Test Taking Tips

Did you know that the SHSAT may be considered tougher than the SAT? While "tougher" can mean different things to different people, here are some facts: Understanding the Digital SAT The SAT, in its current digital form, tests math and reading, has 98 questions, and lasts for 2 hours and 14 minutes. And that time is broken up into 4 modules: 32 minutes for Verbal (27 Questions) 32 minutes for Verbal (27 Questions) 35 minutes for Math (22 Questions) 35 minutes for Math (22 Qu

Time management during test-taking is more important than ever with the SHSAT transitioning to a digital format. Students can no longer skip tricky, difficult questions and return to them later. Once a question is answered, that answer is locked in, meaning the digital CAT format turns the SHSAT into a one-way street—students can only move forward. This change encourages students to be mindful of their time as they navigate their way through the test. With this in mind, it's

Knowing whether a given number can be divided cleanly by others is not just useful—it's like unlocking a little secret about math! This skill comes in handy for various tasks, whether you're factoring numbers or checking if a number is prime. We've put together a collection of helpful divisibility rules just for you! Many of these rules might already be familiar to you. Please take a moment to focus on the ones that are new to you. You’ll find that learning them can be both f

We're excited to share that NYCGPrep has created a SHSAT Math Mini CAT Test! This fun little test with 10 questions will help you get comfortable navigating through a stream of digital SHSAT Math questions. To access the test, simply click the link below. You'll be asked to submit your name and email address. And once that is done, you'll dive into a series of multiple-choice math questions. Remember to move through the test without backtracking, and after answering all 10 qu

One of the simplest ways to boost your SHSAT math performance is to save time on routine calculations. A great place to start is memorizing a handful of common fractions and their decimal equivalents—so you can recognize them instantly and keep moving with confidence. Below are some of the most useful fraction–decimal pairs to know. 1/2 = 0.5 1/4 = 0.25 1/8 = 0.125 1/9 = 0.1̅1̅ (think of it as 1/3 of 1/3) 3/8 = 0.375 3/4 = 0.75 5/8 =

Right triangle questions show up often on the SHSAT and SAT. Sometimes they’re presented directly, and other times they’re hidden inside questions about rectangles or squares. For example, you might be given a rectangle that’s 12 feet long and 5 feet wide and asked to find the length of the diagonal. That diagonal is, in fact, the hypotenuse of a right triangle—so this becomes a right triangle problem. A great way to work faster (and more confidently) is to memorize three com

Starting in fall/winter 2026, the SHSAT is officially moving to a digital format. Students will take the test on computers provided right at the testing location by the NYC Department of Education.

Every year, over 30,000 New York City middle schoolers take on the SHSAT. It’s a massive milestone, and the stakes feel incredibly high since it’s the single ticket into the city’s specialized high schools. But starting in the fall of 2026