The Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) is an examination administered to eighth and ninth grade students residing in New York City and used to determine admission to all but one of the city’s Specialized High Schools. The test is given in the autumn for admission the following school year. After the results of the test in October and November 2008, 6,106 students from New York City were accepted, out of 29,000 students, who applied. Students have until the end of February to make their decisions
Format
The SHSAT tests for logical thinking and high ability in both English and mathematics. Both sections consist of multiple-choice questions. There is a time limit of 2 hours 30 minutes for both sections, with no break in between. The exam is only offered once a year, and can be taken in both the eighth and ninth grades if the student wishes.
Verbal
- 45 Multiple Choice Questions
- 30 Reading Comprehension (5 Reading passages with 6 questions each)
- 10 Logical Reasoning questions
- 5 Scrambled Paragraph (worth 2 points each)
Mathematics
- 50 Multiple Choice Questions
- Various mathematical topics tested
- Basic math
- Pre-Algebra
- Algebra
- Factoring
- Substitution
- Algebra II (9th grade)
- Geometry
- Trigonometry (9th grade)
- Basic Coordinate Graphing (8th grade)
Logic
- Word Problems (cover all topics)
Grading
There is no penalty for wrong answers or unanswered questions. The total number of correct answers (the raw score) is converted into a scaled score through a formula that the Department of Education does not release, and which varies from year to year. This scaled score, an integer between 200 and 800, is used to determine a student’s standing. The scaled score is not proportional to the raw scores.
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