• 100 questions

HSPT Practice Test

Analogies, number series, short passages, mathematics and usage questions in the five HSPT subtests, each answer explained.

Petal is to flower as page is to

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with Scholastic Testing Service, the publisher of the HSPT. Bank checked October 12, 2026.

The real test: HSPT

Retakes
The publisher recommends taking the HSPT once. A school or diocese may allow a retest, case by case.
Verbal Skills
60 questions: synonyms, antonyms, verbal analogies, verbal classifications and logical reasoning.
Quantitative Skills
52 questions: number series, number manipulations, geometric and nongeometric comparisons.
Reading
62 questions on comprehension and vocabulary in context.
Mathematics
64 questions: numbers and numeration, measurements, geometry, algebra and statistics.
Language
60 questions: punctuation, capitalization, spelling, grammar, usage and composition.
Time
About 2.5 hours, with a time limit for each subtest.

Checked October 12, 2026 against HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021) and the publisher's HSPT pages for parents. Rules change, so confirm with the agency itself before your test.

HSPT pages for parents, on the publisher's website

Next step All 60: HSPT verbal skills practiceAnother entrance exam: TACHS

All 100 questions

Verbal Skills 20

  • All of the puppies in the class can sit on command. Biscuit can sit on command. If both statements are true, which of these is the most that can be said? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Verbal Skills, logical reasoning
  • Expand means the opposite of HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Verbal Skills, antonyms. "expand" read in Wiktionary
  • Maple Street is longer than Oak Street. Oak Street is longer than Pine Street. If both statements are true, which of these must also be true? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Verbal Skills, logical reasoning
  • No reptiles in the pet shop have fur. Every animal in cage 4 has fur. If both statements are true, which of these must be true? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Verbal Skills, logical reasoning
  • Peculiar most nearly means HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Verbal Skills, synonyms. "peculiar" read in Wiktionary
Show all 100 questions (95 more)

Verbal Skills, continued

  • Petal is to flower as page is to HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Verbal Skills, verbal analogies
  • Rosa finished the race before Sam. Tia finished after Sam. Uma finished before Rosa. Who finished last? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Verbal Skills, logical reasoning
  • Scarce means the opposite of HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Verbal Skills, antonyms. "scarce" read in Wiktionary
  • Sturdy most nearly means HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Verbal Skills, synonyms. "sturdy" read in Wiktionary
  • Thermometer is to temperature as scale is to HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Verbal Skills, verbal analogies
  • Timid means the opposite of HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Verbal Skills, antonyms. "timid" read in Wiktionary
  • Vacant most nearly means HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Verbal Skills, synonyms. "vacant" read in Wiktionary
  • Weary most nearly means HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Verbal Skills, synonyms. "weary" read in Wiktionary
  • Which word does not belong with the others: chapter, index, shelf or glossary? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Verbal Skills, verbal classifications
  • Which word does not belong with the others: delighted, cheerful, joyful or gloomy? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Verbal Skills, verbal classifications
  • Which word does not belong with the others: flute, violin, cello or guitar? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Verbal Skills, verbal classifications
  • Which word does not belong with the others: gallon, pound, quart or pint? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Verbal Skills, verbal classifications
  • Which word does not belong with the others: oak, maple, tulip or pine? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Verbal Skills, verbal classifications
  • Which word does not belong with the others: triangle, square, cube or pentagon? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Verbal Skills, verbal classifications
  • Whisper is to shout as stroll is to HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Verbal Skills, verbal analogies

