Welcome to The SHSAT (CAT) Library

Navigating New York City’s specialized high school admissions process can be overwhelming. The SHSAT (CAT) Library is your one-stop resource for clear, actionable advice to empower your family. Inside, you’ll find everything from in-depth study guides and test-taking strategies to tips on managing anxiety and supporting your student. Our goal is to give you the tools and confidence to conquer the SHSAT (CAT) and open the doors to NYC’s top high schools.

Black-and-white line drawing of a mother supporting her child while studying at a table, with the child writing in a book and a thought bubble above showing “SHSAT.”
Minimalist black-and-white timeline graphic labeled “When Should Your Child Start Preparing for the SHSAT?”
Black-and-white infographic of a student figure facing three arrows pointing to SHSAT prep options: Self-Study (open book), Classes (teacher at chalkboard labeled SHSAT), and Tutoring (two people at a table).
Black-and-white checklist titled “SHSAT Test Day Checklist” with seven items: register early, rank specialized high schools, confirm site, pack ID and supplies, no phones, leave early, and focus on effort not score, each with icons and checkboxes.
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Black-and-white line drawing of a student sitting at a desk with hands on their head looking worried, while a parent stands beside them offering calm reassurance.
An infographic showing the benefits of practice tests, including pacing, stamina, pattern recognition, and confidence, with a person studying at a desk.
Black-and-white infographic of a student standing at a crossroads with signposts pointing to Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, Brooklyn Tech, and other SHSAT schools, symbolizing choice and fit.
Black-and-white line drawing of a tidy student desk with a lamp, calendar on the wall, pencils, and an open book. A student sits at the desk, studying with focus, while a phone is shown outside the room with a “no” symbol over it.
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Black-and-white line drawing of a student opening an envelope labeled “SHSAT Results,” while a parent stands behind them smiling. A flowchart in the background shows three paths: Offer Received, Appeal Process, and Alternative Schools.
Black-and-white line drawing of a student walking into a school building holding an admission ticket and pencils, with a clock overhead showing early arrival time. Inside, rows of desks and a proctor at the front symbolize SHSAT test conditions.
Black-and-white infographic of a large clock divided into sections with labels: “Preview,” “Answer,” “Skip & Return,” and “Review.” A student sits at a desk with a pencil, while a proctor’s clock looms overhead, symbolizing SHSAT time management.
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Black-and-white line drawing of a student reading a passage with a magnifying glass, underlining key lines, while icons of a question mark, quotation marks, and a trap door hover nearby, symbolizing SHSAT reading comprehension strategies.
Black-and-white infographic of a chalkboard divided into four quadrants, each labeled with a common SHSAT math topic: Fractions & Percents, Ratios & Proportions, Algebra, and Geometry. A student points to the board with a pencil, symbolizing mastery.
A person sitting at a desk, writing on a piece of paper, with three thought bubbles above their head indicating difficulty with calculations, adjusting a plus and minus symbol, and rejecting main ideas.
Black-and-white line drawing of a student erasing a wrong answer on a test while a lightbulb icon glows above, symbolizing learning from mistakes. Around the student, five labeled icons show the review method: Label, Re-Solve, Explain, Drill, Review.
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Weekly study schedule with symbols for books, checklists, and pens on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday with rest on Monday and Wednesday; soccer ball and backpack in foreground.
Black-and-white line drawing of a backpack open with SHSAT essentials visible inside: admission ticket, pencils, eraser, water bottle, and a sweater. To the side, a phone, calculator, and notes are crossed out with a prohibition symbol.
Black-and-white line drawing of a student sitting calmly at a desk with eyes closed, practicing breathing. Above their head are icons: a heartbeat calming, a thought bubble with steady focus, and a pencil ready to write.
black and white flat line image of a student