Lynn Retterer is the Director of Admissions at Trinity Hall. Questions? Email [email protected].
Your Entrance Exam Questions Answered.
Our first Entrance Exam of the season is happening at Trinity Hall this weekend. Many eager potential Class of 2028 students will come to campus to take the test, and we are so excited to welcome them as they complete one of the first parts of the admissions process. We often hear that students are nervous about taking the Entrance Exam and are asked questions about preparation for the exam, minimum score requirements and more. I am here to address these frequently asked questions and give you insight into what part the Entrance Exam plays in the admissions process at Trinity Hall.
Why Do We Need the Exam?
Many people ask why we still require potential students to take an Entrance Exam. Throughout the years, Trinity Hall has had students apply from more than 70 different middle schools. With each school having different requirements for graduation, different grading scales, and different teachers and faculty, we need to have one constant factor across all applicants. Since there are many variables in the other parts of the application, we need one common exam score to assist our admissions committee.
Since the test is an application requirement, many students ask what score they need to get to be accepted into Trinity Hall. I would like to assure you our admissions process is holistic and girls do not need to score in the highest 10% to be accepted. The admissions process is like a puzzle, where every piece is important and necessary. When we review each middle school applicant, we look at the full picture of the student – your Exam score, your transcripts from 6th through 8th grade, your standardized test scores from middle school, your teacher recommendations, your application and your essays. While the Exam is a big part of the application file, it is not the only part. We encourage students to try their hardest on the Exam and to remember there is more to their application than just their Exam score.
What Do I Need to Do to Prepare?
The number one thing you can do to prepare for the Entrance Exam is to get a good night’s sleep the night before the exam. The second most important thing is to eat a good breakfast before you arrive on campus on the morning of the exam. While we know HSPT online practice tests and practice books are available for purchase, I want to stress that they are not necessary. The Exam tests you on your knowledge of what you have learned in middle school up until this point. However, we do recommend that you look at a scantron sheet before the test (your parents should be able to show you what it looks like), so you know how to fill in the “bubbles” with your pencil during the test. Other than that, my advice is to come to the test relaxed and with your pencils sharpened.
While we know the Exam can cause some pre-testing stress, just know that every student who has come into Trinity Hall as a freshman has taken the Entrance Exam and has survived. We know you will too! Arrive to the test ready to go in the morning and we know you will do your best. We can’t wait to see you this Saturday or on the Saturday of your Exam. Good luck!