What is on the SHSAT?

The Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) is a 2-hour and 30-minute, multiple choice test consisting of two sections – Verbal & Math.

Verbal Section – 3 parts — 45 questions –75 minutes

• Scrambled paragraphs – 5 questions

For each question, you are given the 1st of 6 sentences.  You must correctly order the 5 subsequent sentences in order to form a coherent paragraph.  This is intended to measure your ability to organize written information in a logical sequence.  Questions in this section are worth twice as much as all others.

• Logical Reasoning – 10 questions

This section contains 10 questions that assess your ability to reason, drawing valid conclusions based on information provided.  There are different types of questions: figuring out codes, determining relative positions of things or people, and identifying correct assumptions, among others.  One of the keys to success in this section is to make sure you do not jump to conclusions that are not justified based on the conditions provided.

• Reading Comprehension – 30 questions

This section contains 5 passages followed by 6 questions that measure your ability to understand written English.  The passages, which range from 350 to 450 words, often include biographies, topics in history, science, art, or music, persuasive essays, and human interest stories.   All are nonfiction.  One of the 6 questions will ask the main idea.  The others will assess your understanding of the facts and your ability to make inferences.

Math Section– 1 part — 50 questions –75 minutes

The Math section includes arithmetic, algebra, probability, statistics, and geometry problems.  The 9th grade test also includes trigonometry.  There are both computational and word questions.  For the most part, the exam requires application of the concepts covered in the New York State Core Curriculum.  Since there is a wide variance in the way that curriculum is used in classrooms across New York City (and State), there may be topics on the SHSAT that have not been covered in your math class.  This adds an additional dimension to the test, since creatively responding to unfamiliar situations is an indication of mathematical ability.  Of course, with proper test preparation, encountering an unfamiliar concept would be a rarity.

How is the SHSAT scored?

The most important thing to know about SHSAT scoring is that there is no penalty for a wrong answer.  Your score is based on the number of correct answers.  Therefore, leaving a question blank only hurts your chances, since wrong answers are not counted against you.  That means if you are about to run out of time, you should answer any remaining questions, even if you have to make a random guess.

For scoring the test, the total number of questions correct is combined with the difficulty level of these questions to yield a student’s scale score in each section, math and verbal.  Together, they comprise the composite score. These composite scores are ordered from highest to lowest for all students who took the test.  Those with the highest scores are assigned to their first choice schools until a school fills all available seats.  Obviously, once seats are filled in a school, it is closed to further admission.  So if a student’s 1st choice school is full, he or she gets the 2nd choice school.  If that school is filled, he or she get the 3rd choice, and so on.  This process of school choice/assignment then proceeds from the highest scoring student down to the lowest, with the cutoff for admittance to one of the Specialized High Schools coming when all seats are filled in all the schools.

How do I prepare for the SHSAT?

The first thing you should do is get a copy of the Specialized High Schools Student Handbook, often available from your guidance counselor.  If not, you can get it online at the NYC Department of Education — http://schools.nyc.gov/ChoicesEnrollment/High/Publications.

Take the practice tests included in that handbook.  If you are not where you would like to be, develop a plan for getting there.  You can prepare by yourself by using practice tests and SHSAT Prep books available at most bookstores and certainly online.  If that doesn’t produce the results you’re looking for, or if you know that you’re just not going to be able to do it that way, Partners With Parents works with the best SHSAT tutors, who are able to design a program and help you meet your goals by the time the October test date rolls around.

What is the SHSAT?

The Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) is the test taken by 8th or 9th graders who are interested in applying to any of eight of New York City’s Specialized High Schools:

• The Bronx High School of Science
• The Brooklyn Latin School
• Brooklyn Technical High School
• High School for Mathematics, Science and Engineering at the City College
• High School of American Studies at Lehman College
• Queens High School for the Sciences at York College
• Staten Island Technical High School
• Stuyvesant High School

The ninth Specialized High School, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, requires an audition and a review of academic records rather than the SHSAT.

Registering for the SHSAT and Applying to NYC High Schools

In September of the 8th or 9th grade, you should inform your guidance counselor of your intention to apply to one or more Specialized High Schools.  The last day to register for the Fall 2010 SHSAT is October 6^th.  Prior to the testing date, your school guidance counselor will give you the SHSAT admission ticket (available for distribution after October 15^th).  The ticket will indicate the location of the test, the date and time of the test, as well as your student ID number and school ID number.  If you have a conflict with the test date/time/location, you should notify your guidance counselor immediately to arrange an alternate plan.

