SHSAT score release dates & timeline
Registration in September, test in October–November, results in March, decisions in April. The full SHSAT cycle, plus the specific dates for the 2025–2026 results and 2026–2027 planning.
- When are SHSAT results released?
- SHSAT results are typically released in early-to-mid March, approximately 3–4 months after the October–November test administration window. The exact date varies year to year and is announced by the NYC DOE.
- How are results delivered?
- Through the MySchools NYC portal at myschools.nyc, where students and families log in to see their composite score and any admission offers. Schools also notify families directly.
- What if I don't get an offer?
- Students who don't receive a specialized high school offer through their initial SHSAT result will still receive their regular NYC high school placement through the Round 1 NYC high school admissions process. Some students who scored just below cutoffs may be eligible for the Discovery Program; see our Discovery Program guide.
- When is the next SHSAT?
- The next SHSAT administration is scheduled for the October–November 2026 window. Specific dates are announced by the NYC DOE in late summer 2026. Check schools.nyc.gov for the most current information.
The SHSAT timeline
The SHSAT and specialized high school admissions follow a roughly fixed annual cycle. Knowing the dates in advance helps families plan preparation, registration, and decisions.
Late summer / early September: registration opens
Families register for the SHSAT through the MySchools NYC portal at myschools.nyc. Registration typically opens in mid-to-late September for current 8th graders. Registration is also where families rank their school preferences — the order in which they would accept admission to specialized high schools.
October–November: test administration
The SHSAT is administered during an October–November window each year. Test dates vary by student grade and by accommodation status. Starting in October 2025, the SHSAT transitioned to a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) format administered digitally.
December–February: scoring and equating
The NYC DOE scores the tests and performs the equating calibration. This is the longest part of the cycle — roughly three months — and reflects the careful statistical work involved in producing scaled scores. During this period, families have no information about results.
Early-to-mid March: results released
Results are released through MySchools NYC. Families log in to see:
- The student's composite scaled score (200–800)
- Section-level scaled scores (100–400 each)
- Whether the student received an admission offer, and to which school
- Discovery Program eligibility, if applicable
The exact date in March varies year to year — historically anywhere from the first to the third week of March. The NYC DOE announces the specific date in late February.
March–April: decisions and acceptances
Families have a defined window to accept or decline their offer. Typically this window is 2–3 weeks. Declining an offer means the student returns to the regular high school admissions process.
Summer: Discovery Program (if applicable)
Students who score just below specialized high school cutoffs and meet specific disadvantaged-background criteria may be eligible for the Discovery Program — a summer program that, on successful completion, leads to admission to a specialized high school in September. The Discovery Program runs in July and August.
September: enrollment
Admitted students begin 9th grade at their specialized high school.
The 2025–2026 cycle (just completed)
For the 2025–2026 admissions cycle that produced the cutoffs cited throughout this site:
- Registration: September 2025
- Test administration: October–November 2025 (first cycle of the CAT format)
- Results released: March 2026
- Cutoffs: Stuyvesant 556, Staten Island Tech 527, Queens Sciences 527, HSMSE 526, Bronx Science 518, HSAS 516, Brooklyn Tech 505, Brooklyn Latin 493
The 2026–2027 cycle (upcoming)
For families planning for the 2026–2027 admissions cycle:
- Registration opens: September 2026 (exact date TBD by NYC DOE)
- Test administration: October–November 2026
- Results released: March 2027
- Cutoffs: Not yet known. Use the recent cutoffs above plus our recommended buffer targets as planning guidance.
How to confirm dates
The NYC DOE publishes official dates each year on:
- schools.nyc.gov — Specialized High Schools page
- MySchools NYC
- Individual school websites and the Annual Specialized High Schools Student Handbook (released each summer)
We update this page when the NYC DOE publishes new dates, but always confirm with the official sources before making time-sensitive decisions.
Common questions
When will I find out my SHSAT score?
SHSAT scores are released in early-to-mid March, approximately 3–4 months after the October–November test administration window. Results are accessed through MySchools NYC.
Can I see my score before the official release?
No. The NYC DOE releases all results simultaneously on the announced release date. There is no preview or early-access option.
What if I want to take the SHSAT again?
Students can only take the SHSAT once per admission cycle. Current 8th-grade students take the test for 9th-grade admission; current 9th-grade students who did not previously take the SHSAT can take it for 10th-grade admission to a smaller number of available seats. See our 8th vs 9th grade guide.
How do I appeal my SHSAT score?
The NYC DOE does not have a score appeal process for the SHSAT. Scores are considered final once released. If you believe there was an administrative error (e.g., your test was not scored correctly), contact the NYC DOE directly through the channels listed at schools.nyc.gov.
Related guides
SHSAT Score Calculator
Convert raw scores to estimated scaled and composite scores. See which schools your composite reaches.
Adaptive Practice Test
Take a free adaptive SHSAT practice test using real Item Response Theory scoring.
All 9 Specialized Schools
Complete guides to every NYC specialized high school, including current cutoffs.