CPS Is Replacing the HSAT With the PreACT 9 Secure — Here's Everything You Need to Know
Chicago Public Schools has replaced its high school admissions exam with the PreACT 9 Secure for students entering high school in fall 2027.
CPS Is Replacing the HSAT With the PreACT 9 Secure — Here's Everything Chicago Families Need to Know
Published by Top Marks Prep | June 3, 2026
Chicago Public Schools announced a landmark shift in its high school admissions process: the CPS HSAT is being retired and replaced by the PreACT 9 Secure, beginning fall 2026. The new exam will be used in the GoCPS high school admissions process and administered to all 8th-grade students across the district. If your child is heading into 8th grade, this change affects them directly — and this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
What Is the PreACT 9 Secure?
The PreACT 9 Secure is a standardized exam developed by ACT, Inc., designed for students completing 8th grade or entering 9th grade. Unlike the CPS HSAT — which was a shorter, district-specific test — the PreACT 9 Secure is a nationally recognized assessment aligned with the full ACT framework. It is more comprehensive, more rigorous, and significantly longer than what Chicago students have previously encountered through the GoCPS high school admissions process.
Importantly, the PreACT 9 Secure also serves as a preview of the full ACT exam students will take in high school, making strong preparation now a double investment in your child's academic future.
Why Is CPS Replacing the HSAT With the PreACT 9 Secure?
The CPS HSAT has served as the district's high school admissions test for years, but it was a proprietary, internally developed exam. By replacing the CPS HSAT with the PreACT 9 Secure, Chicago Public Schools gains access to a nationally normed, externally validated benchmark — one that offers more consistent measurement of student readiness and aligns with the standardized testing frameworks students will encounter throughout high school and beyond.
The shift also benefits families: a strong PreACT 9 Secure score not only supports GoCPS high school admissions, it begins laying the foundation for ACT performance in later years.
How Is the PreACT 9 Secure Different From the CPS HSAT?
The differences are significant. The CPS HSAT was a one-hour exam with two sections: a 30-minute Math section and a 30-minute Reading section. The PreACT 9 Secure is approximately two and a half hours long and includes four distinct sections:
| Section | CPS HSAT | PreACT 9 Secure |
|---|---|---|
| English / ELA | Not included | 35 minutes |
| Reading | 30 minutes | 40 minutes |
| Math | 30 minutes | 45 minutes |
| Science | Not included | Included |
| Total Time | ~1 hour | ~2.5 hours |
Two entirely new content areas — English/Language Arts (ELA) and Science — are now part of the GoCPS high school admissions exam. Students who prepared exclusively for the CPS HSAT will need to expand their preparation to cover these additional sections.
PreACT 9 Secure: Section-by-Section Breakdown
English (ELA) — 35 Minutes
This section tests grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical strategy. It was not part of the CPS HSAT, so it represents entirely new territory for students who have been studying for the old exam. The PreACT 9 Secure ELA section closely mirrors the English section of the full ACT.
Reading — 40 Minutes
The Reading section on the PreACT 9 Secure is 10 minutes longer than the CPS HSAT Reading section and includes a broader range of passage types — literary fiction, social science, humanities, and natural science. Students must demonstrate comprehension, inference, and analysis skills across diverse texts.
Math — 45 Minutes
The PreACT 9 Secure Math section is 15 minutes longer than the corresponding CPS HSAT section and covers concepts from pre-algebra through early algebra and geometry. Students who prepared for HSAT Math have a strong foundation, but will benefit from additional practice with the expanded content and timing demands.
Science — Included
The Science section is the most significant addition to the new GoCPS high school admissions exam. It does not test science facts — instead, it assesses data interpretation, scientific reasoning, and the ability to analyze graphs, charts, and research summaries. This section requires specific test-taking strategies distinct from anything tested on the CPS HSAT.
How Top Marks Prep Is Ready for the PreACT 9 Secure
Top Marks Prep is a licensed participant in the NTPA ACT Affiliate Tutor Program. Through this connection, our team was aware that the transition from the CPS HSAT to the PreACT 9 Secure was likely coming — and we had already begun developing new PreACT 9 Secure curriculum before the official CPS announcement on June 2, 2026.
That means students enrolled in any Top Marks Prep course, one-day Palooza workshop, or individual tutoring program are already covered. All scheduled sessions will continue as planned, with PreACT 9 Secure content seamlessly replacing the old CPS HSAT curriculum. No enrollment changes are needed.
Whether your 8th grader is just starting their GoCPS high school admissions prep or is already mid-program, Top Marks Prep has the curriculum, the experience, and the ACT-affiliate expertise to get them ready for the PreACT 9 Secure.
What Should Families Do Right Now?
If your child was already preparing for the CPS HSAT, the good news is that Math and Reading skills transfer directly to the PreACT 9 Secure. The additional focus areas are the ELA and Science sections, both of which reward targeted, strategy-based preparation.
If your 8th grader has not yet begun prep, now is the time to start. The PreACT 9 Secure is a longer and more demanding exam than the CPS HSAT, and building content knowledge alongside test-taking stamina requires time. Starting early remains the single biggest advantage a student can have heading into GoCPS high school admissions.
Top Marks Prep offers courses, one-day workshops, and one-on-one tutoring — all now aligned to the PreACT 9 Secure. Contact us to find the right program for your child.
Frequently Asked Questions: PreACT 9 Secure and CPS High School Admissions
When will 8th graders take the PreACT 9 Secure?
The PreACT 9 Secure will be administered to all CPS 8th-grade students beginning in fall 2026, replacing the CPS HSAT as the exam used for GoCPS high school admissions.
Does my child need to start test prep over?
Not entirely. Math and Reading preparation from CPS HSAT study carries over to the PreACT 9 Secure. However, students will need to add preparation for the ELA and Science sections, which did not appear on the CPS HSAT.
Is the PreACT 9 Secure harder than the CPS HSAT?
It is more comprehensive and more than twice as long. With proper 8th grade test prep, students can perform well — and the skills they build will also benefit them when they take the full ACT in high school.
Will Top Marks Prep courses cover the new exam?
Yes. All Top Marks Prep courses, workshops, and tutoring sessions have been updated to reflect PreACT 9 Secure content. Students currently enrolled do not need to make any changes to their program.
How is the PreACT 9 Secure scored?
The PreACT 9 Secure uses ACT-style composite scoring. CPS will provide further guidance on how scores factor into the GoCPS high school admissions process as additional details are released.
Where can I learn more about Chicago selective enrollment high schools?
Information about Chicago selective enrollment high schools and the GoCPS application process is available at the CPS website. Top Marks Prep can also help you understand what score targets to aim for based on your school preferences.