SHSAT FAQ
1. What is the SHSAT?
The SHSAT is a 2-hour and 30-minute test for 8th and 9th graders used to determine admission to the following New York City high schools:
- Bronx High School of Science
- Brooklyn Technical High School
- High School for Math, Science and Engineering at City College
- High School of American Studies at Lehman College
- Queens High School for the Sciences at York College
- Staten Island Technical High School
- Stuyvesant High School
- The Brooklyn Latin School
The SHSAT tests Verbal and Mathematical ability.
- The Verbal component of the SHSAT consists of one 75-minute section containing 45 multiple-choice questions.
- The Math component consists of one 75-minute section containing 50 multiple-choice questions.
2. Who should take the SHSAT?
Only students in 8th or 9th grade living in one of New York City’s five boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or Staten Island) interested in applying to specialized high schools.
3. Can I take the SHSAT multiple times?
The SHSAT is offered only once per year in October or November to 8th and 9th graders. Students who take the exam in 8th grade and are unsuccessful in admission may repeat the exam in 9th grade.
4. How is the SHSAT scored?
Before students take the SHSAT, they must first rank the eight specialized NYC high schools in order of preference. Test takers receive one point for every correct answer, and zero points for every omitted or incorrect answers. This ‘raw score’ is converted to a scaled score from 200–800 using a unique and covert curve determined by the Department of Education.
Each of the 8 specialized schools then determine a “cut off” score for entrance. This score is determined based on the number of students interested in the school and the number of spots available. For example, if Stuyvesant has room for 800 freshman students, then the top 800 students who listed Stuyvesant as their first choice will be accepted. If the 800th student scored a 570, then 570 will be the cut-off score for Stuyvesant and anyone with a lower score will not be admitted.
5. What types of questions are on the SHSAT?
The SHSAT tests Verbal and Mathematical ability.
On the Vebal section, students will encounter:
- Scrambled Paragraphs questions
- Reading Comprehension questions
- Logical Reasoning questions
On the Math section, students will encounter:
- Arithmetic questions
- Algebra questions
- Probability questions
- Statistics questions
- Geometry questions
6. How do I register for the SHSAT?
The only way to register for the SHSAT is through your guidance counselor.
7. What fees are associated with the SHAT?
The SHSAT is free.