive (Often requiring scores in the high 700s to mid-800s): Lindblom Math & Science Academy, King College Prep, Brooks College Prep.

• Strongly Considered (Often requiring scores in the 700s, but can vary): Hancock College Prep, South Shore International College Prep, Westinghouse College Prep.

Important Note: The above estimates are general guidelines based on historical data and can fluctuate significantly. Our program focuses on helping your child achieve their personal best score to maximize their chances across all their preferred schools. We can discuss specific target ranges during your free consultation based on your child's current academic profile and aspirations.

Q3: When should my child start preparing?

Given the high stakes of the HSAT, students should begin preparing as soon as possible. Summer break between 7th and 8th grade is usually the ideal time because it affords several months of dedicated study without as many other obligations or distractions. 

Q4: What are the advantages of private tutoring?

Q5: How frequently should tutoring sessions be scheduled?

This varies based on your child's specific needs and goals, budget, and availability. We usually start by recommending one or two 60-minute sessions per week, along with homework assignments, to see consistent progress. Students who are farther behind may need more intensive help initially (e.g. 2-3 sessions per week), whereas those who just need basic reinforcement might start out once a week. We will make specific recommendations during your free consultation with our Learning Behavior Specialist.

Q6: How long does it take to show progress? 

Every student develops at his or her own pace. Some begin to show noticeable improvements in their score within a matter of weeks. Greater strides generally take more time to achieve. The summer break is an ideal time to prepare your student for the CPS HSAT because students have more time to devote to practice, while avoiding the summer slide.

Q7: Who are your tutors?

Our tutors are licensed teachers, and many hold Master's degrees and special education certifications (Illinois LBS1) as well. They bring extensive classroom experience and are familiar with the CPS High School Admissions Test, many of whom have taught locally in Chicago public schools, private schools and suburban districts.

Q8: Do you tutor students with IEPs and/or learning disabilities?

Yes! We have many LBS1-endorsed special educators who work great with students having IEPs, 504 Plans, dyslexia, autism, ADHD, and other learning differences.  We tailor instruction to meet their specific needs and goals, can provide expertise in Executive Functioning, and are happy to collaborate with your child's school team.

Don't leave their future to chance. Partner with Chicago Home Tutor for expert, personalized, and convenient test preparation that delivers results.

Empower your child today.

Our Chicago tutoring service begins with a free, 30-minute phone consultation with our Learning Behavior Specialist. We'll discuss your child's challenges and how Chicago Home Tutor can help.