Cincinnati · Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Purcell Marian High School: HSPT & admissions
Co-ed Catholic college prep in Cincinnati’s East Walnut Hills neighborhood.
The short answer
- Purcell Marian High School uses the HSPT, but the current exam date still needs confirmation.
- Beyond the test, Purcell Marian High School also lists 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
| Exam requirement | OPEN HOUSE EXPLORE THE CASTLE HSPT REGISTER NOW INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM LEARN MORE FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIPS LEARN MORE TRANSFER STUDENTS TRANSFER PROCESS FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM Purcell Marian mourns the passing of Mr. |
As listed on the school’s website when we last checked (2026-07-09). Dates change every admissions cycle — confirm with Purcell Marian High School’s admissions office before planning around them. See how HSPT Prep reviews school information.
Admissions checklist
| HSPT required | OPEN HOUSE EXPLORE THE CASTLE HSPT REGISTER NOW INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM LEARN MORE FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIPS LEARN MORE TRANSFER STUDENTS TRANSFER PROCESS FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM Purcell Marian mourns the passing of Mr. |
| Application | Donate Apply Athletics Calendar FACTS IB Hub Shop EXPLORE ACADEMICS IB PROGRAM ADMISSIONS STUDENT LIFE ALUMNI SUPPORTING PM EDUCATION FOR A BETTER FUTURE For nearly 100 years, Purcell Marian has cultivated the best in each for the benefit o |
| Transcript | Transcript or school records required as part of admissions. |
| Visit or event | Admissions visits or events are part of the process. |
| Financial aid option | Senior Awards Scholarship Award - Valerie Martin Scholarship Medal - Eddie Mohr Service Award - Rose Mazariegos Marian Award… KEEP READING ALL NEWS FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM Purcell Marian mourns the passing of Mr. |
| Shadow day | INTEREST FORM Home // ADMISSIONS ADMISSION INTEREST FORM COMPLETE NOW STUDENT VOICES LEARN MORE APPLY LEARN MORE SCHEDULE A SHADOW VISIT EXPERIENCE PM ADMISSION CALENDAR JOIN US! |
Checklist items are based on the school’s admissions pages when we last checked. Verify the current cycle requirements with Purcell Marian High School’s admissions office.
Accommodations and testing setup at Purcell Marian High School
If your child has an IEP, 504 plan, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, or another documented need, ask Purcell Marian 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 Purcell Marian High School entrance exam
Like most Catholic high schools, Purcell Marian 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?). 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 Purcell Marian High School
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.
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 Purcell Marian High School require?
Purcell Marian 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 Purcell Marian 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 Purcell Marian 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 Purcell Marian High School?
HSPT registration is generally handled through Purcell Marian 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 Purcell Marian 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 Purcell Marian 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 Purcell Marian High School?
The standard HSPT mathematics and quantitative sections are designed to be completed without a calculator. Families should still read Purcell Marian High School's current test-day instructions so the student brings only permitted materials.
Can Purcell Marian High School share HSPT scores with other Catholic high schools?
Score-sharing rules vary by school and diocese. Ask Purcell Marian 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 Purcell Marian High School offer HSPT accommodations?
Students with an IEP, 504 plan, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, or another documented need should contact Purcell Marian High School before registration closes. Ask what documentation is required and whether extended time, small-group, separate-room, or other arrangements are available.
What else does Purcell Marian High School require besides the HSPT?
Purcell Marian High School also lists 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 Cincinnati
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 Cincinnati schools.
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