Placement Exams

Students may take either the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) or the High School Placement Test (HSPT) to fulfill the admission test requirement. If the student submits results from both tests, the highest test score will be considered.  Students do not need to take both exams.

Students whose first language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in addition to the HSPT or SSAT.

 

The SSAT is a multiple-choice aptitude test for students in grades 8-11. The test consists of verbal, quantitative (math) and reading comprehension sections.  This exam is hosted at Villanova in December and at other high schools across the country throughout the year. Merit Scholarships are rewarded to students who score in the top 3 percentile nationwide on either of their first two attempts. The second attempt cannot take place within 60 days of the first attempt. For more information and to register for the SSAT, visit their website: www.ssat.org.

SSAT school code: 7949

 

The HSPT is a timed test which includes questions to measure achievement levels in verbal skills, math, and language. This exam is hosted at Villanova in November and late January. Merit Scholarships are rewarded to students who score in the top 3 percentile nationwide on either of their first two attempts. The second attempt cannot take place within 60 days of the first attempt. Registration is available online alongside our online application. Creating an account is free and easy!

 

The TOEFL comes in different versions: paper, computer and internet. Students must submit scores for all four parts of language: listening, speaking, writing and reading. Click here for Villanova's minimum requirements by grade. Students should register to take the TOEFL online by visiting: www.ets.org/toefl

TOEFL school code: 8967

 

Minimum Requirements

Villanova has chosen not to publish minimum score requirements for the SSAT and HSPT so as not to deter students from applying whom may be otherwise highly recommended and qualified through teachers’ comments, academic history and service within the community.

International students are required to meet or exceed Villanova’s minimum requirements set for the TOEFL in order to further demonstrate appropriate English language comprehension. Click here to see these requirements.