2025 SHSAT Goes Digital: Don’t Let Your Child Be the First to Face the Risks
Here’s a harsh reality: There are only about 100 days left until the 2025 SHSAT. This will be the first-ever major reform in SHSAT history — fully computer-based with new TEI question types — and it also marks the sixth consecutive year the ELA section is becoming increasingly difficult. If you’re well-prepared, you stand a real chance at a specialized high school. If not — you may not even perform at your usual level.
Want to Help Your Child Make the Final Push?
Read more: https://scord.ai/blog/shsat-100
The Gap Is Widening
According to internal data, students who train with computer-based mock exams score on average 6–8 more correct answers than those who don’t — enough to turn a Brooklyn Tech result into a Stuyvesant offer.
Over the past year, I’ve worked with the team at PrepTide to transform:
2,000+ advanced-level ELA questions
2,000+ trap-heavy math questions
and all TEI (Technology-Enhanced Items) interactions
into a complete SHSAT computer-based test & practice system.
Highlights include:
A fully simulated SHSAT interface: drag-and-drop, sorting, graph labeling — all 1:1 replicated
Instant scoring and diagnostics:
→ Auto-detection of weak knowledge areas
→ ELA error breakdowns
→ Math concepts you’ve missed
An AI-powered practice mode is being fine-tuned and will launch later this month — it will automatically recommend targeted practice sets at the right level based on your child’s past mistakes.
📌 Use a computer browser to log in.
We recommend parents and students complete the first test together.
New users get a free simplified mock exam.
The Harsh Truth:
ELA will only get tougher.
The cut-off score will only get higher.
Don’t wait and regret — use these 100 days to fight for the next 4 years.
1. Why Is the 2025 SHSAT Tougher Than Ever?
Change | Impact | Real Consequences |
Computer-Based Exam | Students unfamiliar with digital tools waste 8–12 extra seconds per question | A 10-question drop = falling out of the top 1000 instantly |
New TEI Question Types | Drag-and-drop, sorting, and labeling are never practiced in class | Figuring it out on test day = volunteering as a “guinea pig” |
ELA Keeps Getting Harder | Academic vocabulary, longer passages, subtler questions | Can’t understand the passage? That’s 15+ questions gone |
Lack of Quality Resources | Authentic CBT & TEI practice is rare in the market | Poor prep → Don’t know what’s wrong → Can’t fix it |
Only 2 Official Practice Tests | No advanced traps, no higher-tier vocab — most are recycled old questions | Mastering them still leaves you 50+ points behind |
2. Timeline: Delay Now, Regret in August
Milestone | Must-Hit Targets | If You Don’t Hit Them… |
End of July | Vocabulary ≥ 4,000; Math accuracy ≥ 85% | Can’t keep up with hard mocks in August |
August–September | ≥ 6 full computer-based mock exams; Score ≥ 35/57 per section | Won’t get used to pacing even 30 days before the test |
4 Weeks Before Exam | Errors cleared; Score reaches 42+ | Not enough for Brooklyn Tech |
2 Weeks Before Exam | Stable 50+ scores; Calm pacing & confidence | Stuyvesant / Bronx Sci will stay a dream |
3. Raw Scores vs. School Admission Range (Per Subject, out of 57)
Raw Score | Performance Level | Likely Schools | Study Focus |
≤ 25 | Weak foundation | — | Basic concepts + vocabulary building |
26–35 | Passing | — | DOE sample tests + mastering core question types |
36–41 | Intermediate | — | TEI practice + pacing drills |
42–49 | Competitive | Brooklyn Tech | Trap questions + test-day psychology |
50–57 | Elite | Stuyvesant / Bronx Sci | Deep review + full-length simulations |
Note: Official scaled scores vary yearly. Use this chart for pacing reference only.
4. Mr. Z’s 6 Lifesaving Rules After Coaching 500+ Students
Never sleep on mistakes:
Write down the cause → correct answer → how to avoid next time.
Delay by a day, and memory fades by half.
Contextual vocab is king:
30 min sentence building + 30 min synonym drills beat 1 hour of brute memorization.
3-Step Reading Strategy:
30s skimming → 4 min deep read → bounce between text and questions.
Skip a step? You’ll run out of time.
Math logic chains:
Annotate cause → effect in scratchwork. Slower? Actually faster due to fewer reworks.
Golden 21 Days:
Mock → Reflection → Reinforce → Light Practice → Rest
Randomly increasing volume = destroyed sleep & scores.
Stress = Score Killer:
Every year, students underperform due to test-day pressure.
Learning emotional control is part of high score prep.
5. The Scariest Gap: Advanced ELA + Smart Analysis
There are fewer than 5 truly high-difficulty ELA mock sets on the market.
All require manual grading, and no question-level diagnostics are provided.
Result?
Students finish the test → don’t know where their logic failed → can’t fix it → repeat the same mistakes in the next test.
6. Why Scord.AI = 6–8 More Correct Answers
✅ Only platform with full TEI simulation
Dragging, sorting, labeling — everything is replicated 1:1
✅ 5,000+ high-difficulty ELA + 5,000+ trap math questions
Far beyond what official samples offer
✅ Instant scoring + error diagnosis
Know exactly where you lost points — right after you finish
✅ Smart practice recommendation (launching end of this month)
AI pushes the next just-right set based on your mistakes
→ Better than mindlessly doing 300 random questions
How to Start
Step 1: Open https://scord.ai on a computer browser
Step 2: Complete the first mock test with your child & review the detailed report
Step 3: Let the system generate smart practice (auto-pushes after launch)
🎯 Every 1–2 extra correct answers = ~4 points
🎯 Every 6–8 correct = changes your admission outcome
Still time to catch up — but not on test day.
Start now, or miss your shot.