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Not every loftier school in New York City requires an entrance exam. However, many of the schools designed for academically gifted students will admit students based on their performance on a standardized test.[1] Some private and parochial high schools administer their own unique tests.[two] However, there are 8 public high schools in New York City that admit students based only on their performance on the Specialized High School Admissions Test (or SHSAT), sometimes referred to equally the "Stuyvesant Examination."[3] Use study skills, tutors, and special practice tests to boost your chances of getting admitted to one of the best New York high schools.

  1. 1

    Determine whether you authorize to take the SHSAT. Not every eighth-grader in New York City is required to take the SHSAT. Merely those who wish to enter a Specialized High School (or, one of ix public high schools for especially talented students) are required to take this exam.[4] In gild to qualify for the exam, yous must:

    • Exist a resident of New York Metropolis
    • Be in the 8th grade
    • Register for the SHSAT during the Fall of your 8th grade year
    • Exist interested in attending a Specialized High Schoolhouse--well-nigh public schools do not require the exam
    • Eighth-graders can apply for the SHSAT no thing what school they attend--public, individual, parochial, or home-schooled--as long every bit they are a resident of New York City.[5]
    • Some 9th graders tin can too accept the exam for admission to grades x-12.[6]

  2. 2

    Know which schools require the Specialized High Schoolhouse Admissions Exam. In that location are over 400 public high schools in New York City. However, there are just 9 Specialized High Schools out of which only 8 require an exam. For these schools, a student's score on the SHSAT is the sole basis of admission--not essays, academic records, or letters of recommendation. These schools are:[7]

    • Bronx High School of Science
    • Brooklyn Latin
    • Brooklyn Technical High School
    • High School for Math, Science and Engineering at City Higher
    • Loftier School for American Studies at Lehman College
    • Queens High School for Sciences at York College
    • Staten Island Technical High School
    • Stuyvesant High School
    • The 9th Specialized High Schoolhouse is Fiorello H. LaGuardia High Schoolhouse of Music & Fine art and Performing Arts, where admission depends on a educatee'due south audition and academic records, not the SHSAT.[8]

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  3. 3

    Know the format of the test. The SHSAT is formatted as a multiple-choice standardized test. It tests students on both their math and their verbal skills, and take 3 hours to complete.[ix] There are 114 questions total on the exam (five of them are scrambled paragraphs counting for ii points each, so you tin earn a raw score of 100 points). Yous can allow your time between the verbal and the math sections as you lot see fit.

    • The exact section asks students to read and interpret passages and answer logic questions. The scrambled paragraphs section of the exam has been removed due to lack of teaching this in well-nigh schools. [10] At that place are 45 verbal questions on the exam.
    • The mathematics department requires students to answer questions that involve simple arithmetics, algebra, geometry, logic, probability, and statistics. Ninth-graders who accept the test will also have to answer trigonometry questions.[11] In that location are 57 mathematics questions on the exam.
    • Scores are usually released in the Feb or March following the exam.

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  1. one

    Outset preparing the summer before the test. While the specific dates of the test change from year to year, students will have the SHSAT around mid-October. Information technology is a skilful thought to take at to the lowest degree three months to study for the exam, which ways y'all should start studying in July at the latest, though June is fifty-fifty better.[12] This should give you a lot of fourth dimension to have practice tests, find tutors if necessary, and figure out which kinds of bug you struggle with.

    • Don't leave all your studying to the Autumn: you volition be busy with school and other activities. Requite yourself a adventure to study during the summer pause when you have more free time.
    • Some students fifty-fifty spend several years preparing for the SHSAT. If you are in 6th or 7th grade, you can certainly outset studying early on! However, don't panic if you haven't started studying yet: iii or four months should give you lot lots of fourth dimension to build up your test-taking skills.[13]

  2. 2

    Talk to your guidance counselor. Equally before long as you call up you might want to enter a Specialized Loftier School program, you lot should talk it over with your guidance advisor. Information technology is your guidance counselor's job to help students enter the loftier schools that are the best fit for them, and your guidance advisor volition accept a lot of knowledge and experience with test-taking preparation. Make an appointment to speak with your counselor, and consider bringing your parents forth equally well. Come up upwardly with a plan to increase your likelihood of access to a Specialized High Schoolhouse.[14]

    • Your guidance counselor might be able to recommend specific books, classes, and tutors to help you as well.

