Free SHSAT practice test.
Timed ELA and Math practice for New York City's Specialized High Schools Admissions Test, with a diagnostic that shows where to start and an explanation for every miss.
Free. No card needed.
What's on the SHSAT
The SHSAT is New York City's admissions test for its specialized high schools, taken in 8th or 9th grade. It has two sections, English Language Arts and Math, and you get 180 minutes for both.
| Section | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| English Language Arts | 57 | 90 minutes |
| Math | 57 (52 multiple choice, 5 grid-ins) | 90 minutes |
Starting with the fall 2026 test, the SHSAT is computer-adaptive: 50 ELA and 50 Math questions in 180 minutes. Aluma's practice test follows the classic layout above, which covers the same skills. Check the NYC Public Schools SHSAT handbook for your test date.
In the classic layout, ELA opens with revising and editing questions, then reading passages. Math allows no calculator.
Nothing is taken off for a wrong answer, so never leave a question blank.
Try a sample question
Math
The price of a jacket increased from $60 to $75. What was the percent increase?
- A. 25%
- B. 20%
- C. 30%
- D. 15%
Show answer
Answer: A. Percent change divides the change by the original price: (75 − 60) ÷ 60 = 15 ÷ 60 = 0.25, or 25%. Dividing by the new price gives 20%, the common trap.
Math
A drawer holds 3 black socks and 5 white socks. Two socks are drawn at random without replacement. What is the probability that both are black?
- A. 9/64
- B. 1/4
- C. 3/14
- D. 3/28
Show answer
Answer: D. The first sock is black with probability 3/8. With one black sock gone, 2 of the remaining 7 are black, so the second is black with probability 2/7. Multiply: (3/8)(2/7) = 6/56 = 3/28.
ELA
Which edit corrects the sentence? “Neither the coaches nor the goalie were ready for the sudden change in weather.”
- A. Change “goalie” to “goalies”
- B. Change “Neither” to “Either”
- C. The sentence is correct as written
- D. Change “were” to “was”
Show answer
Answer: D. With neither ... nor, the verb agrees with the subject closer to it. The nearer subject is “the goalie”, which is singular, so the verb must be “was”.
How Aluma's practice test works
- Timed sections in the test's order, with pause.
- A diagnostic that finds your weak topics first.
- Section drills and homework sets built from the topics you miss.
- Every miss explains why the right answer works.
- A score report that shows what to fix next, with an estimated percentile. It's an estimate, not an official score.
- 1.5x and 2x timing for approved accommodations.
The Tutor and Lumi sit this one out. While a practice test is open, even paused, they won't help. Practice only counts if it's yours.
Questions about SHSAT practice.
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One diagnostic shows exactly where to start.
