This fall, Test Prep Chicago will offer classes which encompass all three high school entrance exams: the CPS High School Admissions Test (formerly known as the SEHS), the independent school entrance exam (ISEE), and the high school placement test (HSPT). Over the course of eight weeks, students will dive into the content of the tests, test-taking strategies, as well as the formatting and timing of each test. Though eight weeks may seem like a short amount of time to prepare for three tests, it’s an accessible timeframe given the likeness of each exam.
First, the content is exceedingly alike. Each of the tests include math (up through geometry), reading comprehension, vocabulary, and language skills (multiple choice for the CPS High School Admissions Test and HSPT, essay for ISEE). Given these similarities, students studying for any or all exams are able to work toward reviewing or learning the same concepts. Where there are a few differences, such as the essay section on the ISEE, students studying specifically for the ISEE will be provided with supplementary, exam- specific material for homework. However, since the student is engaging in language and grammar in our class, they will still be getting their fair share of in-class language and grammar prep for the ISEE.
Next, the time permitted to take each test ranges from two hours and thirty minutes to three hours. Accordingly, the stamina needed to build up in order to successfully take each exam is almost indistinguishable. The only exception is that the HSPT has quite a few more questions than the other two exams. Similar to the essay section with the ISEE, supplementary materials will be provided for those students who wish to work specifically on quickly getting through the many questions that the HSPT will inevitably have.
Lastly, since the formatting of each exam is slightly different, we include questions formatted in the likeness of each exam, so students feel fully prepared. If you’re interested in enrolling in our comprehensive high school admissions course, visit testprepchicago.com and sign up for our newsletter. Once we add dates for the fall (including online and in-person courses), we’ll send an email notification to let you know registration has opened. We will likely add dates sometime in July for our courses that will begin in late August or early September.
Lauren Lynch, Director of Tutoring and Communications
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266