What is the SHSAT practice test on Tests Pro?
It is a free 20-question online diagnostic covering ELA and Math—including grid-in items. You get instant raw scores and projected full-test performance, not an official NYC DOE score.
Free online practice · ELA & Math · instant scores
Free SHSAT Practice Test Online
Take our free SHSAT practice test online with ELA and Math diagnostic questions. Get instant raw scores, projected full-test performance, and a clear study path for NYC Specialized High Schools—no signup required.
20
Diagnostic questions
ELA + Math
Both sections
114
Questions on real test
180 min
Official time limit
Free SHSAT Practice Test
Answer practice questions and review your ELA and Math scores when you finish.
Answer practice questions covering ELA and Math. No calculator. Results stay in your browser.
What is a free online SHSAT practice test?
An SHSAT practice test is a timed or untimed sample of the Specialized High School Admissions Test—the exam NYC eighth graders take for admission to eight Specialized High Schools including Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, and Brooklyn Tech.
The Tests Pro SHSAT practice test is a free 20-question online diagnostic: 10 English Language Arts (ELA) and 10 Math items, including grid-in questions like the real exam. It is not the full 114-question, 180-minute official test, but it quickly shows which section needs more work.
Use this free online SHSAT practice test to establish a baseline, then follow up with official NYC DOE full-length Forms A and B under timed conditions every 4–5 weeks.
Start the free SHSAT practice test, compare it with the official exam, or read what the SHSAT is.
SHSAT practice test vs official exam: what is different?
Parents and students searching for a free SHSAT practice test online need to know what a diagnostic can—and cannot—predict.
Length and stamina
Official SHSAT: 114 questions in 180 minutes. Tests Pro diagnostic: 20 sample items for a fast baseline. Use DOE Forms A/B for full stamina practice.
Raw scores, not admissions cutoffs
We project raw corrects out of 57 per section. Official admissions uses scaled scores that change yearly—track your own raw progress instead of chasing rumors.
Same skill domains
ELA revision/reading and Math (including grid-ins, no calculator) mirror the real exam’s skill areas so you know which half to prioritize.
Study-plan trigger
A free diagnostic is most valuable when it drives a weekly plan: fix the weaker section, then retest every 4–5 weeks with an official form.
How it works
Your path to SHSAT readiness
Top programs recommend beginning with a diagnostic practice test, then retesting every 4–5 weeks. Our sample mirrors the two-section structure so you know where to focus.
- 1⏱ ~1 min
Review test rules
No calculator on Math. You may work sections in any order on the real exam—our diagnostic walks you through ELA then Math sample items.
- 2⏱ ~15 min
Complete the diagnostic
Answer 10 English Language Arts and 10 Math questions—including grid-in items like the official SHSAT.
- 3⏱ Instant
Get section scores
See raw scores, projected full-test performance, and guidance on whether to prioritize ELA, Math, or full-length timed practice next.
Follow up with official NYC DOE full-length Forms A & B for realistic pacing.
Used by students preparing for Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Tech, Bronx Science, and more.
How to interpret your SHSAT practice scores
Your diagnostic projects raw scores out of 57 per section. Use these bands as rough guides—scaling on the real test varies year to year.
Lower projected raw scores
Building foundation
Many items missed in ELA, Math, or both. Pacing and core skills may need structured review before full-length timed sittings.
Study tip: Focus on the weaker section first. Review grammar and reading strategies for ELA; arithmetic, algebra, and word problems for Math. Retake the diagnostic in 2–3 weeks.
Mid-range projected scores
On track
Solid performance in one section with room to grow in the other, or moderate scores in both. You understand the format but need speed and accuracy.
Study tip: Alternate section-focused study days. Start one official full-length practice test per month, then increase to every 4–5 weeks as stamina improves.
Higher projected raw scores
Competitive range
Projected scores near or above the ~48 raw-correct-per-section benchmark many prep programs cite for competitive applicants.
Study tip: Shift to full-length official forms under strict timing. Track careless errors and grid-in accuracy—the five grid-ins per Math section matter.
How SHSAT practice scoring works
Clear scoring helps you trust your free online SHSAT practice test results and plan the next study block.
You answer 10 ELA and 10 Math questions. We count correct answers, then project performance onto the 57-question official sections so you can compare ELA versus Math at a glance.
Many prep programs cite roughly 48 raw correct per section as a competitive practice target on full-length forms. Treat that as a directional benchmark—not a guaranteed admissions cutoff.
Grid-in Math items count like multiple choice when correct. Retake the diagnostic after focused study to see whether your weaker section improved.
Lower projected raw
Building foundation
Prioritize core skills and untimed review before full 3-hour sittings.
Mid projected raw
On track
Alternate section drills; add one timed official form per month.
Higher projected raw
Competitive range
Shift to strict timed Forms A/B and chase careless-error reduction.
After you finish, use our SHSAT study plan to turn diagnostic gaps into a weekly routine.
SHSAT practice guides on Tests Pro
Read these guides before or after your free SHSAT practice test. Each page links back to the diagnostic.
What is the SHSAT?
NYC Specialized High Schools exam overview—who takes it, format, and how practice fits in.
