Digital SHSAT 2025: What’s Changing & How to Prep?
Digital SHSAT 2025: What’s Changing & How to Prep?
Digital SHSAT 2025: What’s Changing & How to Prep?
Stay 100 % on top of every national and international SHSAT test date, registration deadline, and photo-upload cut-off, plus grab a one-click calendar import, powered by VEGA AI.
Stay 100 % on top of every national and international SHSAT test date, registration deadline, and photo-upload cut-off, plus grab a one-click calendar import, powered by VEGA AI.
Stay 100 % on top of every national and international SHSAT test date, registration deadline, and photo-upload cut-off, plus grab a one-click calendar import, powered by VEGA AI.
Specialized High School Admissions Test - at a glance (Fall 2025)
The SHSAT moves to a fully digital format in Fall 2025. Item count, sections (ELA & Math), and 3-hour timing remain the same for standard-time testers.
New Technology-Enhanced Items (TEIs) appear in both sections (examples include drag-and-drop, multi-select, fill-in, plotting).
DOE provides a Student Readiness Tool (SRT) tutorial and two full online practice tests that mirror the exam’s features and flow.
In Fall 2026, the test becomes computer-adaptive (CAT); that’s not in effect for 2025.
Who this page helps?
NYC 8th-graders and first-time 9th-graders taking the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT).
Families & counselors who want one place to understand windows, registration, tickets, and locations for 2025–26.
SHSAT at a glance (2025–26)
Who can test: Current 8th and first-time 9th graders who reside in NYC (public, charter, private/parochial, or home-schooled).
Administration: DOE-managed; school-day or weekend sessions
Format & time: ELA + Math, ≈ 3 hours total (extended time per IEP/504/ELL as applicable).
Goal: Admission to the eight testing Specialized High Schools (LaGuardia HS uses an audition—no SHSAT).
SHSAT test windows (2025–26)
Heads-up: DOE publishes official dates each fall. Use the timelines below to plan, and confirm the exact date on your ticket in MySchools.
School-day administration (most public 8th-graders)
Typical window: Late October → early November
Who tests: Most NYC public 8th-graders at their own schools
Location: Home school on DOE-managed devices
Registration cut-off: Generally late October
Ticket timing: Tickets usually appear ~2 weeks after registration closes
Weekend administration (DOE test sites)
8th-graders at charters, private/parochial, or 6–12 schools; students with religious conflicts; home-schooled
Typical window: Mid–late November (Sat/Sun)
Location: Central DOE test site listed on the ticket
First-time 9th-graders
Typical window: Early–mid December (Sat/Sun)
Location: Central DOE test site
Make-ups: DOE may publish limited make-up sessions for documented illness/emergencies. Contact your school counselor immediately if needed.
Registration: MySchools step-by-step
Create/Sign in to MySchools and link your student (confirm grade, NYC residency, and school).
Open “Specialized High Schools” and start SHSAT registration.
Indicate religious constraints, IEP/504/ELL accommodations, and weekend vs school-day needs.
Rank schools in true preference order (ranking affects offers).
Submit before the deadline (usually late October). Late registrations are not scheduled.
Watch for the test ticket in MySchools (and from the counselor) ~2 weeks after the registration window closes.
Test tickets & locations (what to expect)
Your SHSAT test ticket lists:
Student info and ID
Date & report time
Exact location (home school for school-day; DOE site for weekends)
Room/entry instructions and approved accommodations
No calculators or personal devices. DOE provides required materials/devices.
Important: Students must test at the date, time, and site printed on the ticket. For conflicts tied to documented needs, contact the school counselor immediately.
Annual refresh (what changes each fall)
Calendar refresh: DOE releases new school-day and weekend windows each fall.
Ticket refresh: New placements post in MySchools after the registration window closes.
Notifications: Watch MySchools messages and school communications for any site or time adjustments.
Exam structure & timing
Total time: ≈ 3 hours across ELA + Math (students self-allocate time).
Accommodations: IEP/504/ELL guidelines apply (extended time and breaks as eligible).
Practice tip: Simulate two full 3-hour blocks before test day.
Scoring & offers (short)
Students receive scaled scores in ELA and Math plus a composite.
