What the SHSAT is
NYC students take the SHSAT for entry to the specialized high schools. Admission is based on score and each school's changing annual cutoff.
Format and timing
ELA and Math share a 180-minute testing window. Students should build accuracy first, then practise choosing when to move on and return.
A study plan that works
Begin with a diagnostic, repair topic gaps, add mixed timed sets, and finish with weekly full mocks plus careful error review.
How we help
Our diagnostic, adaptive practice, current-policy filters, AI tutor and generated study plan work together. Questions are original and written in the official style.
Prep timeline: what to do when
6–9 months out
Diagnostic and foundations
Measure the baseline and repair arithmetic, ratios, reading and grammar.
4–5 months out
Topic mastery
Work one math and one ELA skill at a time, with accuracy before speed.
2–3 months out
Mixed timed practice
Use mixed sets and a full mock every two weeks.
Final month
Mocks and error review
Take weekly timed mocks and revisit recurring mistake types.
A sample study week
| Day | Session |
|---|---|
| Monday | Targeted practice on the weakest topic |
| Tuesday | Reading or language drill with full review |
| Wednesday | Timed math set |
| Thursday | Grammar and vocabulary practice |
| Friday | Mixed 50-question set |
| Saturday | Full or half-length mock |
| Sunday | Review the mistake log with the AI tutor |
Aim for 60–90 focused minutes on weekdays and a longer mock session on weekends.
Worked examples: how the questions are solved
Math · ratios
Flour and sugar are in a 5:2 ratio. If flour is 350 g, how much sugar is needed?
Answer: 140 g
One part is 350 ÷ 5 = 70; two parts equal 140.
Common trap: Do not multiply by 2.5; sugar is the smaller share.
ELA · editing
Choose the revision that turns a dependent-clause fragment into a complete sentence.
Answer: Remove the unnecessary conjunction and attach the main clause.
Identify the subject and complete verb before judging punctuation.
Common trap: A sentence beginning with ‘because’ still needs an independent clause.
These are original items written in the official style, not reproductions of copyrighted released exams.
Frequently asked questions
- When should preparation start?
- Spring or summer before 8th grade gives most students four to six months.
- How much daily practice?
- About 50 reviewed questions is a sustainable target near the exam.
- Is it harder than school math?
- The content is familiar, but multi-step wording and time pressure raise the difficulty.
- Are these released questions?
- No. They are original, policy-aligned questions reviewed before publication.