CPS High School Test Change

[Testprepmooom]

Hi everyone –

Just wondering what everyone is doing for test prep with the new changes to CPS HSAT to include science and ELA. We just bought all our tutoring supplies and have started studying of course!

[chicagoschooloptions]

Some more info here from Test Prep Chicago (not an endorsement, just where the info came from): https://www.testprepchicago.com/selective-enrollment-high-school-admissions-cps-hsat

Dear Parents,

Yesterday, CPS announced to school leaders that, beginning this fall, the CPS HSAT test will be replaced by a new exam, the PreACT 9 Secure. This test will be the new exam used for the GoCPS high school admissions process, and will be offered to all 8th-grade students.

Test Prep Chicago is a licensed participant in the NTPA ACT Affiliate Tutor Program. Through our connection, we have been aware that such a change might occur, and our team had already begun creating new PreACT 9 Secure curriculum. As such, students enrolled or looking to enroll in any courses or one-day workshops, or students beginning individual tutoring, can be assured that the content they are being taught will reflect the content seen on the new exam. All of our scheduled courses and one-day Palooza workshops will continue to run as planned, with the new PreACT 9 Secure content instead of the old CPS HSAT curriculum.

Overall, students can expect the following changes when taking the new exam:

The PreACT 9 Secure is a longer test than the CPS HSAT. The CPS HSAT lasted one hour, while the PreACT 9 Secure will last approximately two and a half hours.

The PreACT 9 Secure includes 4 sections, while the CPS HSAT only included 2. The CPS HSAT had a 30-minute Math section and a 30-minute Reading section; the PreACT 9 Secure will have a 35-minute ELA section, 40-minute Reading section, 45-minute Math section, and 35-minute Science section.

The PreACT 9 Secure will only be available in English, though it will still have accommodations for ESL students. The CPS HSAT had been available in multiple languages, but the PreACT 9 Secure will not have this option available.

For families who have already begun individual tutoring for the CPS HSAT, we will be reaching out to you directly with more information and suggestions on how to move forward. Note that much of the math and reading content on the old CPS HSAT and current PreACT 9 Secure is quite similar, so time already spent on CPS HSAT tutoring has been applicable to the new exam. Continuing to work on this material in individual tutoring, and to work on our HSPT ELA material, will be beneficial in preparing students for the new test.

Later this week, CPS will be sending out an email to all CPS parents about the exam change and officially announcing the official timeline for the GoCPS admissions process (see below). In the meantime, you can learn more about the PreACT 9 Secure here.

Please reach out to our team with any questions at info@testprepchicago.com, or call our office at 312-848-1266.

GoCPS Admissions Process Timeline

Application Opens: Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 10am

PreACT 9 Secure Testing for CPS Students: Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Application Closes: Friday, November 13, 2026 at 5pm

Initial High School Offers Released: Friday, February 12, 2027

[SEHS Parent]

Interesting! I think including science is a big change and outcomes will depend on what kind of science curriculum the students had. I do like that they’re using a nationally standardized test and that seems a bit more transparent and objective.

I would be surprised if there’s not push-back on the length of the test – because recently it was made quite a bit shorter and this is reversing that decision.

[Lemi-Ola Erinkitola]

Great questions — you’re both asking about the things that matter most this year.
One thing worth flagging up front, because it changes how you prep: the exam isn’t just adding science and ELA — CPS has retired the HSAT entirely. Starting this fall, kids will take the PreACT 9 Secure instead. Test day is October 7, 2026. It’s about 2.5 hours, with four parts — English (35 min), Math (45 min), Reading (40 min), and Science (35 min). One thing to know: the old HSAT was offered in several languages, but the PreACT 9 Secure is given only in English (there are still accommodations for ESL students).

@SEHS Parent — a few thoughts on your points:

Science — this one tends to surprise our students in a good way. Despite the name, it isn’t really a content test. Students don’t need to have memorized biology, chemistry, or physics facts. It’s much more about reading and making sense of data — for example, comparing the results from two charts. So how a student does depends less on which science curriculum they had and more on whether they’ve practiced that kind of thinking, which is very coachable.

A nationally standardized test — I think this is a real plus too. Because the PreACT comes from ACT (the same company behind the ACT your child will take later for college), there’s a lot more free and low-cost practice material out there than there ever was for the HSAT.

The longer test — you make a good point. Here’s something I’ve seen firsthand: the HSAT was a high-pressure test from the start, and it got even tougher when CPS cut it from 2.5 hours down to just one hour back in October 2023. That short time caused a lot of stress. Many students told me they ran out of time and were rushing or guessing at the end. The questions they got to were often right, but running out of time pulled their scores down — and that really matters, because (like in past years) selection is 50% grades and 50% test score. So while some parents will push back on the longer test, my honest take is that a lot of kids will be relieved to finally have time to think instead of racing the clock.

For anyone just getting started: with reading, science, and timing all new this year, the best first step is a practice test so you know where your child stands before buying any materials.
We put together a free webinar that breaks the whole test down — what’s on it, where kids struggle, and how to prepare: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnsC5QEkTO4
We’re also running free sessions every Thursday in June at 7:30 PM CT, including a free PreACT 9 practice test.

Register: bit.ly/Preact9
Happy to answer questions here too.
— Ms. Lemi, The Critical Thinking Child

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[Valentina_Chicago]

Hello, I am currently a student entering 8th grade. To assure you, The math concepts will be more challenging and the test realistically isnt much similar to the national standardized test. I got this information from my private tutor who will be tutoring 12 students including me for this new test for 3 Months.

[8th grader]

THANK GOD I GOT INTO NORTHSIDE BEFORE THIS HAPPENED

[Author]

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