DOE makes offers in score order, matching to your ranked school list until seats fill.
LaGuardia HS admission is by audition (no SHSAT).
What’s new: TEI (tech-enhanced) items?
The digital SHSAT introduces TEIs that “mirror the Specialized High School Admissions Test” while checking skills beyond simple multiple choice. Expect tasks like selecting more than one correct answer, arranging sentence parts, typing numeric responses, or interacting with graphs and shapes. These appear in both English Language Arts and Math.
Tip: read prompts carefully multi-select items must be fully correct to earn credit.
Who this page helps?
NYC 8th-graders and first-time 9th-graders taking the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT).
Families & counselors who want one place to understand windows, registration, tickets, and locations for 2025–26.
SHSAT at a glance (2025–26)
Who can test: Current 8th and first-time 9th graders who reside in NYC (public, charter, private/parochial, or home-schooled).
Administration: DOE-managed; school-day or weekend sessions
Format & time: ELA + Math, ≈ 3 hours total (extended time per IEP/504/ELL as applicable).
Goal: Admission to the eight testing Specialized High Schools (LaGuardia HS uses an audition—no SHSAT).
SHSAT test windows (2025–26)
Heads-up: DOE publishes official dates each fall. Use the timelines below to plan, and confirm the exact date on your ticket in MySchools.
School-day administration (most public 8th-graders)
Typical window: Late October → early November
Who tests: Most NYC public 8th-graders at their own schools
Location: Home school on DOE-managed devices
Registration cut-off: Generally late October
Ticket timing: Tickets usually appear ~2 weeks after registration closes
Weekend administration (DOE test sites)
8th-graders at charters, private/parochial, or 6–12 schools; students with religious conflicts; home-schooled
Typical window: Mid–late November (Sat/Sun)
Location: Central DOE test site listed on the ticket
First-time 9th-graders
Typical window: Early–mid December (Sat/Sun)
Location: Central DOE test site
Make-ups: DOE may publish limited make-up sessions for documented illness/emergencies. Contact your school counselor immediately if needed.
Registration: MySchools step-by-step
Create/Sign in to MySchools and link your student (confirm grade, NYC residency, and school).
Open “Specialized High Schools” and start SHSAT registration.
Indicate religious constraints, IEP/504/ELL accommodations, and weekend vs school-day needs.
Rank schools in true preference order (ranking affects offers).
Submit before the deadline (usually late October). Late registrations are not scheduled.
Watch for the test ticket in MySchools (and from the counselor) ~2 weeks after the registration window closes.
Test tickets & locations (what to expect)
Your SHSAT test ticket lists:
Student info and ID
Date & report time
Exact location (home school for school-day; DOE site for weekends)
Room/entry instructions and approved accommodations
No calculators or personal devices. DOE provides required materials/devices.
Important: Students must test at the date, time, and site printed on the ticket. For conflicts tied to documented needs, contact the school counselor immediately.
Annual refresh (what changes each fall)
Calendar refresh: DOE releases new school-day and weekend windows each fall.
Ticket refresh: New placements post in MySchools after the registration window closes.
Notifications: Watch MySchools messages and school communications for any site or time adjustments.
Exam structure & timing
Total time: ≈ 3 hours across ELA + Math (students self-allocate time).
Accommodations: IEP/504/ELL guidelines apply (extended time and breaks as eligible).
Practice tip: Simulate two full 3-hour blocks before test day.
Scoring & offers (short)
Students receive scaled scores in ELA and Math plus a composite.
DOE makes offers in score order, matching to your ranked school list until seats fill.
LaGuardia HS admission is by audition (no SHSAT).
What stays the same in 2025?
Two sections: ELA and Math; 57 items per section (114 total).
180 minutes total; students choose whether to start with ELA or Math and can navigate back and forth before submitting.
These fundamentals remain as in prior years; the big difference is that responses are entered on a testing platform instead of paper.
Who this page helps?
NYC 8th-graders and first-time 9th-graders taking the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT).
Families & counselors who want one place to understand windows, registration, tickets, and locations for 2025–26.
SHSAT at a glance (2025–26)
Who can test: Current 8th and first-time 9th graders who reside in NYC (public, charter, private/parochial, or home-schooled).