  3. three

    Read the Specialized Loftier School Handbook. The Specialized Loftier School Handbook is revised each twelvemonth, and it provides middle-school students and their parents with important information most the admissions process.

    • Taking the practice exams in the handbook under test-similar weather is a great way to go a diagnostic for your full general performance. Apply your score on the practice tests as a baseline to assistance you determine your time to come test-taking strategies.

  4. iv

    If you are a 6th grader, take a DREAM course. The DREAM course is designed to assistance depression-income students perform well on the SHSAT. The program begins in 6th class and lasts for 22 months. It is an intensive, rigorous program, and students only qualify if they have excellent 5th-grade attendance, have qualifying scores on fifth-grade standardized tests, and are considered low-income. If this applies to you or someone you know, sign up for the course correct abroad for 22 months of fantabulous, free study prep.

  5. 5

    Purchase an SHSAT study guide. There are several testing companies that provide splendid practice questions and study tips in their published guides. Reputable companies include Kaplan, the Princeton Review, Barron's, and McGraw-Colina. Near large bookstores and online volume providers volition have study guides you tin can purchase, for between $15-30. Additionally, online SHSAT options accept become available in the concluding few years at a like price range under $50 annually.

    • Online courses may require a skillful cyberspace connection and computing device, but typically they cover more content and features than study guides.
    • If you purchase a study guide in a used bookstore, make sure that the practice tests accept non been filled in. The almost useful parts of these books are the practice tests, and you don't want to take a practice exam where the answers have already been filled in!
    • Make sure you lot are purchasing the most updated study guide you lot can. The test'south format has changed some over the years, and you should not exercise with an outdated guide.
    • Additional SHSAT guidance is available from non-profit organizations and diverse online test preparation courses.

  6. half dozen

    Have an SHSAT class. You tin can pay a test prep company to receive specialized training leading upwards the the SHSAT. There are numerous SHSAT courses offered, through companies like Kweller Exam Prep, Kaplan, and the Princeton Review, besides as other private tutoring companies. This can be an expensive option, costing anywhere from $800-1500 for 8-15 lessons. Nonetheless, students who require some extra attention and guidance than what is establish in a study guide might find a special course useful.

    • Most courses can be taken the summertime earlier the test, though in that location are some last-minute courses that are offered in the early autumn besides.
    • As a heart ground option, for under $50, an alternative is to enroll in an online course. Many of these include all-encompassing practice materials and the ability to interact with tutors and runway your progress

  7. 7

    Notice a private tutor. If you lot require 1-on-one attending in order to perform well on the kinds of questions asked on the SHSAT, you lot can hire a private tutor. Private tutors tin can exist found through tutoring agencies, Craigslist, online searches, or through personal recommendations. Tutors vary widely in toll, though $100 per session is a common figure.

  8. 8

    Take a gratuitous academic enrichment class. New York City offers a wide variety of enrichment programs that are gratuitous or very low-toll to qualifying students.[xv] These programs can help with homework, math skills, study skills, reading and writing, scientific discipline, and the arts.[16] Fifty-fifty though they are non necessarily tailored to the SHSAT, the kinds of skills they help eye-schoolers build can help them perform well on the test. This is a great option for students who cannot afford a specialized grade.

  9. 9

    Pay attending in school. One of the best ways for any student to do well on the SHSAT is to keep upwardly with schoolwork. Practice your homework, pay attending in course, and report for your school exams. These will assist build many of the SHSAT skills naturally and gradually. It is also assistance for you lot to read widely in order to build your vocabulary.

  10. 10

    Talk to other students about the test. If y'all similar, you can search on Facebook or Twitter for students that currently nourish the school of your selection. Ask them for any suggestions or tips on taking the test.

