SHSAT Prep · Upper West Side
The Specialized High Schools test is in late October. SOMATH SHSAT Prep is built around that deadline — a year-round Wednesday cohort with rolling monthly membership. Same $60/hr SOMATH instructors, small in-person groups at 226 W 79th St. Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, Brooklyn Tech and the other specialized schools.
2026 SHSAT test window: Late October 2026 (exact dates posted by NYCDOE in early September). Most strong scores come from 6–9 months of focused prep.
Rolling 6-month membership — start any week, no cohort deadline.
How SHSAT prep works
One SHSAT track, rolling monthly membership. Wednesday-evening session covering the full 16-topic SHSAT math curriculum over 6 months. Taught in person at 226 W 79th St by the same SOMATH instructor team.
School-year cohort
The classic SOMATH SHSAT prep cohort. Wednesday-evening session covering one major topic per week. Start any week, stay for 6 months, cancel anytime with 15 days notice. Built for 7th graders starting early or 8th graders going deep before the October test.
Curriculum
Build SHSAT math fluency — the four question families the test reuses every year, timing discipline, and the scratch-paper strategy needed to score competitively for Stuyvesant, Bronx Science and Brooklyn Tech.
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Diagnostic + arithmetic foundations. Fractions, decimals, percent fluency under SHSAT timing. |
| 2 | Ratios, rates, and proportion. Classic SHSAT setups: scaling, similar figures, unit rate traps. |
| 3 | Number theory. Factors, multiples, GCF/LCM, divisibility, remainders — SHSAT favorites. |
| 4 | Algebra I — expressions and equations. Multi-step linear equations, variables on both sides, distribution. |
| 5 | Inequalities and absolute value. Solving, graphing, interpreting in word problems. |
| 6 | Systems of equations. Graphing, substitution, elimination — with SHSAT-style context problems. |
| 7 | Functions and sequences. Function notation, evaluating, arithmetic and geometric sequences. |
| 8 | Word problems toolkit. Distance/rate/time, work, mixtures, age, money — setup strategies. |
| 9 | Geometry — angles and triangles. Angle relationships, Pythagorean theorem, special right triangles. |
| 10 | Geometry — polygons and circles. Area, perimeter, circumference, sectors, composite shapes. |
| 11 | Coordinate geometry. Slope, distance, midpoint, equations of lines, reading graphs under time. |
| 12 | Probability & counting. Simple probability, complementary events, fundamental counting principle. |
| 13 | Statistics & data interpretation. Mean, median, mode, range, weighted averages, complex tables. |
| 14 | Full timed math section — practice test 1. Real conditions; review every miss together. |
| 15 | Full timed math section — practice test 2. Pacing fixes, trap recognition, calculator-free strategies. |
| 16 | Final review + ELA cross-strategies. Last-mile question types, test-day plan, mental game. |
FAQ
Same monthly membership as the rest of SOMATH — $587/month for the SHSAT Prep tier (8 sessions, 120 min each). Start any week, pause up to 4 weeks/year, cancel with 15 days’ notice. The one nuance: most families stay enrolled through the October test, then either continue with a different track or step away.
For 7th graders, January–June of 7th grade is ideal. For 8th graders, the latest realistic start is June before the October test. Earlier is better — SHSAT math rewards 6–9 months of accumulated reps, not cram sessions.
Algebra Ignite covers algebra content. SHSAT Prep covers the test — question types, timing, trap patterns, scratch-paper strategy, and the four question families NYCDOE reuses every year. Strong students often do both: Algebra Ignite for content depth, SHSAT for test-specific tactics.
Yes, on request after the free evaluation. Most students do well in the small-group cohort and don't need it. We'll be honest about whether 1-on-1 is necessary based on the diagnostic.
SOMATH is a math school. We brief students on ELA test mechanics in the final week, but we don't teach the ELA section. If your child needs ELA prep, we can refer you to colleagues we trust.
The free 60-minute evaluation includes an SHSAT-style diagnostic. You'll get an honest read on where your child sits today, the realistic October target, and the right cadence — before any payment.