SHSAT Prep for NYC's Specialized High Schools
Reserve a Free ConsultationThe Specialized High School Admissions Test is a single, high-stakes exam—and your child's only path to admission at eight of New York City's most competitive public high schools. At Honors Prep, we offer one-on-one SHSAT tutoring designed to meet your child exactly where they are and build the skills they need to earn a competitive score.
We're an independent, Brooklyn-based tutoring practice. That means no call centers, no rotating cast of tutors, and no rigid packages. Just experienced instructors who get to know your child, identify what's holding them back, and work with them until they're ready.
What Makes Our Approach Different
Large test prep companies treat SHSAT prep like an assembly line: standardized curricula, large group classes, and tutors who may never see your child twice. We do the opposite.
Every student we work with begins with a diagnostic exam so we can see exactly where they stand—not just their overall score, but which math concepts need reinforcement, where their reading comprehension breaks down, and how they manage time under pressure. From there, we build a prep plan around their needs, not a one-size-fits-all syllabus.
Our tutors are specialists, drawn from top universities and carefully selected not just for their command of the material, but for their ability to connect with middle schoolers and keep them engaged through months of preparation.
ELA Preparation
The SHSAT's English Language Arts section tests reading comprehension and revising/editing skills in equal measure. We focus on what actually moves scores: close reading strategies for the exam's dense, unfamiliar passages; a systematic approach to revising/editing questions; and the grammatical foundations that many students have never been explicitly taught.
Math Preparation
The math section covers algebra, arithmetic, geometry, and statistics—but knowing the content isn't enough. We teach students how to recognize problem types, avoid common traps, and work efficiently under time constraints. For 8th graders, the exam draws on content through 7th grade; 9th graders will see material through 8th grade.
Strategy & Pacing
Beyond content, we spend significant time on the skills that separate prepared students from everyone else: pacing, question triage, understanding how raw scores convert to scaled scores, and managing the mental stamina required for a three-hour, 114-question exam.
Flexible Scheduling, No Packages
We know that 7th and 8th graders are busy—with school, extracurriculars, and everything else. That's why we keep things simple.
We offer pay-as-you-go tutoring with no required packages or long-term commitments. Our tutors are generally available seven days a week, so you can schedule sessions as your child's availability allows. We offer in-home tutoring throughout Brooklyn (including Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, and Boerum Hill) and Manhattan, online sessions via Zoom, or a hybrid of both.
When to Start Preparing
The earlier your child begins, the more time we have to build foundational skills rather than cram.
For students planning to test in 8th grade, we suggest beginning prep in the winter or spring of 7th grade. This allows time to address any gaps in math or reading without rushing.
For students testing in 8th grade who are starting later, summer and early fall intensive prep can still be highly effective—especially for students who are already strong academically.
For 9th graders retaking the exam, preparation should begin in early spring. Keep in mind that 9th grade cutoff scores are significantly higher, so students need to show meaningful improvement from their 8th grade attempt.
Note for the 2025–26 cycle: The NYC Department of Education has announced that the SHSAT will be administered digitally starting fall 2025. We're already incorporating digital practice into our prep to ensure students are comfortable with the new format.
Is your child in 6th grade and interested in Hunter College High School instead? Contact us to learn about our Hunter entrance exam prep.
The Specialized High Schools at a Glance
Eight of NYC's nine specialized high schools admit students based solely on SHSAT scores (LaGuardia requires an audition instead). Competition is intense: roughly 29,000 students take the exam each year, and approximately 5,000 receive offers.
2026 Cutoff Scores:
| School | Cutoff Score |
|---|---|
| Stuyvesant High School | 561 |
| High School for Math, Science & Engineering at CCNY | 539 |
| Queens High School for the Sciences at York College | 531 |
| Bronx High School of Science | 525 |
| Staten Island Technical High School | 517 |
| High School of American Studies at Lehman College | 507 |
| Brooklyn Technical High School | 506 |
| Brooklyn Latin School | 495 |
What Parents Say
“We only had a few weeks before the test and Honors Prep was able to schedule daily sessions and even some last-minute review sessions. Our tutor connected right away with my son, was organized, professional, accommodating, and knowledgeable. My son felt that he learned a lot and went into the test feeling confident. He got into Brooklyn Tech, his first choice, which we credit in large part to the tutoring.”
— Sara P.
“Enlisting Honors Prep for my daughter’s SHSAT prep was a game-changer. The tailored approach, patience, and expertise made this daunting process so much more manageable—a calming presence who instilled confidence and competence in my daughter. The personalized strategies and continuous support not only prepared her for the exam, but also equipped her with invaluable problem-solving skills.”
— Kendra T.
“Honors Prep has the magic combination: they both inform and motivate their students. Our son went into the SHSAT process a bit fearful and unsure. He received excellent concrete knowledge about how to perform well on the test. But even more importantly, he gained confidence—even excitement—about taking it. That’s a huge gift.”
