What Happens After the Test? A Guide to Interpreting Your CPS HSAT Scores
The weeks of studying are over, the HSAT is done, and a huge weight is off your shoulders. But soon, a new document arrives: the HSAT Score Report. Looking at the numbers and percentiles can be just as confusing as the toughest questions on the test.
What do all these numbers mean? And how do they translate to your chances of getting into your dream school? This guide will break down your score report so you can understand your performance and plan your next steps.
The Key Numbers on Your Report
Your score report will have several pieces of data, but two numbers are most important for your application:
Reading Scaled Score: This is your score for the reading comprehension section.
Math Scaled Score: This is your score for the math section.
These two "scaled scores" are then used by CPS to calculate your final point value for the test, which is then added to your 7th-grade grade points to create your final score on the 900-Point Matrix.
Understanding National Percentiles
You will also see a "National Percentile" next to your scores. This number compares your performance to a national sample of students.
Example: A percentile of 85% means you scored higher than 85% of the students in the national sample group.
While this is a great way to understand your performance in a broader context, it is not used by CPS in their calculations. It is purely for your information. The admissions decision is based on your scaled score and how it converts to points, not the percentile.
How Your Score Informs Your Application Strategy
Your HSAT score is a critical piece of data that helps you build a realistic and strategic school list.
High Scores: If your score is very high, you can feel confident putting top-tier schools like Payton or Northside at the top of your ranked list.
Mid-Range Scores: If your score is in the middle range, you might have a strong chance at other excellent Selective Enrollment Schools and can be very competitive for many Choice programs.
Lower Scores: If your score is lower than you hoped, it's a sign to focus your strategy on the wide variety of excellent Choice programs that do not rely heavily on test scores.
What If My Score Isn't What I Hoped For?
First, don't panic. The HSAT is a tough test, and a single score doesn't define you as a student. Second, remember that the HSAT is a one-and-done exam with no re-takes. This is why consistent, long-term preparation is so crucial.
Whether you are a rising 7th grader just starting to think about this process or an 8th grader looking to maximize your score, the lesson is the same. The work you put in with resources like CPS HSAT Practice Tests directly impacts the score you see on this report. It's the most powerful tool you have to influence your admissions outcome.
Your score report isn't a final judgment; it's a key that helps you unlock the next step: finalizing your high school choices. Use it wisely to build a list of schools where you can thrive. The final step is to head to the GoCPS portal to officially rank your choices.
Frequently Asked Questions about Your HSAT Score Report
Here are answers to some of the most common questions families have when they receive their child's official HSAT score report.
1. What is a "scaled score"?
A scaled score is your raw score (the number of questions you got right) converted to a new, consistent scale. This process adjusts for minor differences in difficulty between different versions of the test, ensuring that a score from a test taken in October is equivalent to a score from a test taken in November. This final scaled score is what's used to calculate your points on the 900-Point Matrix.
2. The report shows a "National Percentile." Does CPS use this for admissions?
No. The National Percentile, which compares your performance to a sample group of students across the country, is for your information only. It helps you understand your child's performance in a broader context, but it is not used in the SEHS admissions calculation. CPS only uses the scaled score to determine your point total.
3. When are HSAT scores typically released?
HSAT scores are usually released to families through the GoCPS portal several weeks after the final testing date, typically in the winter (around January or early February). This timing allows families to see their score before the final deadline to rank their school choices. Always check the official admissions timeline for the exact dates.
4. Will the score report show which specific questions my child got wrong?
Typically, no. The official HSAT score report provides your final scaled scores and percentiles but does not include a question-by-question breakdown of correct and incorrect answers. This is why analyzing your mistakes on practice tests during your preparation is so important—it's your best opportunity to diagnose specific weaknesses.
5. Is it better to have balanced scores in Math and Reading?
While the final HSAT point total is a combination of both sections, the admissions process for top schools is so competitive that students generally need to demonstrate high proficiency across the board. A significantly lower score in one area can pull down the overall point total, making it difficult to meet the highest cutoff scores.