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)

Luke: Durham HSPT course instructor
...that has hurdled through various educational and vocational obstacles emanating from diagnosed Asperger's Syndrome, I have a mantra that has served me well over the years that I am eager to teach students. That is, one should only be worried about what is in their control and not what isn't, as passed down from my...
Education & Certification
- University of Hull - Bachelor of Science, Mathematics
- University of Leeds - Master of Science, Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- SAT
- ACCUPLACER
- CLEP
- +50 subjects

Josh: Durham HSPT course instructor
...teaching style is oriented around you! My sessions can be tailored to whatever math topic you are covering at the moment. Example activities include: - Homework problems - Exam preparation - Classwork - Anything you are struggling with! My experience includes: - Tutoring A-level maths (age 17/18) online - Tutoring GCSE maths (age 15/16) - Tutoring the...
Education & Certification
- Durham University - Bachelor of Science, Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- SSAT
- UK A Level
- COMPASS
- +104 subjects

Laura: Durham HSPT course instructor
...Uk and I have studied Spanish in university and when I lived in Barcelona, Spain for 6 months. I continue practicing Spanish as I do Spanish-English translations for work. I would love to help out to teach and help with conversational Italian, Spanish and any help on homeworks as well as improve on learning.
Education & Certification
- University of Milan - Bachelor in Arts, Foreign Languages and Literatures, General
- Open University - Bachelor in Arts, Humanities
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- UK GCSE
- ACT
- UK A Level
- +17 subjects

Joshua: Durham HSPT course instructor
...Law with Spanish Law at the University of Oxford. I studied Maths, Spanish, Chemistry and History for A-Level, all subjects which I thoroughly enjoyed. Spanish and Maths I have a particular interest in tutoring. I am friendly, approachable and have good communication skills in particular I have some experience in tutoring Maths at high school....
Education & Certification
- university of oxford - Bachelor in Arts, Prelaw Studies
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- Eleven Plus Maths
- SSAT
- ISEE
- +83 subjects

Carolina: Durham HSPT course instructor
...not only having a tutor but a tutor who can work closely with you to build upon your own individual strengths in a subject whilst filling in any gaps. I strongly believe having a tutor is nothing to be ashamed of, and rather builds both knowledge and confidence. At GCSE level, I tutor all sciences,...
Education & Certification
- Durham University - Bachelor of Laws, Prelaw Studies
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- UK GCSE
- UK A Level
- UK GCSE Chemistry
- +14 subjects

Kelsey: Durham HSPT course instructor
...help others feel passionate about their own educational paths. Kelsey still attributes her academic successes to the study tactics she developed during her formative elementary and high school years, and she believes that all students (regardless of their field of focus) need to build a solid foundation in writing, reading comprehension, grammatical and syntactical knowledge,...
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Bachelor in Arts, Psychology
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- SAT
- ISEE
- GED
- +79 subjects

Julie: Durham HSPT course instructor
...with students as young as preschool and as old as high school seniors on their reading and writing skills. I truly believe that reading and writing is the key to understanding and interacting with the world in a positive way. I know certain books have changed my life and I hope to instill the same...
Education & Certification
- Fordham University - Bachelor in Arts, Sociology
- University of Pennsylvania - Masters, Urban Education
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- SSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- ISEE
- +26 subjects

Diptesh: Durham HSPT course instructor
...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, and philosophizing...
Education & Certification
- New York University - Bachelor of Science, Global Public Health & Chemistry
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- SAT Subject Tests
- PSAT
- SHSAT
- +88 subjects

David: Durham HSPT course instructor
...found that students may learn in different ways and all can excel. I like to present material in an engaging and relevant manner so that we can all learn and achieve success. One-on-one tutoring is an effective technique, particularly for explaining and modeling math, and I enjoy seeing students attitudes toward school brighten when they...
Education & Certification
- Drake University - Bachelor of Science, Education, History
- State Certified Teacher
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- PSAT
- SAT
- ACT
- +37 subjects

Luke: Durham HSPT course instructor
...and out of their comfort zones. I learned how to gently push people past their fears. I learned how to use a combination of encouragement and technical knowledge to help people reach their goals. I learned how to read people and find the roots of their struggles. Through this, I could discover the best way...
Education & Certification
- Colorado College - Bachelors, Philosophy
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- ISEE
- ACT
- SSAT
- +39 subjects

Kaan: Durham HSPT course instructor
...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. Everyone has...
Education & Certification
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Current Undergrad, Electrical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- SSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- ACT
- +41 subjects

Amy: Durham HSPT course instructor
...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. Further, from...
Education & Certification
- Middlebury College - Bachelors, Neuroscience
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- ISEE
- SAT
- TACHS
- +60 subjects

Jeffrey: Durham HSPT course instructor
...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 improvise in...
Education & Certification
- University of Washington - Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- SAT
- SSAT
- ISEE
- +34 subjects

Sean: Durham HSPT course instructor
...a BS in engineering physics, and a math minor. I 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...
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Bachelor of Science, Engineering Physics
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- SAT Subject Tests
- SSAT
- SAT
- +67 subjects

Paige: Durham HSPT course instructor
...Mathematics at The University of Tennessee. I am very passionate 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,...
Education & Certification
- The University of Tennessee - Current Undergrad, Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- ISEE
- ACT
- SSAT
- +53 subjects

Varun: Durham HSPT course instructor
...goals. Whatever the task, no matter how long it takes, I will make sure you get the most out of your sessions and will tailor my personal approach to whatever you need. I have been tutoring middle school, high school, and college students for five years. As an Ivy League graduate, I know what it...
Education & Certification
- Dartmouth College - Bachelors, Government/Film and Media Studies
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- SSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT
- +149 subjects

Alexandra: Durham HSPT course instructor
...other Texans with a private, four-year, full-ride scholarship. As a Terry Scholar, I am well-versed in all subjects and have taken on the role of mentor to many of the incoming freshmen. I have spent most of my free time in college as a nanny and tutor to families around the DFW area. I have...
Education & Certification
- University of North Texas - Bachelor in Arts, Creative Writing
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- SSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- CLEP
- +308 subjects

Dev: Durham HSPT course instructor
...late high school I have had a regular teaching commitment, whether it was helping younger students prepare for standardized tests or TA'ing for college courses. I can tutor very effectively across a variety of math, computer science, and statistics subjects, but am most passionate and have the most 1-on-1 experience in probability and statistics and...
Education & Certification
- University of California-Berkeley - Bachelor in Arts, Computer Science
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- SAT
- HSPT Reading
- College Math
- +86 subjects

Shira: Durham HSPT course instructor
...to help students master new concepts and skills. I would characterize my tutoring style as positive and persistent, but above all, I like to tailor my approach to best suit the needs and learning style of each individual student. My specialties are test prep (AP/SAT/ACT/SSAT) and science subjects, including biology, chemistry, and physics. I am...
Education & Certification
- Brandeis University - Current Undergrad Student, Biochemistry
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- SAT
- ISEE
- SSAT
- +86 subjects

Allegra: Durham HSPT course instructor
...be true, but you can hone the skills needed to do well on them, and I have the experience to help you do just that. As a high schooler, I aced the SAT and took 9 AP classes; as a student at the University of Chicago, I developed exemplary writing and critical reading skills; and...
Education & Certification
- CUNY Bernard M Baruch College - Current Undergrad, Religious Studies
Subject Expertise
- HSPT
- PSAT
- Advanced Placement
- SAT Subject Tests
- +63 subjects