New York City Public Schools
SHSAT 2026-27
The admission test for New York City's eight specialized high schools, for 8th graders and first-time 9th graders. New York City residents in 8th grade, or in 9th grade for the first time, who are applying to the eight specialized high schools that admit by test. Public, private, parochial, charter, and homeschooled students all take the same test.
SHSAT levels
- Grade 8 testcurrent 8th graders (math through Grade 7 standards)
- Grade 9 testfirst-time 9th graders (math through Grade 8 standards)
What is on the SHSAT
| Section | Questions | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| English Language Arts | 50 | |
| Mathematics | 50 | |
| Total | 100 | 180 |
Scoring
Starting in fall 2026 the test is computer-adaptive. Each subject is converted to a scaled score, and the two scaled scores are added into a composite that ranks students for offers. The SHSAT is the only admissions criterion for the eight testing schools. For the last cycle, the lowest composite that earned an offer ranged from 495 at Brooklyn Latin to 561 at Stuyvesant.
SHSAT dates, 2026-27
- Registration opens (MySchools)October 6, 2026
- Registration deadlineOctober 30, 2026
- Test day: 8th graders at NYCPS middle schools ending in grade 8 (school day, at own school)Wednesday, November 18, 2026
- Test day: 8th graders at 6-12, K-12, charter, private, parochial, independent schools or homeschooledSaturday, November 14 or Sunday, November 15, 2026
- Test day: all registered 9th gradersSaturday, November 21, 2026
Retakes
The test is given once each fall to 8th graders and first-time 9th graders, so a student has at most two attempts, one per year.
Keep this for planning
Frequently asked questions
Who takes the SHSAT?
New York City residents in 8th grade, or in 9th grade for the first time, who are applying to the eight specialized high schools that admit by test. Public, private, parochial, charter, and homeschooled students all take the same test.
How long is the SHSAT?
180 minutes for 100 questions.
How is the SHSAT scored?
Starting in fall 2026 the test is computer-adaptive. Each subject is converted to a scaled score, and the two scaled scores are added into a composite that ranks students for offers. The SHSAT is the only admissions criterion for the eight testing schools. For the last cycle, the lowest composite that earned an offer ranged from 495 at Brooklyn Latin to 561 at Stuyvesant.
How many times can you take the SHSAT?
The test is given once each fall to 8th graders and first-time 9th graders, so a student has at most two attempts, one per year.
Sources, read October 6, 2026: schools.nyc.gov, pwsblobprd.schools.nyc, schools.nyc.gov. The SHSAT is run by New York City Public Schools, which is not affiliated with Dewey Smart.