Quantitative Skills 18

  • 1/2 of what number is 4 less than 30? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Quantitative Skills, number manipulations. Answer recomputed
  • Compare three angles. (A) is one angle of a square. (B) is one angle of a triangle with three equal sides. (C) is a straight angle. Which is true? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Quantitative Skills, geometric quantitative comparison. Answer recomputed
  • Compare three areas. (A) is a square with sides of 5. (B) is a rectangle 4 wide and 6 long. (C) is a right triangle with legs of 6 and 8. Which is true? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Quantitative Skills, geometric quantitative comparison. Answer recomputed
  • Compare three counts. (A) is the number of sides of a hexagon. (B) is the number of faces of a cube. (C) is the number of sides of an octagon. Which is true? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Quantitative Skills, geometric quantitative comparison. Answer recomputed
  • Compare three perimeters. (A) is a square with sides of 6. (B) is a triangle with three sides of 8. (C) is a rectangle 5 wide and 7 long. Which is true? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Quantitative Skills, geometric quantitative comparison. Answer recomputed
  • Examine (A) 0.4, (B) 2/5 and (C) 40%. Which is true? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Quantitative Skills, nongeometric quantitative comparison. Answer recomputed
  • Examine (A) 1/2 of 30, (B) 1/3 of 45 and (C) 1/5 of 70. Which is true? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Quantitative Skills, nongeometric quantitative comparison. Answer recomputed
  • Examine (A) 2 to the third power, (B) 3 squared and (C) the square root of 64. Which is true? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Quantitative Skills, nongeometric quantitative comparison. Answer recomputed
  • Examine (A) 3 × (4 + 2), (B) 3 × 4 + 2 and (C) 3 + 4 × 2. Which is true? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Quantitative Skills, nongeometric quantitative comparison. Answer recomputed
  • Look at this series: 2, 3, 5, 8, 12, 17, ... What number comes next? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Quantitative Skills, number series. Answer recomputed
  • Look at this series: 4, 9, 14, 19, 24, ... What number comes next? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Quantitative Skills, number series. Answer recomputed
  • Look at this series: 5, 10, 8, 16, 14, 28, ... What number comes next? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Quantitative Skills, number series. Answer recomputed
  • Look at this series: 40, 37, 39, 36, 38, 35, ... What number comes next? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Quantitative Skills, number series. Answer recomputed
  • Look at this series: 81, 27, 9, 3, ... What number comes next? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Quantitative Skills, number series. Answer recomputed
  • What number divided by 5 is 3 more than 9? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Quantitative Skills, number manipulations. Answer recomputed
  • What number is 3 times the difference between 20 and 8? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Quantitative Skills, number manipulations. Answer recomputed
  • What number is 6 more than 1/4 of 48? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Quantitative Skills, number manipulations. Answer recomputed
  • What number is 20% of the sum of 35 and 45? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 1: Quantitative Skills, number manipulations. Answer recomputed

