The Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) is crucial for admission to one of the nine specialized high schools in NeyYork City. Preparing for the SHSAT can be demanding for students. Parents can play an important role in helping their child to prepare effectively and increasing their chances of success.
If your child is planning to take the SHSAT exam, help your child in their preparation using the valuable information given in this article.
Understand the SHSAT Exam
Parents must know the following things about the SHSAT exam to begin with.
- The SHSAT is designed to test a child’s knowledge and skills in two areas: English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics.
- The exam consists of two sections, each with 57 questions.
- Based on the number of correct answers, students receive a “raw score,” which is then transformed into a “scaled score” for each section of the test and a “composite score” for the entire test.
- Students have three hours to complete the exam.
Important Tips To Help Your Child With SHSAT Exam
1.) Start Preparation Early
Students in 8th and 9th grade take the SHSAT exam. It’s recommended to start SHSAT prep in 7th grade or earlier to allow more time to develop the skills needed to succeed and become familiar with the exam pattern.
2.) Develop a Study Plan
If your child is preparing for the SHSAT, help your child create a study plan that outlines what they need to study, at what time, and for how long. Make sure they revise the learned concepts after 24 hours, and 7 days for better retention of information.
3.) Utilize Study Materials
There are many test prep materials available like books, practice tests, and other resources that the child can use to prepare for the SHSAT exam. You can download the SHSAT Handbook from the New York City Department of Education website to prepare and understand the syllabus.
4.) Regular Practice Tests
The practice tests will help monitor your child’s progress and adjust their study plan, as needed. Make sure your child takes regular practice tests to identify their weak areas. Accordingly, you must allocate more study time for those areas.
5.) Strengthen the Basics
SHSAT tests the child’s grip on various basic concepts of English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. Make sure the child reviews the grammar rules & vocabulary and practices the basic mathematical concepts, etc. regularly to build a solid foundation on these subjects.
6.) Create a Distraction-Free Study Area
Choose a quiet and comfortable area in your house, and designate it for the child’s study. But, the comfort should not be limited to that study area. Foster a positive and motivating environment at home, so the child can peacefully focus on their preparation.
7.) Encourage Breaks
Children can easily feel burnout with exam preparation. To prevent this, inculcate regular breaks during study sessions for relaxation and participation in enjoyable activities. If the child is experiencing exam anxiety, relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation can be practiced.
8.) Provide Emotional Support
Preparing for exams takes a toll on most students. Let your child know that you are there to support them at every step. Tell them no matter what the result will be, you’ll always love them the way you do, to help them feel confident and motivated.
By following the above tips, you can help your child achieve their academic goals. If your child needs additional help for SHSAT preparation, hiring a professional help like Kitab can be a good choice. Their individualized SHSAT tutoring programs allow students to get one-on-one attention for increased engagement and motivation.
