CPS HSAT Test Prep
Our Philosophy: Calm Readiness Over Stressful Striving
A Calm, Confident Approach to Chicago’s High School Enrollment
At The Chicago Family Tutor, we see the HSAT as a stepping stone in a student’s educational journey that not only influences their future school placement but also helps to shape them into students prepared to succeed in high school. It’s a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity.
When approached thoughtfully, HSAT preparation becomes more than “studying for a test.” HSAT tutoring is an experience that can help strengthen academic skills, sharpen executive functioning, and build confidence under pressure – skills they will need regardless of where they attend high school.
At The Chicago Family Tutor, our job is to help your student get the most out of this process. By making our work together as calm, intentional, and supportive as possible, we help students arrive on test day ready to do their best and confident that they can.
We avoid last-minute cramming and one-size-fits-all programs, instead guiding students through a personalized plan that meets them where they are and builds steadily toward where they want to go.
What Is the HSAT?
The High School Admissions Test (HSAT) is administered to all CPS 8th graders each fall. It’s one of the most significant components in determining eligibility for Chicago’s selective enrollment high schools—some of the most competitive and academically rigorous in the city.
The HSAT includes two sections:
- Math – up to 225 points
- Reading – up to 225 points
These 450 points combine with up to 450 points from 7th-grade grades to create a total admissions score of up to 900 points.
A strong HSAT score can open doors to the city’s most competitive public schools, as well as specialized programs within neighborhood schools. But beyond the admissions impact, preparing for the HSAT can help students strengthen the skills they’ll need for the challenges of high school and beyond.
What’s a Good HSAT Score?
There’s no universal “good” score—it depends on the cutoff for each school and your child’s CPS tier. Highly competitive schools often require higher scores, especially for Tier 3 and Tier 4 students.
At The Chicago Family Tutor, we define a good score as the best score your child can achieve through steady skill-building, intentional practice, and a confident test-day mindset. By focusing on readiness rather than chasing a number, we help students achieve their personal best. We focus on the elements that we can control, and we encourage our students to do the same.
CPS HSAT Practice Tests
Data-Driven, Personalized Confidence
Familiarity is one of the best ways to reduce test-day anxiety—and to guide truly targeted preparation. That’s why we begin HSAT prep with a diagnostic practice test through our partnership with Pinpoint Learning.
This diagnostic provides a precise, skill-by-skill breakdown of performance, allowing us to:
- Identify exact strengths and areas for improvement
- Build a custom learning plan unique to your child—never a generic curriculum
- Continuously adjust the plan as new practice results come in
Every student works one-on-one with an experienced, high-achieving coach who is both an accomplished test taker and a skilled educator. This relationship allows us to adapt our work to the student’s needs, energy, and progress.
As students take additional full-length, timed practice tests, we review Pinpoint reports together so they can clearly see their growth and understand the next steps. This approach turns HSAT prep into a process of steady improvement and self-awareness. We work smarter, not harder.
The Executive Function Edge
Content mastery is essential, but it’s not the whole story. HSAT success also depends on executive function skills such as:
- Time management – pacing effectively through each section
- Organization – keeping track of materials and strategies
- Self-monitoring – knowing when to move on or review an answer
- Stress management – maintaining focus even when a question feels tricky
By integrating EF coaching into test prep, we help students build habits that make them not only better test-takers, but stronger learners who can thrive in high school and beyond.
Read more about our philosophy on test-taking and executive function skills »
Our Calm, Structured Process
Early start, steady progress
We encourage families to begin as early as possible to allow time for genuine skill growth.Personalized plans
Instruction is tailored to each student’s unique needs and goals.Purposeful practice
Pinpoint-powered practice tests guide exactly what to work on next.Supportive Coaching
We keep students encouraged, accountable, and focused without adding pressure.HSAT Test Dates 2025
For 2025, CPS has announced:
- CPS students: October 8, 2025 (at their school)
- Non-CPS students: October 18, 19, 25, or 26, 2025 (designated testing sites)
Applications for selective enrollment high schools open September 23, 2025.
A Note on the Test’s Evolving Format
While the HSAT has recently been one hour long with separate math and reading sections, CPS does not publicly release detailed blueprints or announce changes in advance. In past years, adjustments to the test have come without warning.
That’s why our preparation focuses on mastering core skills and building adaptable test-takers who can handle whatever comes their way. We prepare students for what we know—and equip them to confidently face the unexpected.
The Takeaway
The HSAT is a significant milestone, but it doesn’t have to be a stressful one. With our philosophy of Calm Readiness Over Stressful Striving, we combine personalized instruction, data-driven practice, and executive function coaching to ensure students walk into the exam confident, capable, and ready for whatever comes next.
Ready to start your child’s HSAT prep journey? Contact us today to schedule your consultation.