Administration: DOE-managed; school-day or weekend sessions
Format & time: ELA + Math, ≈ 3 hours total (extended time per IEP/504/ELL as applicable).
Goal: Admission to the eight testing Specialized High Schools (LaGuardia HS uses an audition—no SHSAT).
SHSAT test windows (2025–26)
Heads-up: DOE publishes official dates each fall. Use the timelines below to plan, and confirm the exact date on your ticket in MySchools.
School-day administration (most public 8th-graders)
Typical window: Late October → early November
Who tests: Most NYC public 8th-graders at their own schools
Location: Home school on DOE-managed devices
Registration cut-off: Generally late October
Ticket timing: Tickets usually appear ~2 weeks after registration closes
Weekend administration (DOE test sites)
8th-graders at charters, private/parochial, or 6–12 schools; students with religious conflicts; home-schooled
Typical window: Mid–late November (Sat/Sun)
Location: Central DOE test site listed on the ticket
First-time 9th-graders
Typical window: Early–mid December (Sat/Sun)
Location: Central DOE test site
Make-ups: DOE may publish limited make-up sessions for documented illness/emergencies. Contact your school counselor immediately if needed.
Registration: MySchools step-by-step
Create/Sign in to MySchools and link your student (confirm grade, NYC residency, and school).
Open “Specialized High Schools” and start SHSAT registration.
Indicate religious constraints, IEP/504/ELL accommodations, and weekend vs school-day needs.
Rank schools in true preference order (ranking affects offers).
Submit before the deadline (usually late October). Late registrations are not scheduled.
Watch for the test ticket in MySchools (and from the counselor) ~2 weeks after the registration window closes.
Test tickets & locations (what to expect)
Your SHSAT test ticket lists:
Student info and ID
Date & report time
Exact location (home school for school-day; DOE site for weekends)
Room/entry instructions and approved accommodations
No calculators or personal devices. DOE provides required materials/devices.
Important: Students must test at the date, time, and site printed on the ticket. For conflicts tied to documented needs, contact the school counselor immediately.
Annual refresh (what changes each fall)
Calendar refresh: DOE releases new school-day and weekend windows each fall.
Ticket refresh: New placements post in MySchools after the registration window closes.
Notifications: Watch MySchools messages and school communications for any site or time adjustments.
Exam structure & timing
Total time: ≈ 3 hours across ELA + Math (students self-allocate time).
Accommodations: IEP/504/ELL guidelines apply (extended time and breaks as eligible).
Practice tip: Simulate two full 3-hour blocks before test day.
Scoring & offers (short)
Students receive scaled scores in ELA and Math plus a composite.
DOE makes offers in score order, matching to your ranked school list until seats fill.
LaGuardia HS admission is by audition (no SHSAT).
How the digital platform works (functionality)
The DOE’s TestNav-based experience supports common testing actions:
Navigation: move between questions/sections before you submit; flag questions to revisit.
Universal tools for all students: zoom, highlight, note-taking.
Interface practice: the SRT tutorial lets students try tools and TEI interactions in a safe sandbox.
Who this page helps?
NYC 8th-graders and first-time 9th-graders taking the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT).
Families & counselors who want one place to understand windows, registration, tickets, and locations for 2025–26.
SHSAT at a glance (2025–26)
Who can test: Current 8th and first-time 9th graders who reside in NYC (public, charter, private/parochial, or home-schooled).
Administration: DOE-managed; school-day or weekend sessions
Format & time: ELA + Math, ≈ 3 hours total (extended time per IEP/504/ELL as applicable).
Goal: Admission to the eight testing Specialized High Schools (LaGuardia HS uses an audition—no SHSAT).
SHSAT test windows (2025–26)
Heads-up: DOE publishes official dates each fall. Use the timelines below to plan, and confirm the exact date on your ticket in MySchools.
