Chicago · Archdiocese of Chicago
Loyola Academy: HSPT & admissions
The largest Jesuit high school in the country, in Wilmette on Chicago’s North Shore.
Key dates and details
| Entrance exam (HSPT) | December 5, 2026 |
| Open house | November 5, 2026 |
As listed on the school’s website when we last checked (2026-06-09). Dates change every admissions cycle — confirm with Loyola Academy’s admissions office before planning around them.
How to prepare for the Loyola Academy entrance exam
Like most Catholic high schools, Loyola Academy uses the HSPT — a five-section, ~300-question exam covering verbal skills, quantitative skills, reading, math, and language (see What is the HSPT?). Three things matter most:
- 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.
Applying to other schools too? See the full Catholic high school application guide and other Chicago schools.
Get ready for Loyola Academy's entrance exam with free daily practice.
Free daily HSPT practice from 1,500 real-format questions, with a weekly progress report for parents.