Honest Comparison
HSPT vs TACHS: which test does my child take?
The HSPT and the TACHS are both Catholic high school entrance exams, but they are used in different places and structured differently. Here is the honest comparison for families figuring out which one their child will take.
Quick verdict
Take the HSPT if the schools on your list use the HSPT — which covers most Catholic high schools outside the NYC area.
Take the TACHS if your child is applying to NYC Archdiocese Catholic high schools, which use the TACHS instead.
Feature comparison
| Area | HSPT Prep | TACHS |
|---|---|---|
| Who uses it | Catholic high schools nationwide (most states) | Catholic high schools in the NYC Archdiocese (and some nearby dioceses) |
| Format | Five sections: verbal, quantitative, reading, math, language | Four sections: reading, language, math, abilities |
| Scoring | Percentile-based vs same-year applicant pool | Scaled score with national percentiles |
| Timing | Single sitting, roughly 2.5 hours | Single sitting, roughly 2.5 hours |
| Prep implications | Dedicated HSPT practice (app format) | TACHS-specific practice and format familiarity |
Check the school list first
The test your child takes is decided by the schools on their list, not by preference. Most Catholic high schools use the HSPT; NYC Archdiocese schools use the TACHS. If the school list spans both, confirm which test each school requires — some schools accept either.
The honest bottom line
Once you know which test, prep for that specific format. The skills overlap (reading, math, language), but the question types and timing differ enough that generic prep is less efficient. HSPT Prep covers the HSPT format specifically; families taking the TACHS should seek TACHS-specific practice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the HSPT and the TACHS?
The HSPT (High School Placement Test) is used by most Catholic high schools nationwide and has five sections: verbal, quantitative, reading, mathematics, and language. The TACHS is used by NYC Archdiocese Catholic high schools and has four sections: reading, language, mathematics, and abilities. The test your child takes depends on the schools on their list.
Which is harder, the HSPT or the TACHS?
Neither is uniformly harder — they test similar skills in different formats. The HSPT leans on reasoning-heavy sections (verbal analogies, quantitative reasoning); the TACHS is more straightforward in structure. Difficulty is mostly about format familiarity: students do better on the test whose question types they have practiced.
Does HSPT prep help for the TACHS?
Partially. The reading, language, and math skills overlap, so HSPT practice is not wasted. But the formats differ, so students taking the TACHS should also do TACHS-specific practice. If your school list is in the NYC Archdiocese, prioritize TACHS materials.
See where your child stands before you choose.
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