COOP and HSPT: Test Preparation for The Catholic and Other Private High School Entrance Examinations

EXCERPT

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Chapter 1: ABOUT THIS BOOK
This book will provide you with an accurate and complete representation of the Scholastic Testing Service's High School Placement Test (HSPT) and CTB/McGraw-Hill's Cooperative Admissions Examination (COOP). Inside you will find reviews which are designed to provide you with the information and strategies needed to do well on these tests. Two practice tests, based on the official HSPT and COOP exams, are provided as well. The practice tests contain every type of question that you can expect to encounter on test day. Following each of our practice tests, you will find an answer key with detailed explanations designed to help you master the test material.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
To thoroughly prepare for the actual tests, it's best to first read over the subject reviews and suggestions for test-taking. Studying the reviews will reinforce the basic skills you need to do well on the test. Be sure to take the practice tests to become familiar with the format and procedures involved with taking the actual COOP or HSPT examinations.

To best utilize your study time, follow our Independent Study Schedule located in the front of this book. Brushing up on areas you did well on wouldn't hurt either.

When Should I Start Studying?
It is never too early to start studying for these exams. The earlier you begin, the more time you will have to sharpen your skills. Do not procrastinate! Cramming is not an effective way to study since it does not allow you the time needed to learn the test material. The sooner you learn the format of the exam you are taking, the more time you will have to familiarize yourself with its content.

THE REVIEW SECTIONS
The reviews in this book are designed to help you sharpen the basic skills needed to approach the HSPT and the COOP, as well as to provide strategies for attacking each type of question. You will also find drills to reinforce what you have learned. By using the reviews in conjunction with the practice tests, you will better prepare yourself for the actual exams themselves.

TIPS FOR TAKING THE HSPT AND COOP

DON'T BE INTIMIDATED - Fear will ruin your chances of doing the best that you can on the test. Studying this book will help you to approach the HSPT or COOP with confidence and poise.

GET TO KNOW THE TEST FORMAT - Our practice tests have been specially designed to reflect the way the actual HSPT and COOP will look. Take some time to get familiar with the different tests that you will be taking. There shouldn't be any surprises for you on test day.

USE THE PROCESS OF ELIMINATION - This is possibly the easiest and quickest way to increase your score. Eliminating answer choices will lead you to the right answer almost every time. Neither CTB McGraw-Hill or STS will deduct points for incorrect answers. This means that even if you can't seem to get an answer, just pick one letter. If you blindly guess, you'll get 1 answer in 5 right. If you can eliminate just 1 answer choice, you'll get 1 answer in 4 right. Either way, you'll raise your score because you don't lose points for leaving an answer blank.

PAY ATTENTION - Be sure that the answer oval that you are marking corresponds to the question number in the test booklet. Otherwise, you run the risk of filling in all of the wrong ovals.

ABOUT THE HIGH SCHOOL PLACEMENT TEST (HSPT)

Who Takes the Test and What Is It Used For?
The HSPT examination is taken by junior high students who plan on applying for admittance to private or parochial high schools. This examination is used to evaluate a student's knowledge and determine if the student has adequate knowledge and understanding in specified subject areas.

Who Administers the Test?
The HSPT is developed and administered by Scholastic Testing Service and is updated each year to ensure test security. The test development process is designed and implemented to also ensure that the content and difficulty level of the test are appropriate.

When Is the HSPT Taken?
Students are required to take the HSPT in the fall of 8th Grade so that they will have another opportunity to take it if they do not pass. Taking our practice tests will familiarize you with the types of questions on and the format of the HSPT exam to eliminate the anxiety of only being able to become familiar with the test as you take it.

When and Where Is the Test Given?
The HSPT is administered in the Fall and once more in the Spring, but you should check with the school you are applying to for the exact date. Also, since the test is used in different ways (again, specific to the school), you will need to take the exam at the school to which you are applying (contact the admissions office of the school for more details).

To receive information on the exam or upcoming administrations of the HSPT, contact:

Scholastic Testing Service
480 Meyer Road Bensenville, IL 60106-1617
Phone: (800) 642-6STS Website: www.ststesting.com

Is There a Registration Fee?
Not exactly. Schools do not actually purchase the HSPT exams; rather, they "rent" them. To ensure test security, all materials provided to a school are returned to STS when the exams are completed. Therefore, your registration costs will most likely be added to the school's admission fees. Since each school is different, you should contact the school(s) in which you are interested to find the exact cost.

FORMAT OF THE HSPT
Section / Questions / Time Length
Verbal / 60 questions / 16 minutes Quantitative / 52 questions / 30 minutes Reading / 62 questions / 25 minutes Mathematics / 64 questions / 45 minutes Language / 60 questions / 25 minutes

OPTIONAL HSPT SECTIONS
Science / 40 questions / 30 minutes Mechanical Aptitude / 40 questions / 30 minutes Catholic Religion / 40 questions / 30 minutes

Here is a quick breakdown of the test sections on the HSPT and their subjects:

Verbal Skills - This section tests synonyms, logic, verbal classification, antonyms, and analogies.
Quantitative Skills - This section tests geometric comparisons, non-geometric comparisons, number series, and number manipulations.
Reading Skills - This section tests the ability to recall information from reading material, vocabulary, intuitive thinking (what would happen next), and locating main ideas.
Mathematic Skills - This section tests mathematical concepts and problem solving ability dealing with arithmetic, basic geometry, and elementary algebra.
Language Skills - This section tests an examinee's ability in capitalization, punctuation, word usage, spelling, and composition.

