SHSAT School Cutoff Score Guide (Approximate)
Cutoff scores change each year. These are approximate ranges based on recent years. Always check the NYC DOE website for the current year's official cutoffs.
| School | Approximate Cutoff | Borough |
|---|---|---|
| Stuyvesant High School | ~559+ | Manhattan |
| Bronx High School of Science | ~518+ | Bronx |
| Brooklyn Technical High School | ~493+ | Brooklyn |
| Staten Island Technical HS | ~528+ | Staten Island |
| High School of Math, Science & Engineering | ~518+ | Manhattan |
| Brooklyn Latin School | ~474+ | Brooklyn |
Frequently Asked Questions
The SHSAT has two sections: English Language Arts (57 questions) and Mathematics (57 questions), for 114 total questions. Raw scores (number correct) are converted to scaled scores using a conversion table. The total composite score ranges from 200 to 800.
Cutoff scores vary by school and year. Stuyvesant High School typically requires the highest scores (around 559+), while other specialized schools have lower cutoffs (around 474–528). Cutoffs change each year based on applicant performance and seat availability.
There is no penalty for wrong answers on the SHSAT — only correct answers earn points. This means you should always guess on questions you're unsure about rather than leaving them blank. Unanswered and wrong answers both receive zero points.
Raw scores are converted to scaled scores using a formula that normalizes difficulty across different test versions. The exact conversion table is released by the NYC DOE each year. Generally, getting 85–90+ correct out of 114 is needed for top schools.
The SHSAT is offered in October/November for 8th graders and in January for 9th graders. Students must be NYC public school students. Results are typically released in March, with school assignments in the spring.
Students may take the SHSAT once per grade level — once in 8th grade and once in 9th grade. You cannot retake the same grade's test, but 8th graders who don't get into their preferred school can try again in 9th grade.