Standardized Tests
Testing Policies for Applicants
*Please note that testing is required for all applicants.
- 9th and 10th grade applicants
- 11th, 12th grade, and post graduate applicants
- International students at all grade levels
- Broadening teacher recommendation requirements
9th and 10th grade applicants
11th, 12th grade, and post graduate applicants
International students at all grade levels
Broadening teacher recommendation requirements
Standardized testing for the admission process depends on the grade to which you are applying.
| Grades 9 and 10 | SSAT or ISEE |
| Grade 11 | SSAT, PSAT, SAT 1, or ISEE |
| Grade 12 and Postgraduate | SAT 1, ACT, or PSAT |
| Non-Native English Speaking Applicants* | TOEFL, Duolingo, or IELTS |
* For applicants who have attended a school for three years or more where English is the primary mode of instruction, testing is not required.
The Hotchkiss School is interested in understanding its applicants from the broadest perspective possible. As we are committed to a holistic review of each candidate, the Character Skills Snapshot provides an important opportunity for our admission team to get to know you better. While the Character Skills Snapshot is not mandatory for applicants to Hotchkiss, please know that it is an informative tool to help us appreciate your non-cognitive attributes, and to understand more fully how best to shape an educational experience that will prepare you for a life of meaning and consequence.
When to Take the Test
The preferred time to schedule a standardized test is on the November or December dates. Applicants who take the January exams will still be considered during the regular admission cycle, but only once their test scores are received. We encourage you to attend to this requirement as soon as possible since registration deadlines come well in advance of the test dates.
For assistance with test fee waivers, please contact our office at +1 860-435-3102 or admission@hotchkiss.org.