July 2021 Update on Specialized High Schools and the SHSAT

Dear Families,

It’s time for some of you to prepare for the SHSATs! Last year, the test was pushed out from October 2020 to January 2021 due to Covid. An official test date hasn’t been set yet for this upcoming year, but the test is confirmed and we will keep you posted as dates are announced.

In the meantime, here's a reminder about the SHSATs and whom they are for:

Who can take the SHSAT?

Students in 8^th or 9^th grade who want to enroll in one of NYC’s specialized high schools must take the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT). All current students in grades 8 and 9 who are NYC residents are eligible to take the test.

How are the test results used for admissions?

• Bronx High School of Science
• Brooklyn Latin School
• Brooklyn Technical High School
• High School for Math, Science and Engineering at City College
• High School for American Studies at Lehman College
• Queens High School for Sciences at York College
• Staten Island Technical High School
• Stuyvesant High School

What is the format of the test?

There are 2 sections: Math and English Language Arts.

The MATH section consists of word problems and computational questions in either a grid-in or multiple-choice format. There are five grid-in questions and 52 multiple-choice questions. As one of the purposes of the SHSAT is to identify students who will benefit from an education at a Specialized High School, the SHSAT Math items will require you to apply familiar Math skills to complex, multi-step problems.

• Math questions on the Grade 8 test forms are based on the New York State Learning Standards through Grade 7.
• Math questions on the Grade 9 test forms are based on material through Grade 8.

The English Language Arts (ELA) section, which we do not cover in our center, consists of two parts: Revising/Editing and Reading Comprehension. The section contains 57 multiple-choice questions that assess revising/editing skills and reading comprehension. These questions are aligned to the New York State Learning Standards.

What should you do now?

Come into our center or give us a ring at (718) 747-MATH to discuss your child's needs. Let's develop a learning plan together for the rest of summer and heading into the fall.

Our exceptional instructors have been helping students prepare and succeed with test preparation for years. Mathnasium's 3-to-1 and 4-to-1 student-teacher ratio provides THE BEST environment for your child to review and learn new math skills while honing their test-taking strategies!

Contact us today and give your child the confidence and preparation to reach his or her full potential!