SHSAT Cutoff Scores 2026
The SHSAT cutoff scores 2026 represent the minimum composite scores required for admission to each of New York City's eight specialized high schools. This guide explains what the 2026 cutoff scores are, how cutoff scores are determined each year, which schools have the highest and lowest thresholds, and what score you need to target to maximize your chances of admission.
2026 SHSAT Cutoff Scores by School
The 2026 SHSAT cutoff scores (for students who tested in 2026 for fall 2026 admission) vary significantly by school. Cutoff scores are officially released by the NYC Department of Education in spring. The scores below reflect published 2026 admission cycle data — scores represent the lowest composite score of an admitted student: Practice with the free SHSAT practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (150+ questions with answer explanations).
NYC Specialized High School 2026 Cutoff Scores (Approximate):
- Stuyvesant High School: Approximately 555–569 (historically the highest cutoff)
- Bronx High School of Science: Approximately 515–530
- Brooklyn Technical High School: Approximately 470–490
- Staten Island Technical High School: Approximately 519–535
- High School of American Studies at Lehman College: Approximately 515–525
- High School for Mathematics, Science and Engineering at City College: Approximately 523–538
- Queens High School for the Sciences at York College: Approximately 509–522
- Brooklyn Latin School: Approximately 464–480
Note: Exact 2026 cutoff scores are released by NYCDOE after offers are made. The figures above reflect historical ranges based on published cycle data — verify current scores with the official NYCDOE offer results. To calculate your projected composite score, use our shsat score calculator.
You can continue preparing with the shsat practice test, which includes answer explanations for every question.
SHSAT: upcoming dates and official changes
- Oct 30, 2026: Students must register for the fall 2026 SHSAT in MySchools by October 30, 2026. (New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment)
- Nov 14, 2026 – Nov 15, 2026: Registered 8th graders at 6-12, K-12, charter, private, parochial or independent schools, and homeschooled 8th graders, take the SHSAT at a central NYCPS location on Saturday, November 14 or Sunday, November 15, 2026. (New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment)
- Nov 18, 2026: Registered 8th graders at public NYCPS middle schools ending in 8th grade take the SHSAT at their own school on Wednesday, November 18, 2026. (New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment)
- Nov 21, 2026: All registered 9th graders take the SHSAT at a central NYCPS location on Saturday, November 21, 2026, and students who cannot test on Saturday get an alternate date. (New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment)
- Updated Oct 20, 2026: Eligibility is now NYC residents in 8th grade or first-time 9th grade (previously NYC residents in 8th grade or first-time 9th grade).
- Updated Oct 20, 2026: Registration deadline is now October 30, 2026 (MySchools) (previously October 30, 2026 (MySchools)).
- Updated Oct 20, 2026: Next exam date (8th graders at public NYCPS middle schools ending in grade 8) is now Wednesday, November 18, 2026 (at own school) (previously Wednesday, November 18, 2026 (at own school)).
Facts verified Oct 20, 2026 against New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
- English Language Learners and eligible former ELLs get 360 minutes on the SHSAT, twice the standard time, with two 15-minute breaks after the first 180 minutes. (New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment)
- The standard testing time for the SHSAT is 180 minutes. (New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment)
- The SHSAT has no passing score: offers to the eight testing Specialized High Schools are made in descending order of SHSAT score, combined with each student's school preferences. (New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment)
- Starting in fall 2026, the SHSAT is a computer-adaptive test taken on DOE-provided computers at the student's own school or at a weekend testing site, with paper only for students whose IEP or 504 plan requires it. (New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment)
- To register for the SHSAT, a student must be a New York City resident and a current 8th grader or a first-time (not repeating) 9th grader. (New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment)
- Students must register for the fall 2026 SHSAT in MySchools by October 30, 2026. (New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment)
Facts verified Oct 20, 2026 against New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
SHSAT Exam at a Glance
| Item | Detail | Official source |
|---|
| Time limit (English Language Learners (extended time)) | 360 minutes for ELLs | New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment |
| Time limit | 180 minutes | New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment |
| Passing score | No pass mark; offers made by rank-ordered composite score | New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment |
| Delivery | Computer-adaptive on DOE-provided computers, at the student's own school or a weekend testing site | New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment |
| Eligibility | NYC residents in 8th grade or first-time 9th grade | New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment |
| Next exam date (8th graders at 6-12, K-12, charter, private, parochial or independent schools, o) | Sat Nov 14 or Sun Nov 15, 2026 (central NYCPS location) | New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment |
| Next exam date (8th graders at public NYCPS middle schools ending in grade 8) | Wednesday, November 18, 2026 (at own school) | New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment |
| Next exam date (9th graders) | Saturday, November 21, 2026 (alternate date if needed) | New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment |
| Registration deadline | October 30, 2026 (MySchools) | New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment |
Facts verified Oct 20, 2026 against New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
Free SHSAT Study Tools
Interactive SHSAT resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
How SHSAT Cutoff Scores Are Set
The SHSAT cutoff score for each school is not predetermined — it is determined after all students have tested and ranked their school preferences. The process works as follows:
- Students take the SHSAT and rank their specialized high school preferences (up to 8 schools in order)
- The NYCDOE matches students to their highest-ranked school where their score is competitive, using all available seats
- After all matches are made, the lowest score among admitted students becomes that school's cutoff for that year
- The cutoffs are then published — students discover them when offer notifications are released in spring
This means cutoff scores fluctuate each year based on how many students apply, how they rank their preferences, and how competitive the applicant pool is. A year with many high-scoring applicants listing Stuyvesant first pushes Stuyvesant's cutoff higher. This competitive, market-driven process makes predicting exact future cutoffs difficult, but historical averages provide reliable guidance.
For a detailed breakdown of how scoring works, see our shsat cutoff scores guide and use our shsat score calculator to estimate your projected composite score.
SHSAT Cutoff Score Historical Trends
SHSAT cutoff scores have shown consistent patterns over recent years, though individual cycles vary:
Stuyvesant High School: Has maintained the highest cutoff consistently — typically 550–570. Small variations year to year depend on pool competitiveness. The trend has been relatively stable with slight upward pressure during high-competition years.
Brooklyn Technical High School: Has the most variability due to its large number of seats (~1,800+). Cutoffs typically range 460–490. Having more seats means more students land offers and the bottom cutoff shifts more from year to year.
Smaller specialized schools: Staten Island Tech and HSMSE (City College) have historically had cutoffs in the 515–540 range due to smaller applicant pools and limited seats. Students who rank these schools highly relative to their scores often see better odds than at the three largest schools.
Year-over-year changes: SHSAT cutoffs dropped moderately in 2026–2026 due to COVID-related changes in the applicant pool and testing environment. Scores rebounded significantly in 2026 and 2026 as competition normalized. The 2026 cycle reflects near-normal pre-pandemic competition levels for most schools.
How to Reach Your Target SHSAT Score
Take a full-length SHSAT practice test under timed conditions to establish your baseline composite score Identify which section (ELA or Math) has more room for improvement — target your weakest area first Study Revising/Editing passages — they are uniquely formatted and require specific test-taking strategies Master SHSAT Math topic areas: multiple-step word problems, ratios, statistics, and geometry Take at least 5–8 full timed practice tests before your test date to build stamina and pacing skills Aim for a target score 10–20 points above your first-choice school's typical cutoff for a safety margin Review every incorrect practice test answer — understanding why you got it wrong is more valuable than doing more tests Use the official NYCDOE SHSAT practice tests (available free) as your primary benchmark material Pros
- Industry-recognized credential boosts your resume
- Higher earning potential (10-20% salary increase on average)
- Demonstrates commitment to professional development
- Opens doors to advanced career opportunities
Cons
- Exam preparation requires significant time investment (4-8 weeks)
- Certification fees can be $100-$400+
- May require continuing education to maintain
- Some employers may not require certification
Sample SHSAT Practice Questions
Try these questions from our free SHSAT practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
Texas offers a middle school math tournament every year. Students must, however, score 92 on a total of six qualifying tests in order to be considered. Ava's first five examinations scores of 88, 91, 99, 86, and 92. What score must she achieve on her sixth test in order to qualify for the competition?
- A. 86
- B. 88
- C. 96
- D. 84
- E. 95
Answer: C. 96
We can solve this problem using the concept average. That is, the average of 6 tests is 92. Let "x" be the score of 6th test (88 + 91 + 99 + 86 + 92 + x)/6 = 92 (456 + x)/6 = 92 Multiply by 6 on both sides 456 + x = 92 (6) 456 + x = 552 Subtract by 456 on both sides 456 + x - 456 = 552 - 456 x = 96 Hence option (96) is correct.
