SHSAT PREP
The Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) is offered in October of 8th grade for students applying for entrance into 9th grade the following fall. It is the sole determining factor to gain admission to 8 of the 9 New York City Specialized High Schools.*
what is the shsat?
- The Bronx High School of Science
- The Brooklyn Latin School
- Brooklyn Technical High School
- High School for Mathematics, Science and Engineering at City College of New York
- High School of American Studies at Lehman College
- Queens High School for the Sciences at York College
- Staten Island Technical High School
- Stuyvesant High School
- The Bronx High School of Science
- The Brooklyn Latin School
- Brooklyn Technical High School
- High School for Mathematics, Science and Engineering at City College of New York
- High School of American Studies at Lehman College
- Queens High School for the Sciences at York College
- Staten Island Technical High School
- Stuyvesant High School
*LaGuardia Performing Arts School is the 9th Specialized School, but admission to LaGuardia is audition-based, and does not require the SHSAT.
These specialized schools are very competitive and attract students from all over New York City. Yes, it’s a lot of pressure! Having only one criterion is hard. Just like learning a sport or instrument, preparing for the SHSAT requires practice. We help students craft a study plan customized to their strengths/areas of growth, as determined by review of various SHSAT practice tests.
high school
A:
What kinds of questions are on the SHSAT and how is it scored?
Q:
ANSWER:
Question:
The SHSAT is a three-hour test, with two sections – Math and English Language Arts (ELA). Though the SHSAT is a skills-based test, an additional challenge is the critical thinking and strategy students need to be successful on the test. The SHSAT rewards students who are able to answer the highest number of questions in each section. Therefore, if your child is stronger at math than English, or vice versa, they should focus more on getting as many answers correct in their area of strength, and may even consider spending more time on that section of the test.
NOTE: some families may wish to begin skillbuilding practice for the SHSAT in the Spring of the 6th grade year or Fall of 7th grade year.
SHSAT TIMELINE
Decide on a plan of action for the Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall semesters.
READY
Take a deep breath, and know you are prepared!
6
NOVEMBER:
The SHSAT usually is administered the last weekend of October or first weekend in November.
5
Attend open houses and school visits. Practice Practice Practice!
4
Attend admissions workshops, take practice tests and complete sample question sets.
3
Begin preparing for the SHSAT and take a mock exam to assess strengths and areas of growth.
2
Bee Tutored offers SKILL BUILDING SUPPORT!
1
START
December/January of 7th grade:
January - April
of 7th grade:
SUMMER:
September of
8th grade:
October/November of 8th grade:
You can take the test in whatever order you would like, and do not need to spend equal time on each section
No calculators are allowed during the test
When In doubt, guess. There is no penalty for
wrong answers.
Do not go to the bathroom in the middle of the
test unless absolutely necessary – lines are long!
Make a copy of your admissions ticket with
school rankings
The grammar section has been reduced to
9 questions
Reading Comprehension section now includes 3-4 informational texts, 1-2 literary prose texts and
1 poem
SHSAT Tips & INFORMATION
A.
We find the additional 30 minutes to test prep highly beneficial in order to cover the multiple sections of the test (ie: ELA vs Math). It also allows plenty of time for students to ask questions in a group setting.
Is an SHSAT group class enough prep for my child? How can I support my child at home?
Q.
Why are your test prep group classes 1.5 hour sessions, instead of 1 hour?
Q.
My child scored low on a diagnostic SHSAT mock exam, but this does not line up with how they normally do in school. Why might this be happening?
Q.
What do I do if my child misses a prep class?
Q.
A.
How we traditionally view grades and percentages in a classroom does not translate to the SHSAT. Often we see students who normally do well in school start off with low diagnostic mock exam scores. The exam is not designed so students can earn 100%, otherwise it would be difficult to differentiate between high scoring students in order to place them in particular schools. It is made above grade level on purpose with room at the top to differentiate. 80% - 85% correct is a very good score.
The diagnostic score serves as a baseline score to guide future work and focus. Without any exposure to the exam format or basic strategies, sometimes students mismanage their time and guess the answer to many questions. Once students learn some of the macro strategies, their score will improve.
Why are your test prep group classes 1.5 hour sessions, instead of 1 hour?
Q.
My child scored low on a diagnostic SHSAT mock exam, but this does not line up with how they normally do in school. Why might this be happening?
Q.
What do I do if my child misses a prep class?
Q.
Is an SHSAT group class enough prep for my child? How can I support my child at home?
Q.
A.
While the answer may vary for each individual, we generally suggest supplemental work for most students. This can range from purchasing a prep book, working out of the free DOE guidebooks at home, to working with one of our private tutors. Often, students may start with a prep class to cover the foundational concepts, but as the exam gets closer, private tutoring can help zero in on particular areas that need additional focus. Private tutoring also allows a more customized approach to SHSAT prep.
