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• Sections of the SHSAT
  • ELA
  • Math
• What to Expect on Test Day
  • What to Bring
  • What Not to Bring
• Best Ways to Study for the SHSAT
  • Take SHSAT Practice Tests
  • Use Alternative Study Methods
  • Simulate the Testing Experience
• SHSAT Tips and Tricks
  • Have a Testing Strategy
  • Watch the Clock Closely
  • Understand the Gridding-In Process
  • Remain Calm
• SHSAT FAQ:
  • 1. Is there a penalty for guessing?
  • 2. Is there a break during SHSAT testing?
  • 3. Can I leave when I’m finished?
  • 4. Can I take the SHSAT more than once?

If you have your sights set on attending one of New York City’s specialty high schools, scores on the SHSAT will be one of the main parts of your application. It technically assesses skills you’ve gained all during your school years, but focuses mainly on concepts taught in early middle school. You can tell how much you remember by practice these sample questions and plan your study program according the the results.

Sections of the SHSAT

ELA

The English Language Arts (ELA) section of the SHSAT focuses on the two main areas of language: reading and writing. The reading comprehension questions assess your ability to comprehend and analyze written passages. The writing questions ask you to find errors in writing and correct them. These errors include grammatical, usage, and structural ones.

Math

The SHSAT Math section covers math skills learned through the seventh grade (eighth grade if taking the test in ninth grade). They are mostly multiple-choice, except for five that are “grid-in” questions. For these, you won’t have answer choices but must arrive at an answer and write it in to answer.

What to Expect on Test Day

The time on your SHSAT test ticket is the time to arrive at the test center. The test will actually begin as soon as possible after that time, but that may be one hour or more later than that. You will be able to get an estimated departure time from the site officials.

Before the beginning of the SHSAT, a photograph or video will be taken of the students in each test room for security purposes. You will also fill out an information form prior to the test.

The SHSAT is timed for three hours. During this time, you may work on the Math and ELA sections in any order. The important thing is to watch the clock and pace yourself so that you finish answering all the questions. If you finish early, you may review any portion of the test, but you may not leave the testing room until the time limit has expired.

The SHSAT is a paper-and-pencil test in which you will color in bubbles on an answer sheet. Be careful to color in answers completely and only fill in one answer in each row. While you may write in the test booklet or the provided scrap paper, only answers on the answer sheet will be scored.

What to Bring

There are only three items required for testing:

• your signed SHSAT test ticket
• pencils (No. 2, sharpened)
• eraser

You may also bring any of these:

• highlighter
• FM unit (hearing assistance device)
• pencil grip
• slant board
• silent watch (which does not include a calculator)
• water in a container that is silent if tipped
• quiet, unwrapped snack (for consumption before the test starts)
• cell phone (which will be stored during the test in the “off” setting)

What Not to Bring

You may not bring any of these into the testing center:

• camera
• calculator
• smart watch
• MP3 player/iPod
• tablet/iPad, ereader
• earbuds/AirPods
• any paper or written materials (scrap paper for notes will be provided)
• any drink besides water

Best Ways to Study for the SHSAT

Take SHSAT Practice Tests

It always helps to practice answering questions before a test, but this is especially important when the test covers multiple years of instruction, as the SHSAT does. Our practice questions will help you determine what you remember and define the areas that require more study.

Use Alternative Study Methods

In addition to SHSAT practice questions, we have SHSAT flashcards to help you quickly review terms and procedures. Getting together with some of your friends to prepare for the test is another good idea. You can share ideas and assist each other in areas of uncertainty.

Simulate the Testing Experience

Since the SHSAT allows you to proportion time, it is especially important to do at least one timed practice testing session. This way, you’ll know how to structure your time during the actual test, including which section to work on first and how long you’ll need to complete each section.

SHSAT Tips and Tricks

Have a Testing Strategy

Before test day, decide which section (ELA or Math) you will work on first. From your timed practice session, you should be able to approximate how much time to allow on that section before starting on the other one.

Watch the Clock Closely

During the SHSAT, you are entirely responsible for portioning time. This includes the time spent on each question and the time spent on each section of the test.

Understand the Gridding-In Process

In the math section of the SHSAT, there are five questions that require you to write the answer and fill in the appropriate bubbles under that answer (this is known as a “grid-in” question). Review the procedure for doing that correctly so your answer will be counted.

Remain Calm

We know that this test is important to you, but stress can impair your ability to do well. Remember that this is a chance to show what you know, and you’ve learned a lot in all those years of school!

SHSAT FAQ:

1. Is there a penalty for guessing?

No, you will not be docked points for a wrong answer. You are given credit for every correct answer, so attempting every question is important.

2. Is there a break during SHSAT testing?

No, you will be required to stay in the testing room and work on the test for the entire three-hour testing time.

3. Can I leave when I’m finished?

No, students are required to remain in the testing room until the conclusion of the timed testing period (three hours). However, you may use any extra time to go back over any part of the test while you wait.

4. Can I take the SHSAT more than once?

Yes, you can take the SHSAT once each during eighth and ninth grades. For specialty high school admission purposes, however, only the most recent score will be considered.