Reading 21

  • "A comet is a ball of dust and ice that orbits the Sun. Far from the Sun it is a frozen lump, usually less than 10 miles across. When a comet comes close to the Sun, it heats up and its ice begins to turn to gas. Gas and dust stream away from it, and sunlight and particles from the Sun push them into a bright tail." According to the passage, what gives a comet its tail? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Reading, comprehension of informational text. The passage restates "What Is a Comet?" (NASA Space Place)
  • "A comet is a ball of dust and ice that orbits the Sun. Far from the Sun it is a frozen lump, usually less than 10 miles across. When a comet comes close to the Sun, it heats up and its ice begins to turn to gas. Gas and dust stream away from it, and sunlight and particles from the Sun push them into a bright tail." From the passage, you can tell that a comet far from the Sun HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Reading, comprehension of informational text. The passage restates "What Is a Comet?" (NASA Space Place)
  • In the phrase "a brief pause", the word brief most nearly means HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Reading, vocabulary in context. "brief" read in Wiktionary
  • In the phrase "a futile search", the word futile most nearly means HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Reading, vocabulary in context. "futile" read in Wiktionary
  • In the phrase "a hazardous road", the word hazardous most nearly means HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Reading, vocabulary in context. "hazardous" read in Wiktionary
  • In the phrase "a reluctant helper", the word reluctant most nearly means HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Reading, vocabulary in context. "reluctant" read in Wiktionary
  • In the phrase "a vivid memory", the word vivid most nearly means HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Reading, vocabulary in context. "vivid" read in Wiktionary
  • In the phrase "an ample supply", the word ample most nearly means HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Reading, vocabulary in context. "ample" read in Wiktionary
  • In the phrase "to assist a neighbor", the word assist most nearly means HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Reading, vocabulary in context. "assist" read in Wiktionary
  • In the phrase "to conceal a gift", the word conceal most nearly means HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Reading, vocabulary in context. "conceal" read in Wiktionary
  • "Kelp are large brown algae that live in cool, shallow water close to shore. They grow in dense groups, much like a forest on land, and give food and shelter to thousands of kinds of fish and other animals. Because kelp depends on light to make its food, the forests are rarely found in deep water. Many animals use the thick blades to shelter their young from predators and rough storms." According to the passage, what do many animals use the thick blades of kelp for? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Reading, comprehension of informational text. The passage restates "What is a kelp forest?" (NOAA)
  • "Kelp are large brown algae that live in cool, shallow water close to shore. They grow in dense groups, much like a forest on land, and give food and shelter to thousands of kinds of fish and other animals. Because kelp depends on light to make its food, the forests are rarely found in deep water. Many animals use the thick blades to shelter their young from predators and rough storms." According to the passage, why are kelp forests rarely found in deep water? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Reading, comprehension of informational text. The passage restates "What is a kelp forest?" (NOAA)
  • "Kelp are large brown algae that live in cool, shallow water close to shore. They grow in dense groups, much like a forest on land, and give food and shelter to thousands of kinds of fish and other animals. Because kelp depends on light to make its food, the forests are rarely found in deep water. Many animals use the thick blades to shelter their young from predators and rough storms." Why does the writer compare kelp to a forest on land? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Reading, comprehension of informational text. The passage restates "What is a kelp forest?" (NOAA)
  • "The Moon makes no light of its own. What we call moonlight is sunlight reflecting off the Moon's surface. The Sun always lights one half of the Moon, the side that faces it. As the Moon travels around Earth, we see more or less of that bright half. When we see all of it, the Moon is full. When we see none of it, the phase is called a new moon." According to the passage, what is moonlight? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Reading, comprehension of informational text. The passage restates "What Are the Moon's Phases?" (NASA Space Place)
  • "The Moon makes no light of its own. What we call moonlight is sunlight reflecting off the Moon's surface. The Sun always lights one half of the Moon, the side that faces it. As the Moon travels around Earth, we see more or less of that bright half. When we see all of it, the Moon is full. When we see none of it, the phase is called a new moon." Why does the Moon seem to change shape during the month? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Reading, comprehension of informational text. The passage restates "What Are the Moon's Phases?" (NASA Space Place)
  • "Most of the salt in the sea began as rock on land. Rain is slightly acidic, so it slowly wears rock away. The loosened minerals wash into streams and rivers, which carry them to the ocean. Living things in the ocean use up many of these minerals. Others are never removed, so they build up over time. The two most common are chloride and sodium." According to the passage, what does rain do to rock? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Reading, comprehension of informational text. The passage restates "Why is the ocean salty?" (NOAA)
  • "Most of the salt in the sea began as rock on land. Rain is slightly acidic, so it slowly wears rock away. The loosened minerals wash into streams and rivers, which carry them to the ocean. Living things in the ocean use up many of these minerals. Others are never removed, so they build up over time. The two most common are chloride and sodium." What is the main idea of the passage? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Reading, comprehension of informational text. The passage restates "Why is the ocean salty?" (NOAA)
  • "Most of the salt in the sea began as rock on land. Rain is slightly acidic, so it slowly wears rock away. The loosened minerals wash into streams and rivers, which carry them to the ocean. Living things in the ocean use up many of these minerals. Others are never removed, so they build up over time. The two most common are chloride and sodium." Why do some minerals build up in the ocean? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Reading, comprehension of informational text. The passage restates "Why is the ocean salty?" (NOAA)
  • "Nora had promised to water Mr. Abbott's tomato plants for a week. On the fifth day she forgot, and by evening the leaves hung limp as wet paper. She filled the can twice and stayed until dark, talking to the plants as if they could forgive her. By morning the leaves had lifted. Nora left a note anyway: 'I missed a day. I am sorry. They are fine now.'" The writer says the leaves "hung limp as wet paper" to show that the plants were HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Reading, comprehension of literary text. Passage made up for this page
  • "Nora had promised to water Mr. Abbott's tomato plants for a week. On the fifth day she forgot, and by evening the leaves hung limp as wet paper. She filled the can twice and stayed until dark, talking to the plants as if they could forgive her. By morning the leaves had lifted. Nora left a note anyway: 'I missed a day. I am sorry. They are fine now.'" What does the note show about Nora? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Reading, comprehension of literary text. Passage made up for this page
  • "Nora had promised to water Mr. Abbott's tomato plants for a week. On the fifth day she forgot, and by evening the leaves hung limp as wet paper. She filled the can twice and stayed until dark, talking to the plants as if they could forgive her. By morning the leaves had lifted. Nora left a note anyway: 'I missed a day. I am sorry. They are fine now.'" Why did Nora most likely stay until dark? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Reading, comprehension of literary text. Passage made up for this page