School-day administration (most public 8th-graders)
Typical window: Late October → early November
Who tests: Most NYC public 8th-graders at their own schools
Location: Home school on DOE-managed devices
Registration cut-off: Generally late October
Ticket timing: Tickets usually appear ~2 weeks after registration closes
Weekend administration (DOE test sites)
8th-graders at charters, private/parochial, or 6–12 schools; students with religious conflicts; home-schooled
Typical window: Mid–late November (Sat/Sun)
Location: Central DOE test site listed on the ticket
First-time 9th-graders
Typical window: Early–mid December (Sat/Sun)
Location: Central DOE test site
Make-ups: DOE may publish limited make-up sessions for documented illness/emergencies. Contact your school counselor immediately if needed.
Registration: MySchools step-by-step
Create/Sign in to MySchools and link your student (confirm grade, NYC residency, and school).
Open “Specialized High Schools” and start SHSAT registration.
Indicate religious constraints, IEP/504/ELL accommodations, and weekend vs school-day needs.
Rank schools in true preference order (ranking affects offers).
Submit before the deadline (usually late October). Late registrations are not scheduled.
Watch for the test ticket in MySchools (and from the counselor) ~2 weeks after the registration window closes.
Test tickets & locations (what to expect)
Your SHSAT test ticket lists:
Student info and ID
Date & report time
Exact location (home school for school-day; DOE site for weekends)
Room/entry instructions and approved accommodations
No calculators or personal devices. DOE provides required materials/devices.
Important: Students must test at the date, time, and site printed on the ticket. For conflicts tied to documented needs, contact the school counselor immediately.
Annual refresh (what changes each fall)
Calendar refresh: DOE releases new school-day and weekend windows each fall.
Ticket refresh: New placements post in MySchools after the registration window closes.
Notifications: Watch MySchools messages and school communications for any site or time adjustments.
Exam structure & timing
Total time: ≈ 3 hours across ELA + Math (students self-allocate time).
Accommodations: IEP/504/ELL guidelines apply (extended time and breaks as eligible).
Practice tip: Simulate two full 3-hour blocks before test day.
Scoring & offers (short)
Students receive scaled scores in ELA and Math plus a composite.
DOE makes offers in score order, matching to your ranked school list until seats fill.
LaGuardia HS admission is by audition (no SHSAT).
Accommodations & accessibility (ELL, IEP/504)
Embedded supports include multilingual glossaries (Arabic, Bengali, Chinese traditional & simplified, French, Haitian-Creole, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Urdu) within ELA & Math.
Students with IEPs or 504 Plans receive approved accommodations—e.g., extended time, read-aloud, larger print delivered within the digital platform. A paper test is reserved only for cases where a student’s plan specifically requires paper to access the exam.
Who this page helps?
NYC 8th-graders and first-time 9th-graders taking the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT).
Families & counselors who want one place to understand windows, registration, tickets, and locations for 2025–26.
SHSAT at a glance (2025–26)
Who can test: Current 8th and first-time 9th graders who reside in NYC (public, charter, private/parochial, or home-schooled).
Administration: DOE-managed; school-day or weekend sessions
Format & time: ELA + Math, ≈ 3 hours total (extended time per IEP/504/ELL as applicable).
Goal: Admission to the eight testing Specialized High Schools (LaGuardia HS uses an audition—no SHSAT).
SHSAT test windows (2025–26)
Heads-up: DOE publishes official dates each fall. Use the timelines below to plan, and confirm the exact date on your ticket in MySchools.
School-day administration (most public 8th-graders)
Typical window: Late October → early November
Who tests: Most NYC public 8th-graders at their own schools
Location: Home school on DOE-managed devices
Registration cut-off: Generally late October
Ticket timing: Tickets usually appear ~2 weeks after registration closes
Weekend administration (DOE test sites)
8th-graders at charters, private/parochial, or 6–12 schools; students with religious conflicts; home-schooled
Typical window: Mid–late November (Sat/Sun)
Location: Central DOE test site listed on the ticket
First-time 9th-graders
Typical window: Early–mid December (Sat/Sun)
Location: Central DOE test site
Make-ups: DOE may publish limited make-up sessions for documented illness/emergencies. Contact your school counselor immediately if needed.
Registration: MySchools step-by-step
Create/Sign in to MySchools and link your student (confirm grade, NYC residency, and school).
Open “Specialized High Schools” and start SHSAT registration.
