Hunter College High School Program and Testing
Hunter College High School (HCHS), located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, is a public school for gifted and talented students. Their accelerated program is designed to both challenge and prepare students to be active and engaged learners and future leaders. Students who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, complex thinking, and a love of learning are attractive applicants for this program. Hunter College High School remains a part of the Hunter College Campus Schools, which are administered by Hunter College of the City University of New York. HCHS educates students in grades 7 through 12. Below is a discussion of HCHS testing eligibility, the admissions process, as well as the content areas covered on the entrance exam.
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Hunter College High School Program
Seventh graders entering HCHS are offered a wide variety of courses and programs that are designed to prepare them for the rigors of high school work. This first year can be considered an exploratory year; students are encouraged to take classes across different disciplines while also learning the academic expectations of grades 8-12. Seventh grade orientation materials explain how students can select their choice of foreign language, as well as how they can complete placement exams for both mathematics and language. This is especially pertinent for students who wish to take accelerated courses.
Here is the core curriculum of Hunter College High School:
| Art | Grades 8, 9 (2 semesters) |
|---|---|
| Music | Grades 8, 9 (2 semesters) |
| Art or Music | Grade 10 (1 semester) |
| Foreign Language | Grades 8, 9, 10 in target language (3 years) Accelerants must continue in target language through 11th grade |
| English | Grades 8, 9, 10, 11 (4 years) |
| Communication/ Theatre | Grade 8 (1 semester) |
| Mathematics | Grades 8, 9, 10, 11 (4 years) Accelerants must continue to study mathematics through 11th grade |
| Computer Science | Grade 9 (1 semester) (Starting with the Class of 2020) |
| Social Studies | Global I, II, III, IV, V (5 semesters) + US History I, II, III (3 semesters) |
| Physical Education | Grades 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 (5 years) |
| Health | Grades 8 & 10 + CPR in 9th grade (3 semesters) |
| Science | Grades 8 & 10 + CPR in 9th grade (3 semesters) |
| Electives | 5 full-year courses, or the equivalent (2 semester-length courses can replace a full-year course) |
| Community Service | 75 hours (at least 50 hours must happen outside of HCCS) |
Hunter College High School Testing Eligibility
Admission to Hunter College High School (HCHS) is highly competitive. The school accepts new students only for 7th grade, and applicants must first qualify before they may take the HCHS Entrance Exam. The admissions process is updated periodically, so families should review the current requirements each year.
HCHS Admissions Process
The admissions process generally follows these steps:
- Meet the Eligibility Requirements
- Be currently enrolled in 6th grade (or be homeschooled with the required documentation).
- Have a primary residence in one of New York City’s five boroughs by the required date.
- Earn the minimum qualifying scores on approved 5th-grade standardized assessments.
- Apply for the Entrance Exam
- Eligible students submit an online application during the fall admissions period.
- Parents upload qualifying test score reports, which Hunter verifies with the student’s school.
- Take the HCHS Entrance Exam
- The entrance exam is administered once each year, typically in January.
- The current exam consists of two booklets:
- Booklet 1 (110 minutes): Reading Comprehension and Writing Assessment
- Booklet 2 (75 minutes): Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics Achievement
- Admissions Decisions
- Hunter reviews applicants according to its current admissions process and announces admission decisions in the spring. The school no longer publicly describes admissions using the former 700-point scoring system or interview process.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the HCHS Entrance Exam, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Be currently enrolled in 6th grade (or be homeschooled with the required documentation).
- Have a primary residence in one of New York City’s five boroughs.
- Meet the minimum qualifying score requirements on approved 5th-grade standardized assessments.
Qualifying Assessments
Students Who Took the New York State Exams
Students attending schools that administer the New York State Grade 5 English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics assessments must earn the minimum qualifying scores established by Hunter on both exams. Hunter determines the qualifying scores for each admissions cycle and no longer publishes fixed score requirements such as the former 625 scale score.
Students Who Took Other Approved Standardized Tests
Students whose schools administer another approved standardized assessment may qualify using one of the following exams:
- ERB CTP 5 (Reading Comprehension and Mathematics Parts 1 & 2)
- Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) (ELA Total and Math Total)
- TerraNova 3 (Reading Composite and Mathematics Composite)
- Stanford 10 (Total Reading and Total Mathematics, including the abbreviated battery)
Students must achieve Hunter’s current qualifying score in both Reading and Mathematics. Qualifying scores are updated annually.
