2020 SHSAT Cutoff Scores

Here are the 2020 SHSAT cutoff scores for the most recent class of test takers. You will notice that the minimum admitted score has increased for quite a few of the Specialized High Schools. This point increase is indicative of two factors:

1. The real reason the cutoff scores were higher this year is because Mayor De Blasio expanded the number of seats for the Discovery Program to 20% (About 1,000 seats). This reduced the number of seats available through regular admission. With fewer seats available, the minimum admitted score was higher.

2. There were more testers this year. So, this could mean that the applicant pool was more competitive.

Please keep in mind that the SHSAT is an academic competition between the approximate 30,000 8th grade students who sit for the exam in October to November of the child’s 8th grade year. Students with IEP’s and 504’s are given extended time to achieve success on the exam AND the DOE has selected a few middle schools to host the SHSAT on site removing a travel barrier to students.

How to Read Your Score

The SHSAT is comprised of 114 questions - 57 questions in the ELA section and 57 questions in the math section. You will get a raw score for each section. The raw score represents the number of questions you got correct per section. There is a conversion chart that the DOE uses to convert the raw score to a scaled score out of 400 points for each section of the exam. The two scaled scores are then added for a total composite score out of 800 possible points.

Advice for Prospective Students

1. Get 4’s on your common core state exams and learn content a grade level ahead of your current grade at all times. Staying a grade level ahead will help you to beat out your competition.

2. Instead of focusing on how to exceed the minimum admitted score, a prospective student should focus on how they can be the best amongst the entire group of 8th grade students. Focus on beating the highest admitted score for the school of your choice. Even better, make it a goal to get the highest score possible (800 points) and this is how you can secure a seat in one of the Specialized High Schools.

3. To be on track for admission into all of the Specialized High Schools, students should have a 400 by the start of 7th grade, a 500 by the end of 7th grade and a 600 by the start of 8th grade. The ultimate goal is to score a 650 by your final practice SHSAT before taking the exam. Overall, this means you should get around 47 questions correct in your stronger area and about 40 questions correct in your weaker area.

4. Finally, we believe that ALL students should sit for the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT). There are 80,000 8th graders in NYC every year, yet only about 28,000 take the SHSAT. Having ALL students sit for the exam could change the cutoff scores and might tell a different story. You never know what the outcome might be and you literally have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Give it your best shot and start preparing now so you can shine on exam day.

5. Sign up for one of our programs. We have online classes available and we would love to support you on this very rewarding journey. Click here

AdmissionSquad offers rigorous test prep to talented middle schoolers looking to gain a competitive advantage on the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) and in the high school admissions process.