Not sure how to prepare for the SHSAT? We came up with a list of useful tips to make your test prep more successful and help you reach your target score:

General Tips

First things first, get very familiar with the format of the SHSAT. If you haven't already, check out our last blog post on the basics of the SHSAT. Knowing what to expect on the day of the exam will not only reduce test-taking anxiety, but will also save you time since you’ll know exactly what is being asked of you.
Take lots of practice tests! When you do, make sure to take them in a quiet environment and time yourself (the SHSAT is a three-hour long test). In other words, recreate the real-life testing conditions of the SHSAT when you take practice tests. Every year the DOE releases an SHSAT handbook which contains guidelines for the SHSAT and a full-length practice exam.
Once you’ve taken a practice test, score yourself and review your answers. Identify your strengths and weaknesses, and do extra practice questions targeting your problem areas.
For multiple-choice questions, come up with an answer in your head before looking at the answer choices. This can keep from you getting tempted by incorrect answer choices that sound appealing.
Use process of elimination to rule out answer choices that are clearly incorrect. Each time you eliminate an incorrect answer choice to a question, your chance of getting that question right increases. Even if you’re not entirely sure what the correct answer is, guessing between two potential answers definitely gives you better odds than guessing between four!
Work at a steady pace. Don’t get stuck on one question for too long – if a question is giving you a hard time, circle it and come back to it later. And remember: all questions are worth the same value, no matter how hard or easy. That said, make sure to answer every question! There is no penalty for guessing.

Math Tips

When in doubt, work backwards. Plug in each answer choice into the question, and see which choice gives you the correct value.
Figure out which topics you struggle with most, and spend extra time on them. Weak in geometry? Do extra geometry practice problems until you notice improvement.

Verbal Tips

Remember that the correct answer must be supported by evidence from the passage. If you think an answer choice may be correct, make sure you can point to the exact part of the passage that supports this answer.
Read as much as you can outside of test prep, particularly nonfiction! The passages in the reading section of the SHSAT are nonfiction informational texts. Reading publications such as the New York Times and Scientific American regularly will help you improve your vocabulary and become a better reader overall. Try reading two nonfiction articles a week. Write down the main idea for each one.

By incorporating these strategies consistently in your test prep, you can set yourself up for SHSAT success! Sign up for our weekly newsletter for more test-taking tips and strategies like these!

If you’re a New York City middle-schooler and looking to start applying to high schools, you may want to consider attending a Specialized High School. The Specialized High Schools in NYC are some of the city’s most prestigious public high schools. In addition to their strong reputations, these schools provide challenging and enriching academic environments for high-achieving students.

The nine Specialized High Schools are:

Stuyvesant High School

Bronx High School of Science

Brooklyn Technical High School

Why should I attend a Specialized High School?

If you have a specific area of study you’d like to focus on, you can look into a Specialized High School that caters to your interests. For example, Stuyvesant offers an intensive math and science curriculum, while Brooklyn Latin has a strong emphasis on the humanities. These and the rest of the Specialized High Schools provide rewarding classes, extracurricular activities, and other opportunities for you to explore your interests and pursue what you’re passionate about. And during college admissions season, the stellar reputations of these schools can help your college application stand out.

How do I attend a Specialized High School?

Many NYC public high schools examine several different factors for admission, such as your grades and attendance. But the Specialized High Schools have their own unique admissions process. Eight out of the nine schools use the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) as the only factor for admission.

LaGuardia High School, an arts school, is the only Specialized High School that doesn’t consider the SHSAT. Instead, acceptance is based on an audition for one or more studio programs (Art, Dance, Drama, Instrumental Music, Technical Theater, and Vocal Music) as well as an evaluation of your academics.

For the rest of the Specialized High Schools, a sufficient score on the SHSAT is the sole criterion for acceptance. In 2016 approximately 28,000 students took the test, and less than 20% received an offer of acceptance to one of the schools. On the day of the test, you must rank the schools you are interested in attending, in order of preference. Then, you receive an offer from the highest-ranked school that accepts you. Note that you can only be accepted to one Specialized High School. The SHSAT is certainly a competitive exam, but making sure you’re well-prepared goes a long way in achieving a high score.

What is the format of the SHSAT?

The SHSAT is a three-hour long exam divided into two sections: ELA and Math. The ELA section consists of 57 questions split into two categories, Revising/Editing and Reading Comprehension. The Math section consists of 57 computational and word problems. All questions are multiple-choice with the exception of five grid-in math questions. You receive a raw score based on your number of correct answers, which is then converted into a composite score out of 800.

Check out this update from the DOE on the format for the 2018 SHSAT.

How can I prepare for the SHSAT?

If you are interested in attending a Specialized High School, you should take the exam in the fall of your eighth grade year. Many students begin test prep for the SHSAT during sixth or seventh grade, and several test prep resources are available. You can study independently using test prep books that provide drills, exercises, and practice tests. In addition, tutoring programs, paid or unpaid, offer a test prep curriculum, with the added benefit of having an instructor to help you work through the material. For example, Synergy Prep offers SHSAT tutoring for students the summer before they start the seventh grade. Since gaining admission into these high schools is so competitive, it's a good idea to get a head start! On the other hand, DREAM-SHSI is a free test prep program provided by NYC to help eligible sixth-graders prepare for the SHSAT. Here's more information on that, provided by the DOE. Test prep and regular, consistent practice can strengthen your skills and inspire greater confidence in your test-taking ability! Click the button below to learn more about our SHSAT program!

Study tips for the SHSAT

What is the SHSAT? What are Specialized High Schools?