SHSAT Cutoff Scores Test 2026 May

SHSAT Cutoff Scores Explained: The 200–800 Composite Scale

The SHSAT cutoff scores that determine admission to New York City's specialized high schools are not raw point totals — they are scaled composite scores derived from a 200–800 scale. Each student's ELA and Math raw scores (correct answers only; no penalty for wrong answers) are converted independently through a statistical equating process, then combined into a single composite. That composite is what schools rank students by.

A cutoff score is defined as the composite earned by the lowest-ranked student who received an offer at a given school in a given year. It is set retroactively — the DOE makes all offers first, then the cutoff is simply whatever the last admitted student scored. No target cutoff is published in advance, and it shifts every cycle based on the applicant pool's performance and each school's seat count.

Score spread across the eight schools is dramatic:

Stuyvesant High School: consistently requires 550+ (often 560–580 in competitive years)
Tier 2 schools (Bronx Science, Brooklyn Tech, Staten Island Tech): typically 490–530
Tier 3 schools (HSMSE, HSAS, Lehman, Brooklyn Latin, Queens Sci): frequently admit in the low-to-mid 300s

Use our SHSAT score calculator to model how your raw ELA and Math correct-answer counts convert to a scaled composite — essential for setting realistic school targets before results are released.

This article covers verified SHSAT cutoff scores from 2026 through 2026, breaks down the scaling math, compares all eight schools side by side, and explains the exact timeline for when families can expect offer letters. Track the SHSAT cutoff scores for your target school alongside your practice results to close the gap before test day.

How an SHSAT Practice Test Prepares You for Cutoff Score Targets

Taking a full-length SHSAT practice test under timed conditions is the most reliable way to estimate whether your score will clear the cutoff for your target school. Each practice test produces a raw score that you can convert to the 200-800 composite scale, giving you a concrete benchmark against historical cutoff ranges. Students who complete at least five timed practice tests before exam day typically see composite score improvements of 30 to 50 points, which can mean the difference between falling short of a cutoff and earning an offer.

Converting Practice Test Raw Scores to Composite Estimates

The SHSAT awards one point per correct answer with no penalty for wrong answers, so your raw score on a practice test is simply the total number of questions answered correctly out of 114. To approximate your composite score, calculate your percentage correct for both the English Language Arts and Mathematics sections separately, then scale each to the 200-400 range and add them together for a projected composite between 400 and 800.

Year-by-Year SHSAT Cutoff Scores 2026, 2026, and 2026

📊 2026 Cutoffs

Stuyvesant High School: ~559 — Highest cutoff among all eight specialized high schools. Fewer than 800 seats, making it the most competitive single school in the SHSAT pool.

Bronx Science / Brooklyn Tech / SI Tech: Bronx Science ~518 · Brooklyn Tech ~502 · Staten Island Tech ~492. The three mid-tier schools span a 26-point range — a student scoring 510 is competitive for two of the three.

HSAS / QHSS / HSMSE: High School of American Studies ~519 · Queens High School for Sciences ~522 · High School for Math Science & Engineering ~490. QHSS edged above HSAS in 2026 despite having fewer total seats.

Brooklyn Latin School: ~367 — Lowest cutoff of all eight SHSAT schools in 2026. Admits a broader score range, but seats are still limited and competition grows each cycle.

9th-Grade Applicants (2026): 9th-grade SHSAT slots are extremely limited across all eight schools — most seats go to 8th-grade applicants. Cutoffs for 9th-grade offers are typically higher because the pool is smaller and seats are fewer.

📈 2026 Cutoffs

Stuyvesant High School: ~547 — Down ~5 points from 2026, reflecting a slightly less competitive 8th-grade applicant pool or minor seat-count adjustment. Still requires top-percentile performance.

Bronx Science / Brooklyn Tech / SI Tech: Bronx Science ~512 · Brooklyn Tech ~496 · Staten Island Tech ~488. All three dropped modestly from 2026, giving students who scored just below 2026 cutoffs a realistic 2026 offer window.

HSAS / QHSS / HSMSE: High School of American Studies ~516 · Queens High School for Sciences ~517 · High School for Math Science & Engineering ~482. QHSS and HSAS were within 1 point of each other — effectively interchangeable targets in 2026.

Brooklyn Latin School: ~355 — The lowest cutoff of the 2026 cycle. The 12-point gap between Brooklyn Latin and the next-lowest school (HSMSE at 482) shows how wide the spread is across the eight schools.

Year-Over-Year Trend (2026 → 2026): Every school's cutoff declined slightly in 2026 compared to 2026. Stuyvesant fell ~5 pts, Brooklyn Tech ~3 pts, Brooklyn Latin ~6 pts. No school increased its cutoff between these two cycles.

📉 2026 Cutoffs

Stuyvesant High School: ~552 — The 2026 benchmark score to beat. Students targeting Stuyvesant should treat 560+ as their practice-test floor to build in a safety margin against score variability.

