The 7 Most Common CPS HSAT Prep Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Preparing for the CPS HSAT (Chicago Public Schools High School Admissions Test) can be stressful for both students and parents. With so much riding on the results, it’s easy to fall into certain traps that derail progress. Here are the 7 most common mistakes — and how you can avoid them to set your child up for success.

1. Starting Prep Too Late

The Mistake: Many parents wait until the final weeks before the test to start preparing. By then, students feel rushed and overwhelmed, leading to cramming and anxiety.
Why It Happens: Parents underestimate the complexity of the test or assume their child will "pick it up naturally."
The Fix: Start early — at least 6-12 months before the exam. This gives students time to build familiarity with the format, reinforce concepts, and increase confidence. Consistent, small sessions (rather than marathon study sessions) produce better results. Platforms like Prepperoni offer audio-based learning that makes starting early easier by weaving learning into daily routines.

2. Focusing on Content Instead of Strategy

The Mistake: Students spend too much time trying to "master the content" instead of learning how to approach the test.
Why It Happens: Parents and students believe that knowledge alone will guarantee success.
The Fix: Test-taking strategy is just as important as content mastery. Understanding time management, guessing strategies, and recognizing question traps are crucial skills. Use practice tests to identify patterns in the types of questions asked and practice strategic problem-solving. Prepperoni's audio stories embed strategy lessons right into the narrative, so students learn strategy naturally.

3. Skipping Full-Length Practice Tests

The Mistake: Students prepare with short practice sessions but never simulate the full, timed test.
Why It Happens: Full-length tests are long and feel "boring" to students.
The Fix: Take at least 3-5 full-length practice tests before test day. These simulate the mental endurance and pacing needed to succeed. The goal is to condition students to maintain focus for the full test duration. Schedule "mock test days" at least once a month leading up to the exam. Platforms like Prepperoni turn test prep into a story-driven experience, so it feels less like a chore and more like binge-worthy content.

4. Ignoring Test Timing and Pacing

The Mistake: Students answer questions too slowly and run out of time or rush and make careless mistakes.
Why It Happens: Without real-time practice, students don’t develop a sense of how fast they need to move.
The Fix: Practice with a timer. Set mini-timers for sections of the test to ensure students aren’t spending too much time on one problem. Teach students to skip difficult questions and come back to them. Most students will perform better if they answer the "easy wins" first and then tackle harder questions later.

5. Relying Solely on Practice Worksheets

The Mistake: Students prepare by doing hundreds of worksheets, which can be repetitive and boring.
Why It Happens: Parents believe "more is better," thinking that repetition will increase confidence.
The Fix: Use a variety of preparation methods, like audio-based learning, storytelling, and interactive challenges. Worksheets have their place, but they should be paired with engaging activities. This is where PREPperoni excels by using audio storytelling to engage students in relatable, memorable learning experiences. Worksheets reinforce the skills, but stories build long-term understanding.

6. Not Addressing Test Anxiety Early

The Mistake: Students panic on test day, forget everything they studied, or freeze on tough questions.
Why It Happens: Anxiety isn't addressed during the prep process, and students haven't experienced the "test-day feeling" beforehand.
The Fix: Teach mindfulness and breathing techniques to reduce anxiety. Run "mock test days" where students practice under test-like conditions. Normalize the idea that "it's okay to skip questions" and come back to them later. Positive reinforcement, along with platforms like PREPperoni, makes learning feel fun and light — reducing test anxiety over time.

7. Not Investing in the Right Resources

The Mistake: Parents try to "DIY" test prep or rely on free resources that don't provide structured, high-quality support.
Why It Happens: Parents want to save money and believe free resources are "good enough."
The Fix: Invest in a premium, structured prep program like PREPperoni. Free resources may introduce concepts but rarely teach strategy, timing, and mental readiness. Prepperoni's story-driven, premium platform ensures students stay engaged while mastering key concepts. As a high-ticket, premium option, it signals to both parents and students that test prep is a serious investment — with a serious payoff.

Avoiding these 7 common mistakes can mean the difference between stress and success. Prep smarter, not harder, with the right strategy, pacing, and engaging content like the kind offered by PREPperoni. Start early, prioritize strategy, and create a supportive environment so your child walks into test day feeling confident and prepared.

If you want your child to be confident, prepared, ready to master the CPS HSAT, and get in to the school of their choice, sign up for PREPperoni — the only premium, audio-based platform that turns test prep into an engaging and unforgettable experience.

Start prepping smarter, not harder.