Mathematics 21

  • A bag holds 3 red, 5 blue and 4 green marbles. One marble is drawn without looking. What is the probability that it is blue? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Mathematics, statistics. Common Core standard 7.SP.C.7.a. Answer recomputed
  • A car travels 150 miles in 2.5 hours at a steady speed. How far does it travel in 4 hours at that speed? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Mathematics, numbers and numeration. Common Core standard 6.RP.A.3.b. Answer recomputed
  • A circle has a radius of 5. What is its area, in terms of π? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Mathematics, geometry. Common Core standard 7.G.B.4. Answer recomputed
  • A jacket is priced at $80 and is on sale for 15% off. What is the sale price? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Mathematics, numbers and numeration. Common Core standard 7.RP.A.3. Answer recomputed
  • A recipe uses 2 cups of rice for every 5 cups of water. How many cups of rice go with 20 cups of water? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Mathematics, numbers and numeration. Common Core standard 6.RP.A.3. Answer recomputed
  • A rectangle is 9 cm long and 4 cm wide. What is its perimeter? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Mathematics, geometry. Common Core standard 4.MD.A.3. Answer recomputed
  • A ribbon is 7 feet 4 inches long. How long is it in inches? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Mathematics, measurements. "foot" read in Wiktionary. Common Core standard 5.MD.A.1. Answer recomputed
  • A right triangle has legs of 9 and 12. How long is its hypotenuse? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Mathematics, geometry. Common Core standard 8.G.B.7. Answer recomputed
  • A shop sold 12 kites on Monday, 9 on Tuesday, 15 on Wednesday and 6 on Thursday. How many more kites were sold on the busiest day than on the slowest day? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Mathematics, statistics. Common Core standard 6.SP.B.5. Answer recomputed
  • How many milliliters are in 2.4 liters? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Mathematics, measurements. "millilitre" read in Wiktionary. Common Core standard 5.MD.A.1. Answer recomputed
  • If 3n + 2 < 17, which of these is a possible value of n? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Mathematics, algebra. Common Core standard 7.EE.B.4.b. Answer recomputed
  • If 4x − 7 = 21, what is the value of x? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Mathematics, algebra. Common Core standard 7.EE.B.4.a. Answer recomputed
  • The point (−3, 5) is moved 4 units to the right and 2 units down. What are its new coordinates? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Mathematics, algebra. Common Core standard 8.G.A.3. Answer recomputed
  • The scores on five quizzes were 8, 6, 10, 7 and 9. What is the mean score? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Mathematics, statistics. Common Core standard 6.SP.B.5.c. Answer recomputed
  • Tickets cost $7.50 each. How many tickets can be bought with $60? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Mathematics, numbers and numeration. Common Core standard 6.NS.B.3. Answer recomputed
  • Two angles of a triangle measure 44° and 83°. What is the measure of the third angle? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Mathematics, geometry. Common Core standard 8.G.A.5. Answer recomputed
  • What is 2/3 + 7/8? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Mathematics, numbers and numeration. Common Core standard 5.NF.A.1. Answer recomputed
  • What is 8.4 × 0.25? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Mathematics, numbers and numeration. Common Core standard 6.NS.B.3. Answer recomputed
  • What is 48.376 rounded to the nearest tenth? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Mathematics, numbers and numeration. Common Core standard 5.NBT.A.4. Answer recomputed
  • What is the least common multiple of 12 and 20? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Mathematics, numbers and numeration. Common Core standard 6.NS.B.4. Answer recomputed
  • What is the value of 3⁴ − 5²? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Mathematics, numbers and numeration. Common Core standard 6.EE.A.1. Answer recomputed

