SHSAT Tutoring: Your Path to NYC's Specialized High Schools

At Honors Prep, we provide expert SHSAT (Specialized High School Admissions Test) tutoring to help middle school students gain admission to NYC's prestigious specialized high schools. With a 45% success rate – more than twice the city average – our personalized approach has helped students gain admission to Stuyvesant High School, Bronx High School of Science, Brooklyn Technical High School, and other competitive schools.

Expert SHSAT Tutors with Proven Results

Our expert tutors include specialized high school alumni and graduates from top universities like Columbia University, Stanford University, and University of Pennsylvania. Each of our tutors has been thoroughly vetted for their effective SHSAT preparation, combining subject matter expertise with pedagogical skills that engage students and build confidence.

Unlike "big-box" tutoring companies that offer standardized approaches, we focus exclusively on 1-1 private instruction, tailoring our teaching approach to each student's unique needs:

  • Personalized study plans based on comprehensive diagnostics

  • Practical strategies for each sections of the exam and all subject matter tested

  • Targeted support for challenging multiple-choice questions

  • Time management techniques for the 3-hour exam

Comprehensive SHSAT Program Structure

Our SHSAT Prep program addresses both sections of the exam with equal attention:

ELA Section Preparation

  • Advanced reading comprehension strategies

  • Techniques for revising/editing questions and grammatical foundations

  • Approaches for literary analysis

Math Section Mastery

  • Methods for solving complex word problems

  • Review of key algebra, geometry, and statistics concepts

  • Test-taking skills specific to math multiple-choice and grid-in questions

Test Strategy Development

  • Understanding scoring process and scaled scores

  • Maximizing your RAW scores to exceed cutoff scores

  • Strategies to achieve highly competitive scores

Flexible Tutoring Options for Every Student

We understand that students in grades 7 and 8 have busy schedules with academic and extracurricular commitments. That's why we offer:

  • Pay-as-you-go tutoring with no requirement for rigid packages

  • In-person (i.e. at-home) tutoring in Brooklyn and Manhattan

  • Online tutoring via Zoom

  • Hybrid in-person/online options for maximum flexibility

Start with a free diagnostic test to establish your current grade level and determine the optimal preparation timeline.

When to Start SHSAT Preparation

For maximum effectiveness, we recommend:

  • 7th graders: Begin preparation in winter or spring for fundamental skills building

  • 8th graders: Intensive preparation through summer and fall

  • 9th grade students: Focused review beginning in March and continuing until the test date

Early preparation ensures adequate time to address any academic concepts or difficult concepts that need strengthening before the exam.

The SHSAT by the Numbers

Understanding the competitive landscape helps inform your preparation strategy:

  • 30,000+ students take the SHSAT annually

  • Only ~5,000 (~16.7%) receive offers to specialized high schools

  • 114 total multiple-choice questions (57 ELA, 57 Math)

  • 3 hours for completion

2025 Cutoff Scores:

  • Stuyvesant High School: 556

  • High School for Mathematics, Science And Engineering At City College: 526

  • Bronx Science: 518

  • High School of American Studies at Lehman College: 504

  • Brooklyn Technical High School: 505

  • The Brooklyn Latin School: 496

  • Queens High School For The Sciences At York College: 518

  • Staten Island Technical High School: 527

FAQ

  • Approximately 45% of our students gain admission to a specialized high school, compared to the citywide average of 17-18%.

  • We focus exclusively on one-on-one tutoring to provide personalized attention that drives results.

  • Our tutors include specialized high school alumni and graduates from top universities, all with extensive experience tutoring for standardized exams.

  • No. We offer flexible pay-as-you-go tutoring without expensive package requirements.

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.

  • Jonah N.

    TUTOR

    Jonah holds a BFA in Theatre and a minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health from NYU. With experience in childcare, special education, and life coaching, he specializes in offering instructional and behavioral support to students. Jonah is also adept in test prep strategies.

  • 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.

  • Devin B.

    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 SHSAT Journey Today

The 2024-2025 school year offers a critical opportunity for middle school students aiming for specialized high schools. Contact Honors Prep today to schedule your free diagnostic test and consultation.

Help your child join the ranks of successful students who've gained admission to NYC's most prestigious high schools through personalized, expert SHSAT preparation.