The Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) is the single admissions criterion for 8 of New York City's Specialized High Schools — including Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, and Brooklyn Tech. Taken by 8th graders (for 9th grade entry) or 9th graders (for 10th grade entry), it tests ELA and Math at an advanced level. Cutoff scores are set annually based on school capacity.
Two equally-weighted sections, each with 57 questions. No guessing penalty — answer every single question. Your composite scaled score determines which schools you can access.
Section 1
ELA
50%
57 questions
Revising/Editing~17%
Grammar, mechanics, style. Choose best revision of underlined text or passage edit.
Reading Comprehension~33%
5–6 passages: informational, literary, and historical documents.
Section 2
Math
50%
57 questions
Arithmetic & Number~15%
Algebra~20%
Geometry~10%
Data Analysis~5%
Full Content Outline
SHSAT Topic Breakdown
Every topic your child will encounter on both sections. Click each section to expand the full detail, including common grammar rules and math difficulty notes.
ELA Section57 questions · 50%
1. Revising/Editing (~17% of total, ~19–20 questions)
Two formats: standalone sentence revision and passage-based editing. Choose the best revision or correction.
Common grammar rules tested:
›Comma splices and run-on sentences
›Pronoun-antecedent agreement (they/their with singular antecedents)
›Misplaced and dangling modifiers
›Subject-verb agreement with intervening phrases
›Parallel structure in lists and comparisons
›Apostrophe usage (possessives vs. contractions)
›Transition words (however, therefore, moreover, consequently)
Strategy:
Read the underlined portion, then test each answer choice by reading the full sentence. The correct answer is grammatically correct AND stylistically precise — eliminate wordy or redundant options.
2. Reading Comprehension (~33% of total, ~36–38 questions)
5–6 passages of varying types. Questions test main idea, evidence, inference, vocabulary in context, and author's purpose.
Passage types:
›Informational/argumentative (science, social science, current events)
›Literary text (fiction, narrative, memoir excerpts)
›Historical documents or speeches
Annotation strategy:
›Circle topic sentences; underline key claims and evidence
45–60 minutes per day, 5–6 days per week. The SHSAT is highly competitive — most successful students prepare for 3–6 months. This 4-week plan is an accelerated foundation.
The SHSAT does not publish percentile ranks. Focus on the published prior-year cutoff scores for your target schools.
Composite Score (200–800)
Scaled from raw score. Each correct answer = +1 raw point; no penalty for wrong answers. Raw score is converted to a scaled score out of 800.
Answer every question
No penalty — blank answers are guaranteed 0 points
Annual Cutoff Scores
Each school sets a new cutoff annually based on capacity. Approximate prior-year cutoffs:
Stuyvesant~560–570+
Bronx Science~525+
Brooklyn Tech~490+
Percentile: Not Published
The NYC DOE does not publish SHSAT percentile rankings. Focus entirely on beating the published prior-year cutoff scores for your target schools — that is the only number that matters.
Goal: Beat last year's cutoff by 10+ points
Cutoffs shift slightly each year
Study Materials
Recommended SHSAT Books
Handpicked study guides. Affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Barron's SHSAT
Comprehensive prep with full-length practice tests, ELA and math review, and detailed answer explanations.
The Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) is a standardized exam administered by the NYC Department of Education. It is the sole admissions criterion for 8 of NYC's 9 Specialized High Schools, including Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, and Brooklyn Tech.
Which schools use the SHSAT?
The SHSAT is used by: Stuyvesant High School, Bronx High School of Science, Brooklyn Technical High School, Staten Island Technical High School, High School of American Studies at Lehman College, The Brooklyn Latin School, High School for Math, Science and Engineering at CCNY, and Queens High School for the Sciences at York College. LaGuardia uses a portfolio/audition process instead.
What is a good SHSAT score?
Cutoff scores vary by school and change annually. As a benchmark: Stuyvesant requires approximately 560–570+, Bronx Science around 525+, and Brooklyn Tech around 490+. Aim for at least 10–15 points above the prior year's cutoff to account for year-to-year variation.
When should 8th graders start preparing?
Most successful SHSAT students begin preparing in 7th grade or the summer before 8th grade — 3 to 6 months of consistent prep. The test is taken in October/November of 8th grade. Starting in September of 8th grade is possible but leaves very little time for the math content required.
Is there a guessing penalty on the SHSAT?
No. Every correct answer adds 1 point; wrong answers and blank answers both score 0. There is no penalty for guessing. You should always fill in an answer for every question — never leave a question blank.