Advantage of Private Lessons Individual private lessons are simply the most effective method for students to improve their subject knowledge and to increase their test scores significantly. (Click to learn more). |
Choosing a Private Tutor How can you ensure that you choose the right private tutor for you? Check out this easy-to-read guide that will help you to make the correct choice. (Click to learn more). |
Rates Click here to learn more about Dr. Donnelly's rates for private lessons, package deals, available discounts and cancellation policy. (Click to learn more). |
Location & Lesson Details Click here to learn more about lesson details including location, duration, timing, and teaching materials. (Click to learn more). |
Standardized Tests Do you need to improve your standardized test scores? With our professional guidance you will learn how to master each topic and how to select the correct strategy for each section of the exam - greatly improving your chances of success. (Click to learn more). |
History of Tutors of Oxford The original Tutors of Oxford was founded in Hong Kong by Dr. Donnelly in 1993 before relocating to the Upper East Side of Manhattan, NYC in 1998. (Click to learn more) |
The new SHSAT
The new Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) is an examination administered to eighth and ninth grade students residing in New York City and used to determine admission to all but one of the city's Specialized High Schools. The test is given in the Fall for admission the following school year.
The competition for acceptance into the city's Specialized High Schools is extremely intense. For example, in November 2014, 23,408 students listed Stuyvesant High School as a choice on their application but only 952 offers were made. Hence, rigorous preparation is essential for success.
Luckily, Dr. Donnelly, the city's leading private SHSAT tutor, is now accepting a limited number of students for private SHSAT tutoring and test preparation either online or in-person here in Manhattan. Places are strictly limited and tend to fill up rather quickly so please reserve your spot well in advance to avoid disappointment.
Click on the links below to learn more:
- Contact Dr. Donnelly about SHSAT lessons
- Read Dr. Donnelly's SHSAT students' reviews
- Learn about the SHSAT exam
- 2017 SHSAT test dates
- SHSAT - Section by section
- How can I improve my score?
Read Dr. Donnelly's SHSAT students' reviews
- Asia I., Manhattan, NY
" I just want to thank you for helping Zoraiz prep for the SHSAT. She made it into Stuyvesant and her score was 572. Thank you once again."
- John L. , Manhattan, NY
"Both my sons were tutored by Dr. Donnelly in preparation for the New York City SHSAT test. Both reported that Dr. Donnelly was of great help to them. Both improved their practice scores steadily, scored well on the exam (one scored 648 and the other scored 589) and were accepted to their top choice schools. We couldn't be more pleased."
- Mary G., Manhattan, NY
"Dr. Donnelly, Jon got a 498 and he was accepted to Bard Early College and Brooklyn Latin. Thanks for all your help!"
- Mrs. Anne L., Manhattan, NY
"Dr. Donnelly has tutored both my sons in preparation for the SHSAT with great success. His initial assessment of each of their capabilities followed by his clear, concise approach to both reviewing and teaching material is a great skill. As a parent of children in NYC public schools, where there is very limited one on one attention, I have found that the time spent with Dr. Donnelly is enormously beneficial. We were very pleased with his ability to both cover material and instill confidence. I recommend him highly."
- Elsa R., Brooklyn, NY
"Dr. Donnelly, Thank you again for helping Bianca get into her first choice school. She is so excited to be going to Bronx Science. Bianca learned so much from your teaching skills and different techniques that you taught her"
- Charles B., Queens, NY
"Oliver got into his first choice! BRONX SCIENCE. SCORE 536. He would not have made it without you. Thank you!"
- Jonathan G., Manhattan, NY
"I got a 500 on the SHSAT, and I got accepted to my first choice, Brooklyn Latin. The cut-off for Bronx Science this year was 495-500 so I could've got in if I chose to put it on my list. Thanks for all your help!" - Jonathan G.,
- Anna L., Bronx, NY
"Dr. Donnelly, another success story for your statistics. Abe got his early acceptance to Bronx Science in the mail yesterday with his mark of 594...so he could have been accepted to Stuyvesant if he had selected it as his first option. Many thanks for your efforts with Abe."
- James R., Manhattan, NY
"Dr Donnelly taught me clearly in a very short time. It was very effective just before my exam, and the results turned out to be great! He was nice and encouraging, and I enjoyed his lessons."
Overview of the new SHSAT
An Overview of the new SHSAT |
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WHICH SCHOOLS ACCEPT THE SHSAT AND WHAT ARE THE CUT-OFF SCORES? |
The SHSAT (The New York City Specialized High Schools Admissions Test) is used for admission to the following schools:
The cut-off scores for each school vary yearly, determined by the number of open places in each school and how the candidates score. Students are notified of their scores in February. Although NYC Department of Education does not release official cutoff scores, the estimated cut-off / high scores during 2016 were:
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TESTING LOCATIONS |
The test is given in early November in all 5 boroughs:
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REGISTERING FOR THE SHSAT |
You must register for the SHSAT through your school guidance counselor. |
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HOW LONG IS THE NEW SHSAT? |
The new SHSAT test is 3 hours in total. |
HOW IS THE SHSAT SCORED? |
SHSAT scores are based on the number of correct answers marked on scored items. There is no penalty for wrong answers. Each answer sheet is scanned and scored electronically, and the number of correct answers on scored items, called a raw score, is determined for each test taker. Each raw score is then converted into a scaled score that takes into account the differences between test forms by fitting the scores to the normal curve. The composite score is the sum of the ELA and mathematics scaled scores. The composite score is used to determine admission to a Specialized High School. |
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A New York Times article found that students scoring in the 90th percentile on both sections would not gain admittance to their first choice schools; meanwhile those scoring in the 99th percentile on one section and the 50th percentile on the other, would. This happens because the final grade and percentile represent the total score and the curve within sections. | |
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HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY CHANCE OF SUCCESS IN THE SHSAT? |
Contact Dr. Donnelly for private SHSAT tutoring and intensive test prep at
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SHSAT - Section by Section
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| MATH SECTION | The Mathematics section consists of word problems and computational questions in either a multiple-choice or grid-in format. There are 5 grid-in Math items and 52 multiple-choice items. The Mathematics section asks students to solve word and computational problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Some word and computational problems will also include working with fractions, decimals, and statistics. Various mathematical topics tested include:
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| ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS (ELA) Section | There are 57 items in the ELA section: 47 are scored items and 10 are unscored field test items. You will NOT know which items are scored and which are field test items so you should answer all items in each section. There are 2 parts to th ELA section: Revising/Editing and Reading Comprehension.
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To learn more please contact Dr. Donnelly at
