Secret Weapon of the Digital SHSAT

Keeping it Real: Why Scrap Paper is Still Your Secret Weapon for the Digital SHSAT

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, test day is going to look a little different: the traditional paper test booklet is officially retiring, and the SHSAT is going fully digital.

The Big Twist: The "Lock-In" Factor

The new digital exam will be a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT). Think of it like a "choose-your-own-adventure" game where the computer changes the difficulty of the next question based on how you answered the last one. Because of this setup, there is one major shift that students are really going to feel—especially in the Math section: you can no longer skip a tough question to come back to it later, and you can't change a past answer. Once you click next, that answer is locked in. You have to face each question as it comes to move forward.

Don't Put Down Your Pencils Just Yet!

While the test itself lives on a screen, your best strategy is still entirely analog. The NYC Department of Education will still hand out scrap paper when students request it, and yes, you can absolutely bring your favorite pencils.

Writing things down isn't just about doing calculations—it's about clearing out the mental clutter. When a tricky question is staring you down from a screen, putting your pencil to paper to sketch a problem or physically cross out wrong choices gives your brain the breathing room it needs to focus and think clearly. So, please ask for scrap paper when you take the SHSAT!!!

Our Philosophy at NYC Global Prep We don't just teach the material; we teach students how to navigate the pressure. We make paper-and-pencil techniques a core part of our practice so students can confidently beat the digital format and open the doors to dream schools like Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, and the High School of American Studies at Lehman College, among others.