HSPT Tutoring

Natalie’s HSPT tutoring includes complete test preparation for all sections: Verbal, Reading, Quantitative, Math, and Language Arts. The HSPT (High School Placement Test) exam is one of the most rigorous high school placement tests, where students answer 298 questions in just 2 hours and 30 minutes. Her students work on relevant practice material and learn effective strategies, as well as time management techniques, for maximum success on the HSPT. Lessons help them form a solid study plan and achievable goals for each section so they can reach their desired percentiles on actual testing day.

Verbal

The HSPT Verbal section includes 5 essential questions types across a total of 60 questions: verbal analogies, logic questions, verbal classification, synonyms, and antonyms — all using advanced middle school-level and high school level vocabulary. Natalie shows students the best strategies to efficiently answer these questions, so they can score well in this section.

Reading

The HSPT Reading section has 40 questions related to reading passages, as well as 22 vocabulary questions. Using test-specific reading strategies and targeted word lists, Natalie helps students minimize time spent on each question type and maximize their score in this tightly timed section.

Language Arts

The HSPT Language Arts section features 4 major question types for 60 questions: punctuation and capitalization, usage, spelling, and composition. With Natalie’s background as a professional writer and editor, she guides her students through the grammar and punctuation rules they need to know as well as the strategies they should use to be successful in this area.

Quantitative and Math

The HSPT Math section uses basic arithmetic, geometry, percents, ratios, fractions, decimals, and prealgebra concepts (6th-8th grade math) in 64 questions to test students’ math knowledge and problem-solving skills. In contrast, the HSPT Quantitative section uses 4 major question types — number series, number manipulation, geometric comparisons, and non-geometric comparisons — in a total of 52 questions to test students’ analytical math skills. They go over any needed concept review and use the best time management techniques so students can ace both sections.

Tutoring includes:

Study plan based on pre-HSPT score results or initial practice test scores

Complete review of HSPT concepts and strategies with targeted practice (available for all sections)

Weekly feedback on student progress and homework completion (available for all sections)

Free online resources for reading and verbal practice

Timed practice sets during lessons

FAQ about Natalie’s test prep

Do you offer a full test prep program or classes?

No, I do not offer programs or classes. My lessons are one-on-one and adapt to the needs of every student, based on where they are at in their test prep and how much support they need.

What does a typical lesson with you look like?

I help my students not only get to the right answer, but also understand how they got to the right answer and what makes it correct. They also learn how to methodically approach questions and answers. By understanding how a test works and how the testmakers have created the questions, students can better learn how to take that test with minimal stress and maximum success.

Can you guarantee a score increase on the actual test?

No, as a tutor, I cannot make any guarantees when it comes to scores and reaching score goals. Students must be fully committed to their study plans, daily practice goals, and using the strategies they learn for them to make significant progress in their test prep.

How many lessons will my child need?

I cannot provide an estimate for the total number of lessons without more information or meeting the student. Some students need more support, while others need less. Ideally, test preparation should start as early as possible before a test date, at least 2-3 months. To start, I always ask for practice test results or previous test results to help me see where we need to focus the most. I also ask about what test prep, if any, a student has done so far and what their specific test score goals are.

Parents and Student Reviews

Fantastic Tutor!!!

“My 14 year old daughter worked with Natalie weekly over a 2 month period to prep for the SSAT and HSPT. She did a fabulous job helping my daughter prepare; she was super knowledgeable, patient, and supportive. My daughter has so much confidence going into her tests, thanks to Natalie. We highly recommend her!!!”