The Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) is administered by the New York City Department of Education and is the sole admission factor for eight of the nine NYC specialized high schools. The ninth, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts, uses an audition-based admissions process instead of the SHSAT.

The SHSAT is taken by 8th graders (for 9th grade entry) and 9th graders (for 10th grade entry). All students in the 8th and 9th grades who are current New York City residents are eligible. Most students take the test in 8th grade because significantly more seats are available for 9th grade entry. The 9th grade administration is for students taking the test for the first time or seeking a second chance at a specialized school.

The SHSAT is one of the most consequential standardized tests a NYC student will take. Approximately 27,000 students sit for the exam each year, competing for roughly 4,000 seats across the eight SHSAT schools. The test score alone determines admission — there are no interviews, essays, grades, or extracurricular considerations.

THE SHSAT IS CHANGING: WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW

The SHSAT is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades.

Fall 2025: Digital administration. Starting in Fall 2025, the SHSAT is administered digitally for the first time. Students take the exam on DOE-provided devices at designated testing locations. The content remains identical to the previous paper format — same number of questions, same subject areas, same time limits — but the test is now computer-based rather than pencil-and-paper. The digital version includes embedded supports for English Language Learners and students with disabilities.

Fall 2026: Computer-adaptive format. Beginning in Fall 2026, the SHSAT will transition to a computer-adaptive test (CAT) that adjusts question difficulty based on the student's responses. If a student answers correctly, the next question is harder. If they answer incorrectly, the next question is easier. This is the same adaptive technology used by the MAP, i-Ready, and other modern assessments, now applied to NYC's highest-stakes admissions test.

The adaptive format fundamentally changes the test experience. Students will no longer all answer the same questions. The test will include question types beyond the current multiple-choice and grid-in formats. The DOE has indicated it will release updated practice materials for the adaptive version.

For parents: the adaptive format rewards consistency and accuracy over speed and cramming. A student who demonstrates reliable mastery across topics will be measured more precisely than a student who has memorized strategies for a fixed set of question types. Preparation for Fall 2026 should emphasize deep understanding of math and ELA concepts rather than test-specific tricks.

WHAT SCHOOLS REQUIRE THE SHSAT?

The eight specialized high schools that use the SHSAT for admissions are:

Stuyvesant High School is the most competitive, consistently requiring the highest cutoff scores.

Bronx High School of Science is the second most competitive, with strong cutoffs.

Brooklyn Technical High School is the largest specialized school, admitting more students than any other.

High School for Math, Science, and Engineering at City College (HSMSE) is a smaller school with strong STEM focus.

High School for American Studies at Lehman College (HSAS) focuses on history and social sciences.

Queens High School for Sciences at York College is located in Jamaica, Queens.

Staten Island Technical High School serves students primarily from Staten Island.

Brooklyn Latin School consistently has the lowest cutoff scores among the eight SHSAT schools.

Students rank the schools in order of preference on their registration form. After the test, students are assigned to schools starting from the highest scorer and working down. Each student is placed at their highest-ranked school where seats remain available.

WHAT IS ON THE SHSAT?

The SHSAT has two sections: English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. Each section has 57 questions, for a total of 114 questions. Students have 3 hours to complete both sections and may allocate time between sections at their own discretion. There is no required split. A student who finishes ELA quickly can spend more time on Math, and vice versa.

There is no essay on the SHSAT.

There is no penalty for wrong answers. One raw point is given for each correct answer. Students should attempt every question.

Within each section, 47 questions are scored and 10 are experimental (field-test items used for research). The experimental questions are interspersed throughout the section and are indistinguishable from scored questions. Students do not know which questions are experimental.

ELA SECTION (57 QUESTIONS)

The ELA section consists of two question types:

Revising/Editing (approximately 20 scored questions) tests the ability to recognize and correct language errors and to improve the overall quality of written text. Questions include standalone items where the student identifies the best revision of a sentence or passage, and passage-based items where the student reads a longer text and answers multiple revision questions about it. Skills assessed include grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, word choice, paragraph organization, transitions, and overall coherence.

Reading Comprehension (approximately 27 scored questions) tests the ability to understand, analyze, and interpret written passages. Students read six passages of varying length and genre (literary fiction, nonfiction, poetry, paired texts) and answer questions about main idea, supporting evidence, vocabulary in context, author's purpose and perspective, text structure, inference, and comparison across texts. SHSAT reading passages are known for being challenging and dense, often drawn from texts aimed at adult readers. The ability to extract meaning from complex text under time pressure is central to this section.

