Eligibility

List of 3 items.

• NYS ELA & Math Exams

  To qualify for the Hunter entrance exam in January 2026, a qualifying score is needed on the 2025 5th grade NYS English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics exams. These minimum scores must be met in both exams.+
  

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

  
  In order to access your scores via NYC Schools Account (NYCSA):
  

  1. Go to https://www.schoolsaccount.nyc/
  2. Login to your account (if you do not know your login, contact your school)
  3. Once your page loads, go to My Student
  4. Go to Assessments
  5. The page will show the test results

  
  +Copies of official score reports OR a screenshot from www.schoolsaccount.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 if they took one of the tests listed below, as long as the test was administered by their school and they meet this scoring criteria:
  

  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)
     * Stanford 10 Achievement Test (NOTE: The Stanford 10 Online will also be accepted if administered at a testing center, or virtually under live, continuous supervision by the testing company. The abbreviated battery is accepted.)
     * TerraNova3
     * ERB CTP 5 (Score report must contain the National Norm percentile (NN). See examples to the right.)
     * NWEA MAP and ERB Milestones will not be accepted this year. 
  2. Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE). Earn a minimum stanine score of 8 in both Reading Comprehension and Mathematics Achievement.
  3. Other 5th Grade Standardized Exams. If a candidate scores in the 90th (national) percentile on Reading and Math subtests, contact Hunter Admissions for approval before applying.

  _{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 -- other than the ones listed above -- 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 listed above may be eligible to sit for an exam in Fall 2025, at an approved testing site, with scores submitted directly to Hunter. To qualify for this category, candidates must first create a Ravenna account and profile at www.Ravenna-HUB.com, select the standard HS Application, then complete the following steps:

  1.  Select "No Scores" on the application if the student has never tested in grade 5, as mentioned above.
  2. Upload an official letter (on school stationery) from the candidate’s school principal or counselor that confirms the student did not take the NYS or any other accepted 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 for the student to take one of the exams listed under Other Standardized Exams at a local testing center, or virtually.
  
  

  Online exams must be proctored by an independent virtual proctor provided by the testing company or testing center; parents or their associates may not serve as proctors. Official scores must be sent directly from the testing center to the HCCS Admissions Office 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 and score in the 85th percentile – or who earn a stanine of 7 on the ISEE – may qualify to submit an Academic Insights Profile (AIP) form. 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 10	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 costs waived for specific tests at select locations (i.e. if the household receives benefits like Cash Assistance or SNAP.) Contact the testing center directly to inquire about fee waivers.}