— Tate H.
“Great experience. We worked with Honors Prep for the SHSAT and our son improved his testing. In the end, he was able to score high enough to qualify for Stuyvesant.”
— Vishal K.
“Honors Prep was perfect for my daughter. They not only helped her learn a lot of new material so that she felt super prepared for the SHSAT, but also gave her the confidence that she could ace it…and she did!”
— Allison S.
“We had such a great experience with our tutor, Emily, for SHSAT prep. She’s a great teacher, super positive, and helped our kid get comfortable and prepared for a great result. Yes, the score worked out too!”
— Peter S.
“My son is in 7th grade and I had decided to have him prepare for the SHSAT test early and I am very happy I did. Sam is very responsive and he assigned a great tutor for my son, William. William has been tutoring with my son for about 3 months now and he is great! After the very first session with William, the word ‘cool’ and ‘great’ were used in the same sentence with ‘tutoring.’ My son noted that he had been struggling with a few math topics for a while and was why he struggled in math last year. But that after hearing William’s explanations, that it just clicked, he felt much more confident. My son’s math grade went from an 80 in his 1st quarter to a 95 in his 2nd quarter! His teacher personally reached out to me to inform me about the increase. I loved how William requested that we speak to discuss my son’s strengths and weaknesses, and what tools I could get to help, after the first 3 sessions.”
— Jenliee S.
FAQ
Do you offer group classes?
No. We focus exclusively on one-on-one instruction because we believe it's the most effective way to prepare for a high-stakes exam like the SHSAT.
What qualifications do your tutors have?
Our tutors include specialized high school alumni and graduates of top universities. More importantly, every tutor has been vetted for their ability to teach effectively—subject knowledge alone isn't enough.
Do I need to commit to a package?
No. We offer pay-as-you-go tutoring. You're never locked into a set number of hours.
How do I get started?
Contact us to schedule a free diagnostic test and consultation. We'll assess your child's current standing and discuss a preparation plan tailored to their timeline and goals.
Our Tutors
Sam M.
FOUNDER
Born and raised in New York City, Sam attended Stuyvesant High School before graduating cum laude from Middlebury College with departmental honors in English. As a native New Yorker with years of tutoring experience, Sam has applied the lessons he learned both as a student and as a tutor to create Honors Prep.
Charlie M.
TUTOR
Charlie is a PhD candidate in Computer Science at Stanford University. Before his PhD, Charlie graduated magna cum laude from Haverford College, double majoring with highest honors in both Computer Science and Mathematics. He brings with him six years of experience tutoring at the high school, college, and post-graduate level.
Grace G.
TUTOR
Grace is a dedicated tutor with 7+ years of experience in test prep, college admissions, math, and Spanish. She's helped 70+ students reach top schools with her personalized, stress-free approach. When she's not tutoring, she produces comedy in Brooklyn. Grace graduated summa cum laude from UPenn with a degree in Urban Studies and English.
William S.
TUTOR
William is a playwright in Brooklyn. He graduated from Columbia University with a BA in English and a concentration in physics. He specializes in teaching math, physics, the SAT, and the SHSAT.
Stephanie T.
TUTOR
Stephanie has a BA from Boston University and is currently working towards her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. As a therapist-in-training, she emphasizes her work in child and adolescent development. With 5+ years of tutoring experience, Stephanie works with a range of students to highlight their existing strengths. Together, they set achievable goals to build academic confidence and knowledge, while reaching those desired scores.
Elianna K.
TUTOR
Elianna holds a BA in Literary Studies from Middlebury College and an MA in Literature from the Bread Loaf School of English. She has taught creative writing and literary translation at Middlebury College and Columbia University, where she also serves as an MFA thesis advisor. Elianna offers writing coaching, intensive reading seminars, and Spanish tutoring.
Alex S.
TUTOR
Alex is a magna cum laude graduate from Columbia University, where he studied English Literature. For the past five years, he has mentored high-achieving students from middle school to college, specializing in standardized test preparation, essay writing, and homework management. Outside of teaching, Alex pursues his passions for writing and independent filmmaking.
Emily F.
TUTOR
Emily holds a BA in Government and French from Georgetown University and has over six years of tutoring experience. She specializes in math, English, history, French, and Spanish, and has helped many students prepare for the SHSAT, SAT, and college admissions with a focus on building confidence and mastery.
Devin B.
TUTOR
Devin earned a BS in Chemistry from Purdue University and is completing an MD/PhD program at NYU, with a PhD in Cell Biology. With 10+ years of experience, he tutors chemistry, biology, physics, and math. His approach focuses on identifying strengths and weaknesses to build mastery and test strategies.
Start Your Child's SHSAT Prep Today
The SHSAT is one exam, one morning, with years of implications. If your child is aiming for a specialized high school, preparation matters—and the right support can make the difference.
Start Your Child's SHSAT Prep