How to Study for the SHSAT: Timeline & Plan for NYC Students

As a parent in New York City, you likely understand the importance of the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) in giving your child the opportunity to attend one of the city’s prestigious specialized high schools. Naturally, you may be asking, “How long should my child study for the SHSAT?” Don’t worry; we’re here to guide you with a comprehensive and realistic approach.

Start Early but Keep It Balanced

The SHSAT is a challenging test, covering an array of concepts related to English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics, crammed into one three-hour, 114-question test. So, giving your child as much time to prepare is vital. However, balance is key!

• 6-12 Months Before the Exam: Have your child take a full-length practice test to use as a benchmark. Armed with this, begin with a light study routine, brushing up on basics (punctuation and grammar rules, multiplication tables, long division and algebraic formulas).
• 3-6 Months Before the Exam: Gradually increase the study hours. Begin having your child take a practice test every 4-6 weeks to gauge their progress. This is when you should consider bringing in a tutor.
• 1-3 Months Before the Exam: Intensify preparation with regular practice tests every month, with a focus on pacing and other advanced test-taking techniques (process of elimination, backsolving, etc.)

Quality Over Quantity

Remember, it’s not about cramming in hours but making those hours count. Here’s what an effective study routine might look like:

• Weekly Study Time: Aim for 2-5 hours per week, depending on the student’s current level and proximity to the exam date. That said, if your child’s schedule doesn’t allow for this much study time, don’t sweat it. The most important thing is that they spend some time studying for the exam each week, which brings us to our next point:
• Consistency: This is perhaps more important than the number of hours spent studying. Regular daily study, with breaks, is more effective than erratic cramming. Make test prep part of your child’s weekly routine.
• Outside resources: Utilize SHSAT practice tests, online resources (e.g. Khan Academy), and, of course, professional tutors specializing in SHSAT preparation.

Customize the Plan

It may sound trite, but every student truly is unique. While some students might need six months of preparation, others might require a year. That being said, you won’t know where your child stands until they take a full-length practice test. Parents are sometimes surprised to see that their child, who is doing very well in school, underperforms on the SHSAT. This is owing to several factors, but it is not altogether uncommon. The most important thing is that you receive a realistic assessment as early as possible.

Support and Encouragement

Lastly, your support as a parent plays an essential role. Encourage a healthy study-life balance, provide emotional support, and consider involving a professional tutor if needed.

Although we’re not here to give parenting advice, we have observed that there’s a sort of “goldilocks zone” when it comes to parental involvement: too little parental involvement is usually to the student’s detriment as is too much parental involvement. Instead, the students whose parents remain interested in their progress without putting undue pressure on the student tend to perform the best in our experience.

Conclusion

Preparing for the SHSAT is not a one-size-fits-all process. Starting early, focusing on quality study, customizing the plan, and providing parental support will help your child succeed. Regardless of your child’s eventual performance on the SHSAT, the experience of preparing for a high-stakes exam is a valuable learning experience that they will carry with them into the future. Furthermore, the material that the SHSAT covers is all high relevant to their normal coursework in high school and beyond, so they stand to benefit from the preparation regardless of whether they end up attending a Specialized High School.

If you’re looking for personalized guidance, our expert SHSAT tutors in New York City are here to help. Contact us today to set up a consultation and help your child take the next big step in their academic career!