Test Information

The High School Placement Test (HSPT) is a standardized, timed test required of every 8^th grader applying to attend Bishop Gorman High School. The HSPT assesses cognitive and basic skills. The length of the test is about 3 hours with brief breaks. The HSPT is divided into five sections:

HSPT Test Sections

Cognitive Skills

Verbal Skills consists of 60 questions, covering synonyms, antonyms, verbal analogies, verbal classifications and logical reasoning. (18 minutes).
Quantitative Skills consists of 52 questions, covering number series, number manipulations, and both geometric and nongeometric quantitative comparisons. (30 minutes)

Basic Skills

Reading consists of 62 questions, covering the ability to remember important ideas and significant details, recognizing central thought or purpose, making logical inferences and understanding vocabulary in context. (25 minutes).
Mathematics consists of 64 questions, covering computation, problem solving, important math concepts and reasoning. (45 minutes).
Language consists of 60 questions, covering punctuation, capitalization, spelling, grammar, usage and composition. (25 minutes).

The questions are designed to test students at their curriculum level.

Preparing for the HSPT

Testing can be a rather anxious, but also, exciting experience for students and their parents. We receive many questions from parents inquiring on how their child can prepare for the HSPT®. Scholastic Testing Service (STS) offers the following tips to best prepare for a successful testing experience:

Listen to and read the directions for each subtest carefully.
Pace yourself – Time limits are set for each subtest. The test administrators should announce when time is halfway through so you can determine if you are working at a pace that will enable you to finish. Try not to spend too much time on one item.
Read each question carefully.
Work out the problem – Calculators are not permitted for the Mathematics subtest. You may use scratch paper to do any figuring.
Answer every question – If you are unsure of an answer, take your best guess. Your score is determined by the number of items you answer correctly; there is no penalty for answering incorrectly.
Check your work – If there is time left, go back and review your answers. Check to make sure each item has only one response. Throughout the test, continuously check that the answer you are marking on your answer sheet corresponds to the item number in the test booklet.

Test Prep Providers

While there are many test prep guides, books, and courses on the market available for purchase, the Scholastic Testing Service (STS) is not affiliated with any of these products and does not endorse them. STS believes that parents and teachers are best advised to avoid expensive preparation materials and to trust that a well-rounded education is the best form of test preparation. However, the following links may be helpful for those students/parents who are committed to better preparation:

Test Prep Links

Bishop Gorman High School

5959 S. Hualapai Way
Las Vegas, NV 89148
Phone: 702-732-1945
Fax: 702-732-8830