Eligibility

List of 3 items.

• NYS ELA & Math Exams

  A qualifying score is needed on the 2025 5th grade NYS English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics exams. Minimum scores must be met in both exams.+
  
  The minimum qualifying scores to apply to Hunter and sit for the January 2026 HCHS Entrance Exam are:
  

  • SP 25, ELA English Language Arts =  486
  • SP 25, STM State Math = 500

  
  +Copies of official score reports OR a screenshot from the www.myschools.nyc must be uploaded in order to complete and submit the application. The report must display a three-digit score (as listed above); Hunter will not accept “level” or “percentage range” scores from the NYS exams. The student’s name, grade, scores, and exam year must be clearly visible. 

• Other Standardized Exams

  Candidates who did not take the NYS 5th grade ELA and/or Mathematics exams may qualify by meeting one of the criteria below:
  
  

  1. Earn a score in the 90th (national) percentile on specified Reading and Math subtests (see sample score reports to the right) -- from one of the following standardized 5th grade exams.
     * Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS)
     * SSAT
     * Stanford 10 Achievement Test
     * TerraNova3
     * ERB CTP 5
     (NOTE: The NWEA MAP will not be accepted this year.) 
  2. Earn a minimum stanine score of 8 in both Reading Comprehension and Mathematics Achievement on the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE).
  3. Earn a score in the 90th (national) percentile on specified Reading and Math subtests of another 5th grade standardized exam. Other exams must be reviewed and approved by Hunter Admissions.

  _{NOTE: Scores must be submitted with the application by uploading the official score report for the corresponding exam. The report must clearly display the student’s name, grade, scores, and exam year. Reports sent by email will not be accepted as part of the application process. (Exception: Families seeking approval for another standardized exam should email the report to the Admissions Office for review before applying.)}

• Candidates Without Exams

  Candidates who did not take the 5th grade NYS exams or any of the accepted standardized exams may be eligible to sit for an exam in Fall 2025 at an approved testing site, with scores submitted directly to Hunter. To qualify, candidates must first submit an application and obtain approval from Hunter Admissions by completing the following steps once the HCHS application opens:
  
  

  1.  Select "No Scores" on the application if the student has never tested in grade 5.
  2. Upload a letter on school stationery from the candidate’s school principal or counselor that confirms the student did not take the NYS or any other 5^th grade standardized exams. This letter may come from the candidate's current 6^th grade school or the school where they previously attended 5^th grade. This letter must be uploaded as part of the application.
  3. Complete and submit the application.

  
  After review, Hunter will notify families if approval is granted to take one of the exams listed under Other Standardized Exams at the candidate’s school or at a local testing center.* Scores must be sent directly from the testing center to HCCS Admissions no later than Friday, December 19, 2025. 
  
  

  • Candidates in this category may take only one qualifying exam in Fall 2025. Multiple test attempts are not permitted.
  • Candidates must take an exam level appropriate for entry into grade 7 (not a 5th grade-level exam).
  • A qualifying score requires placement in the 90th (national) percentile on the Reading and Math subtests of that exam.
  • ISEE test takers must register for the Middle Level Exam and may only take it during ISEE’s fall testing season, which ends November 30, 2025.
  • ISEE test takers must achieve a minimum stanine of 8 in both Reading Comprehension and Mathematics Achievement.
  • Candidates who test in Fall 2025 but fall short of the required score:

  Students scoring in the 85th percentile – or with a stanine of 7 on the ISEE – may qualify to submit an Academic Insights Profile (AIP) application. Please see the “Just Missed the Score?” section below. 
  
  

  _{Testing center options include, but are not limited to those listed below:}

  Testing Center:	ERB	Kweller Prep	Lead Education
  Locations:	NY	NY, QU	NY
  Tests:	ISEE	Stanford 10th Edition	ISEE, SSAT
  Contact:	www.erblearn.org 800-446-0320	www.kwellerprep.com 800-631-1757	www.leadeducationla.com hello@leadeducationla.com

  
  

  _{* Candidates who qualify may have testing costs waived for specific tests at select locations (i.e. if the household receives benefits like Cash Assistance, SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR.) Contact the testing center directly with inquiries.}