Philadelphia · Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School: HSPT, Admissions & Deadlines
All-girls Catholic college prep in Gwynedd Valley, in the Mercy tradition.
Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School in Philadelphia, PA uses the High School Placement Test (HSPT) as its entrance exam for 9th-grade applicants.
Before you lock a Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School study plan, take the free 25-question HSPT practice test to see which of the five sections needs work first.
The short answer
- Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School uses the HSPT, but the current exam date still needs confirmation.
- Beyond the test, Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School also lists recommendations, interview, visit or event, and portfolio.
- Financial aid is a separate step, so families using it should ask for timing early.
Applying to Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School? Start 3 days free before the school's HSPT date.
Try unlimited HSPT Prep for 3 days to see what is already solid and what to practice first for Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School's entrance exam.
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Key dates and details
We don’t have confirmed dates for the current cycle yet — verify entrance exam and application dates with Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School’s admissions office directly.
Admissions checklist
| HSPT required | Those who do not sit for the entrance exam at Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School may submit HSPT scores (to AdmissionsDept@gmahs.org) from another all-girls school to complete the admissions application. |
| Application | Application required as part of admissions. |
| Transcript | Catherine McAuley Alumnae Awards Alumnae Board Alumnae Giving Alumnae Newsletter Alumnae Speaker Series Class Agents Class Notes Gwynedd Force Legacy Scholarship Circle of Mercy Luncheon Reunion CK5K Meet Our Alumnae Mentorship Program Mona |
| Recommendations | Catherine McAuley The Gwynedd Calendar School Store Dining Services Uniforms Transportation Student Health Center Fathers' Club Mothers' Club Gwynedd Force Graduation Summer at Gwynedd 2026 Gwynedd at the Shore Annual Character Breakfast Re |
| Interview | Art (2 partials offered) Digital Portfolio & In-Person Interview Music (2 partials offered) Audition Video, Recommendation Letter, & In-Person Audition STEM (2 partials offered) Application & Recommendation Letter Legacy (1 partial offered) |
| Visit or event | Attend Open House as a representative of the Art Department. |
| Financial aid option | Tuition assistance information is available for qualifying families. |
| Portfolio | Art (2 partials offered) Digital Portfolio & In-Person Interview Music (2 partials offered) Audition Video, Recommendation Letter, & In-Person Audition STEM (2 partials offered) Application & Recommendation Letter Legacy (1 partial offered) |
Checklist items are based on the school’s admissions pages when we last checked. Verify the current cycle requirements with Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School’s admissions office.
School profile
| Students | 439 (NCES 2023-24) |
| Grades | 9-12 |
Accommodations and testing setup at Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School
If your child has an IEP, 504 plan, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, or another documented need, ask Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School’s admissions office how HSPT accommodations are approved before registration closes. Start with the HSPT accommodations guide, then confirm whether the school handles extended time, separate room or small group testing, ADHD accommodations, dyslexia accommodations, and documentation through the school or the diocese.
How to prepare for the Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School entrance exam
Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School uses the HSPT — a five-section, ~300-question exam covering verbal skills, quantitative skills, reading, math, and language (see What is the HSPT?). Start with a free HSPT diagnostic, then focus on three things:
- Start 8–12 weeks before the exam date.Short daily practice builds the speed the HSPT’s pacing demands.
- Practice the unfamiliar question types first. Analogies, number series, and logic items aren’t taught in most middle schools — they’re the fastest points to gain.
- Treat the first sitting as the only sitting. Most schools accept one attempt, and at many schools the score also drives merit scholarships.
Parent guides for families applying to Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School
HSPT timing: when to start prep
How far ahead to start, based on your test date, school list, and how much prep your child can realistically sustain.
6-week HSPT study plan
The middle-ground schedule: enough time to cover every section without turning fall into one long cram.
HSPT study schedule for busy 8th graders
How to fit HSPT prep around homework, sports, and the real-life schedule most families are actually managing.
How Catholic high schools use HSPT scores
Admissions, placement, scholarships, and why the same percentile can carry different weight at different schools.
What is a good HSPT score?
A cleaner admissions-focused read on what different percentile bands actually mean to a family.
How to help a child with HSPT test anxiety
How parents can lower stress without turning prep into a second source of pressure.
HSPT accommodations for IEP and 504 students
What families should ask for, when to ask, and how documentation usually fits into the process.
Common questions
What entrance exam does Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School require?
Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School admits through the High School Placement Test (HSPT), a five-section exam covering verbal skills, quantitative skills, reading, mathematics, and language, taken in the fall or winter of 8th grade.
When is the Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School entrance exam?
The school publishes each cycle's exam dates on its admissions site, typically in the fall; most Catholic high schools test between November and January of 8th grade. Confirm the current date with the admissions office.
How should my child prepare for the Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School entrance exam?
Start 8–12 weeks before the exam date with short daily practice, and focus first on question types middle schools don't teach — analogies, number series, and logic problems. Most schools accept one sitting, so the first attempt counts.
How do I register for the HSPT at Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School?
HSPT registration is generally handled through Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School's admissions process rather than through a national family registration site. Use the school's current checklist and confirm the test location, arrival time, fee, and required identification directly.
How long is the Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School HSPT?
The standard HSPT has about 298 questions across five sections and usually takes about two and a half hours, not including check-in or breaks. Ask Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School for its test-day arrival and dismissal window because local administration details can differ.
Can students use a calculator on the HSPT at Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School?
The standard HSPT mathematics and quantitative sections are designed to be completed without a calculator. Families should still read Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School's current test-day instructions so the student brings only permitted materials.
Does Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School offer HSPT accommodations?
Students with an IEP, 504 plan, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, or another documented need should contact Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School before registration closes. Ask what documentation is required and whether extended time, small-group, separate-room, or other arrangements are available.
What else does Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School require besides the HSPT?
Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School also lists recommendations, interview, visit or event, and portfolio as part of the admissions process. Use the school's checklist early, because these steps often move on the same compressed fall timeline as testing.
Compare other Catholic high schools near Philadelphia
Entrance-exam dates, score-sharing rules, application steps, and scholarship policies can differ even between nearby schools.
Applying to other schools too? See the full Catholic high school application guide, other Philadelphia schools, or the best Catholic high schools in Pennsylvania.
Get ready for Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School's entrance exam — start 3 days free.
Try unlimited practice for 3 days to see whether the highest-risk sections are already solid or need work before this school's exam date.
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