20 replies to this topic

[sc45r0]

I'm an incoming 10th grader who will be moving to NYC. I'll be taking the SHSAT at the end of August, but I have a ton of questions since I can't find much information on the August test. This is the only place where I've seen conversation on the SHSAT. I'd like to know if anyone at Brooklyn Tech or any other specialized school has taken the August test and what you guys thought of it. Some people say the 9th grade test has trigonometry and others say it doesn't. I'd also like to know whether there are any sites which have 9th grade practice tests, problems or there are books with the August version if it's any different from the others, just tips on how to do well. I'm also very afraid after seeing the amount of spots open for tenth graders in the NY Department of Educations school directory, There were only 11 spots for bronx out of 1200 applicants, 30 for Tech with 1400 applicants and only 6 for Stuyvesant with 1400 applicants. Any help is highly appreciated, really hoping to get into any of the 3 big specialized schools Bronx,Brooklyn or Stuyvesant.

[xMrStrife]

I don't think you can take the SHSAT in Aug. The make up was back in October.

As for what is on the test (9th grade), you will need to know a lot of math. Memorize your formulas and review your algebra and geometry. (50 questions)
The verbal contains scramble paragraphs and passages with 5-8 questions for each reading. (50 questions)

My brother took it as a 9th grader and he thought the test was really difficult. He got a 482 last year and this year he got a 42x.

http://www.youtube.c...shsat+math&aq=f
The Barron's SHSAT book definitive helps; or if you want, go to the YouTube link above.
This user takes the questions from past exams and practice exams and he teaches you how to do them step by step.

http://www.google.co...ved=0CEcQ8gIwAQ --> The SHSAT guide book. [I've seen copies at the library]

Hope this info helps :) and Good Luck with your exam :)

[freeflyer]

xMrStrife, on 19 July 2011 - 06:23 PM, said:

I don't think you can take it in Aug. The make up was back in October.

As for what is on the test (9th grade), you will need to know a lot of math. (50 questions)
The verbal contains scramble paragraphs and passages for you to read. (50 questions)

http://www.youtube.c...shsat+math&aq=f You can buy the Barron's SHSAT book or if you want go to the above link.
This user takes the questions from past exams and practice exams and he teaches you how to do them step by step.

I think that the test is administered in August for those who are new to the city and for kids who are doing discovery program.

[freeflyer]

sc45r0, on 19 July 2011 - 02:54 PM, said:

I'm an incoming 10th grader who will be moving to NYC. I'll be taking the SHSAT at the end of August, but I have a ton of questions since I can't find much information on the August test. This is the only place where I've seen conversation on the SHSAT. I'd like to know if anyone at Brooklyn Tech or any other specialized school has taken the August test and what you guys thought of it. Some people say the 9th grade test has trigonometry and others say it doesn't. I'd also like to know whether there are any sites which have 9th grade practice tests, problems or there are books with the August version if it's any different from the others, just tips on how to do well. I'm also very afraid after seeing the amount of spots open for tenth graders in the NY Department of Educations school directory, There were only 11 spots for bronx out of 1200 applicants, 30 for Tech with 1400 applicants and only 6 for Stuyvesant with 1400 applicants. Any help is highly appreciated, really hoping to get into any of the 3 big specialized schools Bronx,Brooklyn or Stuyvesant.

The DOE has a specialized high schools handbook and there are sample questions, including sample grade nine questions. This is the link:

http://schools.nyc.g...ndbookFinal.pdf

[xMrStrife]

freeflyer, on 19 July 2011 - 06:30 PM, said:

I think that the test is administered in August for those who are new to the city and for kids who are doing discovery program.

You do not have to retake the exam if you are in the Discovery Program.

[freeflyer]

xMrStrife, on 19 July 2011 - 06:36 PM, said:

You do not have to retake the exam if you are in the Discovery Program.

