Tests / By city
High school entrance tests by city
The test an 8th grader takes depends on where the family lives. Catholic high schools in Chicago, Phoenix and Washington use the HSPT. In Dallas and Houston it is the ISEE, and in Atlanta the SSAT. New York has three tests of its own.
The ten largest US metro areas, for students entering 9th grade in fall 2027. Facts checked October 11, 2026.
New York City
A New York City 8th grader can face three different tests. The SHSAT decides admission to eight specialized public high schools. The TACHS is for Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of New York, Brooklyn and Queens, and Long Island. The HSPT is used by a few schools, including Regis, Loyola School and Fordham Prep.
Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, the archdiocese requires 8th graders applying to Catholic high schools to take an entrance exam, and each school runs its own. Bishop Amat and Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks both use the HSPT and test in January. LAUSD magnet programs have no entrance test and select by priority points.
Chicago
In Chicago, every Catholic high school in the archdiocese gives the HSPT on the same day. For fall 2027 entry that day is Saturday, Dec 5, 2026, and a student may test at only one school. Chicago Public Schools uses its own test, the CPS High School Admissions Test, given in October.
Dallas
In Dallas, the Catholic high schools we read require the ISEE, not the HSPT. Bishop Lynch and Jesuit Dallas both require it of all freshman applicants and offer it on campus in December and January. Dallas ISD magnet schools use grades and state test scores to qualify students, then a campus assessment.
Houston
In Houston, the Catholic high schools we read use the ISEE. Strake Jesuit requires it of all 9th grade applicants, and St. Agnes Academy accepts only ISEE scores. Frassati Catholic, north of the city, takes either the HSPT or the ISEE. Houston ISD's Carnegie Vanguard High School admits by a points matrix and lottery.
Washington, DC
In the Washington, DC area the Catholic high school test is the HSPT. Twelve high schools in the Archdiocese of Washington require it, with test dates on Dec 5 and Dec 12, 2026 and Jan 9, 2027. The Diocese of Arlington in Virginia requires it too. In both, a student may take it only once.
Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, the 15 archdiocesan high schools share one HSPT sitting for scholarships. It is free, students take it once, and scores can go to up to three schools. Catholic elementary students tested on Sept 21 and 24, 2026. The School District of Philadelphia uses state PSSA scores and grades, then a lottery.
Atlanta
In Atlanta, the Catholic high schools we read use the SSAT. St. Pius X requires it of all 9th grade applicants for the 2026 to 2027 admissions season. Blessed Trinity hosts the standard SSAT on its campus on Dec 12 and Jan 30, which match the SSAT's national test dates for 2026 and 2027.
Miami
In the Miami area, the Catholic high schools we read give their entrance exam on Saturday, Dec 5, 2026. Christopher Columbus and Cardinal Gibbons both name it as the HSPT, and applying registers a student for the test. Most Miami-Dade magnet programs have no entrance test and fill seats by lottery.
Phoenix
In Phoenix, every diocesan Catholic high school requires the HSPT. For fall 2027 entry, the schools we read test on Dec 5 and Dec 12, 2026. Xavier College Preparatory and Seton Catholic Preparatory both charge $50 and say the test is taken only once.