Entrance Exam | Loyola Academy

Freshman Applicants

Begin your high school journey rooted in Jesuit values and the formation of the whole person. The freshman admissions process is designed to help families explore the Loyola Academy experience while guiding students through each step of applying as an incoming Rambler.

Steps to Apply as an Incoming Freshman:

  1. Submit an Inquiry Form
    Create your My Loyola account and stay informed throughout the admissions process.
  2. Register for the Entrance Exam
    All applicants must test at Loyola Academy on Saturday, December 5, 2026.
Entrance Exam

The Loyola Academy Entrance Exam is open only to current eighth grade students and is required for admission consideration and eligibility for financial aid. Students may only take the exam at one Catholic high school.

Loyola Academy administers the High School Placement Test (HSPT) which consists of five sections:

  • verbal
  • quantitative
  • reading
  • math
  • language (English)
Exam Day Information

The exam will take place at Loyola Academy, 1100 Laramie Avenue, in Wilmette. 

Please enter through the Piazza entrance.

  • The exam begins at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 5. Students should allow extra time for traffic and for getting to the testing room.
  • All students should report to the East Gym to receive their testing classroom assignment.
  • Students must bring two #2 pencils.
  • Calculators and language translators are not permitted.
  • All application materials, including financial aid information, will be distributed to students on December 5*
  • Students will not have access to vending machines during the exam, but may bring their own snacks and water bottles.
  • The exam ends at approximately 11:30 a.m.

*Please note, students must test at Loyola Academy on December 5 to be considered for admission to Loyola or eligible for financial aid.

Registration and Fees
  • Online registration for the exam will be available Monday, November 9, and will conclude on Thursday, December 3.
  • Sign in to your My Loyola account to register.
  • Walk-in registration will also be accepted on exam day, December 5.
  • The testing fee is $25 and will be collected at the time of registration. If not registering online, students must bring the testing fee with them on the day of the exam. Cash or check, made payable to Loyola Academy, will be accepted.
Parent Presentation

On the day of the exam, parents are invited to a curriculum presentation in the West Gym beginning at 8:30 a.m. 

Loyola Academy administrators and department chairs will present information on Loyola's curriculum, placement process and course options. Current Loyola Academy students will also be available to answer questions. This presentation is optional.

  1. Complete the Online Application — Available December 5 to December15, 2026, through your My Loyola account. Applications for admission are only distributed to students who test at Loyola.
  2. Upload Required Records — Submit school records and standardized test scores via your checklist.
  3. Apply for Financial Aid (Optional) — Details and application links are provided on the Tuition and Financial Aid web page. Eighth grade students must take the exam at Loyola Academy to be considered for admission or financial aid.

Admission is based on, but not limited to, entrance exam performance, academic record, extra curricular involvement, and alignment with Loyola’s mission.