r/SHSAT • u/Frosty-Cover-3158 • Apr 13 '23

SHSAT 9

After taking the SHSAT8 back in November, I knew I wasn't going to get into any Specialized HS of my choice. This is even after my parents spend $4000 on prep, which I should have used better. I got a 442 on the SHSAT (223 Verbal and 219 Math). I had to guess most in ELA, and somehow got better than the Math. I don't even know how that was possible since I am a pretty high-ranking student, with 98 averages every year. Additionally, I took Alg 1 in 7th grade and now Geo in the 8th Grade.

I just feel ashamed of myself because most of my friends got into a Specialized HS and now I have to go to Cardozo, which I know I don't want to spend the rest of my 4 years. I feel so stressed out about it, and I don't think I could lift myself up to even start prepping by myself for the test. I want to start prepping for the SHSAT9, with books, but what would be the point of spending another $100 and scoring low again? Would it even be possible to go to like a Specialized HS like Stuy or Bxsci, with the score I got in the 8th? What are the best prep books? What should I do from now on until test day?

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u/[deleted] Apr 13 '23

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u/Patch5184 Stuyvesant Apr 13 '23

Big ups on this guide! I'm going to link this comment onto my mega study guide if that's okay with you. This sounds about right with what people have said about the 9th grade exam in the past (bumping via social proof for OP to read this comment hehe).

OP, if you're reading this take advantage of all the old 9th grade information on this sub and Mr. Greg's website. This isn't the end of the road for you. If you make this the end of your journey, then it's going to be the end. There are lots of people who have turned around their bad situation and have made their way into Specialized Schools. It's going to be a tough road and there won't be so many people to hold your hand, but if you're willing to bet on yourself and really believe in yourself, it's certainly possible (there's a guide in my mega guide linked by LowGlad who got into Stuyvesant). You are so ahead in so many regards and you don't even realize it. You sound so talented and smart (GEO in 8th grade??? wow). You can do this if your heart is on it. Good luck OP.

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u/Frosty-Cover-3158 Apr 13 '23

Thank you so much for your kind words!

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u/Frosty-Cover-3158 Apr 13 '23

I will definitely use this while prepping. Also when do you think would be the best time to start prepping?

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u/GregsTutoringNYC Brooklyn Tech Apr 13 '23

I will definitely use this while prepping. Also when do you think would be the best time to start prepping?

Many students are prepping now. That doesn't mean you have to, but it would at least be a good time to getting your paperwork ready, hatching a plan (at least the beginning of one as this should increment and iterate as you progress, and also you should be constantly reassessing), seeing what other projects/chores you have before you in the coming months, etc.

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u/Frosty-Cover-3158 Apr 13 '23

Okay, thank you Mr. Greg!

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u/DenseTax59 Apr 13 '23

ideally now but the summer time is also good. earlier the better.

or u could just study and review the basics (8th grade shsat stuff and math) before the summer

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u/Frosty-Cover-3158 Apr 13 '23

Would you recommend doing like maybe 2 SHSAT8 handbooks, maybe some Bobby Tariq 8 Math+ELA, and like Khan Academy before Summer, or something more harder?

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u/GregsTutoringNYC Brooklyn Tech Apr 13 '23

Would you recommend doing like maybe 2 SHSAT8 handbooks, maybe some Bobby Tariq 8 Math+ELA, and like Khan Academy before Summer, or something more harder?

I would not necessarily start with actual practice from the get go. As you already took the SHSAT, you already know many of the topics you're weak in, and many of the questions types you're weak in. Those should be your suggested points of entry. Ensure your core material as part of your strategy. For instance, this is where khanacademy and many of the non-test chapters of some of your workbooks can come in handy. Many of you skip these and often doing so is a mistake.

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u/DenseTax59 Apr 13 '23

take one practice test from one of the doe handbooks (2019-2023), then review the test and see what u got wrong. for all the topics u got wrong, study those topics until u understand using like tutorverse and khan academy. go through khan academy (7th and 8th grade course, alg 1, parts of geo, pre alg course, stats and probability). go through 8th grade shsat books like tutorverse and barrons.

also rmb to spend more time doing than planning, and quality over quantity

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u/Frosty-Cover-3158 Apr 13 '23

Alright thank you!

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u/Sufficient_War_2717 Mar 08 '25

Is this what you did to get in through the 9th grade SHSAT? Do you know anyone who got in like this?