Before the test, on the back of your admission ticket, you will need to rank, in priority order, which Specialized High Schools you want to attend.  You will need to submit this on the test date, signed by your parent/guardian.  Only list those schools that you know you are willing to attend since changes cannot be made once your rankings are submitted.

In order for you to receive the result of your SHSAT and to be considered for admission to a Specialized High School, you must also submit a New York City Public High School Admissions Application to your guidance counselor (deadline is December 3^rd).  On the application you will indicate that you will take or have taken the SHSAT.  You will also have the opportunity to apply to other high schools/programs around New York City.

In February 2011, you will be notified as to whether or not you received an offer to a Specialized High School. If your test score qualifies you for an offer, then your placement will be based on how you ranked the schools.  You will be offered a seat at your highest ranked school that still has openings available.

Click here to see the Fall 2010 SHSAT test dates.

Click here to see some of Partners With Parents’ favorite SHSAT Prep tutors.

Next week’s blog:  What is actually on the SHSAT and how is it scored?

September 15 – October 6, 2010 – SHSAT Registration (through school counselors)

October 23 & 24, 2010 – SHSAT Test Days for 8^th graders

October 30, 2010 – SHSAT Test Day for 9^th graders, as well as 8th and 9th graders with testing accommodations

November 14, 2010 – SHSAT Test Day for all 9 ^th grade Sabbath observers, 8^th and 9^th grade Sabbath observers who need testing accommodations, as well as make-up tests (with permission only and must register by November 4^th)

Taking the SHSAT is a requirement for admission to the following high schools:

• Bronx High School of Science
• The Brooklyn Latin School
• Brooklyn Technical High School
• High School for Mathematics, Science and Engineering at the City College
• High School of American Studies at Lehman College
• Queens High School for the Sciences at York College
• Staten Island Technical High School
• Stuyvesant High School

If you are interested in more specific information about the SHSAT or other entrance exams for New York City’s public and independent schools (like the ISEE, SSAT, or COOP), please give us a call at (212) 928-5016 or e-mail us.

To read the bios of a few of our favorite SHSAT tutors, click here.

Jessica is a highly experienced and enthusiastic tutor.  She has her BA from Columbia University and received multiple scholarships and fellowships for getting master’s degrees in art and music from Wesleyan, Brandeis, and Bard.  Over her eight years of tutoring in New York City, she has worked with hundreds of elite independent school students in a wide range of subjects: SATs, ISEEs, SHSATs, SSATs, PSATs, and other standardized test preparation, as well as academic subjects including mathematics, English, history, sciences, and music.  She has also served as the coordinator for the Brandeis University tutoring program, taught intensive SAT prep classes through the Ivy League Tutors Foundation, and taught a range of art and music courses as a graduate teaching fellow at Wesleyan University.  She believes that tutoring should reinforce the student’s strengths, rectify misunderstandings, and nurture independent thinking.  This allows students to gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to feel empowered and excited about their academic success. She loves teaching and loves learning.

Alisa has a Ph.D in the humanities.  She has been listed in “Who’s Who in American Educators” and has taught a variety of humanities courses at the college level.  Alisa has extensive experience with standardized test preparation and has published on writing techniques for different learning styles.  Prior to working with PWP, Alisa taught SAT and GRE prep for the Princeton Review.  She is expert at developing proficiency in standardized test content, teaching test taking strategies, and building academic self confidence so that students feel ready to successfully take exams.  She has a fun, irreverent approach, siding with the student to outsmart the test, and has a record of substantial score increases for the vast majority of her students.

Regina has an MFA from Columbia University and an MA in Liberal Studies from The Graduate Center.  Regina has been teaching and tutoring for over 10 years.  Before coming to work with Partners With Parents, Regina worked as a private tutor for the Princeton Review.   Her classroom experience has included time as an English teacher at Hunter High School and she has done one-on-one test preparation for a wide array of tests: the ISEE, SHSAT, PSAT, and SAT, among others.  In addition to working with test prep clients, Regina creates and implements curricula for homeschool students, as well as provides academic coaching and conventional subject tutoring.  On the non-tutoring front, Regina recently impressed us all with the breadth of her knowledge as a 4-day champion on Jeopardy! Look out for her on the Tournament of Champions!

