How the grade 8
state test is scored

Levels, not percentages

Results are a level from 1 to 4 and a scale score. No high school admission decision in New York City uses them. They are information for you, arriving before the tests that do carry consequences. Level 3 is the state's definition of proficient, there is no percentage anywhere on the report, and a scale score cannot be compared across grades.

Where the credits come from

The grade 8 test is worth 110 credits across 94 questions. 78 of those questions are multiple choice and worth one credit each. The other 16 are written, and worth more.

Which means 32 of the 110 credits — that is 29% of the whole test — come from questions where a child has to write something down. On a practice test that only offers multiple choice, 29% of the score is not being practiced at all.

What grade 8 results are for

By itself the grade 8 test decides nothing about high school. What it gives you is an honest read months before an admissions test does it for you, with consequences attached.

How a written answer is marked

Written answers are marked against the state's rubric, on the content of the response alone. Grade 8 students who have been drilling SHSAT multiple choice often under-write these, and a correct idea stated once is enough — but it does have to be stated.

Our grade 8 practice tests apply the same rubrics and show the criteria, which is the one part of this test that looks nothing like the SHSAT work sitting next to it on the kitchen table.