Indicate religious constraints, IEP/504/ELL accommodations, and weekend vs school-day needs.
Rank schools in true preference order (ranking affects offers).
Submit before the deadline (usually late October). Late registrations are not scheduled.
Watch for the test ticket in MySchools (and from the counselor) ~2 weeks after the registration window closes.
Test tickets & locations (what to expect)
Your SHSAT test ticket lists:
Student info and ID
Date & report time
Exact location (home school for school-day; DOE site for weekends)
Room/entry instructions and approved accommodations
No calculators or personal devices. DOE provides required materials/devices.
Important: Students must test at the date, time, and site printed on the ticket. For conflicts tied to documented needs, contact the school counselor immediately.
Annual refresh (what changes each fall)
Calendar refresh: DOE releases new school-day and weekend windows each fall.
Ticket refresh: New placements post in MySchools after the registration window closes.
Notifications: Watch MySchools messages and school communications for any site or time adjustments.
Exam structure & timing
Total time: ≈ 3 hours across ELA + Math (students self-allocate time).
Accommodations: IEP/504/ELL guidelines apply (extended time and breaks as eligible).
Practice tip: Simulate two full 3-hour blocks before test day.
Scoring & offers (short)
Students receive scaled scores in ELA and Math plus a composite.
DOE makes offers in score order, matching to your ranked school list until seats fill.
LaGuardia HS admission is by audition (no SHSAT).
Practice with the official DOE portal
The DOE hosts a central NYC SHSAT Portal with:
SRT Tutorial (walkthrough videos + hands-on practice)
Two fully functional online practice tests that mirror layout, tools, and TEI behavior
How to Prepare guidance and answer explanations
Everything runs in a web browser no special software. Use these resources early to build screen stamina and reduce test-day friction.
Who this page helps?
NYC 8th-graders and first-time 9th-graders taking the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT).
Families & counselors who want one place to understand windows, registration, tickets, and locations for 2025–26.
SHSAT at a glance (2025–26)
Who can test: Current 8th and first-time 9th graders who reside in NYC (public, charter, private/parochial, or home-schooled).
Administration: DOE-managed; school-day or weekend sessions
Format & time: ELA + Math, ≈ 3 hours total (extended time per IEP/504/ELL as applicable).
Goal: Admission to the eight testing Specialized High Schools (LaGuardia HS uses an audition—no SHSAT).
SHSAT test windows (2025–26)
Heads-up: DOE publishes official dates each fall. Use the timelines below to plan, and confirm the exact date on your ticket in MySchools.
School-day administration (most public 8th-graders)
Typical window: Late October → early November
Who tests: Most NYC public 8th-graders at their own schools
Location: Home school on DOE-managed devices
Registration cut-off: Generally late October
Ticket timing: Tickets usually appear ~2 weeks after registration closes
Weekend administration (DOE test sites)
8th-graders at charters, private/parochial, or 6–12 schools; students with religious conflicts; home-schooled
Typical window: Mid–late November (Sat/Sun)
Location: Central DOE test site listed on the ticket
First-time 9th-graders
Typical window: Early–mid December (Sat/Sun)
Location: Central DOE test site
Make-ups: DOE may publish limited make-up sessions for documented illness/emergencies. Contact your school counselor immediately if needed.
Registration: MySchools step-by-step
Create/Sign in to MySchools and link your student (confirm grade, NYC residency, and school).
Open “Specialized High Schools” and start SHSAT registration.
Indicate religious constraints, IEP/504/ELL accommodations, and weekend vs school-day needs.
Rank schools in true preference order (ranking affects offers).
Submit before the deadline (usually late October). Late registrations are not scheduled.
Watch for the test ticket in MySchools (and from the counselor) ~2 weeks after the registration window closes.
Test tickets & locations (what to expect)
Your SHSAT test ticket lists:
Student info and ID
Date & report time
Exact location (home school for school-day; DOE site for weekends)
Room/entry instructions and approved accommodations
No calculators or personal devices. DOE provides required materials/devices.
Important: Students must test at the date, time, and site printed on the ticket. For conflicts tied to documented needs, contact the school counselor immediately.
Annual refresh (what changes each fall)
Calendar refresh: DOE releases new school-day and weekend windows each fall.
