A Guide for 7th Graders: How to Lay the Foundation for HSAT Success
If you're a 7th-grade student or parent in Chicago, the high school application process might seem like a distant concern. But the truth is, this academic year is one of the most important of your middle school career. The habits and, most importantly, the grades you earn now have a direct and powerful impact on your future high school application.
This guide isn't about stressful, intensive test prep a year early. Instead, it’s a low-stress roadmap to building a strong academic foundation that will make the entire HSAT process infinitely easier when the time comes.
The #1 Priority: Your 7th-Grade Grades
Before thinking about any test, your primary focus for this year should be your performance in your core classes. According to the admissions formula used by Chicago Public Schools, your final 7th-grade grades in Math, English, Science, and Social Studies account for a full 50% of your total score.
These grades are converted into points—up to 450 of them—on the 900-Point Matrix. Every 'A' you earn is like putting a huge deposit in your admissions bank account long before you even sit for the HSAT. Doing your homework, participating in class, and studying for your school tests is the single most effective "prep" you can do this year.
Habit #1: Become a Voracious Reader
The best way to prepare for the HSAT Reading Comprehension section is to develop a genuine love of reading now. Reading widely and consistently will naturally:
Build your reading stamina for a long test.
Increase your reading speed.
Expose you to the complex sentences and ideas found on the exam.
Make it a goal to read for 30 minutes every day. Go beyond school assignments and explore challenging fiction and non-fiction articles. This is also the perfect time to start a "word journal," a key technique we cover in our Vocabulary for Victory guide.
Habit #2: Master Your Current Math
Pay close attention in your 7th-grade math class. The concepts you are learning—from ratios and proportions to the foundations of algebra—are the exact building blocks that will appear on the HSAT. The more deeply you understand them now, the less you'll have to re-learn them next year. Get comfortable doing your math homework without a calculator whenever possible. This will build the powerful mental math skills we discuss in our No-Calculator Challenge post.
A Note on Practice Tests
At this stage, you do not need to be taking full, timed HSAT practice tests. That can lead to premature burnout. However, it can be very helpful to simply look at some sample questions to demystify the exam. Exploring the materials available in our CPS HSAT Practice Test options shows you the types of questions you'll eventually face. Think of it as looking at the map of your destination long before you start the journey—not running the race a year early.
For parents, your job this year is to encourage these positive habits. For more on how to be an effective coach without adding pressure, review the strategies in The Role of the Parent.
By focusing on these simple, powerful habits, you are not just preparing for a test; you are becoming a stronger, more confident student. When the time comes for focused prep in 8th grade, you'll be starting from a position of incredible strength.