The Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) is the only criterion for admissions to 8 of the 9 New York City Specialized High Schools. The only exception is the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, which requires an audition or portfolio for admission.
The SHSAT is administered by the New York City Department of Education and is only available to New York City residents in the 8th grade. 9th grade students may also choose to take the 9th grade version of the SHSAT for a very limited number of seats that may become available at the Specialized High Schools.
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SHSAT 2020 Test Details |
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Timing |
3 hours total |
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Raw Score |
All questions worth one point Unscored field test items included in both sections |
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Composite Score |
Raw Math and ELA scores converted to scale scores Cutoff score varies by school and by year |
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Questions |
114 total, 94 scored and 20 unscored |
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Answer Choices |
4 choices and grid-in questions |
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ELA (formerly Verbal) |
Revising/Editing (sentences and paragraphs) Reading Comprehension (3-4 informational texts, 1-2 literary prose texts, 1 poem) All multiple choice |
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Math |
Multiple choice and grid-in questions Focus on word problems Calculator not permitted |
In order to be considered for admissions at one of the New York City Specialized High Schools (not including LaGuardia), students must register for the SHSAT through their counselor. Students should indicate interest in any of the schools by entering the appropriate information on their ticket.
Students must then obtain an admission ticket from their guidance counselor. The ticket will indicate the specific date and time of the SHSAT. On test day, students will be asked to rank the Specialized High School in order of preference.
For more information on registering for the SHSAT including registration dates, refer to the NYC Department of Education's SHSAT information.
Bronx High School of Science
Location: 75 West 205 St. Bronx, NY 10468
Number of Students: 3,100
Criteria for Admission: SHSAT Score
Special Emphasis: Mathematics and science
Advanced Courses: Mathematics, life sciences, physical sciences, and fine arts
More: Students are provided opportunities for independent research along with extracurricular activities including orchestra and vocal music programs. Bronx Science has had more than twice as many finalists in the Intel Science Talent Search than any other school in the nation.
Website: Bronx High School of Science
Brooklyn Latin School
Location: 223 Graham Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Number of Students: Approximately 664 students (800 at full capacity)
Criteria for Admission: SHSAT Score
Special Emphasis: Humanities
More: The Brooklyn Latin School provides a liberal arts curriculum, with an emphasis on the Classics and Latin language instruction. Students graduate with an International Baccalaureate (IB) Degree that is integral to the school’s curriculum. In all classes, students experience a strong and consistent emphasis on structured writing, public speaking, and analytical thinking.
Website: Brooklyn Latin School
Brooklyn Technical High School
Location: 29 Fort Greene Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Number of Students: 5,843
Criteria for Admission: SHSAT Score
Special Emphasis: Mathematics, science, engineering, and computers
More: All students take an academic core in the 9th and 10th grades and then choose from 1 of 12 major areas of concentration, ranging from Aerospace Engineering and Architecture to Graphic Communications and Computer Applications.
Website: Brooklyn Technical High School
Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts (doesn't require SHSAT)
Location: 100 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10023
Number of Students: 2,713
Criteria for Admission: Audition or Portfolio
Special Emphasis: Visual and performing arts
More: The movie Fame (originally released in 1980, and remade in 2009) and the TV Series Fame both dramatized student life at the School of Performing Arts prior to its merger into LaGuardia High School, and an Off-Broadway show of Fame was produced in 2003–2004.
Website: Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts
High School for Math, Science & Engineering at City College
Location: 240 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031
Number of Students: 475
Criteria for Admission: SHSAT Score
Special Emphasis: Mathematics, engineering, and science
Advanced Courses: Writing and composition, history and literature, language and the arts
More: Students can complete high school requirements in their 3rd year of study and enroll in college level courses during their fourth year. Enrichment opportunities include school publications and academic competitions such as Math Team, Science Olympiad and Robotics.
Website: High School for Math, Science & Engineering at City College
High School of American Studies at Lehman College
Location: 2925 Goulden Ave, Bronx, NY 10468
Number of Students: 369
Criteria for Admission: SHSAT Score
Special Emphasis: American history
Curriculum: Four years of English, mathematics, science, and foreign languages
More: Students can engage in independent research with Lehman College faculty members, participate in internships in specialized programs, gain proficiency in a foreign language, and complement their high school course of study with college-level courses and seminars.
Queens High School for the Sciences at York College
Location: 94-50 159th Street Jamaica, NY 11451
Number of Students: 419
Criteria for Admission: SHSAT Score
Special Emphasis: Mathematics, science, and technology education
Curriculum: Science research, mathematics research, or technology education
More: Students are assigned to Research Project Advisors throughout their four years of high school. Students also have the opportunity to enroll in college classes during their fourth year of high school and those interested in careers in medicine are eligible for York College's Bridge to Medicine Program.
Website: Queens High School for the Sciences at York College
Staten Island Technical High School
Location: 485 Clawson Street Staten Island, NY 10306
Number of Students: 1280
Criteria for Admission: SHSAT Score
Special Emphasis: Mathematics, science, computers, engineering, and the humanities
More: Facilities include state of-the-art science, engineering and computer laboratories in addition to partnerships with College of Staten Island, St. John’s University, GLOBE, LEGO Robotics, and more. Staten Island Tech has a strong dedication to preparing students for college admissions with a wide range of advance placement courses along with student leadership, peer mediation, and conflict resolution programs.
Website: Staten Island Technical High School
Stuyvesant High School
Location: 345 Chambers St., New York, NY, 10282
Number of Students: 3,327
Criteria for Admission: SHSAT Score
Special Emphasis: Mathematics, science, and technology
More: Advanced Placement courses are offered along with mechanical arts and music programs. Extensive extracurricular programs offered including 22 athletic teams, 13 major publications and active student government. Currently ranked as one of the top high schools in the nation.
Website: Stuyvesant High School