For NYC families with students in 7th or 8th grade, fall is decision time. Should your child take the SHSAT for specialized public high schools, the ISEE for private school admissions — or both? Understanding the differences between these two critical tests helps you make the right choice.
The Tests at a Glance
| SHSAT | ISEE | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | NYC specialized high schools | Private/independent school admissions |
| Who takes it | ~28,000 NYC students/year | National (used by 1,200+ schools) |
| Sections | ELA + Math | Verbal, Quantitative, Reading, Math, Essay |
| Duration | 3 hours | ~3 hours |
| Scoring | Composite score (rank-based) | Stanine scores (1-9) |
| Cost | Free | $127 (fee waivers available) |
| When | Late October - Early November | Rolling (Oct-Jan for most schools) |
Understanding the SHSAT
The Specialized High School Admissions Test determines entry to NYC's eight specialized public high schools, including:
- Stuyvesant (highest cutoff score)
- Bronx Science
- Brooklyn Tech
- Staten Island Tech
- Queens HS for Sciences
- HSMSE at CCNY
- Brooklyn Latin
- HS of American Studies
What makes the SHSAT unique:
The test is entirely score-based — there are no interviews, grades, or extracurriculars considered. Your child's performance on a single test determines admission.
The ELA section tests revising/editing passages and reading comprehension. The math section covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and word problems at an advanced level.
Approximately 28,000 students take the SHSAT each year, competing for roughly 4,000 seats across all eight schools.
Understanding the ISEE
The Independent School Entrance Exam is used by private and independent schools across the country. In NYC, schools like Dalton, Trinity, Horace Mann, and Fieldston use the ISEE as part of their admissions process.
Key differences from the SHSAT:
- The ISEE is just one part of admissions — schools also consider grades, teacher recommendations, interviews, and essays
- The essay section requires students to write a response to a prompt (scored separately and sent to schools)
- Verbal reasoning tests vocabulary and sentence completion — not tested on the SHSAT
- Stanine scoring compares your child to others in the same grade nationally
Should Your Child Take Both?
Yes, if possible. Many NYC families have students take both tests to maximize options. The tests have significant overlap in math and reading skills, so preparation for one naturally helps with the other.
However, each test has unique elements that require specific preparation:
- SHSAT-specific: Revising/editing passages, grid-in math answers
- ISEE-specific: Vocabulary/verbal reasoning, essay writing, quantitative comparisons
When to Start Preparing
We recommend the following timeline:
- Spring of 6th grade: Take diagnostic tests for both SHSAT and ISEE
- Summer before 7th grade: Begin regular prep sessions (2-3x per week)
- September-October of 7th/8th grade: Intensive prep with weekly practice tests
- Test day: SHSAT in late October, ISEE as early as November
The preparation overlap
About 60-70% of skills transfer between the two tests. Strong math fundamentals, reading comprehension strategies, and test-taking skills benefit both exams.
Tips for NYC Parents
1. Know the cutoff scores
SHSAT cutoff scores change yearly based on the applicant pool. Recent cutoffs have ranged from approximately:
- Stuyvesant: ~560 out of 800
- Bronx Science: ~510
- Brooklyn Tech: ~480
2. Consider your child's strengths
If your child excels at math and test-taking but isn't a strong writer, the SHSAT may be a better fit (no essay). If your child is well-rounded with strong verbal skills, the ISEE might showcase their abilities better.
3. Don't neglect the ISEE essay
While the essay isn't scored numerically, schools read it. A thoughtful, well-organized essay can positively influence admissions decisions.
How GeniusPrep Helps
Our tutors are specialists in both the SHSAT and ISEE. We offer:
- Diagnostic assessments that pinpoint exact areas for improvement
- Personalized prep plans tailored to your child's target schools
- Timed practice tests simulating real testing conditions
- Score analysis after each practice test to track progress
Many of our students prepare for both tests simultaneously, leveraging the skill overlap while building test-specific strategies.
Book a diagnostic session and let's determine the best path for your child.