Hunter College High School Entrance Exam: Complete Guide for Parents and 6th Graders
Photo: Ajay Suresh
What Makes Hunter College High School Special?
Hunter College High School (HCHS), located on the Upper East Side near Central Park, stands among New York City's premier public schools, rivaling even the Specialized High Schools like Stuyvesant High School and Bronx Science. Established in 1869, HCHS offers a rigorous college preparatory program beginning in 7th grade and continuing through 12th grade.
As a completely free public school with exceptional academic outcomes, Hunter presents an incredible opportunity for NYC families seeking top-tier education without private school tuition. The school's program of study includes challenging academic courses, Advanced Placement options, and diverse electives including African-American Studies and Advanced Essay Writing.
Many graduates of this elite school continue to top-tier colleges and universities across the country, making it an excellent choice for gifted students seeking a balanced education.
Hunter College High School Admissions: What Parents Need to Know
How Difficult Is It to Get Into Hunter College High School?
Hunter College High School is extremely selective, with a notoriously low admissions rate. The Hunter admissions process is entirely separate from the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) used by schools like Stuyvesant High School. The HCHS admissions process requires:
A multiple-choice reading assessment with various passage types
A multiple-choice mathematics exam focusing on quantitative reasoning
A writing assessment that evaluates composition skills
Important: Students must meet specific academic eligibility requirements even to qualify for the entrance exam. The Hunter College Campus Schools admissions office oversees this highly competitive process.
Who Can Take the Hunter College High School Entrance Exam?
The entrance exam is exclusively for eligible 6th grade students who meet specific criteria. According to the official HCHS website, for the January 2025 exam, applicants needed to meet three key requirements:
Current 6th Grade Enrollment: Students must be currently enrolled in 6th grade.
NYC Residency: Students must have their primary residence in one of the five boroughs of New York City at the time of application submission. Property ownership alone does not constitute residency.
Qualifying Test Scores: Students must have earned minimum qualifying scores on standardized tests.
Qualifying Score Options for the 2025 Exam
Option 1: NYS Standardized Tests
Minimum score of 474 on the Spring 2024 5th Grade NYS English Language Arts (ELA) Test
Minimum score of 496 on the Spring 2024 5th Grade NYS Mathematics Test
Option 2: Other Standardized Exams For students who didn't take the NYS exams, the following alternatives were accepted:
90th percentile scores on Reading and Math subtests from:
ERB Comprehensive Testing Program 5 (CTP 5)
Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS)
NWEA Map
SSAT
Stanford 10 Achievement Test
TerraNova3
Minimum stanine score of 8 on both Reading Comprehension and Mathematics Achievement on the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE)
90th percentile scores on Reading and Math subtests on another approved 5th grade standardized exam
Option 3: For Students Without 5th Grade Standardized Test Scores Students without qualifying test scores could request approval to take an exam in Fall 2024 with scores submitted directly to Hunter from the testing center by December 23, 2024.
A smaller number of students from Hunter College Elementary School also receive admission to the high school through a separate process.
Breaking Down the Hunter College High School Entrance Exam
What Content Appears on the Hunter Entrance Exam?
The HCHS entrance exam consists of three comprehensive sections that challenge sixth graders' academic skills:
1. English Language Arts (ELA) Section
Approximately 50 multiple-choice questions
Tests reading comprehension across various genres:
Fiction passages
Non-fiction texts
Poetry
Students typically encounter six different passages
No penalty for incorrect answer choices, so all questions should be answered
2. Mathematics Section
Approximately 30 multiple-choice Mathematics questions
Focuses on quantitative reasoning and numerical pattern recognition
Key topics include:
Arithmetic operations
Percentages, fractions, and decimals
Prime numbers
Geometry (area of shaded regions, perimeter, 3D figures)
Averages
Estimation
Ratios
Rates of change
Positive and negative numbers
Simple probability
3. Writing Assessment
One essay or creative piece (up to two pages)
May offer multiple topic choices or a single prompt
Evaluates writing skills that will be necessary throughout 7th grade through 12th grade
Pro Tip: Review the writing prompt early in the exam period to brainstorm while completing other sections
Exam Format and Strategy for the HCHS Entrance Exam
Students receive three hours to complete all sections of the qualifying exam. Important exam strategies that successful applicants utilize include:
Work through sections in any order based on personal strengths
No penalty for incorrect answers, so answer every question even if uncertain
Budget time wisely between sections (approximately 60 minutes for ELA, 60 minutes for Mathematics, and 60 minutes for the writing assessment)
For the writing assignment, develop a clear structure before beginning to write
Practice math skills including calculations without a calculator
Both public school students and private school students benefit from targeted preparation for this challenging assessment.
Hunter College High School Practice Tests
HCHS provides official practice tests for prospective students to familiarize themselves with the entrance exam format. The admissions office recommends these resources:
Many school counselors recommend that students in 5th grade begin familiarizing themselves with these materials to develop comfort with the test format before reaching 6th grade.
Hunter College High School Admissions Timeline
When Is the Hunter Entrance Exam Administered?
The 2025 HCHS entrance exam was administered on January 24th, a typical timeframe for the test
The 2026 entrance exam will likely take place in January 2026
Enrollment and application procedures for eligible students typically begin in Fall of the preceding year
According to the official HCHS website, the application process involves:
Confirming eligibility through qualifying test scores
Creating an account on www.ravenna-hub.com
Selecting Hunter from the directory to start an application
Uploading required score reports that meet minimum requirements
Important Note: The eligibility criteria for the 2026 exam will be posted in Fall 2025, according to the HCHS website.
