Honest Comparison
HSPT vs TACHS: which test does my child take?
TACHS scores are national and local percentile ranks, and the HSPT reports a standard score plus a national percentile. The test your child takes still depends on the schools on the list.
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 | Standard score (200-800) and national percentile | National and local percentile ranks only |
| 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 |
How each test is scored
TACHS reports a national percentile rank and a local percentile rank for Reading, Written Expression, Mathematics, Total Achievement, and Ability. Total Achievement is a weighted average of Reading, Written Expression, and Mathematics. The national rank is the share of a national eighth-grade sample that scored at or below the student. The local rank compares students who took TACHS in the same diocese or dioceses on the same dates. The report does not include a raw score, a percent correct, or the kind of score the SAT and ACT report. Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of New York, the Diocese of Brooklyn/Queens, and the Diocese of Rockville Centre use this exam. (TACHS, how to read the home report) (Archdiocese of New York)
The HSPT, from Scholastic Testing Service, counts correct answers on each subtest and does not subtract points for wrong answers. Those raw scores convert to a standard score from 200 to 800 and a national percentile from 1 to 99. The national percentile is the share of a national sample that scored below the student, and 50 is exactly average. The battery composite covers Verbal, Quantitative, Reading, Mathematics, and Language, and it is not the average of the section scores. (STS, How Are Tests Scored?) (STS, standard scores)
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. If the list uses the HSPT, HSPT test dates lists verified current-cycle sittings so you can plan the window.
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.
How is the TACHS scored compared with the HSPT?
TACHS reports a national percentile rank and a local percentile rank for Reading, Written Expression, Mathematics, Total Achievement (a weighted average of those three), and Ability. It does not report a raw score, a percent correct, or the kind of score the SAT and ACT report. The national rank is the share of a national eighth-grade sample at or below the student. The local rank compares students who took TACHS in the same diocese or dioceses on the same dates. The HSPT converts correct answers, with no penalty for wrong answers, into a standard score from 200 to 800 and a national percentile from 1 to 99, where 50 is exactly average. The HSPT battery composite covers Verbal, Quantitative, Reading, Mathematics, and Language, and it is not the average of the section scores.
See where your child stands before you choose.
A free baseline HSPT test shows current strengths and the score range to target — the first fact in any prep decision.
HSPT vs ISEE
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What is the HSPT?
The sections, timing, and scoring of the exam.
Free HSPT practice test
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