Overview: Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) is required for admission to the 9 specialized public high schools of New York City (NYC). These schools offer a wide range of courses, are known for their academic rigor, and have outstanding teachers, motivated students, and exciting extracurricular activities. As an example, Bronx High School of Science alumni hold eight Nobel Prizes, among many other accolades. There are 9 specialized high schools in New York City:

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

If you already know about SHSAT and preparing for the upcoming SHSAT test, and do the

practice test. The following are smart strategies for preparing for the SHSAT:

  • Decide the target score.
  • Take the practice test.
    • Make a plan.
    • Print out the sample SHSAT answer sheets.
    • Keep track of your 180 minutes of test time by using a watch or clock.
    • Start answering questions in either the ELA or Math section.
    • Bubble your answers on the answer sheet as you work through each question.
    • Answers must be completely filled in.
    • An educated guess can be the right answer.
    • Check your work if you have time remaining.
  • Find the difference between the Test score and the Targeted score.
  • Analyze the practice test: After you complete the sample test, check your answers against the list of correct answers.
    • Read the explanations of the correct answers to see the kinds of mistakes you may have made.
    • Check to see whether there is a pattern to your errors.
    • ELA Example: did you miss many questions about central idea or author’s purpose?
    • Math Example: did you miss many questions because of miscalculations?
  • Identify the strengths and areas of improvement subject-wise and topic-wise.
  • Prepare first high-priority subjects and topics.
  • Take practice individual subject tests to check the improvement.
  • Take the full-length test before the actual test.

If you are focused, disciplined, and practice good time management you can definitely self-study for SHSAT exam and achieve your targeted score. You can take SHSAT practice test using Socrato online platform.