SHSAT Score Estimator
Use this calculator to estimate your SHSAT composite score based on the number of correct answers in the English Language Arts (ELA) and Math sections. Please note that the official SHSAT scoring algorithm is proprietary and varies slightly each year. This tool provides a realistic estimate based on common scaling models.
Estimated SHSAT Scores:
Enter your correct answers and click "Calculate" to see your estimated scores.
Understanding the SHSAT and Your Score
The Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) is a competitive examination administered to eighth and ninth-grade students in New York City who wish to attend one of the city's nine Specialized High Schools. These schools include Stuyvesant High School, Bronx High School of Science, Brooklyn Technical High School, and others.
Test Structure
The SHSAT consists of two main sections:
- English Language Arts (ELA): This section assesses reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and grammar skills. It typically includes questions on revising/editing passages and reading comprehension. There are usually 57 questions in this section.
- Mathematics: This section covers a range of math topics including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and word problems. Like the ELA section, it also typically has 57 questions.
Students are given a total of 180 minutes (3 hours) to complete both sections of the exam.
How SHSAT Scores Are Calculated
The SHSAT scoring process involves converting your "raw score" (the number of questions you answer correctly in each section) into a "scaled score." The exact scaling formula is proprietary and can vary slightly from year to year based on the difficulty of the test and the performance of the test-takers. However, the general principle is as follows:
- Raw Score: This is simply the total number of questions you answered correctly in the ELA section and the Math section. There is no penalty for incorrect answers, so it's always advisable to guess if you're unsure.
- Scaled Score: Your raw scores for ELA and Math are converted into scaled scores. Each section typically has a scaled score range (e.g., from approximately 200 to 399). This scaling accounts for variations in test difficulty across different test forms.
- Composite Score: Your scaled ELA score and scaled Math score are added together to produce a total composite score. This composite score is the primary factor used for admission to the Specialized High Schools. The maximum possible composite score is typically around 798.
Admission to a Specialized High School is determined by your composite score and your ranked preferences. Each school has a different cutoff score, which also varies annually based on the applicant pool and available seats.
Using the SHSAT Score Estimator
Our calculator provides an estimated SHSAT score based on a simplified linear scaling model. While not official, it offers a good approximation to help you understand how your performance might translate into a composite score. Simply enter the number of questions you believe you answered correctly in each section, and the calculator will provide estimated scaled scores for ELA and Math, along with your total estimated composite score.
Realistic Examples:
- Example 1: Strong Performance
If you answer 50 ELA questions correctly and 52 Math questions correctly:- Estimated ELA Scaled Score: ~375
- Estimated Math Scaled Score: ~382
- Estimated Composite Score: ~757
- Example 2: Moderate Performance
If you answer 40 ELA questions correctly and 45 Math questions correctly:- Estimated ELA Scaled Score: ~339
- Estimated Math Scaled Score: ~357
- Estimated Composite Score: ~696
- Example 3: Developing Performance
If you answer 30 ELA questions correctly and 35 Math questions correctly:- Estimated ELA Scaled Score: ~304
- Estimated Math Scaled Score: ~322
- Estimated Composite Score: ~626
Remember, consistent practice and understanding the test format are key to achieving your target SHSAT score.