Is an SHSAT group class enough prep for my child? How can I support my child at home?
Q.
Why are your test prep group classes 1.5 hour sessions, instead of 1 hour?
Q.
My child scored low on a diagnostic SHSAT mock exam, but this does not line up with how they normally do in school. Why might this be happening?
Q.
What do I do if my child misses a prep class?
Q.
A.
For remote classes: all remote classes are recorded and posted to Google Classroom within 24 hours of a class happening. Your child can follow along with the class by viewing the recording and completing the homework posted to Google Classroom.
For in-person classes: our team can put you in touch with the instructor to provide the information on what class work was completed. Your child can complete the homework posted in Google Classroom as usual.
Is an SHSAT group class enough prep for my child? How can I support my child at home?
Q.
Why are your test prep group classes 1.5 hour sessions, instead of 1 hour?
Q.
My child scored low on a diagnostic SHSAT mock exam, but this does not line up with how they normally do in school. Why might this be happening?
Q.
What do I do if my child misses a prep class?
Q.
A.
An intake form is completed for ensuring appropriate matching of tutors with students that fulfill the needed academic support, fit with the schedule needs of the student and their learning style. Once the pairing of a student and tutor is made, the tutor information is sent for review and confirmation prior to sessions being scheduled. After the tutor pairing is confirmed, an introduction with the tutor occurs to discuss objectives and outlines for the sessions prior to the initial session.
A.
We offer the flexibility to cancel or reschedule sessions with 24 hr notice without charge.
Q.
Q.
Q.
Q.
Q.
If a different tutor is needed, how is this accommodated?
How are tutors and students matched?
What is your session cancelation policy?
What is a typical length of time for a session with a tutor?
My student has a busy schedule and a commute for tutoring sessions is tricky. Is there a convenient solution for this?
A.
While we strive for the instance of this occurrence to be rare, we understand that for various reasons, a tutor and student may not be a match. If this is the case, a rematch of the student with another tutor is accommodated by reaching out to the administrative support who will then repair the student with another tutor.
Q.
Q.
Q.
Q.
Q.
If a different tutor is needed, how is this accommodated?
How are tutors and students matched?
What is your session cancelation policy?
What is a typical length of time for a session with a tutor?
My student has a busy schedule and a commute for tutoring sessions is tricky. Is there a convenient solution for this?
A.
Absolutely! Our tutors have the flexibility to meet the student either online or in person at their designated location for optimal convenience at the time that works best for the student.
Q.
Q.
Q.
Q.
Q.
If a different tutor is needed, how is this accommodated?
How are tutors and students matched?
What is your session cancelation policy?
What is a typical length of time for a session with a tutor?
My student has a busy schedule and a commute for tutoring sessions is tricky. Is there a convenient solution for this?
A.
Absolutely! Our tutors have the flexibility to meet the student either online or in person at their designated location for optimal convenience at the time that works best for the student.
Q.
Q.
Q.
Q.
Q.
If a different tutor is needed, how is this accommodated?
How are tutors and students matched?
What is your session cancelation policy?
What is a typical length of time for a session with a tutor?
My student has a busy schedule and a commute for tutoring sessions is tricky. Is there a convenient solution for this?
question & answers
the SHSAT test
We find the additional 30 minutes to test prep highly beneficial in order to cover the multiple sections of the test (ie: ELA vs Math). It also allows plenty of time for students to ask questions in a group setting.
A.
How we traditionally view grades and percentages in a classroom does not translate to the SHSAT. Often we see students who normally do well in school start off with low diagnostic mock exam scores. The exam is not designed so students can earn 100%, otherwise it would be difficult to differentiate between high scoring students in order to place them in particular schools. It is made above grade level on purpose with room at the top to differentiate. 80% - 85% correct is a very good score.
The diagnostic score serves as a baseline score to guide future work and focus. Without any exposure to the exam format or basic strategies, sometimes students mismanage their time and guess the answer to many questions. Once students learn some of the macro strategies, their score will improve.
A.
While we strive for the instance of this occurrence to be rare, we understand that for various reasons, a tutor and student may not be a match. If this is the case, a rematch of the student with another tutor is accommodated by reaching out to the administrative support who will then repair the student with another tutor.
A.
For remote classes: all remote classes are recorded and posted to Google Classroom within 24 hours of a class happening. Your child can follow along with the class by viewing the recording and completing the homework posted to Google Classroom.
For in-person classes: our team can put you in touch with the instructor to provide the information on what class work was completed. Your child can complete the homework posted in Google Classroom as usual.
A.
NEED A DIAGNOSTIC EXAM?
NEED A
DIAGNOSTIC EXAM?
*A diagnostic assessment is a pre-test that helps teachers evaluate students' strengths, weaknesses, and skills before formal instruction. These low-stakes assessments usually don't impact final grades.
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