Oakland · CA

Holy Names High School: HSPT, Admissions & Deadlines

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Catholic high school in Oakland, CA with an admissions process that explicitly uses the HSPT.

Holy Names High School in Oakland, CA uses the High School Placement Test (HSPT) as its entrance exam for 9th-grade applicants.

Before you lock a Holy Names 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

  • Holy Names High School uses the HSPT, but the current exam date still needs confirmation.
  • A section-by-section baseline helps you decide whether this school calls for a steady plan or late-start triage.

Applying to Holy Names High School? Start 3 days free before the school's HSPT date.
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Key dates and details

Exam requirementOfficial admissions guide page explicitly names High School Placement Test (HSPT).

As listed on the school’s website when we last checked (2026-07-09). Dates change every admissions cycle — confirm with Holy Names High School’s admissions office before planning around them. See how HSPT Prep reviews school information.

Admissions checklist

HSPT requiredOfficial admissions guide page explicitly names High School Placement Test (HSPT).

Checklist items are based on the school’s admissions pages when we last checked. Verify the current cycle requirements with Holy Names High School’s admissions office.

School profile

Students121 (NCES 2023-24)
Grades9-12

Accommodations and testing setup at Holy Names High School

If your child has an IEP, 504 plan, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, or another documented need, ask Holy Names 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 Holy Names High School entrance exam

Holy Names 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:

Parent guides for families applying to Holy Names High School

Common questions

What entrance exam does Holy Names High School require?

Holy Names 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 Holy Names 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 Holy Names 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 Holy Names High School?

HSPT registration is generally handled through Holy Names 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 Holy Names 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 Holy Names 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 Holy Names High School?

The standard HSPT mathematics and quantitative sections are designed to be completed without a calculator. Families should still read Holy Names High School's current test-day instructions so the student brings only permitted materials.

Can Holy Names High School share HSPT scores with other Catholic high schools?

Score-sharing rules vary by school and diocese. Ask Holy Names High School whether one sitting can be sent to the other schools on your list, whether additional codes or forms are required, and which school should be selected as the testing site.

Does Holy Names High School offer HSPT accommodations?

Students with an IEP, 504 plan, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, or another documented need should contact Holy Names High School before registration closes. Ask what documentation is required and whether extended time, small-group, separate-room, or other arrangements are available.

Does the HSPT score matter for scholarships at Holy Names High School?

Some Catholic high schools use HSPT percentile ranks when awarding merit aid. Check Holy Names High School's current scholarship policy directly, including score bands, award amounts, renewal rules, and separate financial-aid deadlines.

Compare other Catholic high schools near Oakland

Entrance-exam dates, score-sharing rules, application steps, and scholarship policies can differ even between nearby schools.

See all Oakland Catholic high schools

Applying to other schools too? See the full Catholic high school application guide, other Oakland schools, or the best Catholic high schools in California.

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