What is the SHSAT

The Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) is an exam 8th and 9th graders take for admission to Specialized High Schools in New York City. For eight out of nine of these schools, your performance on the SHSAT is the only admission factor.

Administered by the Department of Education, the SHSAT is a standardized test offered to New York City residents seeking admission to NYC's Specialized High Schools. These public high schools have a separate admission process from the general high school admission application and are highly selective.

The only way to register for the SHSAT is through your middle school guidance counselor. Tell your guidance counselor that you plan to take the test, and they will issue you an admission ticket.