If you have general questions about the ISEE, SHSAT, or the SSAT or if you are interested in learning more about Partners With Parents’ other services, please call our office at (212) 928-5016/5014 or e-mail us.

2) Prioritize! With only a little time before the test, you must tailor your efforts to the areas where you are most likely to see improvement.  Don’t get stuck on a particular concept if you are having difficulty with it.  You can always come back to it later.  You want to be able to answer as many different kinds of questions as possible.

3) Improve your vocabulary. At this point you should be hitting those word lists with considerable intensity.   Keep words you don’t know with you at all times (flash cards, iphone apps, etc.).   Learn a new word while you’re in the car, waiting in line at Starbucks, or, dare I say, in the bathroom.  Think how many words you could have learned in the time it took you to send those 863 texts today.

4) Make sure you get enough rest and proper nutrition in the weeks leading up to the test.  You cannot catch up on weeks of sleeplessness in one or two nights.   Determine what snacks to bring to the test (Think banana, nuts, protein bar, not candy bar, soda, chips).  Practice your breathing and relaxation before test.  If the adrenalin rush during the SAT turns to panic, stop what you are doing, start taking deep breaths, and relax your muscles.  This will help you calm down and get the oxygen to your brain that it needs to perform.

5) Get help. If you are clear that you are not going to perform the way that you want to, it is not to late to hire an SAT tutor.  One or two months, while not ideal, is certainly enough time for someone to assess your progress, teach you tips and tricks, and develop a plan to maximize your efforts and your score.  There are hundreds of test prep companies and individual tutors in New York City.  If you don’t know where to start, inquire at school or ask friend who’s been through it.  Of course, we are partial to the talented group of test prep tutors that we’ve assembled at Partners With Parents.

The next and final chance to take the SAT this school year is June 5th.  The registration deadline for that exam date is May 5th.  If you haven’t started preparing, what are you waiting for?  It’s not too late to let us help.

Freshman Year

RELAX!  You’ve got lots of time.  You shouldn’t be thinking about formally preparing for the SAT much at all.  If you must, you may consider the following activities as your early SAT prep: reading books, learning new words, paying attention in math class, writing persuasive essays, taking a Latin class.

Sophomore Year

It’s a good idea to take the PSAT in October of your sophomore year.  If, and only if, you know that you experience crippling anxiety when taking standardized tests, then one or two tutoring sessions are fine to alleviate the stress.  Don’t go overboard.  The PSAT is the Preliminary SAT.  Taking it in your sophomore year is essentially practice for the practice.  The reason for taking it is simple:  there are precious few opportunities to experience real testing conditions.  The more comfortable you feel in that kind of environment, the better you’ll do when the SAT rolls around.

The other thing that really makes sense sophomore year is to put a little extra emphasis on vocabulary.  Get an SAT vocabulary list and start learning 5 new words a week.  Finding a list of Latin roots (assuming you are not taking Latin) can help immensely.

If you think you might be eligible for a National Merit Scholarship (which is only open to juniors who take the PSAT/NMSQT), then it can make sense to start working with a tutor during the summer after sophomore year.  The scholarships are highly competitive. Among other things, you need to be at the very top of your class, demonstrate leadership and community service, and essentially show that your PSAT score was not a fluke by performing comparably on the SAT.  Although the award is a lot of work for $2500, it sure does impress college admissions officers.

Junior Year

This is the time to start SAT tutoring in earnest.  If you are like the vast majority of our students, we recommend starting with an SAT tutor in the fall, and using the PSAT in October to gauge your progress and motivate/scare yourself into working harder.  Remember, it’s better to have started early and have too much time than the alternative.

At the beginning of the junior year, it is a good idea to set a target SAT score.  You need to be thinking about where you’d like to go to college when deciding your target score.  While you don’t have to finalize a top 10 list, you should get an idea about the range of SAT scores for accepted applicants at the schools that interest you. Your target score should put you in at least the 50^th percentile of accepted applicants’ scores. (If you attend an elite independent high school in NYC, you will likely need to aim for the 75^th percentile rather than the 50^th, due to the degree of competition from your peers.)  Of course, to strengthen your chances of getting into your first choice school, it’s better to aim for the top end of the range. . . if it’s doable.  Once you are consistently reaching your goal in practice, formal test prep should be finished.  You might be the kind of student that is highly motivated by knowing that you can stop once you reach your target.

