SHSAT Prep

At Tutor the People, we understand how important your child’s education is. That’s why we pride ourselves on making sure our students actually understand the material, rather than just teaching to the test. We believe that by starting with the fundamentals and building onto more complex concepts, the student will be able to better retain the information. This way they will be able to apply their new knowledge for higher SHSAT scores as well as for success in future classes.

We believe that personalized tutoring makes all the difference. Rather than focusing on generic lesson plans that rely on rote memorization, our tutors go the extra mile to get to know each of their students. This way we can create a customized SHSAT prep plan designed around your child’s unique academic strengths and weaknesses. No two students are alike, and that’s why we believe no two study plans should be either.

Our Approach

We pride ourselves on taking an individualized approach to our SHSAT tutoring. We know that “teaching to the test” may work in the short-term, but we go beyond that to ensure your child retains this new information and can apply it in their future studies. We will create a customized lesson plan designed specifically for each student to make the most of their SHSAT prep. This way they can take what they learn in tutoring and apply it in the classroom as well as on their exam.

Step 1

The first thing we do is learn about your tutoring needs, schedule, and your child’s experience with the SHSAT exam so we can match you with a tutor who best suits your child’s specific needs and learning style. We will then work with your child to create a study plan that ensures they cover all of the necessary material while building on key concepts to make new material easier to understand.

Step 2

Once we have a study plan in place, your tutor will work with your child to review the material that will be covered on the exam. In addition to studying the raw material, your child will be regularly taking realistic SHSAT practice tests so that they can get comfortable with the testing environment. This way we can help relieve any potential testing anxiety to make exam day as stress-free as possible.

Step 3

Now that your child is feeling comfortable with the material and testing format, it’s time to focus on increasing their SHSAT score. Your tutor will teach them proven test-taking and studying strategies designed to help them answer more questions correctly. Every question matters, which is why we want to give your child the tools and logic skills to work through each problem they come across on test day.

When the time comes for your child to start their SHSAT test prep, some of the information we’ll need includes:

New to SHSAT prep? Here’s some information about the SHSAT exam:

The Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) is used by 8 of the 9 specialized high schools in New York City to decide admission. The SHSAT is taken in the 8th or 9th grade, although it is highly recommended that students take it in 8th grade as that gives them the best chance at admission. Because these schools use only the SHSAT to determine acceptance (GPA and previous grades are in no way considered) this is a highly competitive exam, meaning every question matters.

The SHSAT is used by the following specialized schools to determine admission:

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

There is a specialized high school in each borough of the city. (The only school that does not use SHSAT is Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts as they use auditions and previous academic records.) On the day of the exam, students will choose which specialized schools they wish to apply to as well as their order of preference.

SHSAT Test Details

The SHSAT is designed by the American Guidance Service to assess a student’s skill in English Language Arts and Mathematics so schools can decide if that student will be a good fit for their program. You will have 3 hours to take the exam and will have to answer 114 questions total (57 per section). There are no calculators allowed during the exam, but there is also no penalty for wrong answers. The exam is broken down as follows:

English Language Arts

• 9-11 revising/editing
• 6-7 non-fiction and fiction passages with a total of 46-48 questions
• All questions are multiple-choice questions

Mathematics

• 57 Multiple Choice Questions
• 5 Grid-in Questions
• Various mathematical topics tested
  • Basic Math
  • Algebra
  • Factoring
  • Substitution
  • Geometry
  • Basic Coordinate Graphing
  • Logic
  • Word Problems

Don’t know where to start?

Our SHSAT prep tutors are here to help! In addition to helping you set up a customized study schedule, your tutor will help determine what your child’s strengths and weaknesses are so they know how to plan out their SHSAT prep.

What Makes Us Different

Between school, extracurriculars, and personal time, we understand that life can be chaotic. That’s why we let you set the schedule. Online or In-Person, we work with you to create a SHSAT tutoring schedule that sets your child up for success while accommodating your busy life. Every SHSAT prep plan is personally tailored to each individual student’s needs and learning style so they’ll be ready to walk confidently into that testing center.

Expert Tutoring Shouldn’t Break The Bank

Our goal is always to fit each client’s needs and set every student on a path to success. We know this journey into SHSAT prep can be overwhelming, so we focus on providing expert tutoring at prices more affordable than our competitors. We also offer extended payment plans so you can just focus on helping your child succeed.

Group Options

Do you have multiple children preparing to take the SHSAT? Does your child do better in a group environment? We offer group classes! Our SHSAT group classes are formed on an as-needed basis both online and in-person depending on your preferences. When you sign up for group classes, a specialized SHSAT prep tutor will evaluate each individual student before assessing the group as a whole, so they can create a strategic plan that suits everybody.