San Francisco · Archdiocese of San Francisco
St. Ignatius College Preparatory: HSPT & admissions
Jesuit college prep in San Francisco’s Sunset District, serving the city since 1855.
The short answer
- St. Ignatius College Preparatory lists the HSPT for December 5, 2026 (9:00am-12:30pm).
- The application deadline we found was November 16, 2026 (11:59pm).
- Beyond the test, St. Ignatius College Preparatory also lists portfolio.
- A section-by-section baseline helps you decide whether this school calls for a steady plan or late-start triage.
Key dates and details
| Application opens | September 9, 2026 (12pm) |
| Application deadline | November 16, 2026 (11:59pm) |
| Application fee | $100 |
| Entrance exam (HSPT) | December 5, 2026 (9:00am-12:30pm) |
| Exam requirement | Entrance Exam (HSPT) required for Class of 2031 applicants |
As listed on the school’s website when we last checked (2026-07-20). Dates change every admissions cycle — confirm with St. Ignatius College Preparatory’s admissions office before planning around them. See how HSPT Prep reviews school information.
Admissions checklist
| HSPT required | Applicants to the SI Class of 2031 must take the HSPT; the main SI test date is December 5, 2026. |
| Application | Submit the admissions application and fee by the deadline. |
| Portfolio | All applicants must submit an admissions video after the application deadline. |
Checklist items are based on the school’s admissions pages when we last checked. Verify the current cycle requirements with St. Ignatius College Preparatory’s admissions office.
Accommodations and testing setup at St. Ignatius College Preparatory
If your child has an IEP, 504 plan, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, or another documented need, ask St. Ignatius College Preparatory’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 St. Ignatius College Preparatory entrance exam
Like most Catholic high schools, St. Ignatius College Preparatory 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 St. Ignatius College Preparatory
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.
What is a good HSPT score?
A cleaner admissions-focused read on what different percentile bands actually mean to a family.
How HSPT percentiles work
What percentile rank means, how it differs from raw score, and how parents should interpret the report.
Can you retake the HSPT?
Why most schools treat the HSPT as a one-sitting test, and what to do instead of planning on a second try.
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 St. Ignatius College Preparatory require?
St. Ignatius College Preparatory 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 St. Ignatius College Preparatory entrance exam?
The school's website listed December 5, 2026 (9:00am-12:30pm) when we last checked (2026-07-20). Dates change every admissions cycle, so confirm with the admissions office before planning around them.
How should my child prepare for the St. Ignatius College Preparatory 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 St. Ignatius College Preparatory?
HSPT registration is generally handled through St. Ignatius College Preparatory'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 St. Ignatius College Preparatory 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 St. Ignatius College Preparatory for its test-day arrival and dismissal window because local administration details can differ.
Can students use a calculator on the HSPT at St. Ignatius College Preparatory?
The standard HSPT mathematics and quantitative sections are designed to be completed without a calculator. Families should still read St. Ignatius College Preparatory's current test-day instructions so the student brings only permitted materials.
Can St. Ignatius College Preparatory share HSPT scores with other Catholic high schools?
Score-sharing rules vary by school and diocese. Ask St. Ignatius College Preparatory 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 St. Ignatius College Preparatory offer HSPT accommodations?
Students with an IEP, 504 plan, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, or another documented need should contact St. Ignatius College Preparatory before registration closes. Ask what documentation is required and whether extended time, small-group, separate-room, or other arrangements are available.
When is the St. Ignatius College Preparatory application deadline?
The school's website listed November 16, 2026 (11:59pm) when we last checked (2026-07-20). Deadlines can shift each admissions cycle, so confirm the current application cutoff with the admissions office.
What else does St. Ignatius College Preparatory require besides the HSPT?
St. Ignatius College Preparatory also lists portfolio 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 San Francisco
Entrance-exam dates, score-sharing rules, application steps, and scholarship policies can differ even between nearby schools.
See all San Francisco Catholic high schoolsApplying to other schools too? See the full Catholic high school application guide and other San Francisco schools.
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