Preparing for the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) is one of the most stressful experiences for New York City middle schoolers. One of the biggest mysteries is how the Department of Education converts your raw score (the number of questions you got right) into a scaled score.
*Note: This is an estimate based on historical scoring curves. Each year the curve changes slightly based on test difficulty.
How the SHSAT Scoring System Works
The SHSAT is comprised of two sections: English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. Each section contains 57 questions. However, only 47 of these questions are "scorable." The remaining 10 questions in each section are field test questions that do not count toward your final score.
Because you don't know which questions are field questions, we calculate the raw score based on the full 57. The DOE uses a non-linear scaling process. This means that getting a high score in one section is often more beneficial than getting an average score in both sections due to the way points are weighted at the top end of the curve.
Raw Score vs. Scaled Score
- Raw Score: The number of scorable items you answered correctly.
- Scaled Score: A converted number (usually between 200 and 400 per section) that accounts for the difficulty of the test.
- Composite Score: The sum of your ELA and Math scaled scores (Max score is approximately 800).
Historical SHSAT Cutoff Scores
To give you an idea of what score you need, here are the historical minimum cutoff scores for the specialized high schools:
| High School | Typical Cutoff Range |
|---|---|
| Stuyvesant High School | 560 - 565+ |
| Bronx High School of Science | 520 - 530+ |
| Brooklyn Technical High School | 490 - 500+ |
| The City College (HSMSE) | 520 - 530+ |
| Lehman College (HSAS) | 520 - 525+ |
| Brooklyn Latin School | 480 - 490+ |
Tips to Improve Your Score
If your calculated score isn't where you want it to be yet, don't panic. Here are three strategies to boost your performance:
1. Master the "Grid-In" Math Questions
Unlike the multiple-choice questions, the grid-ins provide no options to guess from. Practice these specifically to ensure you aren't making simple calculation errors that cost you easy points.
2. Focus on Your Strongest Section
Because the SHSAT curve rewards "mastery," a near-perfect score in Math can sometimes carry a lower ELA score. While you should be balanced, don't ignore the section where you can pick up those high-value points at the end of the curve.
3. Time Management
You have 180 minutes to complete the entire test. You decide how to split that time. Most successful students spend about 90 minutes on each section, but you should adjust based on your personal reading speed and math proficiency.