The SAT is offered in March, May and June.  Generally speaking, we recommend taking the test as soon as you are meeting your target goal.  If you’re ready in March of junior year, then go ahead and take it.  If you’re unhappy with your performance, you’ll be able to take it again in May or June.

Remember, if you are taking multiple AP tests & SAT Subject Tests (SAT IIs), make sure you spread them out so you don’t get overwhelmed (or at least so you get less overwhelmed).  You really don’t want to be taking the SAT, two AP exams, and an SAT Subject Test in the same week at the beginning of May!

Senior Year

If your scores aren’t where they need to be after the June exam, plan on summer tutoring and taking the SAT again in September.  The final exam date in November, just before college applications are due, is cutting it really close, but it’s nice to know it’s there as a final option if early results aren’t what you hoped.

Here are some questions and comments that help both the student and the tutor better understand the student’s thought process:

• “What’s our goal, here?”
• “Do you know how I figured that out?”
• “Do you know why I did it that way?”
• “Where did you get that answer?”
• “Prove it.”
• “How can you be sure?“
• “Teach me how you did it.”
• “Why?”
• “What’s not making sense to you?”
• “Can you show me another way?”
• “What grade do you think this will get?”

It’s when our students internalize the “how’s and why’s,” in addition to the “who’s, what’s, where’s, and when’s,” that we know we are getting our job done well.

Here are the things that we, at Partners With Parents, look for when hiring tutors and selecting candidates to meet specific client requests:

• Knowledge of the Subject – Obvious?  Well, yes.  You should certainly make sure that your tutor is knowledgeable in the subject he or she is about to teach your child.  Beware, however, that credentials alone do not tell the whole story.  I had a Nobel Prize winning chemistry professor in college who couldn’t convey the basic concepts in Chemistry 101.  He was one of the worst teachers I have ever had.
• Experience with students in similar situations – The ideal would be a tutor who has successfully worked with students in the same class at the same school with the same teacher.  In general, you can feel encouraged if they have been effective with other students of the same age, in the same subject.

• Ability to build rapport – This is where the tutor’s personality comes in.  Will your child respond well to the tutor?  This should not be confused with: Will your child like the tutor?  Some children respond to humor, others to knowledge of basketball, and others to a firm hand and clear boundaries.  Before hiring a tutor, consider the qualities that he or she should possess in order to create an effective partnership with your child.

• Versatility/Flexibility – A tutor must be able to teach a concept in many different ways.  The beauty of the one on one tutoring situation is that lessons can be tailored to an individual student’s learning style; if a given concept is not getting through, the tutor should be able to change the lesson plan midstream to tap into the way that the student learns best.

• Ability to motivate – You or your child may know what it takes to motivate him or her.  Enthusiasm for the subject matter?  Rewards?  Consequences for poor performance?  Different tutors have different strengths in this arena, whether it means creating a strong mentoring bond, developing techniques to keep your child on task, or simply facilitating your child’s independent drive.

• Values your time as well as their own – You want a tutor who is generous with their time but not overly so.  If you are paying for an hour of tutoring you should expect your tutor to be ready to work at the start of the hour.  You should not expect them to stay beyond the allotted time, since if they are good at what they do, they are likely to have another session following yours. (But they should certainly be willing to schedule a time to update you and discuss any concerns you might have.)

• Good communication – Are they easily reachable?  Do they respond to e-mails/phone calls promptly?  When responding, are they thorough?  Do you sense that they will speak candidly about your child’s progress rather than telling you what you want to hear?

In the end, tutors’ experiences, personalities and teaching techniques are wide and varied.  The key is to determine the qualities that will most benefit your child.   Make a hypothesis about what those qualities are and ask your children for their input.  Interview several tutors and have a few sessions with the one that meets your criteria most closely.  If it doesn’t feel like a good fit, don’t be afraid to try someone else.  You may find fabulous tutors that aren’t quite right.  It may take a little trial and error but you’ll know when you’ve found the right one.