SCORING THE HSPT
Since the HSPT is taken for admittance to private high schools, the score required for admittance varies from institution to institution. HSPT scores are reported on a 200 to 800 scale. Before assigning you a score from the scale, STS first calculates a raw score. The raw score is figured by adding up all of your correct answers. Since STS does not deduct for incorrect answers, it is in your best interest to answer all the questions you can. Your raw scores are scaled to compensate for the slight variations that may arise between different exams.

After you take the actual HSPT examination, the test results you receive will include five different types of scores.

1. The Composite Score - This is the sum of the raw scores you receive on the five parts of the HSPT which is then converted into a standard score (standard scores are a cumulative average of the nation's test-takers per grade).
2. National Percentile Rank (NP) - Your score is ranked on a range from 1 to 99 which compares your HSPT results with that of other students at the same grade level. If a student scored an 81 on the Verbal Section, that student scored above 81% of the students from the national norm sample.
3. Local Percentile Rank (LP) - This evaluates scores much in the same manner as the National Ranking, yet it is focused on a student's comparison with a local group. Local groups are comprised of students who tested at the same school or from the same district.
4. Grade Equivalents - This percentile ranking compares a student's performance with that of other students at different grade levels.
5. Cognitive Skills Quotient - Used to replace the common IQ score, the CSQ serves also to gauge the future academic performance of a student. The CSQ is figured by combining the Verbal and Quantitative Skills scores and comparing them to the test-taker's age when he/she took the test.

ABOUT THE COOPERATIVE ADMISSIONS EXAMINATION (COOP)

Who Takes the Test and What Is It Used For?
The COOP examination is taken by junior high students who plan on applying for admittance to parochial (Catholic) high schools. This examination is used to evaluate a student's knowledge and determine if he/she has adequate knowledge and understanding in specified subject areas. The test is also used as a means of course placement. Very often, your performance on the COOP will dictate the level of courses that you are assigned upon entrance to the parochial school (if you are accepted). A very important point about the COOP is that it may only be taken once. It is imperative that you take the time to prepare for this exam and study.

Who Administers the Test?
The COOP is developed and administered by CTB/McGraw-Hill Publishers of Monterey, California. For further questions concerning the COOP exam, contact:

Cooperative Admissions Examination Office CTB/McGraw-Hill
20 Ryan Ranch Road Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: (800) 569-COOP http://www.ctb-east.com

When Is the COOP Taken?
The COOP examination is usually administered in the Fall of each year (usually in September or October), although the exact date is different for each diocese. Taking our practice tests will familiarize you with the types of questions and format of the COOP exam. This eliminates the anxiety of having to become familiar with the test as you take it.

Where Is the Test Given?
The COOP is offered at most parochial schools. To find out which schools offer the COOP in your area, check the back of the Student Handbook/Registration bulletin for a prospective school's diocese (to receive a Student Handbook, contact the school to which you are interested in applying). While students may take the test at most parochial schools, a student is NOT permitted to take the COOP at a school to which he/she is applying.

To receive specific information about upcoming administrations of the COOP or general information about the exam, contact your local diocese or parochial school.

Is There a Registration Fee?
Yes. The COOP requires a $23.00 nonrefundable registration fee. Check your COOP Student Handbook for more information on payment.

FORMAT OF THE COOP
Section / Questions / Time Length
Sequences / 20 questions / 15 minutes Analogies / 20 questions / 7 minutes Memory / 20 questions / 17 minutes Verbal Reasoning / 20 questions / 15 minutes Reading Comprehension / 40 questions / 40 minutes Mathematics Concepts and Applications / 40 questions / 35 minutes Language Expression / 40 questions / 30 minutes

Here is a quick breakdown of the test sections on the COOP exam and their subjects.

Sequences - This section tests the ability to distinguish various patterns in a series of numbers, figures, or similar arrangements. The examinee is responsible to select the part that will continue the pattern.
Analogies - This section tests the ability to associate a concrete or abstract relationship between two pictures, then select an image to maintain that relationship with another set of words, objects, or phrases.
Memory - This section tests the ability to recall previously presented nonsensical words and their definitions. After reviewing a list of words, the students are tested on their ability to create associations between the definitions and their nonsensical words.
Verbal Reasoning - This section tests the examinee's ability to reason with word relation, multiple word relations, intuitive reasoning on making a statement from known facts, and creating words from parts of nonsensical words.
Reading Comprehension - This section tests an examinee's vocabulary, ability to recall and understand information from a passage, select main ideas, and make suggestions as to what would happen next.
Mathematics Concepts and Applications - This section tests the examinee's ability in basic geometry, arithmetic, elementary algebra, and word problem solving.
Language Expression - This section tests the examinee's ability in sentence structure and language. The examinee is tested on the organization and creation of sentences and passages, and the ability to select writing based on clear and concise main ideas.

Calculator Use: Calculators will not be permitted during the test.