SHSAT PrepWhat every student already has
Zoom, highlighting, and note taking are universal tools rather than accommodations. Students should practice them because they will be there, not because a plan lists them.
Paper exams exist only for a small group whose IEP or 504 requires paper in order to access the test. NYCPS says everyone else tests on a computer, without exception.
IEP and 504 plans
Students receive the accommodations already listed in their plan unless a support does not fit this exam or is not allowed. NYCPS gives speech-to-text as an example that may not apply, because the SHSAT has no extended writing. Some assistive software is also off-limits.
504 plans have to be approved each year. NYCPS tells families to finish that review by the last day of school in June before the test year. Charter and non-public families send documentation to the DOE for review at least three weeks before the registration deadline. Late packets can miss the assigned date.
ELL and eligible former ELL supports
Current ELLs, and former ELLs who reached proficiency on the NYSESLAT in the past two years, receive extended time totaling 360 minutes with two 15-minute breaks after the first 180 minutes. Time starts with the exam, not with arrival at the site.
Translated directions and ELA footnote translations are available in the languages NYCPS lists on the official page. Bilingual glossaries are provided at the site. Students may not bring their own. If a home language is missing from the glossary list, the current school should ask about options early.
Confirm the ticket, then decide about leaving early
Approved accommodations appear on the test ticket, so read it. If a support is missing, contact the counselor before test day. Parents who want to decline a support must do that in writing, because students cannot drop an accommodation on their own after the test starts.
Students with extended time may leave after the first 180 minutes if they have finished. They sign out and give up the remaining time. If a parent does not want that, they must say so before the exam, because NYCPS will not retest a student who chose to leave.
Official sources
SHSAT policies and digital testing details can change. Confirm current information with NYC Public Schools:
SHSAT Prep is an independent practice product and is not affiliated with NYCPS.
Frequently asked questions
Can a family request SHSAT-only accommodations?
No. NYCPS says supports requested only for the SHSAT or LaGuardia auditions are not allowed. The student needs a documented history of using the accommodation.
What if an injury happens after registration?
Ask the current school about an emergency testing request. NYCPS uses that path for impairments that appear after the deadline and before the assigned date.
Continue your study plan
Confirm eligibility, use MySchools, rank schools, check accommodations, and verify the ticket. Confirm every deadline on the official NYCPS page.
Next guideTools on the Digital SHSATThe exam includes highlight, notes, answer eliminator, pencil, line reader, bookmark, and an equation editor. Practice the few you will keep.
Next guideHow the Computer-Adaptive SHSAT WorksFall 2026 is the first computer-adaptive SHSAT. Every student still answers 50 ELA and 50 Math questions. Difficulty moves with each response.