What is the SHSAT?
The Specialized High School Admissions Test or for short SHSAT 2026 is a test conducted by the Department of Education. It is the only requirement for admission to eight of the specialized high schools in New York.
What are specialized public high schools in NYC?
- Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School
- Bronx High School of Science
- Brooklyn Latin School
- Brooklyn Technical High School
- High School for Math, Science, and Engineering at City College
- High School for American Studies at Lehman College
- Queens High School for Sciences at York College
- Staten Island Technical High School
- Stuyvesant High School
The only specialized high school that doesn’t accept SHSAT scores is the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, which requires auditions instead.
Students targeting NYC's specialized high schools should review our SHSAT cutoff scores 2026 to understand the exact composite scores required for each of the eight schools and how scores have shifted year over year.
SHSAT Practice Test Questions
Prepare for the SHSAT - Specialized High Schools Admissions Test exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
Who takes the SHSAT test?
Students who are eligible for taking the test should be residents of New York and are in the 8th or 9th grade. They must live in the 5 boroughs: Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, and The Bronx.
Find out how those successors pass the exam with our FREE on demand SHSAT prep Test!
- What is the SHSAT?
- The SHSAT is the Specialized High School Admissions Test required for admission to certain New York City high schools. It assesses skills in reading, mathematics, and writing.
- What is the format of the SHSAT?
- The SHSAT consists of two main sections: English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. Each section contains multiple-choice questions, and there's an essay section.
- What is the passing score for the SHSAT?
- The passing score for the SHSAT varies each year based on the exam's difficulty and the number of test-takers, but generally, scores above 500 are considered competitive.
- How many questions are on the SHSAT?
- The SHSAT consists of 57 multiple-choice questions in the English Language Arts section and 50 questions in the Mathematics section.
- What are the components of the SHSAT exam?
- The SHSAT exam consists of multiple-choice questions focusing on English language arts and mathematics, including a writing sample.
- What topics are covered in the SHSAT exam?
- The SHSAT exam covers reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning, algebra, and geometry concepts.
- Can I take the SHSAT exam online?
- Currently, the SHSAT is administered in-person at designated test centers. Online testing is not available.
- What is the passing score for SHSAT?
- The passing score typically depends on the number of test-takers and how difficult the test was. For most students, a score above 500 is competitive.
- How do I register for the SHSAT exam?
- Registration for the SHSAT is done through the official New York City Department of Education website. The registration process requires submitting personal information and selecting a test date.
- What is the cost of the SHSAT exam?
- The SHSAT exam is free for students attending public schools in New York City. Additional costs may apply for preparatory courses or materials.
- Can I retake the SHSAT exam?
- Yes, if you are not satisfied with your results, you can retake the SHSAT, but you must wait until the next test cycle.
- Do I need to take a preparatory course for the SHSAT?
- While not mandatory, many students find taking a preparatory course helpful in improving their chances of passing the SHSAT.
- How are SHSAT results scored?
- The SHSAT is scored on a scale. Scores are determined based on the number of correct answers. The higher the score, the better the chances of gaining admission to specialized high schools.
- How long does it take to receive SHSAT results?
- Results are typically available within 3 to 6 weeks after the exam. You'll be notified via the official website.
- Can I get feedback on my SHSAT exam?
- Feedback is typically not provided directly to students. However, you can see your individual section scores and total score after the results are posted.
- What happens if I fail the SHSAT?
- If you fail the SHSAT, you can retake it during the next testing period. Many students retake the exam after reviewing areas of weakness.
- How should I prepare for the SHSAT?
- Preparation involves practicing reading comprehension, algebra, geometry, and doing timed practice tests. You can also take SHSAT prep courses.
- Is there a study guide for the SHSAT?
- Yes, several study guides and prep books are available. These guides typically cover the exam's format and provide practice questions and answers.
- How long is the SHSAT preparation course?
- SHSAT preparation courses vary in length, but most programs last between 6 to 8 weeks, depending on the provider.
- Can I take SHSAT preparation online?
- Yes, many online prep courses are available. These courses often provide practice tests and instructional videos on critical concepts covered in the SHSAT.
What is the content of the exam?
SHSAT Format
The SHSAT test is composed of 114 questions. It mostly has a multiple-choice format, and it takes at least 180 minutes to complete.
| Subject Areas | Number of Questions | Breakdown of Questions | Time Allowed |
| English Language Arts (ELA) | 57 | - 46 to 48 questions - Reading Comprehension
- 9 to 11 questions - Revising or Editing
- 3 to 4 questions - Informational Passages
- 1 to 2 questions - Literary Prose Passages
- 1 poem
- 10 unscored questions
| 180 minutes |
| Mathematics | 57 | - 52 questions - Word and Computational Problems
- 5 Grid-in questions
- 10 unscored questions
|
English Language Arts
This subject area is mostly composed of Revising or Editing and Reading Comprehension questions.
Reading Comprehension
One of the things that students must remember is the Parts of Writing. They must be able to figure out the main idea of the subject matter and its supporting details. The main idea is the point that the writer wants to explain. If you'll be able to identify it, then it means that you have understood the passage. On the other hand, the supporting details are used by the writer as evidence to back up his statements or claims.
Another is to differentiate the various structures of texts. They are Narrative Writing, Expository Writing, Technical Writing, and Persuasive Writing.
- Narrative Writing - It is the type of writing that makes use of storytelling. Different elements are present when it comes to this. There are characters and plots. Plots are vital since it is the flow of the story. It also makes use of conflict.
- Expository Writing - It is the opposite of the narrative. It is objective and straight to the point. It’s instructional or informational and makes use of the second-person point of view.
