Dear Parents,

Two weeks ago, the New York City Department of Education quietly released its first official practice tests for the redesigned digital SHSAT. I took one this past Friday, curious to experience the first significant overhaul of the exam in nearly a decade. Here are my initial impressions:

Welcome to Digital Burnout

The SHSAT has always been a marathon. As my colleague Mark likes to say, most 8th graders would balk at playing soccer for 3 hours, much less–taking a standardized test. And if you thought the old paper version was tough, the digital version raises the stakes.

Our rising 8th graders are going to need time, training, and serious grit to build the endurance this test demands. But as in years past, we know they’ll rise to the challenge.

Introducing tech enhanced items (TEI’s)

While the SHSAT still features the familiar 114 math and reading comprehension questions, the 2025 digital version introduces a new twist: Tech-Enhanced Items (TEIs). On Form B, I encountered basic drag-and-drop tasks, interactive graphing questions, and an “equation editor” that looks like a calculator—but doesn’t actually calculate. (In true SHSAT fashion, analog math still reigns supreme.)

The good news? Most of the TEIs are fairly intuitive, and I expect our students will adjust quickly. The challenge is the lack of available practice. That’s why we’re already developing new digital modules to help students prepare for these formats with confidence.

Platform problems

The DOE’s new TestNav software is… fine, I suppose. But I foresee a wave of technical issues on test day, as nearly 30,000 students navigate this platform for the first time. Whether it's a dropped internet connection or confusion over one of the new tech-enhanced items, can we really expect teachers and proctors to provide real-time tech support?

And even if everything runs smoothly this year, we’re not done. The DOE has already announced that the SHSAT will shift again in 2026—to a fully adaptive format. Buckle up. The next few years are going to be interesting.

At City Smarts, we’re no strangers to a shifting test landscape. Over the past two years, we’ve built and launched adaptive SAT and digital ACT programs faster than nearly anyone else—and we’re bringing that same energy to the new SHSAT.

how city smarts can help

Our tutors are constantly briefed on the latest changes, and we’re already hard at work developing updated study materials and digital practice tests. For families just beginning the SHSAT journey, we offer the city’s most effective one-on-one prep, available in both at-home and remote formats.

And if you’re looking to level up your prep this fall, registration is now open for our Single Topic SHSAT Intensives—small-group classes that dive deep into the trickiest areas of the test. Learn more here.

coming up at city smarts

FREE TALK: Admissions Without Agony – The HS Edition
Thursday, May 22nd | 7PM
CS Founder Danielle shares tools and strategies for navigating the NYC HS admissions cycle with intention and mindfulness.

SAT Springboard
June 1 – August 3 | Brooklyn | $695
Ideal for rising juniors and seniors aiming for the August or October SAT.

College Essay Clinic
May 17 – June 14 or July 22 – July 31 | Manhattan | $475
A 4-week workshop guiding students through crafting compelling college essays. Includes an advanced consultation.

SHSAT Fall Single Topic Intensives
September 7 – October 26 | Brooklyn | $485
Deep dives into specific SHSAT topics for 8th graders preparing for the exam.