Los Angeles Catholic HS Entrance (HSPT-based) Exam Survival Guide

Use: Archdiocese of Los Angeles & nearby dioceses (HSPT given at selected HS)
Sections: Verbal • Quant • Reading • Math • Language

Must-do

• Verbal/Quant: classic analogies/series, verbal logic.
• Reading: main idea/inference, author’s attitude.
• Math: ratios/percents/fractions, pre-algebra, geometry.
• Language: grammar (S-V, pronouns), punctuation, spelling.

Top traps

• Skipping directions unique to a subtest (LA schools sometimes stress timing).
• Percent/ratio translation errors.
• Over-annotating reading passages.

Quick checks

• Ratio: 3:5 = x:40 → x = 24.
• Percent to decimal: 12.5% = 0.125.
• S-V: “Each of the teams has…”
• Reading: purpose in 1 line.

You will make

• Words→Math translator (“of, per, is, than”).
• Percent wheel + fraction pairs.
• Comma & clause card.
• Reading question-type stems.

Last-48h

• 20 math (ratio/percent); 15 verbal; 2 reading sets; 15 language fixes.
• Route/parking plan (campus logistics can be busy).

Speed tactics

• Two-pass; don’t chase a single series item.
• Estimate first; compute if options tight.
• Reading: skim topic sentences; answer type-by-type.

Day-of plan

• 8-min drill: 6 math + 4 language.
• Breathe/pace; hydrate; steady cadence.