The Test Has Changed.
If your child is entering 8th grade this fall and planning to apply to a Chicago selective enrollment or choice high school, there is something you need to know right now.
CPS has replaced the HSAT with a new exam — the PreACT 9 Secure. This is the new test used for the GoCPS high school admissions process. Every 8th grader applying to a top Chicago high school will take it this fall.
The test date is October 7, 2026.
What Is the PreACT 9 Secure?
The PreACT 9 Secure is a standardized achievement test made by ACT, Inc. — the same organization behind the ACT college admissions exam. It tests students in four subjects: English, Math, Reading, and Science.
This is not a cognitive ability test. It measures what your child has learned and how well they can apply those skills under timed, test-day conditions.
How Is It Different From the HSAT?
The difference is significant.
More than double the length. Two additional subjects. And unlike the HSAT, the PreACT 9 Secure is only available in English. ESL accommodations are still available for students who qualify — but the test itself is English only .
Why Did CPS Make This Change?
CPS has shared several reasons for adopting the PreACT 9 Secure:
The new test gives high schools more information about incoming students — beyond admissions, it supports course placement and academic programming decisions for 9th grade.
It aligns with the ACT, which all CPS high school students already take. 8th graders now get early exposure to the same format they will encounter again in high school. It also means more free and low-cost practice materials are available than there ever were for the HSAT.
There is more publicly available information about this test than there ever was about the previous HSAT format — giving families better tools to prepare.
What Does the Test Actually Look Like?
Four sections. All multiple choice. All online.
- English — 35 minutes — grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and writing conventions
- Math — 45 minutes — algebra, functions, geometry, statistics, and number and quantity
- Reading — 40 minutes — passage-based reading, comprehension, and analysis
- Science — 35 minutes — data interpretation, scientific investigation, and reasoning
Total testing time: 2 hours and 35 minutes.
Scores are reported on a scale of 1–32, aligned to the ACT score scale.
How Are Scores Used for Admissions?
High school selections for points-based programs are still determined by 50% grades and 50% test scores — the same formula as previous years.
Details on how test points will be calculated under the PreACT 9 Secure format will be shared by CPS near the start of the 2026-27 school year. Check back here for updates as CPS releases more information.
What Does This Mean for Your Child?
This is a bigger test than the HSAT. Longer. More subjects. Higher demands on stamina and critical thinking across four different academic areas.
For families who prepared their child for the HSAT — the preparation does not fully transfer. The PreACT 9 Secure requires a broader, deeper level of readiness.
For families who have not started preparing yet — there is still time. But the window is shorter than many families realize. October 7 is the test date. That is one shot. There are no retakes for the GoCPS admissions cycle.
One thing worth noting: the HSAT was cut from 2.5 hours to just one hour back in October 2023. Many students told us they ran out of time and were rushing or guessing at the end — and that hurt their scores. The PreACT 9 Secure gives students more time to think. For many students that is actually a relief.
How to Prepare
Start with a diagnostic.
Know exactly where your child stands before you direct any preparation time. Every student is different — what one child needs to work on may not be what another needs. A practice test first saves time and targets effort.
English — grammar and writing conventions matter.
The English section tests grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and writing conventions. These are skills many students have not formally practiced outside of regular classroom writing assignments. Focused review of grammar rules and sentence construction goes a long way on this section.
Math — build fluency across multiple areas.
The Math section covers algebra, functions, geometry, statistics, and number and quantity. Students need to be comfortable moving across topics quickly. Identify weak areas early and drill them consistently. This is not a section to cram — it rewards steady practice over time.
Reading — practice with passages under time pressure.
The Reading section is passage-based. Students read excerpts and answer questions about key ideas, structure, and meaning. The skill here is reading efficiently and accurately under timed conditions. Timed practice with test-style passages is the most direct preparation.
Science — this one surprises most families.
Despite the name, the Science section is not a content test. Students do not need to have memorized biology, chemistry, or physics facts. It tests a student’s ability to read data, compare results from charts and graphs, and evaluate scientific investigations. It is a reasoning test — and it is very coachable regardless of what science curriculum your child has had. Students who practice reading data and comparing experimental results improve quickly on this section.
Practice online and start early.
The test is administered online only. Students who are not comfortable with on-screen testing are at a disadvantage before they answer a single question. With 2 hours and 35 minutes across four subjects, stamina matters. Build it now so your child walks in confident, not rushed.
The Critical Thinking Child Has Been Here Before.
Every time CPS has changed the admissions test, Chicago families have trusted The Critical Thinking Child to get their students ready. We have 15+ years of experience preparing students for CPS high school admissions — through every format, every change, every deadline.
Our PreACT 9 Secure prep program includes live virtual instruction from certified CTC tutors, a 24/7 AI Study Coach that adapts to your child’s specific weak areas, full-length practice tests, and detailed parent progress reports.
Small groups. Expert tutors. One goal — get your child into the school they deserve.
Courses run June through September. Test date is October 7, 2026. Earlier blocks give your child more platform time before the test.
