Skip to main content

New York School Entrance Exam Prep Guides

We publish 33 in-depth prep guides covering 18 selective enrollment and competitive admission schools in New York, including Bard High School Early College Bronx (BHSEC Bronx), Bard High School Early College Brooklyn (BHSEC Brooklyn), Bard High School Early College Manhattan (BHSEC Manhattan), Bard High School Early College Queens (BHSEC Queens), Brooklyn Technical High School, Catholic High Schools — Archdiocese of New York & Diocese of Brooklyn/Queens (TACHS schools), High School for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering at City College (HSMSE), High School of American Studies at Lehman College, and 10 more — covering essays, exam strategy, and application timelines.

How to Get Into HSMSE in 2026: SHSAT Score Targets, Cutoffs, and STEM Prep Strategy
High School for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering at City College (HSMSE)
June 24, 2026 11 min read

How to Get Into HSMSE in 2026: SHSAT Score Targets, Cutoffs, and STEM Prep Strategy

Getting into the High School for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering at City College means beating a 526+ SHSAT cutoff for roughly 140 seats. This guide covers the 2026 adaptive SHSAT format, HSMSE-specific score targets, and how STEM critical thinking practice raises your composite. If your child is in 7th or 8th grade, the prep decisions you make right now are the ones that matter.

Read More →
HSMSE admissions how to get into HSMSE
SHSAT Critical Thinking Questions: What They Are and How to Master Them for the 2026 Digital Format
High School of American Studies at Lehman College
August 20, 2026 9 min read

SHSAT Critical Thinking Questions: What They Are and How to Master Them for the 2026 Digital Format

The SHSAT is the only path into the High School of American Studies at Lehman College — and the 2026 format raises the stakes on critical thinking skills. This post breaks down exactly which SHSAT question types demand STEM reasoning, what cutoff score to target for HSAS, and how targeted practice can close the gap.

Read More →
SHSAT critical thinking questions SHSAT STEM prep
How to Get Into HSAS-Lehman in 2026: SHSAT Score Targets, Cutoffs & Prep Plan
High School of American Studies at Lehman College
June 25, 2026 10 min read

How to Get Into HSAS-Lehman in 2026: SHSAT Score Targets, Cutoffs & Prep Plan

The 2025 HSAS-Lehman cutoff was approximately 504 — but with only 104 seats and a computer-adaptive SHSAT format anticipated for 2026, your child needs a sharper target and a smarter prep plan. This guide gives you exact score benchmarks, registration deadlines, and a STEM critical thinking practice strategy built specifically for High School of American Studies admissions.

Read More →
HSAS Lehman SHSAT prep High School of American Studies admissions 2026
How to Write a Winning Hunter College High School Essay: Tips, Prompts & Scoring Guide (2026)
Hunter College High School (HCHS)
August 20, 2026 9 min read

How to Write a Winning Hunter College High School Essay: Tips, Prompts & Scoring Guide (2026)

The Hunter College High School entrance exam awards roughly 170 seats based almost entirely on essay quality among top scorers. This guide covers the two-stage scoring process, the no-first-person convention, and how to prepare for the updated January 2026 exam format — including the announced ISEE-based math sections.

Read More →
Hunter College High School essay tips HCHS essay writing guide
Hunter College High School Entrance Exam 2026-2027: New ISEE Format, STEM Critical Thinking Tips & How to Prepare
Hunter College High School (HCHS)
June 26, 2026 10 min read

Hunter College High School Entrance Exam 2026-2027: New ISEE Format, STEM Critical Thinking Tips & How to Prepare

The Hunter College High School entrance exam changed significantly in January 2026, adding ISEE-licensed Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics Achievement sections. This guide covers what changed, who qualifies, how the two-stage scoring works, and how to build a 16-week STEM critical thinking and essay prep plan for your 6th grader.

Read More →
Hunter College High School entrance exam 2026 HCHS exam format changes 2026
Mark Twain IS 239 STEAM Aptitude Test: What It Is, What Changed, and How to Prepare (2026 Guide)
Mark Twain I.S. 239 for the Gifted & Talented
August 24, 2026 9 min read

Mark Twain IS 239 STEAM Aptitude Test: What It Is, What Changed, and How to Prepare (2026 Guide)

Mark Twain IS 239 has redesigned its Computer/Math and Science talent tests into a new STEAM-Oriented Aptitude format — and most prep resources still describe the old exam. This guide covers exactly what changed, what's on each test, and how your 5th grader can build the reasoning skills the new format demands.

Read More →
Mark Twain IS 239 STEAM aptitude test
Mark Twain IS 239 Computer/Math vs. Science Talent: Which Should Your Child Choose? (2026)
Mark Twain I.S. 239 for the Gifted & Talented
July 01, 2026 8 min read

Mark Twain IS 239 Computer/Math vs. Science Talent: Which Should Your Child Choose? (2026)

Mark Twain IS 239 offers two rigorous talent programs — Computer/Math and Science — each with its own aptitude test format. This post compares both tests in detail, explains the dual-application strategy, and shows you exactly how to prepare for the redesigned STEAM-oriented exam.

Read More →
Mark Twain IS 239 IS 239 gifted and talented
NEST+m Upper Grades Admissions Essay: Complete 2026-2027 Guide for 8th Graders
New Explorations into Science, Technology & Math (NEST+m) Upper Grades
July 07, 2026 10 min read

NEST+m Upper Grades Admissions Essay: Complete 2026-2027 Guide for 8th Graders

The NEST+m admissions essay counts for 50% of your child's final score — equal weight to four years of core grades. This guide explains exactly how the essay is scored, what the rubric rewards, and how 8th graders can write to NEST+m's four core values before the December deadline.

Read More →
NEST+m admissions essay NEST+m upper grades essay
SHSAT Critical Thinking Skills: How to Master the Problem-Solving Questions That Separate Top Scorers
NYC Specialized High Schools (SHSAT)
September 18, 2026 9 min read

SHSAT Critical Thinking Skills: How to Master the Problem-Solving Questions That Separate Top Scorers

The 2026 SHSAT is expected to be computer-adaptive — and that changes how your child should prepare. This post breaks down the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that separate 550+ scorers from the rest, with real score targets for Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, and Brooklyn Tech.

Read More →
SHSAT critical thinking SHSAT problem solving
How to Prepare for the SHSAT Without Expensive Tutors: A Free DIY Study Plan
NYC Specialized High Schools (SHSAT)
September 14, 2026 9 min read

How to Prepare for the SHSAT Without Expensive Tutors: A Free DIY Study Plan

Free SHSAT prep is completely achievable — and this roadmap shows you exactly how to do it. Learn which free NYC programs, library resources, and online tools give your 8th grader the best shot at a specialized high school offer without spending thousands on tutoring.

Read More →
free SHSAT prep SHSAT prep without tutors
Free SHSAT Practice Tests for 2026: Where to Find Them and How to Use Them Effectively
NYC Specialized High Schools (SHSAT)
August 09, 2026 9 min read

Free SHSAT Practice Tests for 2026: Where to Find Them and How to Use Them Effectively

Free SHSAT practice tests are available from the NYC DOE and several archived sources — but knowing where to find them is only half the battle. This guide shows you exactly which resources to use, when to start, and how to review for the 2026 digital format. We cover Stuyvesant score targets, the new digital test changes, and a prep timeline starting in 7th grade.

Read More →
free SHSAT practice tests SHSAT practice test 2026