Chicago · Diocese of Rockford
Marmion Academy: HSPT, Admissions & Deadlines
Benedictine Catholic college prep for boys in Aurora, west of Chicago.
Marmion Academy in Chicago, IL uses the High School Placement Test (HSPT) as its entrance exam for 9th-grade applicants.
Before you lock a Marmion Academy study plan, take the free 25-question HSPT practice test to see which of the five sections needs work first.
The short answer
- Marmion Academy uses the HSPT, but the current exam date still needs confirmation.
- 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.
Applying to Marmion Academy? Start 3 days free before the school's HSPT date.
Try unlimited HSPT Prep for 3 days to see what is already solid and what to practice first for Marmion Academy's entrance exam.
3 days free · cancel anytime
Key dates and details
We don’t have confirmed dates for the current cycle yet — verify entrance exam and application dates with Marmion Academy’s admissions office directly.
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.
School profile
| Students | 423 (NCES 2023-24) |
| Grades | 9-12 |
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
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?). Start with a free HSPT diagnostic, then focus on three things:
- 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.
6-week HSPT study plan
The middle-ground schedule: enough time to cover every section without turning fall into one long cram.
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 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 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.
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, other Chicago schools, or the best Catholic high schools in Illinois.
Get ready for Marmion Academy's entrance exam — start 3 days free.
Try unlimited practice for 3 days to see whether the highest-risk sections are already solid or need work before this school's exam date.
3 days free · cancel anytime