When Are Admissions Decisions Released?
Families can expect admissions notifications by the end of March following the January exam. This gives the admissions committee approximately two months to evaluate all qualified applicants.
Hunter College High School vs. Stuyvesant: How Do These Top NYC Public Schools Compare?
While both schools offer exceptional academic programs for gifted students, they differ in several key aspects:
Historical Background
HCHS was founded in 1869 and is affiliated with Hunter College
Stuyvesant High School was established in 1904
Program Structure
HCHS begins in 7th grade (six-year program) with students in grades 7-12
Stuyvesant is a traditional four-year high school (9-12) for 9th graders through 12th graders
Location
HCHS is located on the Upper East Side on East 94th Street between Madison Ave. and Park Ave.
Stuyvesant is located in Battery Park on Chambers St.
School Size and Student Body
HCHS: Approximately 600 total students across 7th grade through 12th grade (2022)
Stuyvesant: 3,319 students (2022)
Both schools have faced criticism regarding lack of diversity in their student populations
Admissions Process
HCHS: Requires qualifying scores on 5th grade standardized tests and a separate entrance exam in 6th grade
Stuyvesant: Admissions based solely on the SHSAT (Specialized High School Admissions Test) taken in 8th grade
Academic Performance
Both schools offer rigorous curricula with numerous AP courses and challenging academic programs
Both schools consistently send graduates to top universities and elite colleges nationwide
Students at both institutions regularly excel in academic competitions, research opportunities, and advanced coursework
Additional Programs
HCHS offers the AfterSchool Homework Center for additional study support
Both schools feature extensive extracurricular options
Preparing for Success at Hunter College High School
Creating a Strategic Preparation Plan for the HCHS Entrance Exam
For families interested in HCHS, preparation should begin early:
5th Grade Focus: Ensure strong performance on the NYS ELA and Math exams to qualify for the entrance test
Target scores well above the minimum qualifying thresholds (474 for ELA and 496 for Math based on 2025 exam requirements)
For families using alternative standardized exams, aim for scores at or above the 90th percentile
Many private school students will use ERB CTP 5, ISEE, or SSAT results to qualify
Application Preparation:
Set up a Ravenna account in advance (www.ravenna-hub.com)
Have official score reports ready to upload with all required information visible
Confirm NYC primary residence documentation (remember that property ownership alone does not constitute residency)
Mark application deadlines on your calendar for the upcoming admissions cycle
6th Grade Exam Preparation:
Develop strong reading comprehension across multiple genres for the ELA section
Build math skills including quantitative reasoning and numerical pattern recognition
Practice timed essay writing and creative piece composition
Work on test-taking stamina for the three-hour exam
Consider prep courses specifically designed for the HCHS Entrance Exam
Practice Test Familiarity:
Use official practice materials contained in this blog post
Analyze math solutions to understand expected approaches
Practice time management strategies
Simulate full-length practice tests under timed conditions
Review multiple answer choices to understand common answer traps
Support Options for HCHS Preparation
Many eligible students benefit from targeted support for this challenging exam:
School Counselors: Speak with your current school counselor or school principal about resources
Specialized Tutoring: Work with tutors experienced with the HCHS entrance exam
Peer Study Groups: Form study groups with other sixth graders preparing for the exam
Summer Enrichment: Consider academic programs between 5th and 6th grade that strengthen key skills
Professional Tutoring Support for the HCHS Entrance Exam
Working with experienced tutors who understand the specific requirements of the Hunter entrance exam can significantly improve a student's chances of success. Professional preparation helps students:
Master content knowledge across all test sections including the writing assessment
Develop effective test-taking strategies for multiple-choice questions
Build confidence through structured practice with sample score reports review
Receive personalized feedback on areas for improvement
Learn techniques for the writing assignment that align with admissions criteria
Prepare efficiently for both the qualifying exams (5th grade standardized tests) and the Hunter entrance exam itself
Many families in NYC find that professional tutoring bridges the gap between student potential and the extremely high standards of the HCHS admissions process. Unlike some Specialized High Schools where test prep focuses on a single standardized exam, preparation for Hunter requires a multi-pronged approach spanning both 5th and 6th grade academic years.
Conclusion: Is Hunter College High School Right for Your Child?
Hunter College High School represents an exceptional educational opportunity for academically talented NYC public school students and private school students alike. As a free NYC public school with a proven track record of excellence, HCHS remains one of the city's most sought-after educational institutions for students in grades 7-12.
The school's location on the Upper East Side near Central Park and its affiliation with Hunter College provides students access to excellent facilities and academic resources. For families comparing school options between specialized high schools, selective middle schools, and other academic programs, HCHS offers a unique six-year curriculum spanning 7th grade through 12th grade.
For families navigating the competitive admissions process, early preparation is essential. Whether you're focusing on qualifying through the 5th grade NYS exams or preparing your 6th grade student for the entrance exam itself, creating a structured preparation plan will give your child the best chance of success.
Need expert guidance for Hunter College High School preparation? Our experienced tutors specialize in helping students excel on both the qualifying exams and the HCHS entrance test. We understand the admissions characteristics that the admissions committee looks for and can help your child develop these skills. Contact us today for a free consultation about the 2025-2026 school year admissions process.
This guide was last updated in March 2025 with the most current information available about the Hunter College High School admissions process. Eligibility criteria for the January 2026 entrance exam will be posted on the official HCHS website in Fall 2025.
