Selective Test Overview 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the purpose of the Selective High School Placement Test (SHSAT)?
- To assess general IQ for all public middle schoolers
- To determine eligibility for admission to specialized high schools (Correct answer)
- To place students into gifted programs within their current school
- To satisfy federal standardized testing requirements
Correct answer: To determine eligibility for admission to specialized high schools
The SHSAT is used specifically to determine which students gain admission to New York City's specialized high schools.
Question 2: How many sections does the SHSAT contain?
- One section covering all subjects
- Two sections: English Language Arts and Mathematics (Correct answer)
- Three sections: Reading, Writing, and Math
- Four sections: Reading, Grammar, Algebra, and Geometry
Correct answer: Two sections: English Language Arts and Mathematics
The SHSAT is divided into two sections: English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics.
Question 3: Students who score above a school's cutoff score on the SHSAT are offered admission in order of:
- GPA and teacher recommendations
- Score rank from highest to lowest (Correct answer)
- Lottery among qualifying applicants
- Attendance record and disciplinary history
Correct answer: Score rank from highest to lowest
Seats are offered strictly by rank—students with the highest scores receive offers first until seats are filled.
Question 4: Which NYC specialized high school does NOT use the SHSAT for admissions?
- Stuyvesant High School
- Bronx High School of Science
- LaGuardia High School (Correct answer)
- Brooklyn Technical High School
Correct answer: LaGuardia High School
LaGuardia High School uses auditions and portfolio reviews rather than the SHSAT.
Question 5: How much total time is allotted for the SHSAT?
- 90 minutes
- 2 hours
- 3 hours (Correct answer)
- 2 hours and 50 minutes
Correct answer: 3 hours
Test takers have 3 hours (180 minutes) to complete the entire SHSAT.
Question 6: On the SHSAT, which penalty applies to incorrect answers?
- One-quarter point deduction per wrong answer
- One-half point deduction per wrong answer
- No penalty; only correct answers count (Correct answer)
- Two points deducted per wrong answer
Correct answer: No penalty; only correct answers count
The SHSAT uses rights-only scoring, so wrong answers do not subtract from a student's score.
Question 7: Which grade levels are eligible to sit for the SHSAT in New York City?
- 4th and 5th grade students
- 6th and 7th grade students
- 7th and 8th grade students (Correct answer)
- 8th and 9th grade students
Correct answer: 7th and 8th grade students
Current 7th graders take the SHSAT for 9th-grade placement, and current 8th graders take it for entry into specialized high schools.
Selective Test Overview 2
Which of the following best describes the purpose of the Selective High School Placement Test (SHSAT)?