HSPT admissions guide
Purcell Marian High SchoolHSPT, admissions and deadlines
Cincinnati · Archdiocese of Cincinnati
For families applying
What to know before you make a study plan.
Co-ed Catholic college prep in Cincinnati’s East Walnut Hills neighborhood.
Purcell Marian High School in Cincinnati, OH uses the High School Placement Test (HSPT) as its entrance exam, currently listed for November 21, 2026.
Before you lock a Purcell Marian High School study plan, take the free 25-question HSPT practice test to see which of the five sections needs work first.
Applications often include a student essay or short answers. Prompts vary by school — ask Purcell Marian High School for this cycle’s questions, then use the Catholic high school application essay guide.
Applying to Purcell Marian High School? Start your 3 days free before November 21, 2026.
Try unlimited HSPT Prep for 3 days to see what is already solid and what to practice first for Purcell Marian High School's entrance exam.
Worth knowing
Per STS Cincinnati registration (as of September 20, 2026), the Archdiocese of Cincinnati administers the HSPT November 21, 2026. Registration opened August 1, 2026 and closes November 19, 2026. walk-in registrations may be permitted; however, testing accommodations cannot be guaranteed. See the HSPT test dates page and how to register for the HSPT.
Key dates and details
| Entrance exam (HSPT) | November 21, 2026 (STS Cincinnati registration, as of 2026-09-20) · STS Cincinnati registration |
| Exam requirement | OPEN HOUSE EXPLORE THE CASTLE HSPT REGISTER NOW INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM LEARN MORE FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIPS LEARN MORE TRANSFER STUDENTS TRANSFER PROCESS FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM Purcell Marian mourns the passing of Mr. |
As listed on the school’s website when we last checked (2026-09-20). Dates change every admissions cycle — confirm with Purcell Marian High School’s admissions office before planning around them. See how HSPT Prep reviews school information.
Verified current-cycle sittings are on the HSPT test dates page. We do not invent days — confirm Purcell Marian High School’s date with the admissions office before you register.
Admissions checklist
| HSPT required | OPEN HOUSE EXPLORE THE CASTLE HSPT REGISTER NOW INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM LEARN MORE FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIPS LEARN MORE TRANSFER STUDENTS TRANSFER PROCESS FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM Purcell Marian mourns the passing of Mr. |
| Application | Donate Apply Athletics Calendar FACTS IB Hub Shop EXPLORE ACADEMICS IB PROGRAM ADMISSIONS STUDENT LIFE ALUMNI SUPPORTING PM EDUCATION FOR A BETTER FUTURE For nearly 100 years, Purcell Marian has cultivated the best in each for the benefit o |
| Transcript | Transcript or school records required as part of admissions. |
| Visit or event | Admissions visits or events are part of the process. |
| Financial aid option | Senior Awards Scholarship Award - Valerie Martin Scholarship Medal - Eddie Mohr Service Award - Rose Mazariegos Marian Award… KEEP READING ALL NEWS FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM Purcell Marian mourns the passing of Mr. |
| Shadow day | INTEREST FORM Home // ADMISSIONS ADMISSION INTEREST FORM COMPLETE NOW STUDENT VOICES LEARN MORE APPLY LEARN MORE SCHEDULE A SHADOW VISIT EXPERIENCE PM ADMISSION CALENDAR JOIN US! |
Checklist items are based on the school’s admissions pages when we last checked. Verify the current cycle requirements with Purcell Marian High School’s admissions office.
School profile
| Students | 391 (NCES 2023-24) |
| Grades | 9-12 |
Accommodations and testing setup at Purcell Marian High School
If your child has an IEP, 504 plan, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, or another documented need, ask Purcell Marian 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 Purcell Marian High School entrance exam
Purcell Marian 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 Purcell Marian High School
Catholic high school application essay
Prompts vary by school. Ask each office for this cycle’s questions, then use a process for common prompt types — not canned samples.
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.
4-week HSPT study plan
A realistic one-month plan for families starting late but still trying to move the score before test day.
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.
HSPT scores and scholarships: what is a good HSPT score?
The average HSPT score is the 50th percentile. What it means for admissions, what counts as a good score, and how schools use scores for merit aid.
How Catholic high schools use HSPT scores
Admissions, placement, scholarships, and why the same percentile can carry different weight at different schools.
HSPT accommodations for IEP and 504 students
What families should ask for, when to ask, and the Oakland/STS extended-time steps.
Common questions
What entrance exam does Purcell Marian High School require?
Purcell Marian 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 Purcell Marian High School entrance exam?
The school's website listed November 21, 2026 when we last checked (2026-09-20). Dates change every admissions cycle, so confirm with the admissions office before planning around them.
How should my child prepare for the Purcell Marian 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 Purcell Marian High School?
HSPT registration is generally handled through Purcell Marian 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 Purcell Marian 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 Purcell Marian 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 Purcell Marian High School?
The standard HSPT mathematics and quantitative sections are designed to be completed without a calculator. Families should still read Purcell Marian High School's current test-day instructions so the student brings only permitted materials.
Does Purcell Marian High School offer HSPT accommodations?
Students with an IEP, 504 plan, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, or another documented need should contact Purcell Marian 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 Purcell Marian High School require besides the HSPT?
Purcell Marian High School also lists visit or event, and shadow day 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 Cincinnati
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 Cincinnati schools, or the best Catholic high schools in Ohio.
Get ready for Purcell Marian High School's entrance exam — start your 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.