Students Without Qualifying Scores
Students who do not have qualifying 5th-grade standardized test scores—such as some homeschooled students or students whose schools did not administer an accepted assessment—may request approval to take an approved qualifying examination.
To be considered, families must:
- Apply through the Hunter admissions portal.
- Submit an official letter from the student’s principal or guidance counselor (or appropriate homeschool documentation) confirming that the student did not take an accepted qualifying exam.
- Wait for Hunter’s authorization before registering for any qualifying examination.
If approved, the student may take one of Hunter’s designated qualifying exams at an authorized testing center. Only one testing opportunity is permitted, and scores must be sent directly to the Hunter Admissions Office.
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What to Expect on the Day of the Entrance Exam
The student will receive a ticket (to sit for the exam) through the documented parent’s email address. This occurs once the application is complete and the child’s 5th grade test scores have been approved. If the student is verified to sit for the exam, they will be provided with a testing location and room for exam day. Admissions tickets for entry into the exam will be sent for both the parent and the child. Information about the time of pick-up and drop-off, locations, and what to expect on the day of the test will also be included.
The Hunter College High School Entrance Exam
The Hunter College High School (HCHS) Entrance Exam is a highly competitive admissions test administered once each year to students applying for seventh grade. The exam is designed to measure the reading, writing, reasoning, and mathematical skills needed to succeed in Hunter’s rigorous academic program.
The exam is divided into two timed booklets:
- Booklet 1 (110 minutes)
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing Assessment
- Booklet 2 (75 minutes)
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Mathematics Achievement
In total, students complete:
- 50 Reading Comprehension multiple-choice questions
- 1 Writing Assessment
- 37 Quantitative Reasoning multiple-choice questions
- 47 Mathematics Achievement multiple-choice questions
HCHS Exam Sections:
Booklet 1 – Reading Comprehension
The Reading Comprehension section measures a student’s ability to understand, analyze, and interpret written passages. Students read a variety of literary and informational texts before answering multiple-choice questions based on the passages.
Questions may ask students to:
- Identify the main idea and supporting details
- Make logical inferences
- Determine the meaning of words in context
- Analyze an author’s purpose or point of view
- Interpret evidence from the text
Strong readers actively refer back to the passage and use textual evidence to support their answers.
Booklet 1 – Writing Assessment
The Writing Assessment measures a student’s ability to communicate ideas clearly and effectively. Students respond to a writing prompt by developing an organized, well-supported composition.
Successful responses demonstrate:
- Clear organization
- Strong development of ideas
- Relevant examples and supporting details
- Effective word choice
- Correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
Students should spend a few minutes planning before they begin writing and leave time to review and revise their work.
Booklet 2 – Quantitative Reasoning
The Quantitative Reasoning section measures how well students think mathematically rather than how many procedures they have memorized. Questions emphasize reasoning, logical thinking, and solving unfamiliar problems.
This section includes two question types:
- Word Problems that require students to apply mathematical reasoning to real-world situations.
- Quantitative Comparisons that ask students to compare two quantities and determine the relationship between them.
Students are expected to recognize patterns, analyze mathematical relationships, estimate when appropriate, and use logical reasoning to solve multi-step problems.
Booklet 2 – Mathematics Achievement
The Mathematics Achievement section measures a student’s understanding and application of mathematics concepts. Questions assess both computational fluency and problem-solving skills.
Topics may include:
- Number operations
- Fractions, decimals, and percents
- Ratios and proportions
- Algebra and equations
- Geometry and measurement
- Data analysis and probability
Many questions require students to apply multiple mathematical concepts to solve multi-step problems accurately and efficiently.
Preparing for the HCHS Exam
Success on the HCHS Entrance Exam requires more than knowing the right answers; it requires strong reading comprehension, effective writing, mathematical reasoning, and careful time management. Because students have a single time limit for each booklet, practicing pacing strategies is just as important as mastering the academic content.
At TestingMom, our HCHS preparation materials are designed to familiarize students with the exam format, strengthen the skills tested in each section, and build the confidence needed to perform their best on test day.
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