Chicago · Archdiocese of Chicago
St. Ignatius College Prep: HSPT & admissions
A Jesuit college prep in Chicago’s Near West Side, consistently among the most selective Catholic high schools in Illinois.
Key dates and details
| Entrance exam (HSPT) | December 5, 2026 |
| Open house | Admissions events run October–November 2026 |
As listed on the school’s website when we last checked (2026-06-09). Dates change every admissions cycle — confirm with St. Ignatius College Prep’s admissions office before planning around them.
How to prepare for the St. Ignatius College Prep entrance exam
Like most Catholic high schools, St. Ignatius College Prep 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 St. Ignatius College Prep's entrance exam with free daily practice.
Free daily HSPT practice from 1,500 real-format questions, with a weekly progress report for parents.