Bronx Science / Brooklyn Tech / SI Tech: Bronx Science ~515 · Brooklyn Tech ~499 · Staten Island Tech ~490. In 2026 all three Tier-2 schools landed within a 25-point band — scoring 510 made a student competitive for two of the three.

HSAS / QHSS / HSMSE: High School of American Studies ~521 · Queens High School for Sciences ~518 · High School for Math Science & Engineering ~485. HSAS and QHSS both cleared 515, separating them clearly from HSMSE at 485.

Brooklyn Latin School: ~361 — 2026 was the highest Brooklyn Latin cutoff in this three-year window, 6 points above 2026 and 6 below 2026. Despite its lower cutoff, Brooklyn Latin's rigorous classical curriculum demands strong verbal reasoning.

LaGuardia — No SHSAT Cutoff: Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School does NOT use the SHSAT and has no cutoff score. Admission is based on auditions and portfolios. It is not one of the eight SHSAT-screened specialized high schools.

Why SHSAT Cutoff Scores Shift Every Single Year

Track total applicant volume — record years like 2026–23 pushed every school's cutoff higher.

Note available seats: Brooklyn Tech's ~760 seats sets a lower floor than HSMSE's ~105.

Understand NYCDOE scales raw-to-composite scores annually — a harder test form doesn't guarantee lower shsat cutoff scores 2026.

Watch score clustering: tightly packed top scorers amplify composite swings from small raw-score differences.

Factor in Staten Island Tech's 50% borough preference — it compresses the open competitive pool significantly.

Monitor district-level shsat prep participation trends — shifts in middle school programs alter the applicant pipeline.

Adjust target schools yearly: prior cutoffs drive family self-selection, changing competition school-by-school each cycle.

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SHSAT English Practice Test — Start Free

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SHSAT Pros and Cons

Pros

Published score scales and passing thresholds create transparent, predictable targets for preparation
Scaled scoring systems allow fair comparison of performance across different test dates with varying difficulty
Detailed score reports identify section-specific performance, enabling targeted remediation for retake candidates
Score validity periods provide candidates flexibility in application timing after passing
Multiple scoring components mean strong performance in some areas can compensate for weaker performance in others

Cons

Scaled scores can be confusing — the same raw score translates to different scaled scores across test dates
Passing cutoffs set by credentialing bodies may not align with what candidates expect based on content mastery
Score report delivery times vary — delays in receiving results can delay application or registration deadlines
Performance on a single test date may not accurately reflect a candidate's actual knowledge level
Score reports often lack granularity below the section level, making it difficult to pinpoint specific topic weaknesses

SHSAT Cutoff Scores Questions and Answers

What Is the SHSAT?

The Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) is a standardized exam administered by the New York City Department of Education. It serves as the sole admissions criterion for eight of the nine specialized high schools in NYC, including Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, and Brooklyn Tech. The test is free and offered annually to eighth and ninth grade students.

What Is the Format of the SHSAT?

The SHSAT consists of two sections: English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. Each section contains 57 questions, but only 47 per section are scored, with the remaining 10 serving as field test questions that do not count toward your score. Students receive 180 minutes total to complete the entire exam with no separate time limits per section.

How Many Questions Are on the SHSAT?

The SHSAT contains 114 total questions across both sections, with 57 in ELA and 57 in Math. Of these, only 94 questions are scored, 47 per section. The unscored field test questions are not identified on the exam, so students should answer every question to the best of their ability.

Is There a Passing Score for the SHSAT?

There is no fixed passing score for the SHSAT. Cutoff scores change each year based on the number of available seats and how all test-takers perform. Each specialized high school has its own cutoff, with Stuyvesant historically requiring the highest composite score. Students rank their preferred schools, and offers are made based on score and preference order.

What Topics Are Covered on the SHSAT?

The ELA section tests reading comprehension through passages and revising or editing skills including grammar, usage, and sentence structure. The Math section covers arithmetic, algebra, probability, statistics, and geometry aligned with the NYC middle school curriculum. No advanced math beyond pre-algebra concepts is required, though strong problem-solving skills are essential.

Who Is Eligible to Take the SHSAT?

Current eighth grade students and first-time ninth grade students enrolled in a New York City public, charter, or private school are eligible to take the SHSAT. Students must be NYC residents. Eighth graders testing for ninth grade entry and ninth graders testing for tenth grade entry sit for the same exam but have separate cutoff scores.

How Do You Register for the SHSAT?

Registration for the SHSAT is handled through your school guidance counselor, not through an external testing agency. Public and charter school students submit registration forms at their schools during the fall sign-up period, typically in September or October. Private and parochial school students must register through the NYC Department of Education directly by contacting their borough enrollment office.

What Are the Best Ways to Prepare for the SHSAT?

The most effective preparation strategy includes working through official SHSAT practice tests released by the NYC Department of Education, which reflect the actual exam format and difficulty level. Focus on strengthening reading comprehension speed and accuracy alongside algebraic problem-solving skills. Time management practice is critical since students must pace themselves across 114 questions within three hours.

SHSAT Practice Test