Specialized High School Assessment Test (SHSAT)

All registered students will take the SHSAT on an assigned date.

• 8th grade DOE public students will take the test at their current school. This information will be confirmed on your test ticket.

• All other students will take the test at other DOE locations: the date, time, and location for your test will be listed on your test ticket.

• If dates or locations change for any reason, you will receive updates from your school counselor or the DOE. 

Students new to New York City with records showing that they moved here after the testing dates may be eligible to take the test in late summer 2021.

Students at schools participating in the SHSAT School Day Initiative will take the SHSAT during the school day.

If you cannot test on either a Saturday or a Sunday because of a religious observance, you must indicate this when you register for the SHSAT or let your school counselor know before the registration deadline. 

Tip: Learn more about supports and accommodations for English Language Learners and former English Language Learners under the tab "Accommodations for LaGuardia High School Auditions and the SHSAT."

After the registration deadline, you will be notified when your ticket is ready. 

Your test ticket will include:

• Your test date and time

• Your test location

• Your student ID number

• Your current school's code

• If applicable, testing accommodations

Review all information on your ticket carefully. If you see any errors or outdated information, tell your school counselor right away. 

Get Your Test Ticket Signed

You and a parent or guardian must both sign your ticket before you take the SHSAT. Be sure to bring your ticket to the test! If you arrive without your ticket, you may not be allowed to test. Sites will make every effort to confirm your registration so that you will be allowed to test, but students without tickets may need to be rescheduled for another date.

You must test on the date and location assigned on your test ticket, with the following exceptions: 

• If the test date on your ticket conflicts with a religious observance, talk to your school counselor—they can get your test date changed.

• If you are ill or injured and unable to take the test on a scheduled date, immediately notify your school counselor when you return to school, and request a make-up testing date. You must provide documentation explaining that you were sick or injured and unable to test. Provide this documentation to your school counselor before the deadline to request a make-up test.

Your school counselor can help you request a make-up test or audition. 

If you are an ELL student an eligible former ELL student (within previous two years), or have existing testing accommodations as indicated on your current IEP or 504 Plan, your approved accommodations will appear on your test ticket. 

• • Check your ticket carefully to be sure any accommodations are listed correctly. If the accommodations are missing from the ticket or are incorrect, alert your school counselor immediately. 

  • If you have accommodations, also check to make sure you are scheduled to take the test on the appropriate date. If you are not, tell your counselor. 

  • You and your parents or guardians should review the test ticket and discuss which accommodations may not be helpful for you, and what you should do if you wish to leave before the end of the extended time period. (If you are eligible for extended time.)

  • The test will be administered according to the test ticket; if there are accommodations listed that your parents/guardians do not want you to use, follow the directions on the test ticket to provide written consent for you not to use the accommodation.

High school and Specialized High School offers will become available in MySchools in the spring; if you do not request the paperless option, letters with this information will also be mailed to your home address. Please visit our Offer Letter and Waitlist section to learn more information about your results.