Dear 8th Grade Families,
Please be advised that the Specialized High School tickets were distributed at school today. MS 447 students were assigned to take the test this Sunday, October 26th. Students who indicated that they cannot test on Sunday due to religious observance, were given the Saturday, October 25th slot.
Students who receive IEP or 504 accommodations will be taking the test on Saturday, November 1st. Students with accommodations who cannot test on Saturday, due to religious observance will test on Sunday, November 16th. Tickets for IEP and 504 students will be handed out early next week. LaGuardia tickets will be distributed as soon as they are made available.
In regards to the other audition schools that were listed on the high school survey, students will no longer receive tickets. Instead, the information that was checked off from the high school on-line survey was entered into the high school enrollment system and each high school will generate a list of the students that are interested in auditioning. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the families to show up on the date/time of the audition. All of the audition dates/times can be found in the high school directory. If there are conflicts, please call the high school directly.
I wish everyone lots of luck! Please make sure your child has a relaxing evening the night before and eats a balanced breakfast the morning of the exam. Please read the SHSAT reminders below.
All the best,
Star
————————
SHSAT Reminder to Families
Please Read Carefully
Before Test Day
- Make sure you know where the test site is and how to get there. Address and directions are on the front of the ticket. Students who cannot find the test site on the test day will not be eligible for a make-up exam.
- Complete all sections of the ticket, including the choices and signature on page 1.
On Test Day
- Students should bring Number 2 pencils and erasers to the exam, as well as a non-calculator watch, to keep time.
- Signing this form indicates your consent to be videotaped or photographed at the site for security purposes. The images will not be shared or used for any other purpose.
- Students should not bring personal electronic devices to the test site (e.g., cell phone, iPod, calculator, tablet/iPad, or e-book reader).
- Students should know a family member’s contact number. If needed, phones will be available.
- If you lose your ticket, are running late, have car or subway trouble, please continue to the test site. Arrangements will be made for you to take the exam.
- Parents and siblings are not permitted in the building; make a communication plan and set a meeting place for after the test.
- Morning exams end around 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Afternoon exams end around 3:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Ranking Schools
- Each student taking the SHSAT will be required to rank, in his/her order of preference, up to eight specialized exam high schools on the Answer Sheet on test day.
- Prior to the test day, families should discuss and finalize these choices and enter them on page 1.
- At the test site, the student will then copy these choices onto the Answer Sheet. The Answer Sheet alone will be used to determine for which schools a student may be eligible for an offer.
- You are encouraged to rank all eight specialized exam schools to increase chances of receiving an offer to one of the eight schools.
- For more details, please refer to pages 12 and 13 of the Specialized High Schools Student Handbook.
Ill on Test Day
- Any requests for a make-up test made after you have begun and signed the test will not be honored.
- Bring a doctor’s note to your guidance counselor immediately upon your return to school in order to receive amake-up ticket. Notes must be received by November 5, 2014.
All requests to take a make-up test must be supported by a doctor’s note. Letters from family members are not
acceptable.
- A new ticket for the make-up test will be issued for valid requests. You must have a valid ticket for the make-up date to test on that day.
- Notes written by your guidance counselor will not suffice, nor will original tickets with the wrong date.