HSPT Math-Test Day Tips
Many private and parochial high school applicants must take the High School Placement Test or the HSPT. Most students who take it do so in the 8th grade because the test can determine a student’s acceptance or rejection. Many colleges often prefer private school applicants, so your HSPT score can have a big impact on your future.
The HSPT test consists of five different parts of a multiple-choice test:
- Language (60 questions – 25 minutes)
- Mathematics (64 questions- 45 minutes)
- Quantitative Skills (52 questions – 30 minutes)
- Reading (62 questions- 25 minutes)
- Verbal Skills (60 questions- 16 minutes)
Students are given 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete the 298 question test.
The Math and Quantitative sections deal with basic math and vocabulary skills and do not allow the use of calculators. The multi-part word problems that students face in SSAT and ISEE are not shown in HSPT. Instead, the questions are shorter and go straight to the heart of some basic math skills. The questions do not necessarily focus on the specific math the student is learning in eighth grade, so students need to review certain topics to ensure that all material is fluent.
After weeks of preparation, you know what to expect at HSPT. You have read a lot and passed one or two practice tests. Now your test day is near. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your test day.
The Absolute Best Book to Ace the HSPT Math Test
The Night before the Test!
Eat a great meal
All athletes eat a meal containing complex carbohydrates the night before the race because carbohydrates are stored by the athlete’s body and consumed for energy the next day. But carbohydrates are not only fuel for your muscles, they are also fuel for your brain. You should eat a dinner rich in complex carbohydrates such as baked potatoes, bread, and pasta. A perfectly balanced meal will help you stay sharp and focused during the test.
Find the test center
Find the test center and check the condition of the park early, preferably the weekend before the test. Also, make sure you do not need to stop for gas in the morning. These two simple precautions prevent late arrival on the day of the test.
Gather your materials
The night before, gather everything you need for the test to avoid running the next morning.
Use your moments wisely
A few minutes before turning off the lights is a good time to memorize. Learning before bed significantly improves memory – so read the most important equations or words while sleeping fast.
Get enough sleep
Your mind may run the night before the test, but please go to bed early. Calm your mind with a book or a cup of tea and put down your cell phone. Aim for 8 hours to close your eyes.
On Test Day!
Eat breakfast
It is a proven fact that breakfast improves your mood, memory, and concentration. Eat a healthy breakfast in the morning on HSPT. Many ex-testers complain about the distraction caused by grumbling stomachs – both themselves and other students – so eat breakfast and take a snack to get rid of any embarrassment or discomfort.
Dress appropriately
You want to be comfortable during your exam. Wear soft and comfortable clothes with layers. You do not know if the test center will be too hot or too cold, so make sure you have clothes that can be changed for your comfort and concentration. A T-shirt, sneakers and a sweater are usually great.
Double-check everything you need
Before going to the testing center, double-check everything you need and have a snack with you. Make sure you have a pencil, eraser, ID, test ticket.
Be confident
A big part of your morning exam routine should be to ensure you are performing well.
Walk with your back straight, chin up and face straight. This may seem like a useless exercise, but it works.
During the Test!
Surround yourself with the optimistic kind
There are always people who want to say that they fail before the exam and then get the highest score. Do not be around these types of people. Their only goal is to make everyone feel helpless, and you do not need that kind of negativity in your mind right before the exam.
Calm the nervous system
Take long deep breaths before and during the test to calm the nervous system. When we are in stressful situations, breathing tends to be shallow and can impair our ability to think clearly and comfortably.
Time management
Time is gold and this is true of taking the HSPT exam. In most cases, students do not have more than 20 seconds to complete each question.
Delete the wrong answer
First, you need to look at the clearest wrong answer and pass it through the list of possible correct answers. Next, look for answers that are only partially correct. It is normal to guess occasionally when faced with unknown questions. However, using the removal process will help you find the right answer most of the time.
Save time for reviewing
Take enough time to review all the answers, especially the math questions. Solving math problems sometimes takes more time and effort. Be sure to use a blank sheet of paper to use during the exam! By writing formulas and patterns, you can quickly solve math problems or even determine the answer using another method altogether.
Answer every single question
The HSPT score is based on how many questions you answer correctly. There is no penalty for wrong answers. Therefore, if you leave a vacancy, you do not have a chance to get points.
After the Test!
It does not make sense to ask yourself the answer or increase your stress level. The experiment is over and it’s time to relax. You can do nothing about an answer that bothers you because you can do absolutely nothing about it. Your time is better to find something that makes you happy and find something that you enjoy doing for the rest of the day.
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More from Effortless Math for HSPT Test …
Need more practice to master the HSPT math test materials?
HSPT Math Worksheets: FREE & Printable will give you the mastery you need.
Don’t have a list of essential formulas for the HSPT math test yet?
We have prepared such a list for you: HSPT Math Formulas
Need a step by step guide to prepare for the HSPT math test ?
Here’s what you want: How to Prepare for the HSPT Math Test?
The Best Books to Ace the HSPT Test
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