New York City Guide for the SHSAT

The New York City SHSAT Guide includes information about what to expect before, during and after Test Day, including details about Practice Tests, about what you can and cannot bring with you on Test Day, and about what happens after you submit your exam, in addition to other useful information. PDF's of the SHSAT Guide are available will be available here in New York City Public Schools' 12 translated languages. In the meantime, if you need translated information or are using a read-aloud tool, you may access the information included in the Guide on the webpage below.

On this page...

Before Test Day

Know What to Expect

Become very familiar with the design of the test by reviewing the following on the NYC SHSAT Portal:
  • description of the test
  • tips for preparing in the How to Prepare for the SHSAT guide.
  • the full-length digital sample tests
  • each sample test’s answer key and explanations
  • specific sample Grade 9 questions (if you plan to take the test as a 9th grader)
Become familiar with the directions for each section so that:
  • you fully understand what you have to do for each part of the test: Reading Comprehension, Revising/Editing Parts A & B, Math Fill in the Blanks and Math Multiple Choice
  • you can focus your time on answering the questions rather than reading the directions on test day
  • you, if needed, can view translated directions. Translated directions are available on the NYC SHSAT Portal.
Become familiar with the Student Readiness Tool (SRT) on the NYC SHSAT Portal so that:
  • you can fully understand how to engage and interact with each item type
  • you can fully understand how to use the tools and navigate through the digital test

Take the Practice Test

Make a plan.
  • There are sample tests on the NYC SHSAT Portal (https://nycshsat.myassessmentsupport.com), and you can use them in any way you want; you are encouraged to use at least one of the tests to practice taking a full test under timed conditions.
  • Students who receive English Language Learner (ELL) accommodations should choose the practice test link for their home language in order to practice with translated directions and translated glossary pop-ups.
  • You will not need to log in or download an application to take the practice tests, and your answers will not be saved. A summary of your correct and incorrect responses will be provided.
  • You can find explanations for each item within the practice test, in the exhibit on the right side of the screen or you can find a PDF of all of the explanations on the NYC SHSAT Portal.
  • You have 180 minutes to complete the test; eligible ELLs or students with extended time as an approved testing accommodation have 360 minutes to complete the test.
  • You may begin the test in whatever section/part you want, so decide in advance what order you will take the test in.
  • You may divide time between the ELA and Math sections however you want.

Manage your time with a watch or clock. You will have 180 minutes of test time (students with an extended time accommodation have 360 minutes). Smart watches are not permitted on test day.

Start answering questions in either the ELA or Math section.
  • Remember, it is up to you to decide which section you take first!
  • Work carefully, but keep moving at a comfortable pace.
  • Do not spend more than a couple minutes on any one question.
Select your answer on the screen.
  • Follow the directions carefully for how to select your answers.
  • You must select an answer before you can move on to the next item.
  • You may return to questions within a passage set (a text and its related questions) in the reading comprehension and revising and editing sections. Once you move on from the passage set, you will not be able to return to those questions.
An educated guess can be the right answer.
  • Do this by eliminating the answer choice(s) that are definitely wrong and choosing from among the remaining answers.

Check Your Answers from the Sample Test

After you complete the sample test, review the summary report, which identifies the items you answered correctly or incorrectly.
  • Read the explanations of the correct answers to see the kinds of mistakes you may have made.
  • Check to see whether there is a pattern to your errors.
  • ELA Example: did you miss many questions about central idea or author’s purpose?
  • Math Example: did you miss many questions because of miscalculations?
  • Seek out opportunities to do more practice in areas that challenged you!

On Test Day

This page includes information about what students should expect on test day.

What to Bring to Your Testing Session

You MUST bring the following to the testing session:

  • Assistive Technology (if indicated on your IEP and test ticket)

You CAN, but are not required to bring:

  • your SHSAT test ticket
  • slant board
  • sharpened pencils and eraser
  • pencil grip
  • highlighter
  • a watch that is silent and NOT a calculator
  • a quiet, unwrapped snack (Students can have their snack before the beginning of the test administration or during a break; snacks are NOT allowed during testing time.)
  • water (in a soft or plastic container that doesn’t make noise if tipped)

What NOT to Bring

Not Permitted

  • your own computer (you will be provided with a device to test on)
  • cameras
  • calculators
  • smart watches
  • tablet/iPad, ebook reader
  • ear pods, non-electronic earpods, smart glasses, cell phones, any other electronic device
  • outside written materials
  • soda, juice, or any drinks other than water; water is the only beverage allowed in the testing site

Note on Cell Phones. They are permitted on the test site, but:

  1. they must be turned off
  2. you may not have them with you during the test—this means they may not be in your pocket, hand, or desk

The test site will instruct you on what to do with your cell phone before the test starts. You will be instructed to turn off and store cell phones, cameras, and other electronic devices according to the regulations set by the test site.

Will Be Provided

The following will be provided for all students:

  • a computer device to test on.
  • scrap paper, which can be used to take notes and for math calculations and will be collected at the end of the test.
  • ELLs and eligible former ELLs ONLY will have access to a bilingual glossary for the exam. See the SHSAT website for additional information on ELL testing supports.

