How to Prepare Your Child for Private School Entrance Exams (ISEE, SSAT, HSPT)
The Gatekeepers: Understanding the Private School Exams
For many elite faith-based schools, the admissions process involves more than just an interview. It involves a standardized test. The three big names you need to know are:
- ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam): Common for independent Christian schools. Known for its tricky verbal reasoning section.
- SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test): Widely used by boarding and rigorous day schools.
- HSPT (High School Placement Test): The standard entrance exam for Catholic High Schools.
When to Start Preparing?
Do not wait until the week before. Ideally, preparation should begin 3 to 4 months prior to the test date. This allows time for:
- Diagnostic Testing: Take a full-length ISEE or SSAT practice test to identify weak spots.
- Targeted Practice: Focus on those weak areas (e.g., geometry or vocabulary).
- Stamina Building: These tests are long (2-3 hours). Taking full timed practice tests builds the mental endurance required.
Faith and Anxiety
One unique aspect of applying to a faith-based school is the spiritual dimension. Use this process to teach your child about worth. Remind them: 'Your value comes from being made in God's image, not from a test score.' Reducing the pressure often leads to better performance.
The Timeline
- Spring/Summer: Light vocabulary building, reading challenging books.
- September: Take a diagnostic test.
- October/November: Intensive study and practice tests.
- December/January: Test dates.
Beyond the Score
Remember, most faith-based schools take a 'holistic' view. They care about the interview, the teacher recommendations, and the family fit just as much as the stanine score. A low score is rarely a hard 'no' if the rest of the application is strong.