How do I register for the Entrance Exam?
- Registration for the Entrance Exam will open on Monday, November 11th. In order to register, you must fill out our application and pay the non-refundable $25 testing fee at the link above.
Why is testing at St. Laurence important?
- Admission to St. Laurence is more competitive than ever before - Last year, there were more than 600 applicants for the Class of 2028 with only 330 spots available, and we anticipate more applicants this year. Students who take the exam at STL on December 7th are given priority for acceptance and admission, and there is no guarantee that we will be able to accept transfer scores from other schools.
- Scholarship Eligibility - Qualification for the Gold Standard Scholarships, Leader/Scholar Award, and other named scholarships requires taking the exam on December 7th at STL. Don't miss out on these great opportunities!
- Financial Aid Priority - Families who take the exam at St. Laurence on December 7th are given priority when we distribute the Christian Brothers Award, St. Laurence's need-based financial aid.
How can I learn more about St. Laurence before the Entrance Exam?
- Come out to an event! Join us for a shadow day, Personal Tour Night or Open House throughout the fall. You can sign up for all of these events at this link.
What do I need for the exam?
- All you need are two sharpened no. 2 pencils! There are no calculators allowed. If you indicated that your child needs testing accommodations, Ms. Small will be in touch soon. If you have any questions regarding testing accommodations, please email msmall@stlaurence.com.
How can I prepare for the exam?
1. Search Online
Catholic high schools in Chicago's Archdiocese all administer the same entrance exam - the High School Placement Test (HSPT). If you google "HSPT test prep," there are countless opportunities and resources - from books, to classes, to online practice tests - to help you prepare for the exam.
2. Know the Content
Varsity Tutors provides free practice questions if you would like to see what type of content to expect on the exam. While this does not prepare you for the timed component of the exam, it is still good to know what types of questions are asked.
3. Take a Timed Practice Test
Every year, the biggest piece of feedback we receive from testers is that it was most difficult to adjust to the timing of each section. Gable's Tutoring has a few free online tests that include the timing for each section, along with correlating answers, explanations of questions and tips on how to be successful. Print out the questions, set a timer up and see how you do!