    • Many schools besides offer open houses, fairs, or other events to introduce students to potential high schools. Network with other students and potential students at these events to get their communication about the test (and to determine whether you wish to attend the school!).

  11. 11

    Take as many do tests equally possible. Exercise so under your testing weather: silent, without a calculator, using a number 2 pencil. Follow the verbal time limits of the examination and reply the proper corporeality of questions. These practice tests will non only help y'all effigy out what you demand to report most, but they are also essential to getting you comfortable and relaxed enough to perform well the day of the examination.

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  1. 1

    Pack your materials alee of fourth dimension. Be aware of the items that y'all must bring to the exam. It is best if you take these gear up to go the day before the test, so that you don't have to worry the solar day of the exam. Do not bring whatsoever electronic devices with you such as a calculator or iPad: yous are non allowed to use these items on the exam. What you should bring are:

    • Several well-sharpened number 2 pencils
    • A watch to keep fourth dimension (make certain the lookout man does non have a figurer or computer function, nevertheless: those are not permitted)
    • Your Test Ticket with your signature and the signature of your parent/guardian every bit well every bit your ranking of the specialized loftier schools you wish to utilize to
    • Comfortable clothes and shoes

  2. 2

    Follow instructions advisedly. Mind to your proctor, and read the written instructions carefully before answering any questions. Breaking any of the rules might lead to your test being invalidated. Practise not attempt to go over time, exchange answers, or utilise an electronic device during the examination.

  3. 3

    Put all answers on the answer canvass. You tin can apply your exam booklet for scratch paper. However, your official answers have to exist entered into the formal answer sheet. This is a multiple-choice test scored past machine, so you have to be careful to fill up in the correct chimera on your answer sail. Be certain that you do not accidentally make full in two bubbles for the aforementioned question, since that will automatically count as a wrong answer. Make sure that the number on your answer sheet matches the number in your exam booklet: it can be easy to accidentally skip over a number, leading y'all to inadvertently answer questions incorrectly.

  4. 4

    Answer every question. Dissimilar other exams, the SHSAT does non penalize for incorrect answers. This means that you should put an answer down for every question, even if you are non confident in your respond. By random chance, you might get it right. Yous will certainly get it wrong if you put zilch downward.

  5. five

    Manage your time advisedly. Dissimilar other exams, the SHSAT does non allocate your time for y'all. Y'all accept iii hours to exercise the entire test: how you dissever that time between math and verbal is up to you lot. Many people like to spend xc minutes on each function of the examination. Even so, depending on your strengths, you lot might wish to spend more time on ane portion or the other. Utilise your watch to make sure that you are staying on track in lodge to consummate all 114 questions within the 180 minutes you have.

    • If yous accept a tutor or guidance advisor, she might be able to help yous come up with an optimal plan for how y'all volition spend your time during the test.

  6. 6

    Read every question slowly and advisedly. It tin be tempting to blitz through an exam. Even so, jumping to conclusions tin be harmful to your score. Have your time and make sure that you understand what the question asks of yous. Resist the temptation to skip questions and make assumptions without a firm basis.

  7. 7

    Study the reading passages carefully. Many of the verbal questions depend on your understanding of diverse reading passages. Exercise not skim these passages: read them slowly and advisedly, underlining key words and phrases. The questions volition quiz you on your understanding of the item and dash of the passages: a quick skim of the passage will not give you the data you demand to do well.

  8. 8

    Spend extra fourth dimension on the jumbled paragraphs. The jumbled paragraph questions volition provide you with a list of sentences that you accept to place in the correct guild. It is worth taking some extra fourth dimension to focus on these paragraphs because they are worth 2 points, whereas the other questions on the exam are worth just one point. Practice not rush through these since they double-count toward your score.

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Add together New Question

  • Question

    If at that place is only a calendar month to go, do I take a chance to get into a specialized loftier school?

    Community Answer

    It depends on what you get on exercise tests. If y'all are scoring over seventy, yous are good.

