The SHSAT, also known as the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test, is a standardized test that is used across the country to identify and quantify students with high intellectual proficiency at the eighth-grade level. It is the single requirement for admission to eight renowned public high schools in New York City.
The exam permits New York City students to apply for admission to some of the top public high schools in the city. The test is only three hours long, yet it has the potential to transform a student’s life.
Furthermore, students in New York City take the SHSAT because they want to enter a prestigious college preparatory high school. They understand that their prospects of getting into one of those prestigious colleges are minimal to none without a high exam score.
It is utilized to select students for admission to eight incredibly elite public high schools, including High School of Math, Science, and Engineering at the City College of New York, Stuyvesant High School, High School of American Studies at Lehman College, Brooklyn Technical High School, Brooklyn Latin School, Staten Island Technical High School, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art ad Performing Arts, Queens High School for the Sciences at York, and Bronx High School of Science, which offer the most outstanding education accessible in New York.
These are schools that have effectively provided their students with access to Ivy League higher education, giving their communities pride and making them more desirable locations to grow up.
What will you find on the SHSAT?
The SHSAT is a 57-question timed pencil-and-paper test with two sections: English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. Students have three hours to complete the test and can use it anyway they choose for each question, depending on which part they find challenging to answer.
The questions are also multiple choice; thus, there are four alternative responses to each question, and each correct solution is worth one raw point.
There are three types of questions in the ELA section of the exam: revising or editing, reading comprehension, and experimental.
The revising or editing section assesses a student’s ability to detect and fix grammatical problems and enhance the overall quality of a piece of writing. Reading comprehension evaluates their ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret what they have read. In contrast, experimental questions do not count toward the final score and are only used for research purposes, and the student is unaware of which questions are experimental.
On the other hand, grid-in questions, multiple-choice questions, and experimental questions are included in the Mathematics part of the test.
Students must layout their numerical questionnaire items in a chart of numbers for the grid-in component of the Mathematics test, while the traditional multiple-choice section assesses what the students have mastered in their math subject, with four potential correct answers.
Lastly, the experimental questions are the same as the ELA section, except this time they are for math. These questions are blended throughout the exam and do not contribute to the student’s final score, giving them no idea which questions are experimental while completing the test.
What is the SHSAT’s scoring system?
The SHSAT, like many other exams, turns your raw result into a scaled value that is designed to account for variances between test versions. It is determined by the number of successfully answered questions, which is translated into a scaled score for each portion of the exam, and then a composite score is calculated from both parts.
The more questions you answer correctly for each component, ELA and Mathematics, the higher your scaled score for that section will be. The composite score comprises the scaled ELA and Math scores, and it is used to determine admission to a Specialized High School.
When will the SHSAT be available?
Students may only take the Specialized High Schools Admission Test two times, and it is usually administered to eighth-graders in late October and ninth-graders in mid-November. If a student fails the test the first time, they can retake it in grade 9. However, those who take it in ninth grade will not be able to retake it.
How can a student sign up for the SHSAT?
The SHSAT has an easy registration process. To register for the examination, you can contact your student’s guidance counselor at the start of eighth grade or take the test in ninth grade. Following registration, the student will be given an appointment to take the exam as well as a testing ticket on which they can indicate the institutions they are interested in.
How should you study for the SHSAT?
The SHSAT is a standardized test that practically everyone in New York City must take in order to enroll in a specialized high school. You can begin studying for the SHSAT in the same way that you would for any other exam by taking practice exams and attending review sessions.
You may begin your SHSAT preparation by taking practice examinations, familiarizing yourself with the test structure, and reading some sample questions. This will help you build the confidence and abilities necessary to succeed on this crucial exam.
After you’ve got a sense of what may appear, try to separate the portions where you’re already convinced you’ll succeed from those where you need to focus more. Several resources near you can help you concentrate on the areas of the exam that you find difficult to study, such as your last class notes, libraries, or online documents.
It’s also crucial to have a study schedule or strategy that works for your current class schedule. We don’t want you to review constantly without taking any breaks. Student life is just as hectic as professional life. Although the SHSAT is an important exam, we all need a break now and again.
If these strategies don’t work for you, find a study buddy with whom you can ask questions when you’re having trouble understanding certain sections. Tutors are also available to assist you in passing your SHSAT if you don’t have someone in mind.
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A tutor can help you create a personalized practice plan that matches your goals and schedule, as well as reinforce weak areas and master new ideas, so you’re ready on test day.
Students in New York City must take the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test to be considered for admission to their local specialized high schools. It’s a good idea to prepare early and give yourself plenty of time because you’ll be up against some stiff competition for the few available slots at the eight specialized high schools.
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