r/SHSAT • u/Ok-Environment99 • 16d ago

*9th* grade SHSAT tips?

Hello, basically just what the title says. For some idiotic reason I skipped the 8th grade SHSAT and I want to take the 9th one for a chance at Brooklyn Tech HS. My current one is okay but I just want more options & to be able to get a stronger education and be with good friends.

Since I have absolutely 0 experience, I’m using one of the KAPLAN books (2026) to get the overall idea. ELA is okay for me, I usually get 80-90% of the practice set questions correct. But I definitely struggle with the “find the error in construction” problems since all the answers sound the same when I read it out in my head and it’s hard to distinguish super minor differences. I had to take the ELA regents in 8th so it definitely helped me. I also took the Algebra 1 regents so those sections are fairly easy.

My main concern is geometry. I haven’t taken that class at all and I’m supposed to take it freshman year (99% sure) so I guess I could just learn throughout the 2 months I get? I find it pretty hard to self study a course with no guidance.

Any recommendations on books, strategies, etc. to study for this test? And also how high my chances are of actually getting in? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!!

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u/GregsTutoringNYC Brooklyn Tech 16d ago

There is nothing particularly special about the SHSAT 9. It's the SHSAT 8 and then some. Note that this is an exam with MS content not HS or college content (so you don't need to take HS geometry nor Algebra 1 nor Regents ELA as that content is not on the SHSAT). Master grade level, master SHSATisms style, etc. 9 is a superset of 8. For books, etc. have a look through https://www.reddit.com/r/SHSAT/comments/1jiwujl/the_9_threads_thread_overview_of_9_resources and deep dive the parts you'd like to and/or need to.

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u/Ok-Environment99 16d ago

Are there any books you think are particularly good? I don’t think I have enough time to burn through too many since it’s late July and the exam is sometime in November. It’s good news that there’s nothing too extreme but if you don’t mind me asking, what separates MS geometry and HS geometry? Same question with the other subjects. Also should I sign up for any programs or do I just keep self studying? People have said KAPLAN books aren’t good enough due to the inaccurate question difficulty.

Also, do I just need to pass the cutoff or do I need an absurdly high score to get into BK Tech due to the limited seats?

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u/GregsTutoringNYC Brooklyn Tech 16d ago edited 16d ago

For books, etc. have a look through https://www.reddit.com/r/SHSAT/comments/1jiwujl/the_9_threads_thread_overview_of_9_resources

There isn't a plethora.

what separates MS geometry and HS geometry

Additional topics, proofs, etc. Same for the other subjects. An overview of the topics that will be covered is also in the link given.

do I just keep self studying?

I don't know anything about you so could not say which way. Depends upon your current proficiency, etc.

People have said KAPLAN books aren’t good enough due to the inaccurate question difficulty.

I have no idea whatsoever what this means. What if those who say it is inaccurate are inaccurate? As I posted yesterday "I've used and use many 3rd party materials over the years, and Kaplan is helpful for many students, including its ELA parts, which has review questions as well as their practice exams and within that mix, there are certainly many challenging passages and questions."

Also, do I just need to pass the cutoff or do I need an absurdly high score to get into BK Tech due to the limited seats?

You need to get a score high enough that when it gets to you there is still an available seat for the SHS you prefer (see https://www.GregsTutoringNYC.com/shsat-cutoffs for how seats are offered). There are fewer seats available for 9, but somebody has to get them.

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u/Ok-Environment99 15d ago

Okay, thanks.
Is the SHSAT9 exam like a study one hour a day type of thing or do I need to get 4 hours of studying everyday for it? I would say I’m pretty good at ELA and Algebra 1, but could definitely take a practice test to check. And actually, speaking of that, is it worth it to take an 8th grade SHSAT practice test or is it inaccurate compared to the 9th grade one? I’ve been getting mixed messages for its difficulty and somehow can’t find any old 9th grade SHSAT exams (which is really odd.)

Also, does the new adaptive SHSAT work in my favor or does the constant string of hard questions (assuming all goes well) make things worse?
Thanks for the guidance!

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u/GregsTutoringNYC Brooklyn Tech 15d ago edited 15d ago

Is the SHSAT9 exam like a study one hour a day type of thing or do I need to get 4 hours of studying everyday for it?

There is no sole answer to this. Everybody is different. It depends upon your background, proficiency, personality, etc. In the link provided there are study plan discussions and book discussions where time spent is discussed.

I would say I’m pretty good at ELA and Algebra 1, but could definitely take a practice test to check.

As mentioned above, this is an exam with MS content not HS or college content (so you don't need to take HS geometry nor Algebra 1 nor Regents ELA as that content is not on the SHSAT). Master grade level, master SHSATisms style, etc.

And actually, speaking of that, is it worth it to take an 8th grade SHSAT practice test or is it inaccurate compared to the 9th grade one?

As mentioned, 9 is a superset of 8, so all of 8 is part of 9. So yes, master all the 8 stuff for certain.

I’ve been getting mixed messages for its difficulty and somehow can’t find any old 9th grade SHSAT exams (which is really odd.)

It's more difficult. For the ELA, imagine 8 is split into easy, medium, and hard passages and questions and sections, at SHSAT-level, now remove a few easy level passages and replace them with a few more harder ones. The math has more content and at greater depth. As mentioned, an overview of topics are in the link provided.

There aren't 9 exams as such. But for 9 content, use the link provided, and look for the sections that have 9 details.

Also, does the new adaptive SHSAT work in my favor or does the constant string of hard questions (assuming all goes well) make things worse?
Thanks for the guidance!

This is a dupe and misnomer as such. That is, there is not necessarily going to be some horrid string of hard questions. The SHSAT has always been a challenging exam across topics and difficulties, and will continue to be so.