- Technical Writing - It is the type of writing that’s empirical in nature because it contains graphs, statistics, charts, and other visual information. It also contains jargon which is what makes it different from expository.
- Persuasive Writing - Its purpose is to persuade or change the opinion of the reader. It must have credible evidence to back up arguments. Otherwise, it would be filled with fallacies.
In addition to that, students must know how to determine literary elements and poetic devices.
- Literary elements consist of a lot of things such as point of view, characters, setting, and tone. All of these are vital for interpretation. Good writing requires that all of these elements are present.
- For poetic devices, it includes rhyme, structure, and rhythm.
These are just some of the topics to be studied to prepare for Reading Comprehension. The next section would be the Revising or Editing portion.
Revising or Editing
For students to know how to revise, they must go back to the basics. They must study nouns, pronouns, antecedents, adjectives, and verbs, among others. All of these are essential when it comes to formulating sentences. Punctuations and Sentence Structures also play vital roles. When it comes to sentences, depending on the punctuation, their meaning will change.
Moreover, you must also review about independent and dependent clauses. They are strings of words that contain a subject and a verb. You should also know word usage and context clues. Word usage is about determining how words should be used appropriately in sentences. While context clues are those that will help readers understand unfamiliar words.
The types of sentences will always be relevant when it comes to revisions. There are four types:
- Declarative - It is a simple statement, and it ends with a period.
- Imperative - It is a command, request, or instruction, and it ends with a period.
- Interrogative - It is a question, and it ends with a question mark.
- Exclamatory - It is a command or a statement that expresses emotions, and it ends with an exclamation mark.
SHSAT Practice Test: How to Prepare for NYC's Specialized High School Exam
Taking a full-length SHSAT practice test is the most reliable way to prepare for the 180-minute exam used for admission to Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, Brooklyn Tech, and five other specialized high schools. Each practice test should mirror the official format: 57 English Language Arts questions and 57 Math questions, with a mix of revising/editing passages, reading comprehension, word problems, and grid-ins.
Using SHSAT Practice Tests to Build a Score Strategy
Because the SHSAT uses a scaled scoring system where Math and ELA raw scores convert differently, timed practice helps you learn which question types to prioritize and which to skip and return to. Aim to complete at least three full practice tests before test day in late October, reviewing every missed question to identify recurring weaknesses.
Mathematics
This subject area focuses on a lot of topics from numbers and operations, geometry, and shapes to probability and statistics. There are a lot of things that students must have knowledge of.
A basic understanding of the mathematical number system is needed. There are real numbers and complex numbers, for that matter. There are also fractions, percentages, rational, and irrational numbers. The SHSAT Math can be more complicated to some because it requires a lot of reviews to remember formulas and equations.
Students should also know algebraic expressions, such as monomials and polynomials. There are also algebraic functions such as exponential functions. They should be able to solve equations and systems of equations.
For probability and Statistics, they have to be able to summarize, interpret, and compare data. They should know how to make inferences and analyze tally charts, line plots, and picture graphs, among others.
While for geometry and measurements, you must know the properties of triangles, polygons, circles, quadrilaterals, trapezoids, etc. They must be able to calculate perimeters and areas. Surface and volume areas are also part of the topics you should prepare for. These are just a few of the subjects that are covered in the admissions test.
SHSAT Questions and Answers
What is the SHSAT test format?
The SHSAT is a three-hour paper-based exam with two sections: English Language Arts and Math. The ELA section contains revising/editing tasks and reading comprehension passages, while Math includes grid-in and multiple-choice questions covering arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and probability. Students may allocate time between sections as they choose.
How can I prepare for the SHSAT exam effectively?
Effective preparation includes taking full-length timed practice tests, reviewing middle school math through Algebra I, and practicing reading passages from nonfiction and literature. Most successful candidates study for six to twelve months, focusing on weak areas identified through diagnostic tests. Programs like A+ Academy and Kaplan offer structured SHSAT prep courses.
How do you score an SHSAT practice test?
Count correct answers in ELA and Math separately to get raw scores out of 57 each. Convert raw scores to scaled scores using an official SHSAT conversion chart, then add both scaled sections for a composite score out of 800. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so guessing is encouraged on unsure questions.
How do you pass the SHSAT exam?
There is no official passing score for the SHSAT. Students compete for limited seats at eight specialized high schools, and admission depends on ranking high enough based on school preferences. A competitive score typically falls between 500 and 560, though Stuyvesant requires roughly 560 or higher for admission.
What score do you need to get into a specialized high school?
Cutoff scores vary yearly by school and seat availability. Recent cutoffs were approximately 560 for Stuyvesant, 525 for Bronx Science, 518 for Brooklyn Tech, and 490-500 for the smaller specialized schools. The DOE ranks all test-takers and offers seats based on student school preferences and score order.
When is the SHSAT administered?
The SHSAT is offered annually in late October or early November for eighth graders seeking September admission to specialized high schools. Ninth graders who want to enter tenth grade take it on a separate date, usually in October. Registration opens through the student's current middle school in early fall.
Who is eligible to take the SHSAT?
The SHSAT is open to New York City residents currently enrolled in eighth or ninth grade. Students must be attending a NYC public, private, charter, or parochial school, or be homeschooled within the five boroughs. There is no fee, and registration is handled through the student's school counselor.
Is the SHSAT harder than the SAT?
The SHSAT and SAT test different skill levels and cannot be directly compared. The SHSAT covers middle school content with harder logic and reading demands appropriate for eighth graders, while the SAT targets eleventh and twelfth graders with more advanced algebra, geometry, and vocabulary. Both require strong time management and test-taking strategy.