SHSAT guide
2026 SHSAT Dates, Registration Deadline & What Parents Need to Know
Updated
The SHSAT is the only factor used for admission to the eight testing NYC Specialized High Schools, so missing a deadline is the one mistake a family cannot study its way out of. This guide collects the fall 2026 dates in one place and explains what each step means for your child.
Dates are set by NYC Public Schools and can change. Before you plan around any date below, confirm it on the official NYC Public Schools Specialized High Schools page (opens in a new tab).
Key 2026 SHSAT dates at a glance
These are the current dates published by NYC Public Schools for the fall 2026 SHSAT administration:
- October 6, 2026: SHSAT registration opens in MySchools.
- October 30, 2026: SHSAT registration closes.
- November 14 and 15, 2026: Weekend testing at central NYC Public Schools locations.
- November 18, 2026: School-day SHSAT for eligible 8th graders at their current school.
- November 21, 2026: Saturday testing for registered 9th graders at central locations.
How SHSAT registration works
Registration happens in MySchools, the same NYC Public Schools account families use for high school applications. Your child's school counselor can help, and a Family Welcome Center can assist if you do not have an account.
Who is eligible
To register, a student must be a New York City resident and either a current 8th grader or a first-time (not repeating) 9th grader. Students attending public, charter, private, and parochial schools, as well as homeschooled students, can register.
Ranking the Specialized High Schools
During registration, families list the testing Specialized High Schools in order of preference. This ranking matters as much as the score itself. Offers are made in descending score order: each student is offered their highest-ranked school that still has seats. A student is never considered for a school they did not list.
Rank schools in the order your child truly prefers them. Listing a school lower to "play it safe" does not improve the chances of getting into it, and leaving a school off means it cannot be offered.
Testing accommodations
Students with IEPs or 504 Plans, current English Language Learners, and recently exited ELLs may be eligible for testing accommodations. Accommodations are entered or confirmed by your child's school during the registration window, and documentation for some students must be submitted weeks before the deadline. Talk to the school counselor early rather than in the final days of October.
Which test date applies to your child
Students do not choose their test date. It depends on grade and school type:
- 8th graders at a public NYC middle school that ends in 8th grade typically test at their own school during the school day on Wednesday, November 18.
- 8th graders at 6–12 or K–12 schools, charter, private, parochial, or independent schools, and homeschooled students typically test at a central NYC Public Schools location on Saturday, November 14 or Sunday, November 15.
- Registered 9th graders test at a central location on Saturday, November 21. NYC Public Schools provides an alternate date for students who cannot test on Saturday.
Your test ticket
After the registration deadline, each registered student receives a test ticket showing the assigned date, time, and location, plus any approved accommodations. Check the ticket as soon as it is available. If anything looks wrong, especially accommodations, contact your school counselor right away.
For Queens families testing on a weekend, the assigned site depends on the district where your child attends school. Check the ticket rather than assuming the nearest high school.
A parent checklist for October and November
- Confirm your MySchools login works before registration gets busy.
- Discuss and finalize the order of Specialized High Schools with your child.
- Submit registration well before October 30 and save a confirmation.
- Ask the school counselor to confirm any testing accommodations.
- Have your child try the official digital practice materials so the format is familiar. Our guide to how the digital SHSAT works explains the format.
- Download or print the test ticket and plan travel to the test site.
Making the most of the weeks before the test
With registration open, there are only a few weeks left before test day. That window is best used for targeted review, not for learning everything from scratch. A free SHSAT diagnostic can show which Math and ELA areas will move the score most in the time remaining.
For students who want structured, test-focused practice in the final stretch, AhmedPrep runs the 2026 SHSAT Final 5-Week Intensive at our location in Astoria, Queens, and we serve students from across NYC.
Need help preparing for the SHSAT?
AhmedPrep is based in Astoria, Queens, and helps students across NYC prepare for the SHSAT. A free diagnostic is the clearest first step: it shows your child's strengths, gaps, and a realistic plan for the time remaining.
Questions? Call or text 347-479-5020