Every year, thousands of NYC families ask the same question starting in September: when is the SHSAT, and how do we sign up?
This article covers everything you need to know about the 2026 SHSAT administration — dates, registration process, what the new digital format means for test day logistics, and what to do between now and October to be ready.
When Is the SHSAT 2026?
The NYC Department of Education administers the SHSAT in the fall for 8th graders (and some 9th graders applying for 9th-grade seats). The 2026 test window typically runs from late October through late November, with makeup dates extending into early December.
Exact dates are announced by the DOE in September. If you're reading this before September, the specific session times won't be available yet — but the timeline below will tell you when to expect each piece of information.
Key dates to know:
Note: These are typical timelines based on prior years. Always verify the exact dates at myschools.nyc when the DOE publishes the official schedule in fall.
Who Takes the SHSAT in 2026?
The SHSAT is available to:
If your child is in 7th grade now, they will take the SHSAT in the fall of their 8th-grade year — meaning the 2027 administration. Start preparation now to have a full year of runway.
For guidance on when to start prep depending on your child's grade, see when to start SHSAT prep as a 7th grader.
How to Register for the SHSAT
Registration for the SHSAT is handled entirely through your child's school — not online, and not through the DOE directly.
Here's how it works:
Step 1: Your school sends home registration materials
In September, your child's school will distribute SHSAT registration forms and information. This usually comes home in a folder or is sent through the school's parent communication system.
Step 2: Complete and return the registration form
Fill out the form and return it to your child's school by the deadline. The deadline is set by the DOE and is typically in late September or early October. Missing it generally means your child cannot take the test during the primary window.
Step 3: Receive your test appointment
After registration closes, the DOE assigns each registered student a test date and location. This comes home with your child from school, usually 2–3 weeks before the testing window opens.
Step 4: Show up with the required materials
On test day, your child will need:
What's Different in 2026: The Digital Format
The 2026 SHSAT is administered entirely on a computer — no paper, no bubble sheets. This is a significant change from the test as many older siblings or parents experienced it.
What's the same: The content — ELA (Revising/Editing and reading comprehension) and Math — remains the same. The number of questions (57 per section) and the overall time limits remain the same.
What's new:
For a full breakdown of the TEI question types and how to practice them, see the guide to SHSAT TEI question types.
The 9 Specialized High Schools
The SHSAT score is used for admissions to eight of NYC's nine specialized high schools. (LaGuardia High School, the ninth, uses auditions and portfolios instead.)
The eight SHSAT schools, generally listed from highest to lowest cutoff score:
How admissions works: All 8th graders who register receive a composite SHSAT score. Students rank their school preferences. Offers go out in March — starting with the highest-scoring students getting their first-choice school, working down until each school fills its seats.
The cutoff score isn't set in advance. It's determined by how many students apply and how they score. It changes every year.
For more on how the scoring and cutoffs work, see how the SHSAT is actually scored.
What to Do Between Now and October
If you're reading this in spring or summer, you have several months before the test window opens. That's enough time to make a significant difference in your child's score — if you use it strategically.
The most effective timeline:
The complete NYC SHSAT prep checklist walks through each of these phases in detail.
Start with a Free Diagnostic
The most useful thing you can do right now — regardless of where your child is in their prep — is take a full-length practice test and see where the gaps actually are.
It takes about 90 minutes. It's free. And it tells you more about where to focus than any prep book, guide, or list of tips.