Hunter College High School Admission Exam Prep: Everything You and your child Need to Know
- Ethan Woo
- Sep 4
- 5 min read
Preparing for the Hunter College High School Admission Exam can feel overwhelming. This competitive test opens the door to one of New York City’s most prestigious public schools. Each year roughly 2,500 students take the exam and about 170 are offered admission. This post explains what the test covers, actionable steps families can follow, and how THiNK PREP helps students prepare with targeted resources and instruction.
About the exam
The Hunter College High School Admission Exam evaluates students in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, and Writing. It is administered once a year, typically in January. Students have three hours total to complete all sections, and there are no separate time limits for each part. Pacing and stamina are critical.
Exam structure
ELA: 50 multiple-choice questions based on 5 to 6 reading passages.
Mathematics: 30 multiple-choice questions covering arithmetic, geometry, data, patterns, and reasoning. Calculators are not permitted.
Writing: One timed essay or creative composition that tests organization, originality, and command of language.
Eligibility
Must be in sixth grade at the time of application.
Must reside in one of New York City’s five boroughs.
Typically must meet qualifying scores on 5th grade New York State ELA and Math standardized tests. Check Hunter’s official site for any updates or changes.
What the exam evaluates
English Language Arts (ELA)
Format: 50 multiple-choice questions from several passages.
Skills tested: vocabulary in context, inference, author’s purpose, passage analysis, and recognition of literary devices like tone and figurative language.
Note: Questions focus on higher-order thinking and often require evidence-based answers and careful reading.
Mathematics
Format: 30 multiple-choice questions, no calculators.
Skills tested: arithmetic fluency, fractions and decimals, ratios, basic probability and statistics, geometry (area, perimeter, volume), patterns, and multi-step word problems.
Note: Many questions combine concepts and require multi-step reasoning.
Writing
Format: One timed essay or creative piece (up to two pages).
Skills tested: organization, detail, descriptive language, sentence variety, creativity, and clarity.
Note: Essays are reviewed only for the top scorers from the multiple-choice sections, so strong writing can be decisive.
Scoring and admission
Multiple-choice sections are scored by the number of correct answers.
Essays are read for approximately the top 500 multiple-choice scorers.
About 170 students are admitted each year. The writing sample plays a major role in final decisions among top scorers.
Step-by-step prep plan You can use
The Hunter exam is a difficult test that requires a strong foundation in math and English language arts. Families should begin by mastering Common Core skills so students develop fluency in number sense, fractions, reading comprehension, and written expression. THiNK PREP’s curriculum covers grades 4 through 8 and is built to take students from grade-level mastery to the advanced reasoning the exam demands. We recommend starting targeted preparation as early as third grade: early years focus on foundational fluency, middle years introduce Hunter-style problems and timed practice, and the final 12 to 24 months before the exam concentrate on full-length simulations and intensive writing feedback.
Start with a diagnostic
Take a hunter entrance exam diagnostic test to establish a baseline in ELA, Math, and timed writing. The diagnostic will show strengths, weaknesses, and pacing issues so you can prioritize study time.
Build an 12 to 24 week or 1 year schedule
Review and retest every 2 to 3 weeks
Retake the diagnostic or targeted practice tests to measure progress. Keep an error log that records question type, mistake reason, and the fix.
Simulate test day
Do at least one or two full, timed practice exams using paper and pencil. Practice stamina, timing, and test-day logistics.
Final two weeks focus
Emphasize writing development, timed essay practice with feedback, reviewing previous mistakes, and final pacing strategies for the three-hour window.
Suggested rhythm:
Weeks 1 to 8: Foundations and strategy
ELA: three focused sessions per week - one close reading and annotation, one question drill, one vocabulary and evidence practice.
Math: two to three sessions per week - Focus on common-core curriculum. Sush as number sense drills, operations with different types of numbers,
Writing: one session per week - plan and write short timed responses; begin a simple rubric for revisions.
Weeks 8 to 16: Skill consolidation and pacing and progress check.
Increase difficulty and complexity of problems; Variety of topics for reading passages, multi-concept & step word problems and math competition-level problems.
Continue weekly timed writing with targeted feedback.
Weeks 17 to 24: Simulations and final polishing
Take at least one full, timed practice exam every week in conditions that match the real test (paper and pencil, no calculator).
Focus final two weeks on writing clarity, test-day routines, and reducing careless errors.
Sample Hunter practice Exam
Use this official sample HCHS Admission Exam with your child to model thinking and feedback.
How THiNK PREP can help
THiNK PREP supports families through every stage of preparation with services designed for the Hunter exam and broader academic development.
Our own-developed diagnostic test
A full-length diagnostic modeled on the real exam. It identifies specific weaknesses and sets a focused study plan. We retest to measure growth and refine instruction.
Online tutoring with a comprehensive and intense curriculum
Live online lessons that cover Common Core standards and extend into advanced reasoning required for the Hunter exam. Tutors emphasize multi-step problem solving, close reading strategies, and timed writing techniques.
Curriculum guides
Structured weekly guides that include lesson plans, practice passages, math sets, and writing prompts. Guides help families run effective practice sessions at home and provide continuity with tutoring.
Future educational planning
One-on-one consultations to align test prep with middle school course selection, enrichment opportunities, and long-term academic goals.
Benefits for homeschoolers
Our program covers the full elementary and junior high curriculum, making it easy for homeschool families to use a single integrated system for both general education and exam preparation.
If you want help starting, THiNK PREP can schedule a diagnostic test and recommend the best course structure for your child.
Practical tips for parents and students
Read challenging texts regularly and ask your child to summarize main idea and tone.
Practice mental math each day for decimals, fractions, and quick estimations.
Write short, timed pieces weekly and review them for clarity and structure.
Keep an error log and review it weekly to turn mistakes into learning opportunities.
Practice with paper and pencil under timed conditions to mimic the exam.
FAQ
Q: What is the best first step?
A: Take a hunter entrance exam diagnostic test to find where to focus study time.
Q: Can students prepare with free materials?
A: Free resources help build skills. Structured tutoring and writing feedback typically produce faster, more reliable improvement.
Q: How important is the writing section?
A: Very important. Essays are reviewed for top multiple-choice scorers and often determine final admission offers.
Checklist
Take a diagnostic test
Choose an online or in-person prep plan (consider a hunter exam prep course for 6th graders)
Build an 12 to 24 week or 1 year study schedule
Keep an error log and retake diagnostics every 2 to 3 weeks
Complete a one or two full timed practice exams 2 days before test day
Get targeted writing feedback before the exam
Rest the day before the test.
Preparing for the Hunter College High School Admission Exam takes focused effort, consistent practice, and good guidance. THiNK PREP supports families with a diagnostic test, rigorous online tutoring, curriculum guides, future planning, and homeschool-friendly instruction.
Contact THiINKPREPGroup@gmail.com to schedule a hunter entrance exam diagnostic test or to learn more about our hunter exam prep course for 6th graders.
We will build a plan that fits your child’s timeline and goals.
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