Logistics
HSPT test dates and registration for 2026
There is no single national HSPT test date. Most Catholic high schools give the HSPT between November and January of 8th grade, and you register directly through your specific school or diocese, not through a national Scholastic Testing Service signup. Each school sets its own date, deadline, and fee, so the calendar that matters is the one on your target school's admissions page.
On this page
When is the HSPT? The testing window
Most schools give the HSPT between November and January, most often in early to mid December or early to mid January. A few dioceses stretch into February for late registrants. Each school usually runs one primary test day plus a single make-up day for students who miss it.
Timing matters more than families expect. Students who test in January or February sometimes miss admission acceptance days, scholarship deadlines, and tuition-assistance deadlines that a December test would have kept them ahead of. When a school offers more than one date, the earlier one is usually the safer choice.
Aim for a November or December date when your school offers one, so you stay ahead of admission and scholarship deadlines.
Why there is no single HSPT date
Scholastic Testing Service designs the test but sets no fixed national date. Each diocese or school picks its own date in the fall and winter window and runs its own registration and fee. That is why the same exam can be given on December 6 at one school and January 10 at another.
You will also meet one of two setups. A closed HSPT is given by a single high school on its own campus, and that school receives the scores directly. An open HSPT is run diocese-wide at several sites, and you designate multiple diocesan schools to receive your results. Which one you get depends entirely on your school.
| School or diocese | Example test date | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| Archdiocese of Washington (DC) | Dec 6, Dec 13, and Jan 10 | Multiple dates and sites in one diocese |
| Diocese of Oakland (CA) | Single January date | One diocese-wide date |
| Archdiocese of Baltimore (MD) | Own diocesan date, registration opens mid-September | Registration opens in early fall |
Treat any date you read online as a pattern, not a promise. Your school's admissions page is the only calendar that counts.
How to register for the HSPT
You register through the specific high school or diocesan portal, not a national STS site. The flow is simple: pick your school, find its admissions or HSPT page, register by that school's deadline, and pay the fee. Many dioceses use an online portal, and registration commonly opens in September or October.
You can usually designate several schools to receive your scores, though the number varies. Some dioceses allow up to three or four; others allow two. You can find the official test overview on the STS HSPT page, but the registration itself always happens through the school.
Register through your school's own page by its posted deadline, and never assume a national signup exists.
Waiting for your school to post its date? Start practicing today. Our free full-length practice test mirrors the real HSPT and scores it instantly, so the weeks before test day are not wasted.
Start a free practice testWhat the HSPT costs
The fee is set by the school or diocese and generally runs about $20 to $70. For example, the Archdiocese of Washington charges around $68 with scores sent to up to four schools, plus a small fee per additional out-of-diocese school. The Archdiocese of Baltimore charges around $45, which includes reports to parents and up to three schools. Your exact fee, and what it covers, is on your school's HSPT page.
Check your school's page for the current fee, since it also determines how many schools receive your scores.
Can you retake the HSPT?
Usually no. STS recommends taking the HSPT only once, and many dioceses prohibit retakes entirely, with some stating it cannot be repeated under any circumstances. A make-up date exists for a student who missed the primary date, not as a second attempt, and retesting can actually invalidate a score.
Because most students get one sitting, a little preparation goes a long way. A short study plan and a few test-day tips help make that single attempt count.
Plan to take the HSPT once, and prepare so that one sitting is enough.
When to register, and what to do if you miss it
The HSPT is a fall-of-8th-grade event. Identify your target schools in late summer or early fall, note each school's test date and registration deadline, and register early. If a date is not posted yet, next year's dates are often released in September.
If you miss your date, contact the school's admissions office right away, since it is the authoritative source. Many schools offer a make-up date for illness or scheduling conflicts, some allow late registration, and some accept an HSPT taken at another school in the same diocese, or a different placement test such as the COOP, TACHS, or the school's own exam. When anything is unclear, the admissions office is the final word.
When something does not add up, call the school's admissions office directly. It is the only authoritative source.
Once your date is set, there is only one thing left to do: practice. Take a free full-length practice test now and see exactly where your child stands, section by section.
Start a free practice testHSPT and High School Placement Test are administered by Scholastic Testing Service, Inc. GTS Academics is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by STS. Test dates and fees are set by individual schools and dioceses and change yearly.
Frequently asked questions
When is the HSPT in 2026?
There is no single national date. Most Catholic high schools test between November and January, often in early December or early-to-mid January, and each school sets its own date. Confirm the exact date with your specific school's admissions office.
Do all schools give the HSPT on the same day?
No. Scholastic Testing Service provides the test, but each school or diocese picks its own date. The same exam can be given on December 6 at one school and January 10 at another.
How do I register for the HSPT?
You register through the high school or diocese, not a national STS site. Find the school's admissions or HSPT page, register by its deadline, and pay the fee. Registration often opens in September or October.
How much does the HSPT cost?
The fee is set by the school and generally runs about $20 to $70. For example, the Archdiocese of Washington charges around $68 and the Archdiocese of Baltimore around $45, both including score reports to several schools.
Can you take the HSPT more than once?
Usually no. STS recommends taking it once, and many dioceses prohibit retakes. A make-up date is for students who missed their date, not a second attempt, and retesting can invalidate scores.
What if my child misses the HSPT date?
Contact the school's admissions office right away. Many schools offer a make-up date for illness or conflicts, some allow late registration, and some accept an HSPT taken at another diocesan school.
Where do I find my school's HSPT date?
On the individual high school's or diocese's admissions page. There is no national calendar. Next year's dates are often posted in September, so check early and register before the deadline.