SHSAT Resources

SHSAT registration and test dates

Jan 2026: Current 7th graders will take the SHSAT as 8th graders in November 2026. Students should start preparing now.

The DOE will probably release registration and test dates after September 2026, but the estimated dates at this time:

  • SHSAT registration: mid-October 2026

  • SHSAT exam: mid- to late November 2026

  • High School Registration: early December 2026

  • SHSAT results and high school admissions announcement: early March 2027

General info about the SHSAT from the NYC DOE

General information about the test

SHSAT Portal

SHSAT practice tests from the NYC DOE

SHSAT student readiness tool (this is an online tutorial to introduce the new online test format and question types)

Official Practice Tests, from 2018 to present

DREAM-SHSI

DREAM-SHSI is FREE SHSAT preparation program that is offered by the DOE for students who meet specific residency and income requirements. It provides instruction, support, and practice tests. It starts in March 2026, and continues through spring, summer, and fall. Jan 2026: Students who qualify should have already received invitations from the guidance counselors.

Discovery Program

Students who missed the lowest cutoff score, but who meet specific family and income criteria, may be invited to attend the Discovery Program during the summer. Invitations to this program will be sent on the same day that high school admissions are released.

Resources for independent study that I like:

There are lots of choices for each of the following categories. What I have listed below is merely my opinion, books that I have used in the past and think could work well for a student preparing independently. The links below are for your reference, they are not affiliate links.

SHSAT-specific prep materials and practice tests:

  • Kaplan (contains decent prep materials and three practice tests)

  • Tutorverse (contains decent prep materials and two practice tests, with access to digital versions of the tests)

Math workbooks:

I like the Kumon books for independent learning because they are reasonably priced and designed for self-study.

ELA: Revising/Editing:

Fix It! Grammar (Institute for Excellence in Writing) If you are working independently, you need to buy the teacher/student combo. (Also available on Amazon, but currently more expensive on Amazon even with shipping). They have six levels, so you can look at the samples on their website to choose the level that seems best for you.

ELA: Reading Comprehension (non-fiction):

One great way to improve your non-fiction reading comprehension is to read the newspaper every day. You can get a New York Times digital all-access subscription for as little as $1/week for the first year.