All ELA questions have four answer choices (A, B, C, or D).

MATH SECTION (57 QUESTIONS)

The Math section consists of two question formats:

Multiple Choice (52 questions) covers a range of mathematical topics at the 8th and 9th grade level. Content areas include arithmetic operations (including fractions, decimals, and percents), algebra (expressions, equations, inequalities, and functions), coordinate geometry (graphing, slope, distance), plane geometry (angles, triangles, quadrilaterals, circles, area, perimeter, volume), probability and statistics (data interpretation, mean, median, mode, probability), ratios and proportional relationships, rates, and multi-step problem-solving requiring the integration of multiple concepts. Each question has four answer choices.

Grid-In (5 questions) requires students to calculate a numerical answer and enter it on a grid rather than selecting from multiple-choice options. Grid-in questions do not provide answer choices, which means students cannot use elimination strategies. These questions test the ability to compute accurately and express the answer in the correct format.

The math content is significantly more rigorous than basic arithmetic. The SHSAT Math section tests concepts and problem-solving at the level of late middle school through early high school. Multi-step problems that require combining algebra, geometry, and data analysis are common. Students who have been exposed only to grade-level math curriculum may find the SHSAT math challenging.

HOW IS THE SHSAT SCORED?

Scoring follows a multi-step process:

Raw Score is the number of correct answers out of 47 scored questions per section (experimental questions do not count). Maximum raw score is 47 per section.

Scaled Score is derived from the raw score through a statistical conversion that accounts for test difficulty and the performance distribution of all test-takers. Each section produces a scaled score ranging from approximately 100 to 400.

Composite Score is the sum of the two scaled scores. The composite ranges from approximately 200 to 800.

The SHSAT's scaling is nonlinear and rewards strength at the high end. A student who scores very well on one section receives disproportionately more scaled points per additional correct answer at the top of the range. This means a student who gets 90% correct in one section and 50% in the other may outscore a student who gets 70% in both sections, even though their total number of correct answers is identical. The test rewards depth of mastery over balanced mediocrity.

What are the cutoff scores?

Cutoff scores change every year based on the number of applicants, the quality of the applicant pool, and the number of available seats. For context, in the 2025-2026 admissions cycle, Brooklyn Latin's 8th grade cutoff was 495. Stuyvesant consistently requires the highest scores. Parents should check the DOE website for the most current admissions data.

WHAT ARE THE DISCOVERY AND DREAM PROGRAMS?

Discovery Program. Students who score within a defined range below the cutoff for a specialized school may qualify for the Discovery Program, which offers a summer enrichment program followed by admission to the specialized school. This is a meaningful pathway for students who narrowly miss the cutoff.

DREAM Program. NYC also offers the DREAM (Determined, Resilient, Empowered, Aspiring, Motivated) program, which provides additional pathways and support for underrepresented students seeking access to specialized high schools.

Parents whose child scores near but below the cutoff should explore both programs through the DOE.

HOW IS THE SHSAT DIFFERENT FROM THE HUNTER COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL (HCHS) ENTRANCE EXAM?

NYC parents considering elite public school options for their child often compare the SHSAT to the HCHS Entrance Exam. Both are highly selective, but they serve different schools at different stages:

Entry point. HCHS admits at 7th grade only. The SHSAT admits at 9th grade (and limited 10th grade). Many families apply to HCHS in 6th grade and the SHSAT schools in 8th grade as a sequential strategy.

Exam structure. The SHSAT has two sections (ELA and Math) with 114 total questions over 3 hours. No essay. The HCHS Entrance Exam has three sections: Critical Reading (50 MC questions), Mathematics (30 MC questions), and a Writing Assignment. The HCHS exam weighs writing in its admissions evaluation; the SHSAT does not include writing at all.

Eligibility. Any 8th or 9th grader who is a NYC resident can take the SHSAT with no prior score requirement. The HCHS exam requires qualifying scores on prior standardized tests (NYS ELA and Math exams, or alternatives at the 90th percentile) just to sit for the entrance exam.

Admissions factor. The SHSAT composite score is the sole admissions factor for eight schools. HCHS considers the full entrance exam (reading, math, and writing together) but does not disclose its weighting or methodology.

