ABCMath Academy · Flushing, NY · Since 1996
7th & 8th Grade Math, ELA & SHSAT Prep in Flushing, Queens
Specialized High School Examination Preparation — the two-year path to Stuyvesant, Bronx Science and the other specialized high schools.
Our SHSAT program prepares 7th and 8th graders for the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test with Algebra 1, English, writing and Advanced Literature II, plus a class for the Johns Hopkins gifted program. Mr. Liu adds math contest questions for students who want a challenge.
What we teach in 7th and 8th grade
Everything in these two years points at the SHSAT, the single exam that decides admission to Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, Brooklyn Tech and the other five specialized high schools. Each year about 26,000 NYC students compete for roughly 4,000 seats.
- Algebra 1 — equations, functions, ratios and the word-problem types the SHSAT uses, taught step by step, with contest questions for students who want to go further.
- English and Advanced Literature II — newspaper current events and classic literature, read and discussed in class, with reading assigned outside school.
- Writing — weekly written responses, corrected and returned, which also serve the Townsend Harris essay and other selective applications.
- Johns Hopkins gifted program — a separate class for students applying.
In the fall of 8th grade, students join the SHSAT crash course: a 7- or 14-week program rebuilt for the 2026 computer-adaptive format, with six full-length CAT mock exams. Read what changed in the 2026 SHSAT and try our free SHSAT practice questions.
How a week looks
Saturday classes in Flushing, in person or online, plus weekday online tutoring — in the SHSAT course that is one hour of math and one hour of ELA each week with a live instructor. During the fall crash course, Sunday mornings are reserved for the CAT mock exams.
Who teaches
NYS-certified teachers teach every class, and Mr. Liu, the founder, teaches the math contest questions himself. Teaching assistants are available during and after class. For 30 years ABCMath students have placed into every specialized high school.
What comes next
After the SHSAT, students continue into 9th grade, where the Algebra 1 Regents and high school writing begin. Students coming from the Hunter year can see the earlier program on the 6th grade page.
Free guides from ABCMath
- What changed in the 2026 SHSATThe new computer-adaptive format and how to prepare for it.
- Free SHSAT practice questions23 SHSAT-style questions with worked answers.
- SHSAT cutoff scores by schoolThe lowest score that won a seat at each specialized high school.
- SHSAT test dates & deadlinesTest dates, registration deadlines and when results come out.
- Official digital practice testHow to take the official NYC digital practice test.
Frequently asked questions
When should SHSAT prep start — 7th grade or 8th?
The SHSAT is taken in the fall of 8th grade, so starting in 7th gives a full year of foundation before the 8th grade crash course. Students who start in 8th join the fall SHSAT course directly.
Is the 2026 SHSAT different?
Yes. The 2026 SHSAT is a computer-adaptive test: no skipping in math, difficulty that adjusts as the student answers, and new drag-and-drop items. Our curriculum and all six mock exams are built for that format.
What is the Algebra 1 class?
Algebra 1 is the first course in our math sequence, followed by Geometry and Algebra 2 (Trig). It covers equations, functions and the algebra the SHSAT tests, taught step by step with contest questions for students who want more, and leads to the Algebra I Regents.
Do you prepare students for other gifted programs?
Yes. Alongside SHSAT work, there is a class for students applying to the Johns Hopkins gifted program, and the writing and reading work carries over to Townsend Harris and other selective applications.
Where can we try SHSAT questions before enrolling?
Our free SHSAT practice questions page has worked examples, and the official digital practice test page explains how to take the NYC DOE practice test.
Ready for Spring 2027?
Classes start January 9. Save up to $300 when you register by October 30.
Register Now