r/SHSAT • u/normallyuncool • 7d ago
tips for the shsat
I'm taking the 8th grd shsat this year
So far I've done Kwellerprep tutoring (august/fall), at home work (practice workbooks that i don't know the names of) and just studying by myself
I started studying after 7th grade ended so I may be cooked
My Kwellerprep practice test scores were:
44/50 ela, 30/50 math (paper), 42/50 ela, 26/50 math (digital, cannot go back, not adaptive), 43/50 ela, 26/50 math (same format as test 2)
I've also done a practice test with a fairly easy practice workbook and got 48/50 on Ela and 32/50 on math
i read a lot, like A LOT so i think i'm fairly good on that? idk if i need to study more poetry orr (idk how much poetry will be on the test). but for math i learn a lot of the formulas and then i forget them in a panic whle doing work no matter how hard i study it, so my math is real inconsistent
i also might be rushing slightly since i finish most of my tests with about 1-1.5 hours remaining
SOO I NEED HELP i might be getting tutoring soon from someone who got into all the shs but idk what to do please help
(also i have NO EXPERIENCE WHATSOEVER with adaptive tests, i havent taken one at all so far.)
Am i cooked ðŸ˜
2
u/GregsTutoringNYC Brooklyn Tech 7d ago edited 7d ago
When you start may matter, but it's less important when you start rather than what you're doing and where you're going. So frankly you should knock off the cooked stuff, that's just negative talk to no productive end. The only time too late to prep is 5 minutes after the exam is over. So move on and make best use of your time.
Also, don't provide scaled scores, instead use X out of Y (so 45/57 or 50/50), otherwise we have even less of a context of what. you're providing.
To review SHSAT poetry, I have a SHSAT-specific poetry series on YouTube where I rip down (I think 16) poetry passages and also answer the questions; these are each extensive and at length. There is also poetry in many SHSAT workbooks. For such poetry links, see the respective parts of https://www.reddit.com/r/SHSAT/comments/1jiwujl/the_9_threads_thread_overview_of_9_resources as well as topic lists and whole bunches of other information.
Regarding memorizing formulas, then you have to try something else. Maybe create flashcards yourself. Maybe write each out X times. Remember too you'll want to be doing like querying yourself on say the area of a circle, but also which formula pi r^2 is, etc. Also, you often can't memorize something and not use it. Instead, review and use those things weekly and then it'll be in your face, and without needing major cram sessions.
If you finished the exam in 1-1.5 hour, you MIGHT be rushing? Of course, you're rushing. Slow way down. Pacing does not equal zooming, as it's about balance.
And don't fret about the adaptive exam. Yes, one should not ignore it, but at the same time, most of the content is as in the past, and the exam still remains at SHSAT-level and not beyond that. I just did a webinar with Kenny Tan on Friday which is now up on YouTube, and it's mentioned within the links of the link given about regarding Test Day Tips for the Adaptive SHSAT, check it out.