Scale. Approximately 27,000 students take the SHSAT for roughly 4,000 seats. Approximately 2,500 students take the HCHS exam for roughly 185 seats.

Math content. Starting in January 2026, the HCHS math section incorporates licensed ISEE Middle Level content. The SHSAT math section is developed internally by the DOE. Beginning Fall 2026, the SHSAT will become computer-adaptive, introducing a fundamentally different test experience.

HOW CAN PARENTS HELP THEIR CHILD PREPARE?

For the ELA section, preparation should focus on reading challenging, dense texts (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, argumentative essays) and practicing passage-based comprehension questions that require inference and analysis rather than simple recall. For Revising/Editing, students need strong grammar and mechanics foundations and practice identifying errors in context.

For the Math section, preparation should go well beyond basic arithmetic. Students need fluency in algebra, coordinate geometry, probability, and multi-step problem-solving. Exposure to problems that require combining multiple math concepts in a single question is essential.

For the Fall 2026 adaptive format, preparation should emphasize deep conceptual understanding over formula memorization. Adaptive tests measure where a student's understanding breaks down, so the most effective preparation fills genuine knowledge gaps rather than teaching shortcuts for specific question patterns.

Time management practice is critical. Three hours with free allocation between sections means students need to develop a strategy for how they will split their time and need experience making that decision under realistic conditions.

TestingMom.com offers SHSAT practice questions covering both ELA (Revising/Editing and Reading Comprehension) and Math (multiple choice and grid-in) at the level of rigor students will encounter on the actual test.

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TestingMom.com also offers one-on-one SHSAT tutoring. Call 877-609-6203 or email online.tutoring@testingmom.com to learn more.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the SHSAT?
The Specialized High Schools Admissions Test is administered by the NYC Department of Education and is the sole admission factor for eight of the nine specialized high schools. It consists of two sections (ELA and Math), 114 total questions, and takes 3 hours. The ninth specialized school (LaGuardia) uses auditions instead of the SHSAT.

Is the SHSAT still pencil-and-paper?
No. Starting Fall 2025, the SHSAT is administered digitally on DOE-provided devices. Beginning Fall 2026, the test will transition to a computer-adaptive format that adjusts question difficulty based on the student's responses.

Who can take the SHSAT?
Any 8th or 9th grader who is a current NYC resident. No prior qualifying scores are required. Registration is coordinated through your school. Contact your guidance counselor or visit the DOE SHSAT page for current procedures.

How many questions are on the SHSAT?
114 total: 57 ELA (47 scored + 10 experimental) and 57 Math (47 scored + 10 experimental). Experimental questions are interspersed and indistinguishable from scored questions.

Is there a penalty for wrong answers?
No. One point per correct answer. Students should attempt every question.

How is the SHSAT scored?
Each section produces a scaled score of approximately 100 to 400. The two scaled scores are combined into a composite of 200 to 800. Scaling is nonlinear and rewards excellence at the high end of each section.

What are the cutoff scores?
Cutoffs change every year. Brooklyn Latin typically has the lowest among the eight schools. Stuyvesant has the highest. Check the DOE website for the most current admissions cycle data.

What if my child scores just below the cutoff?
The Discovery Program offers admission through a summer enrichment pathway for students who score within a defined range below the cutoff. The DREAM program provides additional support and pathways for underrepresented students.

Can my child take the SHSAT more than once?
Students can take it in both 8th and 9th grade, but far more seats are available for 9th grade entry. We recommend taking it in 8th grade.

Is there an essay on the SHSAT?
No. The SHSAT has no writing component.

How is the SHSAT different from the Hunter (HCHS) exam?
HCHS admits at 7th grade with a three-section exam (reading, math, writing) and requires prior qualifying scores to sit for the exam. The SHSAT admits at 9th grade with two sections (ELA, math, no writing) and is open to all NYC residents. HCHS admits roughly 185; the SHSAT schools admit roughly 4,000 total.

What is changing about the SHSAT in Fall 2026?
The SHSAT will transition to a computer-adaptive format. Questions will adjust to the student's ability level in real time, and the test will include new question types beyond multiple-choice and grid-in. The DOE will release updated practice materials.

If your child is preparing for the SHSAT, what part of the process has been most challenging? How has the transition to the digital format affected your family's preparation?