Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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What is the SHSAT?

The SHSAT (Specialized High School Admissions Test) is a test used to determine admission into eight Specialized High Schools in New York City.

Who takes the SHSAT?

The test is taken by 8th grade students who plan on applying to one of the Specialized High Schools in New York City. 9th grade students who would like to transfer to one of the Specialized High Schools are also required to take the SHSAT.

Is the 9th Grade SHSAT the same?

The 9th grade SHSAT is harder than the 8th grade SHSAT. While the ELA section is exactly the same rigor. The math section is tested at a higher level. There are also far fewer seats available for rising 10th graders causing the minimum cut off score to be much higher.

Which high schools require the SHSAT?

All of the Specialized High Schools in New York City, except for Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, require the SHSAT for admission.

  • Stuyvesant High Schools

  • The Bronx High School of Science

  • Brooklyn Technical High School

  • The Brooklyn Latin School

  • Staten Island Technical High School

  • American Studies at Lehman

  • Queens Science at York College

  • The High School for Math, Science and Engineering at City College

When is the SHSAT given?

The SHSAT is generally given in late October or early November.

What is on the SHSAT?

There are two main sections to the SHSAT: ELA and Math. ELA (English Language Arts) includes reading comprehension and revising/editing. Math topics include arithmetic, algebra, geometry, statistics and probability.

How long is the SHSAT?

The SHSAT is a 3-hour long test. Most students need the full three hours to finish the test.

How should I prepare for the SHSAT?

We always suggest taking a practice test before you start preparing for a test. By doing so, you will be able to identify your strengths and weaknesses. We have offer free SHSAT diagnostic exams for first-time students only.

Where is the SHSAT given?

The test location the student reports to is determined by the location of their current school.

Can a child who lives in Long Island (Nassau county) , New Jersey or any other state apply and take SHSAT for a seat in a Specialized High School?

You must be a resident of NYC to sit for the admission test and attend the school. Only students who are NYC residents, meaning you have an address in one of the five boroughs, on file with the Department of Education are allowed to take the SHSAT and attend the schools. Long Island residents are excluded from this opportunity. If your child moves to the city before the exam, then they can take the exam.

Do you offer state exam test prep?
Yes, we do offer state exam test prep

Are prep course only provided in Brooklyn?

As of right now, AdmissionSquad only offers in-person classes in Brooklyn, but we also offer online classes to students living in all five boroughs! Here's a description of what we offer for our online classes: https://admissionsquad.org/online-shsat-prep