Ticket refresh: New placements post in MySchools after the registration window closes.
Notifications: Watch MySchools messages and school communications for any site or time adjustments.
Exam structure & timing
Total time: ≈ 3 hours across ELA + Math (students self-allocate time).
Accommodations: IEP/504/ELL guidelines apply (extended time and breaks as eligible).
Practice tip: Simulate two full 3-hour blocks before test day.
Scoring & offers (short)
Students receive scaled scores in ELA and Math plus a composite.
DOE makes offers in score order, matching to your ranked school list until seats fill.
LaGuardia HS admission is by audition (no SHSAT).
How to prep (step-by-step)
1) Learn the interface (30–45 minutes).
Open the SRT tutorial and try every tool: highlight, zoom, review flags, math response entry, and multi-select answers.
2) Take Practice Test A (full length).
Simulate real conditions: no calculator, scratch paper allowed, strict 180-minute timer. Aim for consistent pacing across English Language Arts and Math.
3) Review by error type.
Tag misses as careless / concept / time. On Math, rewrite solutions neatly; on ELA, note evidence lines and editing rules (punctuation, usage, sentence boundaries).
4) Drill TEI skills.
Practice multi-select instructions, drag-and-drop order, and typed math responses. Treat each TEI like a standard scored item no partial credit unless the platform explicitly says so.
5) Take Practice Test B (full length).
Compare raw performance across sections. Use your scaled score targets only as rough guides; the DOE converts raw → scaled each year across forms. Focus on raising raw correct answers.
6) Keep content fundamentals strong.
For ELA: vocabulary-in-context and passage inference. For Math: algebra, number properties, geometry, and data. Continue mixed practice that balances digital test input with pencil-and-paper scratch work.
Who this page helps?
NYC 8th-graders and first-time 9th-graders taking the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT).
Families & counselors who want one place to understand windows, registration, tickets, and locations for 2025–26.
SHSAT at a glance (2025–26)
Who can test: Current 8th and first-time 9th graders who reside in NYC (public, charter, private/parochial, or home-schooled).
Administration: DOE-managed; school-day or weekend sessions
Format & time: ELA + Math, ≈ 3 hours total (extended time per IEP/504/ELL as applicable).
Goal: Admission to the eight testing Specialized High Schools (LaGuardia HS uses an audition—no SHSAT).
SHSAT test windows (2025–26)
Heads-up: DOE publishes official dates each fall. Use the timelines below to plan, and confirm the exact date on your ticket in MySchools.
School-day administration (most public 8th-graders)
Typical window: Late October → early November
Who tests: Most NYC public 8th-graders at their own schools
Location: Home school on DOE-managed devices
Registration cut-off: Generally late October
Ticket timing: Tickets usually appear ~2 weeks after registration closes
Weekend administration (DOE test sites)
8th-graders at charters, private/parochial, or 6–12 schools; students with religious conflicts; home-schooled
Typical window: Mid–late November (Sat/Sun)
Location: Central DOE test site listed on the ticket
First-time 9th-graders
Typical window: Early–mid December (Sat/Sun)
Location: Central DOE test site
Make-ups: DOE may publish limited make-up sessions for documented illness/emergencies. Contact your school counselor immediately if needed.
Registration: MySchools step-by-step
Create/Sign in to MySchools and link your student (confirm grade, NYC residency, and school).
Open “Specialized High Schools” and start SHSAT registration.
Indicate religious constraints, IEP/504/ELL accommodations, and weekend vs school-day needs.
Rank schools in true preference order (ranking affects offers).
Submit before the deadline (usually late October). Late registrations are not scheduled.
Watch for the test ticket in MySchools (and from the counselor) ~2 weeks after the registration window closes.
Test tickets & locations (what to expect)
Your SHSAT test ticket lists:
Student info and ID
Date & report time
Exact location (home school for school-day; DOE site for weekends)
Room/entry instructions and approved accommodations
No calculators or personal devices. DOE provides required materials/devices.
Important: Students must test at the date, time, and site printed on the ticket. For conflicts tied to documented needs, contact the school counselor immediately.
