Top 5 Study Habits for CPS HSAT Success

Scoring high on the CPS HSAT (Chicago Public Schools High School Admissions Test) requires more than just knowing the material — it’s about mastering study habits that lead to confidence, strategy, and peak performance. Here are the top 5 study habits every student needs to succeed on the CPS HSAT.

1. Consistent, Daily Practice (Not Cramming)

Why It Matters: Consistency beats cramming every time. Daily practice builds muscle memory and long-term retention, while cramming leads to stress and burnout.
What to Do:

Break it up: Dedicate 20-30 minutes a day to study rather than 3-hour sessions once a week.
Stick to a schedule: Create a study calendar with daily goals and check off each session as it’s completed.
Micro-learning: Use short, engaging content like PREPperoni’s story-driven audio lessons to fit learning into everyday moments (like car rides or walks).

Pro Tip: Consistency is more important than perfection. If your child misses a day, get back on track the next day. Small steps daily lead to huge results over time.

2. Master Test-Taking Strategies (Not Just Content)

Why It Matters: Knowing how to approach the test is as important as knowing what's on it. The HSAT is designed to test problem-solving, not just knowledge.
What to Do:

Learn elimination techniques: Practice identifying and eliminating wrong answer choices.
Use the two-pass method: Skip hard questions on the first pass, and come back to them later.
Learn to manage time: Teach students to aim for 1 minute per question. If a question takes longer, mark it and move on.
Practice guessing: Since there’s no penalty for wrong answers, students should never leave a question blank. If time runs out, guess on the remaining questions.

Pro Tip: Practice strategy in action by using full-length practice tests under timed conditions. Tools like PREPperoniincorporate these strategies into their storytelling, so students learn them naturally as they go.

3. Active Learning Over Passive Learning

Why It Matters: Passive learning (like re-reading notes) is less effective than active learning, which engages the brain at a deeper level.
What to Do:

Teach-back method: Have your child teach concepts back to you as if you’re the student. This forces them to think critically and fill in any gaps in their understanding.
Use quizzes: Take weekly quizzes to reinforce learning and get used to the test format.
Active note-taking: Instead of copying notes, have your child summarize concepts in their own words.
Story-based learning: Storytelling creates emotional and cognitive connections to material, making it "stickier." Platforms like PREPperoni turn boring concepts into binge-worthy audio stories, helping students remember complex concepts.

Pro Tip: Try “sprint sessions” where your child actively works for 20 minutes (no distractions) and then takes a 5-minute break. This high-focus, short-burst approach is called the Pomodoro Technique and has been proven to boost productivity.

4. Track Progress and Reflect on Mistakes

Why It Matters: Most students repeat the same mistakes because they don’t analyze what went wrong. Reflection turns mistakes into learning opportunities.
What to Do:

Keep a mistake log: Track every missed problem and note why it was wrong (careless mistake, misunderstood concept, ran out of time, etc.).
Review the mistake log weekly: Have your child revisit past mistakes and rework those problems.
Break down concepts: If certain questions (like "fractions" or "word problems") are consistently difficult, dedicate extra time to them.

Pro Tip: Encourage a growth mindset by reinforcing that mistakes are part of learning. PREPperoni’s quiz-based review system helps identify weak areas, and the audio-based format allows students to revisit tough concepts anytime.

5. Build Test-Day Readiness with Full-Length Practice Exams

Why It Matters: Many students get tripped up by test-day nerves or time pressure, even if they "know" the material. Simulating test-day conditions builds mental stamina and time management.
What to Do:

Take at least 3-5 full-length tests: These should be done under real conditions (quiet space, strict timing, no phones).
Review your results: Go over every incorrect answer and review why it was missed.
Test timing: Time each section so your child learns how long to spend on each question.
Test "energy management": Full-length tests build stamina. Students must learn to stay focused for 2-3 hours, not just 20-30 minutes.

Pro Tip: Simulate the "test-day experience" by waking up at the same time, eating breakfast, and starting the exam at the same hour as the real test. Platforms like PREPperoni make it easy to practice for long sessions by embedding test-taking skills into short, digestible lessons, so students don't feel overwhelmed.