Step 1 — Register for the SHSAT

Rising 8th graders (current 7th graders) and current 8th graders register through their school. Registration is handled through the NYC Department of Education's MySchools platform.

• Registration opens in October each year
• Your school will notify you when registration begins
• Rising 8th and current 8th graders are both eligible
• Students in Grade 8 may test for the Discovery Program

Step 2 — Take the SHSAT

The SHSAT is administered in October–November. Your school will assign you a test site and time.

• The test is 3 hours long (with an optional break)
• Two sections: English Language Arts and Mathematics
• ELA: 57 questions — includes Revising/Editing and Reading Comprehension
• Math: 57 questions — Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Data Analysis
• Scores range from 200–800

Step 3 — Submit Your MySchools Application

All NYC public high school applications are submitted through MySchools (myschools.nyc). This is where you rank specialized high schools along with any other schools you want to apply to.

• Applications typically open in October
• Deadline is usually in December
• You can rank up to 12 schools total on your list
• You can rank all 9 specialized high schools if you choose

Step 4 — How to Rank Your Schools

Your ranking order matters. NYC uses a matching algorithm: you are placed at the highest-ranked school on your list that accepts you based on your SHSAT score.

• Rank schools in your true order of preference — most wanted first
• There is no disadvantage to ranking a school first if it is your top choice
• Include schools you realistically expect to be admitted to lower on your list
• Research cutoff scores from prior years to inform your strategy

Hailee Lora

Bronx High School of Science

My dad is the smartest person I know — though if you ask him, he'll probably tell you he's the smartest person anyone knows. But despite his brilliance, he didn't get into one of NYC's elite specialized high schools. Growing up watching him, I understood something early: the SHSAT doesn't just test intelligence. It tests access.

While NYC public schools are 65% Black and Hispanic, those communities hold only 9% of seats at schools like Bronx Science. That gap doesn't exist because our kids aren't capable. It exists because the prep that gets you through the door costs money most families don't have.

So I did something about it. I posted a video. I expected five students. Instead, 141,000 people watched, 2,000 shared it, and a community showed up in a way I never anticipated. We now have 18 scholars, Success Kits in every student's hands, and a team of specialized high school volunteers who believed in this enough to give their time. I capped enrollment at 18 on purpose — because I'd rather do this right for 18 kids than do it halfway for a hundred.

Anna Lenzi Palmero

Bronx High School of Science

I have always believed that education is one of the most powerful tools we have to change our lives and shape our futures. Whether diving into the logic of a complex math problem or exploring the stories of history, learning has always given me a sense of purpose and endless curiosity.

As I looked at the competitive landscape of specialized high school admissions in New York, one reality was undeniable: incredible talent is everywhere, but equal opportunity is not. Too often, high-quality SHSAT preparation is locked behind expensive tutoring programs, leaving bright, capable students from underserved backgrounds without a fair shot.

This program isn't just about test strategies or formulas — it's about equity. It's about making sure that a student's zip code or financial circumstances never define their academic potential. We are here to open doors that have been closed for too long, and to support the next generation of leaders as they claim their rightful place in our city's top schools.