High School Admissions: SSAT, SHSAT, & ISEE

Our program is trusted by hundreds of families navigating competitive private and specialized school admissions and designed to maximize acceptance outcomes into top private schools and high schools. This isn’t just generic test prep—it’s a structured and proven admissions strategy.

Preparing Students for Admission to Top Private & Specialized Schools:

Our students don’t compete with other students. They win.

Admission to top schools isn’t just competitive bit gets increasingly selective each year. These exams aren’t designed to measure what students already know, but to differentiate between strong, high-achieving applicants. As a result, even students with excellent grades often struggle without targeted preparation. The biggest challenge isn’t just content—it’s timing, pacing, and learning how to approach unfamiliar question types under pressure.

Because of this, starting early makes a meaningful difference. While some students begin as early as 6th grade, most start in 7th grade, giving them time to build skills gradually rather than rushing to “cram” in the final months. We provide a structured approach that not only leads to stronger results, but also significantly reduces stress and anxiety. Waiting until right before the exam often creates unnecessary pressure, even for high-performing students, and can negatively impact performance.

That’s why we recommend beginning with an early diagnostic and strategy session. In some cases, students are already well-positioned and can take a lighter approach. In others, we identify key areas that benefit from consistent, long-term development. Either way, starting early ensures your child has the time, confidence, and preparation needed to perform at their best when it matters most.


The Northpoint High School Admissions Prep Framework™

A complete system designed to maximize scores and admissions outcomes to top high schools across the U.S.

Every step is intentional and gets students closer to attending a top high school. Our students outperform their competition because they receive:

  • A full diagnostic exam to establish a baseline

  • A personalized score roadmap aligned with target schools

  • 1:1 coaching sessions focused on high-impact areas

  • Proven strategies for each exam section (verbal, math, reading)

  • Timed practice to build speed, accuracy, and confidence

  • Ongoing progress tracking and performance feedback

A Difficult Test. An Easy Choice.

Each year, tens of thousands of students compete for a limited number of seats at top private and specialized high schools. On exams like the SHSAT, fewer than 1 in 6 students receive an offer, meaning thousands of capable, high-performing students fall short simply due to small score differences. Students who earn admission gain access to advanced coursework, high-performing peer environments, and academic pathways that consistently lead to top college opportunities.

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Diagnostic & Strategy

We pinpoint exactly what your student is missing—down to specific question types and patterns.

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Targeted Training

Students don’t waste time on generic practice. Every session is focused, efficient, and tailored.

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Test Strategy & Execution

We teach pacing, elimination techniques, and decision-making under pressure—what actually moves scores.

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Measurable Progress

Weekly tracking + mock exams ensure your student improves consistently and walks into test day confident.

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Results

Over 92% of our students get into one of their top 3 schools.

Which Exam Is Right for Your Child?

A parent-friendly guide to four of the most common admissions exams, including how each test is scored, when to begin preparing, and what families should know before test day.

NYC Specialized Schools

SHSAT

The SHSAT is the entrance exam for most of New York City’s Specialized High Schools and is one of the most competitive public school admissions tests in the country.

How it’s scored

Students receive a composite score based on their performance in math and English Language Arts. Because admission is competitive, even strong students benefit from strategic preparation and pacing practice.

When to prepare

Most students should begin preparing in 7th grade or early 8th grade. Starting earlier gives students more time to build foundational skills, improve timing, and take full-length practice tests.

What parents should know

The SHSAT is not just about knowing the material. It also rewards endurance, time management, and familiarity with the format. Students often need targeted support in both pacing and question strategy.

Independent Schools

ISEE

The ISEE is commonly used by private and independent schools and evaluates verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, math achievement, and writing.

How it’s scored

The ISEE includes scaled scores by section and percentile rankings. The essay is not scored in the same way, but it is sent to schools so admissions teams can review a student’s writing.

When to prepare

Families usually begin preparation 4 to 8 months before testing, depending on the student’s goals and current skill level. Students applying to highly selective schools often benefit from starting even earlier.

What parents should know

The ISEE can feel unfamiliar even for strong students. Because the exam includes multiple question types and a fast pace, preparation should focus on both academic skill-building and test-specific strategy.

Catholic High Schools

HSPT

The HSPT is often used for Catholic high school admissions, placement, and sometimes scholarship consideration. It typically tests verbal, quantitative, reading, math, and language skills.

How it’s scored

Students generally receive standard scores, percentile rankings, and sometimes additional school-specific interpretation. Some schools may also use results for honors placement or merit-based awards.

When to prepare

Most students should begin preparing in the months leading up to 8th grade admissions season. Starting in late 7th grade or early 8th grade is often ideal.

What parents should know

The HSPT is often more time-sensitive than families expect. Even students with strong report cards may need support adjusting to the pacing, format, and multi-section structure of the exam.

Boarding & Private Schools

SSAT

The SSAT is widely used by private and boarding schools and measures verbal, reading, math, and writing skills in a competitive admissions context.

How it’s scored

The SSAT includes scaled scores, section scores, and percentile information. The writing sample is sent to schools for review, even though it is scored differently from the multiple-choice sections.

When to prepare

Many students begin preparing 4 to 6 months before testing, though competitive applicants may benefit from a longer timeline. Early preparation is especially helpful for vocabulary development and timing.

What parents should know

The SSAT can be tricky because it blends content knowledge with strategy. Students often need help with pacing, confidence, and adapting to the test’s style, especially in verbal reasoning and reading.

Ready to Strengthen Your Admissions Chances?

Let’s build a strategy that positions your student for success on test day and in the admissions process.

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