Chicago · Diocese of Rockford
Marmion Academy: HSPT & admissions
Benedictine Catholic college prep for boys in Aurora, west of Chicago.
The short answer
- Marmion Academy lists the HSPT for Register for the Entrance Exam (Incoming freshmen only) Class of 2031 Scholarship Qualifying Exam December 5, 2026 Make-up exams (do not qualify for Scholarships) January 9, 2027 and March 20, 2027 Scholarship recipients will be notified of.
- Admissions events start REGISTER FOR MAKE IT MARMION DAY Marmion Open House Sunday, October 25 at 1:00 PM Wednesday, November 18 at 6:30 PM Come explore our campus and experience all that Marmion has to offer., which usually means the fall timeline is already moving.
- Beyond the test, Marmion Academy also lists recommendations, interview, visit or event, and shadow day.
- Financial aid is a separate step, so families using it should ask for timing early.
Key dates and details
| Open house | REGISTER FOR MAKE IT MARMION DAY Marmion Open House Sunday, October 25 at 1:00 PM Wednesday, November 18 at 6:30 PM Come explore our campus and experience all that Marmion has to offer. |
| Entrance exam (HSPT) | Register for the Entrance Exam (Incoming freshmen only) Class of 2031 Scholarship Qualifying Exam December 5, 2026 Make-up exams (do not qualify for Scholarships) January 9, 2027 and March 20, 2027 Scholarship recipients will be notified of |
As listed on the school’s website when we last checked (2026-07-09). Dates change every admissions cycle — confirm with Marmion Academy’s admissions office before planning around them. See how HSPT Prep reviews school information.
Admissions checklist
| HSPT required | (*Voucher valid for new students only; must be present to win.) Entrance Exam Marmion Academy administers the HSPT (High School Placement Test) scholarship qualifying exam in December each year. |
| Application | APPLY NOW Video Player 1 2 3 79 of graduates earn academic scholarships 99 college acceptance rate 13 varsity sports offered 293 in merit-based scholarships awarded FAITH IN ACTION Crayons for Kids Crayons for Kids is an annual student-led |
| Transcript | Complete the online application ($50 Fee) Submit student’s most recent report card, standardized test scores (uploaded with the online application) and letter of recommendation APPLY NOWINQUIRY FORM Transfering to Marmion Academy A fresh st |
| Recommendations | Complete the online application ($50 Fee) Submit student’s most recent report card, standardized test scores (uploaded with the online application) and letter of recommendation APPLY NOWINQUIRY FORM Transfering to Marmion Academy A fresh st |
| Interview | Transfer applicants may need to interview with Mr. |
| Visit or event | Email bdickson@marmion.org or fill out our inquiry form Parent Shadow Day Thursday, September 24 at 8:15 – 11:30 AM Experience the difference! |
| Financial aid option | Register for the Entrance Exam (Incoming freshmen only) Class of 2031 Scholarship Qualifying Exam December 5, 2026 Make-up exams (do not qualify for Scholarships) January 9, 2027 and March 20, 2027 Scholarship recipients will be notified of |
| Shadow day | Email bdickson@marmion.org or fill out our inquiry form Parent Shadow Day Thursday, September 24 at 8:15 – 11:30 AM Experience the difference! |
Checklist items are based on the school’s admissions pages when we last checked. Verify the current cycle requirements with Marmion Academy’s admissions office.
Accommodations and testing setup at Marmion Academy
If your child has an IEP, 504 plan, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, or another documented need, ask Marmion Academy’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 Marmion Academy entrance exam
Like most Catholic high schools, Marmion 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.
Parent guides for families applying to Marmion Academy
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.
How Catholic high schools use HSPT scores
Admissions, placement, scholarships, and why the same percentile can carry different weight at different schools.
What is a good HSPT score?
A cleaner admissions-focused read on what different percentile bands actually mean to a family.
How to help a child with HSPT test anxiety
How parents can lower stress without turning prep into a second source of pressure.
HSPT accommodations for IEP and 504 students
What families should ask for, when to ask, and how documentation usually fits into the process.
Common questions
What entrance exam does Marmion Academy require?
Marmion Academy 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 Marmion Academy entrance exam?
The school's website listed Register for the Entrance Exam (Incoming freshmen only) Class of 2031 Scholarship Qualifying Exam December 5, 2026 Make-up exams (do not qualify for Scholarships) January 9, 2027 and March 20, 2027 Scholarship recipients will be notified of when we last checked (2026-07-09). Dates change every admissions cycle, so confirm with the admissions office before planning around them.
How should my child prepare for the Marmion Academy 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 Marmion Academy?
HSPT registration is generally handled through Marmion Academy'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 Marmion Academy 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 Marmion Academy for its test-day arrival and dismissal window because local administration details can differ.
Can students use a calculator on the HSPT at Marmion Academy?
The standard HSPT mathematics and quantitative sections are designed to be completed without a calculator. Families should still read Marmion Academy's current test-day instructions so the student brings only permitted materials.
Can Marmion Academy share HSPT scores with other Catholic high schools?
Score-sharing rules vary by school and diocese. Ask Marmion Academy 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 Marmion Academy offer HSPT accommodations?
Students with an IEP, 504 plan, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, or another documented need should contact Marmion Academy before registration closes. Ask what documentation is required and whether extended time, small-group, separate-room, or other arrangements are available.
What else does Marmion Academy require besides the HSPT?
Marmion Academy also lists recommendations, interview, 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 Chicago
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 and other Chicago schools.
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