Hunter College HS Entrance Exam: Complete Guide

Hunter College High School is one of NYC's most selective schools. The entrance exam isn't just hard—it's different. Let's break down exactly what makes Hunter unique and how to prepare.

What Makes Hunter Different From SHSAT

Aspect	SHSAT	Hunter
When Taken	Fall of 8th grade	January of 6th grade
Admission Grade	9th grade (high school)	7th grade (middle school)
Essay Component	None	Required (30 minutes)
Calculator	Not allowed	Not allowed
Acceptance Rate	~4-8% (varies by school)	~1-2% (extremely competitive)
Total Seats	5,000+ across all schools	~230 total

Test Format Overview

The Hunter exam has three distinct sections completed in one sitting:

Section 1: Essay (30 minutes)

Typically narrative or creative writing
Prompt given on test day (cannot prepare specific topic)
Handwritten in test booklet
Scored on creativity, organization, language use, mechanics

Section 2: Mathematics (45 minutes, ~50 questions)

Multiple choice questions
Covers arithmetic through basic algebra and geometry
Emphasizes logical reasoning and problem-solving
Often includes non-standard problem types

Section 3: Reading Comprehension (45 minutes, ~60 questions)

Multiple choice questions
Passages from various genres (fiction, non-fiction, poetry)
Tests inference, analysis, vocabulary in context
Higher-level critical thinking than typical standardized tests

Important Note:

Hunter's test format can change year to year. Recent years have included variations in section length and question counts. Always check the current year's format on Hunter's official website!

The Two-Stage Process

Admission to Hunter isn't just about the test:

Stage 1: Written Exam (January)

~3,000-4,000 students take the exam
Top ~1,000 students move to Stage 2
Cutoff score varies each year

Stage 2: Essay Review & Selection (Spring)

Essays from top scorers are re-evaluated carefully
Holistic review of writing quality, creativity, voice
~230 offers made for ~195 seats (accounting for declines)

Critical Insight:

Because the essay is the tiebreaker among high scorers, many students with perfect or near-perfect math/reading scores are still rejected. The essay matters more than many families realize!

Hunter Math: What's Different

Hunter math questions test deeper conceptual understanding:

Characteristic #1: Non-Standard Formats

Questions often present problems in unfamiliar ways:

"Figure A shows a pattern of dots. If this pattern continues, how many dots will be in the 10th figure?"

(Requires pattern recognition and algebraic thinking, not just formula application)

Characteristic #2: Multi-Step Logic

Problems require combining multiple concepts:

"Sarah has $20. She buys 3 items that cost $x each and gets $2 change. Then she spends half of what remains. How much does she have left?"

(Requires algebra setup, then fraction/decimal work)

Characteristic #3: Spatial Reasoning

Many questions test visualization and geometric thinking:

Folding/unfolding shapes
3D object manipulation
Pattern completion
Symmetry and transformations

Hunter Reading: What's Different

Sophisticated Passages

Texts are often more advanced than typical 6th-grade level:

Classical literature excerpts
Complex non-fiction
Poetry with figurative language
Historical documents

Inference-Heavy Questions

Unlike SHSAT, many answers aren't explicitly stated:

Example Question Types:

"What can you infer about the character's motivation?"
"Which statement would the author most likely agree with?"
"What is the underlying theme of this passage?"

Vocabulary Emphasis

Advanced vocabulary appears in:

The passages themselves
Direct vocabulary questions
Questions asking about word choice and tone

The Hunter Essay: What Scorers Want

Past essay prompts have included:

"Write about a time when you changed your mind about something important."
"Describe a place that is special to you and explain why."
"Tell a story that begins: 'I never expected that day to change everything...'"

What Makes a High-Scoring Essay:

Element	What Scorers Look For
Voice	Unique personality shines through; not generic
Detail	Specific sensory details, not vague statements
Organization	Clear structure with beginning, middle, end
Language	Varied sentences, sophisticated vocabulary (naturally used)
Mechanics	Grammar, spelling, punctuation accuracy
Insight	Demonstrates thoughtfulness and reflection

Preparation Timeline

12-18 Months Before (5th Grade Summer)

Build reading habit: 30-60 minutes daily
Start vocabulary program
Begin creative writing practice
Master grade-level math, start advancing

6-12 Months Before (Fall of 6th Grade)

Intensive test prep begins
Practice full-length tests monthly
Weekly timed essay writing
Math enrichment focusing on logic and problem-solving

Final 3 Months (October-December)

Weekly full practice tests
Essay feedback and revision
Focus on weak areas
Build testing stamina

Final Month (December)

Light review only
Maintain skills without burnout
Focus on test-taking strategies
Ensure rest and readiness

Study Resources

For Math Preparation:

MATHCOUNTS: Competition-style problems build problem-solving
Beast Academy: Emphasizes creative mathematical thinking
AMC 8 Practice: Similar difficulty and style
Khan Academy: Fill gaps in foundational knowledge

For Reading Preparation:

Classic literature: Read beyond current grade level
Quality publications: National Geographic Kids, Cricket Magazine
ISEE/SSAT practice: Similar reading difficulty
Vocabulary programs: Wordly Wise, StudyShark Vocabulary Builder

For Essay Preparation:

Daily journaling: Develop writing voice
Timed writing practice: Build fluency and speed
Feedback cycle: Write, get feedback, revise, repeat
Read excellent writing: Study mentor texts

Test Day Strategy

Essay First Approach:

Most students complete sections in the order given (Essay → Math → Reading):

Essay Timeline (30 minutes):

Minutes 1-3: Read prompt, brainstorm ideas
Minutes 4-5: Quick outline (beginning, middle, end)
Minutes 6-25: Write essay
Minutes 26-30: Proofread and fix errors

Math Strategy:

Skip difficult questions initially
Return to skipped questions with remaining time
Never leave blanks (no penalty for guessing)
Estimate answers when possible to verify

Reading Strategy:

Skim passages for main idea first
Read questions before deep reading
Eliminate obviously wrong answers
Manage time across all passages

What If Your Child Doesn't Get In?

Hunter's extreme selectivity means excellent students are rejected every year:

Other opportunities: SHSAT schools, private schools, screened public schools
Growth mindset: The preparation builds skills regardless of outcome
Success elsewhere: Many rejected students thrive at other schools and excel in college admissions

Parent Perspective:

Hunter admission is partly luck—even perfectly qualified students may not get in due to the numbers. The goal is to prepare your child well, support their effort, and help them understand that their worth isn't determined by one test result.

Bottom line: Hunter is incredibly competitive, but thorough preparation dramatically improves your odds. Start early, focus on deep understanding over memorization, and develop genuine writing skill—not just test-taking tricks.

Hunter College HS Entrance Exam: Complete Guide