The SHSAT Prep Advantage
Expert private tutoring that targets exactly what your child needs to score above the cutoff at their top-choice specialized high school.
Targeted Score Improvement
Every student's weaknesses are different. Dr. Donnelly diagnoses gaps in both ELA and Math, then builds a personalized plan to maximize your child's composite score.
Private 1-on-1 Sessions
No group classes or cookie-cutter worksheets. Every session is one-on-one with Dr. Donnelly, focused entirely on your child's needs — in person in NYC or online via Zoom.
Proven Track Record
Students accepted to Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, Brooklyn Tech, and more. Over 20 years of experience preparing students for NYC's specialized high school admissions test.
Eight Elite Schools, One Exam
The SHSAT is the sole admissions criterion for eight of New York City's most prestigious public high schools. Official 2026 cutoff scores (9th grade):
Stuyvesant HS
Most competitive
Bronx Science
Science focus
Brooklyn Tech
Engineering & STEM
What Parents Are Saying
“My son got into his first choice! BRONX SCIENCE. SCORE 536. He would not have made it without you.”
Charles B., Queens, NY
“I just want to thank you for helping my daughter prep for the SHSAT. She made it into Stuyvesant!”
Asia I., Manhattan, NY
“Both my sons were tutored by Dr. Donnelly. Both improved their practice scores steadily, scored well on the exam and were accepted to their top choice schools.”
John L., Manhattan, NY
Why SHSAT Preparation Matters — and Why It’s Different
Every fall, about 26,000 NYC eighth graders take the SHSAT, and only around 4,000 receive an offer to one of the eight specialized high schools. The Specialized High Schools Admissions Test is the single factor that decides who gets in at Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, Brooklyn Tech, and the five other schools on the list. There is no interview, no essay, no GPA component — only your child’s SHSAT composite score. From Fall 2026 the test is also computer-adaptive, with 100 questions in 180 minutes and no going back on Math questions, so students need to practise on the new format. That makes focused, intelligent preparation one of the highest-leverage academic investments a NYC family can make in middle school.
Large prep programs and free platforms like Kaplan and Khan Academy serve a real purpose, but they are built for the average student. They deliver the same worksheets, the same pacing, and the same strategies to every child in the room. Private SHSAT tutoring with Dr. Stuart Donnelly works differently. As an Oxford Ph.D. with over 20 years of test-prep experience in New York City, Dr. Donnelly begins every engagement with a full diagnostic to identify exactly which ELA and Math question types are costing your child points, then designs a plan to close those gaps session by session. Nothing is generic, and no time is wasted drilling skills your child has already mastered.
Most students see the biggest gains when prep begins in the spring of 7th grade or the summer before 8th grade, giving three to six months before the November test date. That said, Dr. Donnelly regularly works with current 8th graders, 7th graders aiming for early mastery, and recent transfers to NYC who need to learn the exam format quickly. Parents consistently tell us that the combination of a seasoned tutor, a custom plan, and one-on-one accountability produces results that large classrooms simply cannot match. Read what families say in our reviews, see the full SHSAT overview, or schedule a free consultation to discuss where your child stands today.
Ready to Start SHSAT Prep?
Book a free consultation with Dr. Donnelly to discuss your child's SHSAT preparation plan.
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