Language 20

  • Choose the words that best fill the blank: "It had not rained in weeks. ____, the pond was nearly dry." HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Language, composition. Common Core standard W.8.2.c
  • Choose the words that best fill the blank: "The bus was late. ____, we reached school before the bell." HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Language, composition. Common Core standard W.8.2.c
  • Which of these sentences about a garden has a grammar mistake? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Language, usage, verbs. Common Core standard L.3.1.f
  • Which of these sentences about a hike has a grammar mistake? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Language, usage, verbs. Common Core standard L.3.1.d
  • Which of these sentences about a library has a punctuation mistake? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Language, punctuation. Common Core standard L.2.2.c
  • Which of these sentences about a party has a misspelled word? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Language, spelling. "receive" read in Wiktionary
  • Which of these sentences about a picnic has a punctuation mistake? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Language, punctuation. Common Core standard L.4.2.c
  • Which of these sentences about a recital has a grammar mistake? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Language, usage, adjectives and adverbs. Common Core standard L.2.1.e
  • Which of these sentences about a school day has a misspelled word? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Language, spelling. "separate" read in Wiktionary
  • Which of these sentences about a science fair has a grammar mistake? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Language, usage, pronouns. Common Core standard L.6.1.a
  • Which of these sentences about a soccer game has a punctuation mistake? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Language, punctuation. Common Core standard L.3.2.c
  • Which of these sentences about a trip has a capitalization mistake? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Language, capitalization. Common Core standard L.2.2.a
  • Which of these sentences about moving day has a grammar mistake? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Language, usage, confused words. Common Core standard L.4.1.g
  • Which of these sentences about the weather has a misspelled word? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Language, spelling. "tomorrow" read in Wiktionary
  • Which of these word groups about a river is a complete sentence? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Language, composition. Common Core standard L.4.1.f
  • Which sentence about a bake sale is written correctly? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Language, usage. Common Core standard L.3.1.g
  • Which sentence about a bike ride is written most clearly? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Language, composition. Common Core standard L.7.1.c
  • Which sentence about a dog states its idea most clearly? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Language, composition. Common Core standard L.7.3.a
  • Which sentence best combines these two? "The kitten was small. The kitten was brave." HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Language, composition. Common Core standard L.5.3.a
  • Which sentence does not belong in a paragraph about a class trip to the zoo? HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), "Description of the Subtests", page 2: Language, composition. Common Core standard W.8.2.b

How this list was compiled: Outline: the HSPT Interpretive Manual (Scholastic Testing Service, 2021), pages 1 to 3 and 23, https://www.ststesting.com/hp_int_sts.pdf, and the publisher's HSPT pages for parents, https://www.ststesting.com/hspt/. Word meanings and units of measure: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/. Usage rules and mathematics standards: the Common Core State Standards, https://www.thecorestandards.org/. Four passages restate NOAA (https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/kelp.html, https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/whysalty.html) and NASA Space Place (https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/comets/en/, https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/moon-phases/en/). All read 2026-10-12. Every mathematics answer was worked out a second time. Licence: Own work. Every question, passage, answer choice and explanation was written for this page from the manual's description of the subtest. None is taken or reworded from an HSPT, a Pre-HSPT or another practice test. The publisher's public pages carry no sample questions.

How it works

Unofficial HSPT practice: 100 questions written for this site in the five subtests the publisher's manual describes. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Scholastic Testing Service, the publisher of the High School Placement Test.

Read the full guide

All five subtests in every round

Each round of ten has Verbal Skills, Quantitative Skills, Reading, Mathematics and Language questions. Across the bank they keep the proportions of the real test.

A paper test or a PDF

To get an HSPT practice test PDF, send the question sheet to print and pick "Save as PDF" as the printer. Add the answer key only if you want it on paper too.

Where the questions come from

The publisher calls the HSPT a secure test, and its pages for parents show no sample questions, so nothing here comes from one. Mathematics answers were worked out twice. Word meanings were checked in Wiktionary, and four passages restate NOAA and NASA pages.

Questions and answers

What is on the HSPT exam?

Five multiple-choice subtests: Verbal Skills, Quantitative Skills, Reading, Mathematics and Language, 298 questions in all. A school may add one optional 40-question test, in Science or Catholic Religion, which does not count toward the composite score.

How long is the HSPT?

The publisher's guide for parents speaks of 2.5 hours of test administration. Each subtest has its own time limit, and the test administrator announces the halfway point of each one.

Is there an official HSPT practice test?

Not for families. The publisher leases a seventh grade edition, the Pre-HSPT, to high schools only. It says it is affiliated with no test prep product and endorses none, and that a well-rounded education is the best preparation.

Can you use a calculator on the HSPT?

No. The manual says calculators are not to be used on the Quantitative Skills and Mathematics subtests under standardized conditions. Scratch paper or the test booklet may be used for figuring.

How is the HSPT scored?

One point for each right answer and nothing off for a wrong one, so a guess cannot hurt. Raw scores are turned into standard scores from 200 to 800 and national percentiles from 1 to 99.

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