A store sells apples for $2 each and oranges for $3 each. If Tom spends exactly $12 on 5 pieces of fruit, how many apples did he buy?
Answer: B. 3
Let a = apples, o = oranges: a + o = 5 and 2a + 3o = 12; solving gives a = 3, o = 2.
What comes next in the pattern: A, D, G, J, ___?
Answer: B. M
Each letter skips two positions: A(1), D(4), G(7), J(10), M(13).
Angela rented shoes, played three games of bowling, and purchased one order of nachos. She saved ½ off the price on her bowling games by using a coupon. What was Angela's total price before taxes?
- A. $13
- B. $4
- C. $8.25
- D. $5.35
Answer: C. $8.25
This response represents the correct total amount Angela paid. The student may have used the following representations to solve the problem: X = 2.75 + 3(2.5) /2 + 1./75 X = 2.65 + 3.65 + 1.75 X = 8/25
Take the full SHSAT practice test
SHSAT Cutoff Scores Questions and Answers
What are the SHSAT cutoff scores for 2026?
The approximate 2026 SHSAT cutoff scores are: Stuyvesant ~555–569, Bronx Science ~515–530, Brooklyn Tech ~470–490, Staten Island Tech ~519–535, HSMSE ~523–538, HSAS at Lehman ~515–525, Queens HS for Sciences ~509–522, Brooklyn Latin ~464–480. Exact cutoffs are published by NYCDOE each spring after offers are released. These figures reflect historical ranges — verify current scores at NYCDOE.gov.
How are SHSAT cutoff scores determined?
SHSAT cutoffs are not set in advance — they are determined after all testing is complete. Students rank their school preferences; the NYCDOE matches applicants to their highest-ranked school where their score is competitive given available seats. The lowest score among admitted students becomes that school's cutoff. Cutoffs vary each year based on competition, school preferences, and applicant pool size.
What is the lowest SHSAT cutoff score?
Brooklyn Latin School typically has the lowest SHSAT cutoff, historically around 464–480. Brooklyn Technical High School, with the most seats (1,800+), also has a relatively lower cutoff (~470–490). However, cutoffs change each year — the prior year's published cutoff is the best available reference for planning your target score.
What is the highest SHSAT cutoff score?
Stuyvesant High School consistently has the highest SHSAT cutoff score, typically 550–570. Stuyvesant receives the largest volume of first-preference rankings from high-scoring students, which drives its cutoff higher than all other specialized schools. The 2026 Stuyvesant cutoff is approximately 555–569 based on published data.
How do SHSAT cutoff scores compare to prior years?
SHSAT cutoffs dipped in 2026–2026 due to COVID-related changes in the applicant pool. Scores rebounded in 2026 and 2026 back toward pre-pandemic levels. The 2026 cycle reflects near-normal competition. Year-to-year variation of 10–20 points per school is typical. Strategic students should target 10–20 points above the prior year's cutoff for their first-choice school.
What SHSAT score do I need to get into Stuyvesant?
To gain admission to Stuyvesant, you typically need a composite SHSAT score of approximately 555–570 (or higher in competitive years). Since you cannot know the exact cutoff in advance, target 575+ to build in a safety margin. Stuyvesant has roughly 750 seats per year — the top-scoring students who rank Stuyvesant first receive offers until all seats are filled.
How long is the SHSAT?
English Language Learners and eligible former ELLs get 360 minutes on the SHSAT, twice the standard time, with two 15-minute breaks after the first 180 minutes. (Verified Oct 20, 2026 against New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment.)
What is the passing score for the SHSAT?
The SHSAT has no passing score: offers to the eight testing Specialized High Schools are made in descending order of SHSAT score, combined with each student's school preferences. (Verified Oct 20, 2026 against New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment.)
When is the next SHSAT test date?
Registered 8th graders at 6-12, K-12, charter, private, parochial or independent schools, and homeschooled 8th graders, take the SHSAT at a central NYCPS location on Saturday, November 14 or Sunday, November 15, 2026. (Verified Oct 20, 2026 against New York City Public Schools (NYC Department of Education), Office of Student Enrollment.)