Yes. They’re determined by that year’s applicants and seats.
SHSAT Cutoff Scores: How They Work
Written by Ascend Academic mentors—students from top universities helping others succeed.
Each specialized high school has a cutoff score—the lowest composite score that received an offer in a given year. Cutoffs are outcomes of the process, not fixed targets.
What Cutoffs Represent
Cutoffs reflect the score of the last student offered a seat at each school. They depend on the applicant pool and the number of seats, so they shift from year to year. The NYC DOE publishes them after each cycle.
Using Cutoffs as a Guide
Past cutoffs help you gauge the score range needed for a given school. They’re not guarantees; aim above the most recent cutoff to improve your odds. See specialized high schools admissions guide for the full picture.
Where to Find Official Data
The NYC DOE often publishes cutoff information after each admissions cycle. Use official sources for the latest numbers.
FAQ
You may still receive an offer to another specialized school on your list, depending on rank order.
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