Annual refresh (what changes each fall)
Calendar refresh: DOE releases new school-day and weekend windows each fall.
Ticket refresh: New placements post in MySchools after the registration window closes.
Notifications: Watch MySchools messages and school communications for any site or time adjustments.
Exam structure & timing
Total time: ≈ 3 hours across ELA + Math (students self-allocate time).
Accommodations: IEP/504/ELL guidelines apply (extended time and breaks as eligible).
Practice tip: Simulate two full 3-hour blocks before test day.
Scoring & offers (short)
Students receive scaled scores in ELA and Math plus a composite.
DOE makes offers in score order, matching to your ranked school list until seats fill.
LaGuardia HS admission is by audition (no SHSAT).
Where the SHSAT leads (schools)?
The SHSAT is the sole admissions factor for eight NYC Specialized High Schools: Stuyvesant High School, Bronx High School of Science, Staten Island Technical High School, Brooklyn Latin School, High School for Math, Science and Engineering at City College, High School of American Studies at Lehman College, and Queens High School for the Sciences at York College (LaGuardia uses auditions).
Who this page helps?
NYC 8th-graders and first-time 9th-graders taking the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT).
Families & counselors who want one place to understand windows, registration, tickets, and locations for 2025–26.
SHSAT at a glance (2025–26)
Who can test: Current 8th and first-time 9th graders who reside in NYC (public, charter, private/parochial, or home-schooled).
Administration: DOE-managed; school-day or weekend sessions
Format & time: ELA + Math, ≈ 3 hours total (extended time per IEP/504/ELL as applicable).
Goal: Admission to the eight testing Specialized High Schools (LaGuardia HS uses an audition—no SHSAT).
SHSAT test windows (2025–26)
Heads-up: DOE publishes official dates each fall. Use the timelines below to plan, and confirm the exact date on your ticket in MySchools.
School-day administration (most public 8th-graders)
Typical window: Late October → early November
Who tests: Most NYC public 8th-graders at their own schools
Location: Home school on DOE-managed devices
Registration cut-off: Generally late October
Ticket timing: Tickets usually appear ~2 weeks after registration closes
Weekend administration (DOE test sites)
8th-graders at charters, private/parochial, or 6–12 schools; students with religious conflicts; home-schooled
Typical window: Mid–late November (Sat/Sun)
Location: Central DOE test site listed on the ticket
First-time 9th-graders
Typical window: Early–mid December (Sat/Sun)
Location: Central DOE test site
Make-ups: DOE may publish limited make-up sessions for documented illness/emergencies. Contact your school counselor immediately if needed.
Registration: MySchools step-by-step
Create/Sign in to MySchools and link your student (confirm grade, NYC residency, and school).
Open “Specialized High Schools” and start SHSAT registration.
Indicate religious constraints, IEP/504/ELL accommodations, and weekend vs school-day needs.
Rank schools in true preference order (ranking affects offers).
Submit before the deadline (usually late October). Late registrations are not scheduled.
Watch for the test ticket in MySchools (and from the counselor) ~2 weeks after the registration window closes.
Test tickets & locations (what to expect)
Your SHSAT test ticket lists:
Student info and ID
Date & report time
Exact location (home school for school-day; DOE site for weekends)
Room/entry instructions and approved accommodations
No calculators or personal devices. DOE provides required materials/devices.
Important: Students must test at the date, time, and site printed on the ticket. For conflicts tied to documented needs, contact the school counselor immediately.
Annual refresh (what changes each fall)
Calendar refresh: DOE releases new school-day and weekend windows each fall.
Ticket refresh: New placements post in MySchools after the registration window closes.
Notifications: Watch MySchools messages and school communications for any site or time adjustments.
Exam structure & timing
Total time: ≈ 3 hours across ELA + Math (students self-allocate time).
Accommodations: IEP/504/ELL guidelines apply (extended time and breaks as eligible).
Practice tip: Simulate two full 3-hour blocks before test day.
Scoring & offers (short)
Students receive scaled scores in ELA and Math plus a composite.
DOE makes offers in score order, matching to your ranked school list until seats fill.
LaGuardia HS admission is by audition (no SHSAT).
