The Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) is the exam New York City students take for admission to the city’s specialized high schools — including Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, and Brooklyn Tech. It is a competitive exam, and thorough preparation makes a measurable difference.
What is the SHSAT?
The SHSAT is administered by the New York City Department of Education. Students in grade 8 — and first-time testers in grade 9 — sit for the exam each fall, and admission offers to the specialized high schools are based on the SHSAT score.
Exam format
The SHSAT has two sections — English Language Arts and Mathematics — completed in a single timed sitting. Students may work through the sections in any order they choose, so time management and section strategy are an important part of preparation.
What’s covered
- English Language Arts: revising and editing, and reading comprehension of informational and literary texts
- Mathematics: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, statistics and probability, and multi-step word problems
Who it’s for
New York City students in grade 8 (and eligible first-time grade 9 testers) applying to the specialized high schools. Most students begin preparing in grade 7 or the summer before grade 8.
How we prepare you
- Diagnostic assessment of English and math skills
- Concept-first lessons that build the underlying skills, not just test tricks
- Timed practice sections under realistic conditions
- Section-ordering and pacing strategy
- Review of every missed question until the concept is solid
Ready to start?
Request a Consultation to talk through your student’s goals and timeline.