  • Question

    How do I prepare to pass the New York High School archway exam if I am however in lower middle schoolhouse?

    Community Answer

    You can go to the DREAM plan; however, y'all accept to be in sixth course and have washed really well in 5th.

  • Question

    If I'm really non that smart and have less than a month left of studying, should I practise my all-time to become to my dream school, or give up?

    Community Answer

    Simply put, don't requite up. If you requite it a shot and nevertheless don't brand it, you know that you at to the lowest degree tried your best. Too, if you don't go into your dream schoolhouse right now, you could always start somewhere else, reapply, and then transfer.

  • Question

    I'm dirt poor and, because that people spend a ton on preparing for the SHSAT, it seems unlikely I'll pass. Is there a fashion to report without spending my piggy depository financial institution?

    Community Answer

    There are many ways to study for exam without spending a penny. In that location are many sites in New York that practise costless SHSHA tutoring. Online inquiry tin can help and you may be eligible for the dream program. You lot tin can laissez passer -- you just accept to exercise and do your best.

  • Question

    Can I still report for the SHSAT even though I'm not part of it?

    Community Answer

    But residents in New York Metropolis are allowed to take the SHSAT. Studying for the SHSAT is useless if you don't live in New York City.

  • Question

    The SHSAT changed, and I volition take it in 2018. I have heard that some parts of the test are gone and there will be fiction passages. How do I study for those new features?

    Community Answer

    There are not many changes. Basically, Logical Reasoning and Scrambled Paragraphs has been removed. Verse and Fiction paragraphs in Reading Comprehension has taken their spot. To prepare, simply complete practise tests and try your all-time to translate the passage and understand equally best as possible. It too helps to read higher-level books like Fahrenheit 451 to strengthen your vocabulary.

  • Question

    I'yard going to move to New York Metropolis, and I'm in eighth grade. Can I take the SHSATs?

    Community Answer

    Yes you can, even if you lot don't accept it in 8th course, you can take it in 9th grade. Just make sure that you lot are a NYC resident. The 9th grade shsat is based on 8th form lessons.

  • Question

    If I am in seventh grade and got accustomed into the Dream program just I am not certain whether it will make me ameliorate at math in time for the SHSAT, should I however try?

    Community Answer

    Yep! Utilize whatever resources you accept, DREAM is ane of them. It's gratis and definitely worth your while.

  • Question

    Tin y'all bring food into the exam?

    Community Answer

    Many schools do not allow students to bring food into test rooms since the sounds of eating information technology can be distracting for other candidates, in improver to being a surface for someone to sneak cheat notes on! If you need to take food with you for a medical reason (such as diabetes), go a note from your doc and inform your school so they can brand private arrangements for your condition.

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  • If you accept a learning disability, physical disability, or speak English every bit a 2nd language, yous might be able to receive accommodations on the test, such as extra time. If this applies to you, talk to the testing officials before registering for the exam to make sure you can receive these accommodations.

  • Remember that at that place are a number of highly-ranked high schools in New York Urban center that do not require an entrance test. Consider applying to these schools besides, in case you accept a hard time scoring highly on the SHSAT.

  • These study tips and strategies apply only to the SHSAT, which is the archway test for the 8 Specialized High Schools in New York City. There are dozens of other private and parochial schools that have unique admissions practices. Consult the admissions staff of the item high schools you're interested in to learn nearly the tests they require and how to best set up for them. Your guidance counselor and the private tutor would likewise be helpful in this regard.

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  • Do non effort to cheat. Do not expect at anyone else'south reply sheet, talk to other test-takers during the exam, or endeavour to pass notes. Your test volition be invalidated, and you volition not be allowed to make up the test.

  • Follow all test instructions carefully. Students who bring in forbidden items to the exam--such as jail cell phones, iPad's, or other banned devices--will have their tests invalidated and will not be allowed to make up the examination at a later engagement.

  • Be aware that just near 10% of examination-takers are admitted to the Specialized Loftier Schools. These are very competitive programs, so practice not shell yourself up if you are not offered access.

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