Read the guideSHSAT study plan
A week-by-week plan after your diagnostic: weaker-section focus and 4–5 week retest cycle.
Get the planHow scores work
Raw versus scaled scores explained, plus what Tests Pro projects from the 20-question sample.
Understand scoring
SHSAT study tips that work
Practical habits students use after taking a free SHSAT practice test online:
Simulate real conditions
No calculator. Work sections in any order only if you plan to on test day. Use a 3-hour block for full-length official forms.
Track raw scores, not scaled guesses
Count correct answers per section. Compare your own progress across practice tests rather than chasing predicted cutoffs.
Master grid-in Math
Five grid-in questions appear on each official Math section. Practice bubbling numeric answers without multiple-choice hints.
Read the passages twice
ELA rewards careful reading. Underline evidence in revision/editing and literary passages before selecting answers.
Retest on a schedule
Take a diagnostic or full-length test every 4–5 weeks to measure growth and adjust your study plan.
Use official NYC DOE forms
Supplement this free online SHSAT practice test with the latest Forms A and B from the NYC Public Schools SHSAT page.
Why take our SHSAT practice test?
Pacing and time management are critical. A structured diagnostic tells you which section needs the most work before you commit to three-hour sittings.
- 📝
ELA + Math in one flow
The real SHSAT has 57 ELA and 57 Math questions. Our sample covers both so you are not guessing which half is stronger.
- 📝
Projected raw scores
We scale your diagnostic to the 57-question sections and compare against the ~48 raw-correct benchmark many students target.
- 📝
Grid-in practice
Math includes multiple-choice and grid-in formats—five grid-ins appear on each official test.
- 📝
Study-plan friendly
Retake every 4–5 weeks to track progress, just as leading prep programs recommend.
What is the SHSAT?
The SHSAT (Specialized High School Admissions Test) is administered by the New York City Department of Education. It is the only criterion for admission to the city’s eight Specialized High Schools.
Most students take the test in 8th grade for 9th-grade entry; a smaller group of 9th graders take it for 10th-grade entry. Starting fall 2025, the exam is moving to a digital format—check NYC DOE announcements for the latest details.
Eight Specialized High Schools
- Stuyvesant High School
- Bronx High School of Science
- Brooklyn Technical High School
- Brooklyn Latin 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
57
ELA questions (all multiple choice)
57
Math questions (52 MC + 5 grid-in)
180
Minutes total—sections in any order
0
Calculators allowed (not permitted)
Scoring basics
How SHSAT practice tests are graded
Each section receives a raw score (number correct). Raw scores convert to scaled scores on a curve—exact scaled scores are hard to predict on any single practice form because each section includes experimental questions that do not count.
Raw score
Add up correct answers in ELA and Math separately.
Diagnostic → projected /57
Competitive benchmark
Many students aim to average at least 48 raw correct per section on full-length practice tests.
≥48 raw / section
Full-length practice
Print or use official DOE Forms A & B each year. Simulate one uninterrupted 3-hour sitting.
Retest every 4–5 wks
Official resources
Where to find full-length SHSAT practice tests
The NYC Department of Education publishes free SHSAT practice tests (Forms A and B) each year. Treat each form as its own assessment—even if some questions look familiar across years.
For the most current PDFs, visit the NYC Public Schools SHSAT page. Take each test timed, without a calculator, ideally in one sitting.
Official full-length PDFs (external site, may download files): NYC DOE SHSAT page
Take our free online diagnostic →FAQ
SHSAT practice test questions
Quick answers about format, scoring, and how to use this diagnostic.
Is this SHSAT practice test free?
Yes. The full diagnostic is free with instant results. No account or payment is required.
How should I prepare for the SHSAT?
Start with this diagnostic, then use official NYC DOE Forms A and B under timed conditions. Retest every 4–5 weeks, prioritize your weaker section, and practice grid-in Math without a calculator.
What raw score should I aim for on SHSAT practice?
On full-length practice, many students target at least 48 correct per section. Because scaling varies, use raw scores to track your own progress over time.
Is this the full SHSAT?
No. This is a 20-question diagnostic sample. The official test has 114 questions over 180 minutes. Use NYC DOE Forms A and B for full-length practice.
Can I use a calculator?
Not on the Math section—calculators are not permitted on the official SHSAT. Our Math sample follows the same rule.
How often should I practice?
Start with a diagnostic, then take a full-length official practice test every 4–5 weeks under timed conditions to build pacing and stamina.
Is the SHSAT changing?
Yes—the SHSAT is transitioning to a digital format (starting fall 2025). Content still covers ELA and Math; confirm device and logistics on the NYC DOE site.
Does Tests Pro guarantee admission?
No. This tool is for practice and self-assessment only. Admission depends on your SHSAT performance relative to other applicants each year.
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Ready to see where you stand?
Take the free 20-question SHSAT diagnostic now. You will get ELA and Math breakdowns plus projected full-test raw scores.
Start SHSAT practice testNo account required · Answers stay in your browser session
Build SHSAT confidence one practice at a time
Start with our free online diagnostic, then progress to official full-length Forms A & B under timed conditions.
Start the SHSAT practice test