You are correct, apparently its only for newcomers.

http://schools.nyc.g...a+Auditions.htm

[sc45r0]

Thanks for the help guys, yes the test is in August for people new to NYC

[Jae]

It's sorta like the SAT only they have some strange logic questions; I remember there being some sort of word game on there. Anyway, if there's one thing you definitely need to know, it's the law of the contrapositive :) That's all I really remember xD

[Thatblacktechieboy123]

Jae, on 19 July 2011 - 09:58 PM, said:

It's sorta like the SAT only they have some strange logic questions; I remember there being some sort of word game on there. Anyway, if there's one thing you definitely need to know, it's the law of the contrapositive :) That's all I really remember xD

Oh i remember that. The contrapositive is like this...if a then b. (A-B). The most logical answer is the contrapositive...If not B then it's not A (~B-~A) Can't believe i remember that from those prep classes.

[xMrStrife]

Those still give me a heart attack!

[NickC]

xMrStrife, on 19 July 2011 - 11:25 PM, said:

Those still give me a heart attack!

To make you feel better, you'll never have to use it again after that class. But all in all the proofs do strengthen your ability to argue in favor of what you are trying to state is true. It allows you to see how one thing flows into another and how each theorem and/or postulate compliment each other in solving the example.

[sc45r0]

contrapositive meaning logically equivalent? any book recommendations? I need a book with grade 9 practice tests and not just the 8th grade ones.

[xMrStrife]

I don't think there is a book designed for the 9th grade test. It the same types of questions at a harder level. If you want to get a book, get the Barron's book, its the best out there. Here is a breakdown of the type of questions that will be on the test.

- scrambled paragraphs (5) worth two points each. putting 5 sentences in order. if one sentence is not in order, the whole thing is wrong.
- logical reasoning (10) worth 1 point each. various problems, using logic.
- reading comprehension (30) 5 passages with six questions for each passage. this portion tests your vocabulary, understanding of content, and inferencing.
- mathematics (50) ....topics include algebra, geometry, and basic trigonometry.

[FORUM USER]

I took the 9th grade test and got into Tech. It's basically the same as the 8th grade one in terms on concept. If you get it, you'll get it; if you don't, you won't. I remembered looking for the 9th grade books and I honestly couldn't find any. I would just recommend doing some SAT books and studying off of that. This is what I did and it helped a lot.

There is also a common misconception that you will need to score 100 points higher to get in this time. This is not true. Your score will be matched up with the 8th grader's scores and the process is the same from there. Good luck getting into Tech, it is a wonderful school.

[sc45r0]

Thank you for the encouragement and suggestion, I ordered a barrons book, but I do have a couple Sat books that I will try and make use of.

[Shariful]

There are a bunch of topics on the forums that are on the same subject and could help you out as well:

http://www.bthsnews....th-grade-shsat/
http://www.bthsnews....g-10th-graders/

Other topics: http://www.google.co...iw=1280&bih=909

There's no way to really study for the 9th grade SHSAT since there are no specific books or tutoring programs offered for the ninth grade specialized high school test (except Kaplan, if you took their eighth grade course and didn't get a seat), but the best thing to do is review what you know and go from there. I think the Barron's book has some information for ninth-tenth graders in there, I'm not sure though. All the topics should have been learned in 7th to 9th grade, and I doubt there's geometry, but if there is, it should be the most basic kind. Good luck.

[sc45r0]

Thanks for the links, I've got 23 days left, and I've finished 6 practice tests from this Learning Express book, which was terrible, because it had so many errors. Those tests seemed pretty tough to me mainly the math. Just bought the Barrons SHSAT book and I've also had this Math A Barrons book, anyone know whats most useful in that for SHSAT or have any other suggestions since, I've really got no time left? Just to make it clear, I don't care which specialized school I get admission to, just really hoping to get into one of them.

[sc45r0]

Got into tech with a 540, thanks guys!

[ClEMeNt]

Congrats!

[sc45r0]

yeah got my schedule today at around 2:45, and i dont understand it