Catholic School / Boarding School Entrance Exam Preparation

We have extensive, successful experience helping students prepare for entrance exams for Catholic high schools (HSPT - Catholic High School Prep Test) and boarding schools (SSAT - Secondary School Admission Test).

Preparation begins with a diagnostic test, which we provide. Students may complete the test at home or be monitored at MTA. When the test is returned to us, we score it and make recommendations based on the student's performance.

In addition to the total score, individual subtest scores are calculated. For the HSPT, the subtests are Verbal, Quantitative, Reading, Mathematics, and Language. The performance on each sub-skill of these areas is also determined.

When we score the tests, it is immediately apparent which (if any) areas need work before the exams, which (for the HSPT) is given in mid-January of the 8th- grade year.

If the results are below expectations, we offer tutoring in the specific areas needed. Before the first session, the tutor will review the diagnostic test, noting types of errors made. This determines the course of study. Generally, we like to have the students schedule three tutoring sessions, re-test, then schedule another set of three sessions if needed. If both verbal / reading comprehension AND math concepts / calculation are in need of improvement, we usually need to schedule the student with two different tutors.

We recommend taking the diagnostic test at least two months prior to the scheduled exam. This will afford the student time to refresh his/her memory, review skills, and learn test-taking strategies.

By the way, as a service to you, we keep our favorite HSPT study books in stock here and can sell them to you at a lower cost than you would pay at a bookstore.

NOTE: Last-minute preparation (two weeks or less before the test) will not allow time for substantive work on subject areas. Test-taking strategies will be addressed as much as time allows. Also, the times available for meeting with tutors may be limited because we'll be fitting you into our busy school year schedule wherever we can.

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