Test Day Expectations

  • If you are testing during the school day, arrive at school at the regular time unless your school gives you a different arrival time.
  • If you are testing on the weekend, be sure to arrive at the test site at the time that is on your SHSAT test ticket. Please note that this is the arrival time, not the time that the test will start. The test will begin as soon as possible after the time on your ticket. In some cases, the test may begin an hour or more after the arrival time noted on the test ticket.
  • At weekend test sites, before the test begins, our site staff may take a photograph or video of the students in each testing room. These images will be used for test security purposes only.
  • Students with standard test administration time have 180 minutes of test time. Students with the accommodation of extended time have 360 minutes of testing time. Students with this accommodation will have a break at the conclusion of 180 minutes, and then again after another 90 minutes have passed.

Beginning of Test

Before taking the test, you will read the acknowledgement on the screen which states you are well enough to take the test, a resident of New York City, and you are taking the test for the correct grade level. Selecting the box on this screen indicates your agreement.
  • If you do not feel well, you should inform the test proctor immediately; you should not select the box on the acknowledgement screen or begin the test. Once you begin the test, you may not be able to request a make-up due to illness.
  • Be sure you are taking the test for the correct grade level.
  • If you are testing during the school day, arrive at school at the regular time unless your school gives you a different arrival time.

When you are told to begin the test, you must read and follow the directions for how to select your answer for each item.

You may write on the scrap paper provided to work through ELA or Math questions, but your answers must be selected within the online form in order to be counted. It will not be possible to answer questions after the test time ends. Information on scrap paper will not be counted.

Student Misconduct

The following rules are strictly enforced to ensure all students have a fair testing experience and to preserve the integrity of SHSAT scores.
  • Students are expected to follow the requirements set forth in Section 2.2 regarding electronic devices. Any student who refuses to put away or turn in a prohibited device will not be allowed to take the test and will not be provided an opportunity to make up the exam on a future date.
  • During the test (including during breaks), you may not attempt to communicate with other students in any way. This includes, but is not limited to:
    • speaking, writing and passing notes
    • sharing your answers with another student
    • looking at other students’ answers
    • recording test questions
    • possessing a cell phone, camera or other electronic device (even if it is powered off)
  • During the test (including during breaks), you may not use your testing device for anything other than testing, and you may not access any application other than the testing platform.
  • During the test (including during breaks), you may not use any prohibited electronic device, including your cell phone.
  • Once the test ends and/or your test proctor instructs you to stop, you may no longer use any digital tools, enter responses, write on your scrap paper or select any changes to your answers on the screen.
  • Test questions and answers may not be shared with any individuals outside of the testing site. It is also a violation of the Student Misconduct policy to receive test questions, answers, or any other information about another student’s exam. If someone shared test questions/answers with you, or you are otherwise aware that such information is being circulated, you are expected to report this breach immediately to HSenrollment@schools.nyc.gov.
Students found to be engaging in any of these activities will have their tests invalidated.
  • Grade 8 students will not be allowed to take the test again until the following school year.
  • Grade 9 students will not have any additional opportunities to take the test after Grade 9.
New York City Public Schools reserves the right to invalidate a student’s test for any violation of test integrity including, but not limited to, the situations described above. Furthermore, NYCPS has authority to investigate all concerns of misconduct, regardless of whether the student is enrolled in a New York City public school; however, if a student in questions attends a non-NYCPS school, NYCPS expects the full cooperation of that student’s school in gathering information about the alleged misconduct.

After Test Day

Escalating Potential Testing Irregularities

New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) works hard to ensure that the SHSAT is administered in a fair and consistent manner to all students. If, however, you believe there is a disturbance or problem during any part of the SHSAT, bring the matter to the immediate attention of the proctor. This may include student illness, technical difficulties, an error on the test, undue distraction, or improper student behavior. The proctor will attempt to remedy the situation and may take a written statement from you at the end of the test.

You and your parents/guardians may also report any suspected proctoring or testing irregularities in one of the following ways:
  1. By submitting an electronic request to HSEnrollment@schools.nyc.gov, or
  2. By sending a written request via certified mail with proof of delivery to:

Office of Student Enrollment

52 Chambers Street, Room

415 New York, NY 10007

All requests must be submitted no later than one week after your test administration date.

For all claims, please include parent/guardian and student names, as well as telephone and/or email contact information. Any claims of testing irregularity postmarked later than one week after the test date may not be considered. Claims will be responded to on an individual basis.

Additional Remedy: If you are unsatisfied with NYCPS’s handling of a situation concerning testing irregularities or student misconduct, you may appeal the NYCPS’s decision to the Commissioner of the New York State Education Department as stated in New York Education Law 310. Learn how to pursue such an appeal on the Commissioner’s website at counsel.nysed.gov/appeals.

Scoring and Offers

The exam will be scored per the process outlined here. Students will be notified about their score and receive their offer, if applicable, in early spring 2027.