CPS PreACT9 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 PreACT9 (formerly 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, PreACT9 preparation becomes more than “studying for a test.” PreACT9 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 PreACT9 (formerly HSAT)?
The PreACT9 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.
Unlike the test it replaces, the PreACT9 is part of the ACT family of assessments—an early, secure version of the same college-readiness exam Illinois high schoolers go on to take. That makes its format more predictable than the old HSAT, and it means widely available, ACT-aligned practice resources apply.
The PreACT9 includes four sections:
English – about 35 minutes
Reading – about 40 minutes
Math – about 45 minutes (a calculator is permitted)
Science – about 35 minutes
Altogether it runs roughly two and a half hours—considerably longer than the one-hour, two-section test it replaces—and is administered in English.
CPS continues to use its 900-point admissions formula, weighting the admissions test and 7th-grade core-subject grades equally (up to 450 points each). As of this writing, CPS has not yet released exactly how PreACT9 scores will translate into those test points; the district has said more details on the GoCPS admissions process will be available before the school year begins. The overall admissions timeline, CPS has said, remains unchanged.
A strong PreACT9 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 PreACT9 can help students strengthen the skills they’ll need for the challenges of high school and beyond.
What’s a Good PreACT9 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. And because the 2026–27 cycle is the first to use the PreACT9, prior-year HSAT cutoff scores won’t map directly onto the new exam.
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 PreACT9 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 PreACT9 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 PreACT9 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. PreACT9 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
Because the PreACT9 is longer and broader than the test it replaces, stamina and pacing matter more than ever. 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.PreACT9 Test Dates 2026
- CPS students: Wednesday, October 8, 2026 (at their own school during the school day) Non-CPS students: October testing at designated sites—specific dates for the PreACT9 have not yet been released by CPS
- Applications for selective enrollment high schools are expected to open in late September, consistent with prior years, with exact dates to be confirmed by CPS. The district has said the overall GoCPS admissions timeline is unchanged and that remaining logistics will be announced before the school year begins.
A Note on the Test’s Evolving Format
The shift from the HSAT to the PreACT9 actually makes preparation more transparent: rather than a “mystery” exam, the PreACT9 follows the well-documented ACT format, with a known section structure and free or low-cost practice materials. That said, this is the first year CPS is using it, and some district-specific details—including exactly how scores convert to admissions points and certain testing logistics—are still being finalized.
That’s why our preparation focuses on mastering core, ACT-aligned skills and building adaptable test-takers who can handle whatever comes their way. We prepare students for what we know—and we stay current as CPS releases the remaining details, so families always have the most accurate picture.
The Takeaway
The PreACT9 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.