How VEGA AI Supports SHSAT Prep Businesses
How VEGA AI Supports SHSAT Prep Businesses
How VEGA AI Supports SHSAT Prep Businesses
VEGA AI Capability
What It Means for Your SHSAT Program
Build Full-Length & Sectional Tests in Minutes
Build Full-Length & Sectional Tests in Minutes
Drop in your existing question bank (or PDFs); VEGA AI auto-creates timed SHSAT simulations and targeted mini-drills-no manual formatting.
Drop in your existing question bank (or PDFs); VEGA AI auto-creates timed SHSAT simulations and targeted mini-drills-no manual formatting.
Smart Tagging & Skill Maps
Smart Tagging & Skill Maps
Every item is auto-tagged by SHSAT section, topic (e.g., “Plane Trig,” “Rhetorical Skills”), difficulty, and cognitive skill so you can pull custom drills in seconds.
Every item is auto-tagged by SHSAT section, topic (e.g., “Plane Trig,” “Rhetorical Skills”), difficulty, and cognitive skill so you can pull custom drills in seconds.
Adaptive Practice & 24 × 7 AI Tutor
Adaptive Practice & 24 × 7 AI Tutor
Students get real-time feedback, time-management tips, and AI-avatar explanations any hour of the day reducing teacher load.
Students get real-time feedback, time-management tips, and AI-avatar explanations any hour of the day reducing teacher load.
Mastery Dashboards for Educators & Parents
Mastery Dashboards for Educators & Parents
Accuracy, speed, and mastery scores update live so instructors know exactly who struggles with “Scientific Reasoning” or “Comma Rules.”
Accuracy, speed, and mastery scores update live so instructors know exactly who struggles with “Scientific Reasoning” or “Comma Rules.”
Lead-Gen Funnel Built In
Lead-Gen Funnel Built In
Offer a free 15-minute SHSAT diagnostic; VEGA AI captures contact info, scores, and gap analysis so your marketing team can convert prospects with data-driven calls.
Automated Reports & Progress Emails
Automated Reports & Progress Emails
Weekly PDF or portal reports go straight to parents, no spreadsheets saving ops teams up to 90 % reporting time.
Weekly PDF or portal reports go straight to parents, no spreadsheets saving ops teams up to 90 % reporting time.
No-Code Course Builder
No-Code Course Builder
Combine adaptive quizzes, practice tests, video lessons, flashcards into Duolingo-style “Journeys” that keep teens engaged and on pace.
Combine adaptive quizzes, practice tests, video lessons, flashcards into Duolingo-style “Journeys” that keep teens engaged and on pace.
Related Links:
Related Links:
Related Links:
Are You a SHSAT Tutor or a Test Prep Institute?
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Ready to Deliver Smarter SHSAT Prep Online?
Ready to Deliver Smarter SHSAT Prep Online?
Ready to Deliver Smarter SHSAT Prep Online?
See how VEGA AI frees up grading hours, personalises practice, and turns your SHSAT program into a measurable growth engine. One 15‑minute walkthrough is all it takes to spot the lift for your institute.
See how VEGA AI frees up grading hours, personalises practice, and turns your SHSAT program into a measurable growth engine. One 15‑minute walkthrough is all it takes to spot the lift for your institute.
See how VEGA AI frees up grading hours, personalises practice, and turns your SHSAT program into a measurable growth engine. One 15‑minute walkthrough is all it takes to spot the lift for your institute.
FAQ's - SHSAT Timing & Exam Length
FAQ's - SHSAT Timing & Exam Length
FAQ's - SHSAT Timing & Exam Length
Is the 2025 test adaptive?
No. Computer-adaptive starts Fall 2026. 2025 is digital with TEIs.
Is the 2025 test adaptive?
Is the 2025 test adaptive?
No. Computer-adaptive starts Fall 2026. 2025 is digital with TEIs.
Is the 2025 test adaptive?
Can students still choose section order and review answers?
Can students still choose section order and review answers?
Can students still choose section order and review answers?
Can students still choose section order and review answers?
Where do I practice?
Where do I practice?
Where do I practice?
Where do I practice?
Are calculators allowed?
Are calculators allowed?
Are calculators allowed?
Are calculators allowed?
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