Tuition-free, public, and more selective than most private schools. The Hunter entrance exam is taken once a year — there are no retakes and no second chances.

7th Grade Entry  |  ~170 Seats offered per year  |  January (Exam held once annually)

What It Takes to Get In

Hunter College High School admits only about 170 students per year from across all five NYC boroughs — entirely through a single entrance exam. There are no interviews, portfolios, or teacher recommendations. Every seat is decided on test day.

Currently enrolled in 6th grade

7th grade is the only entry point. There is no lateral admission.

NYC resident in one of the five boroughs

Primary residence required — property ownership alone does not qualify.

Qualifying score on 5th grade NYS exams

Minimums for 2026 entry: ELA 486+ and Math 500+. Students without NYS scores may qualify via 90th percentile on an approved standardized exam.

Pass the Hunter entrance exam in January

The exam is held once a year with no make-up date. Roughly the top 500 scorers advance to essay review; approximately 170 are offered admission.

The Entrance Exam

3 hours · Paper-based

Critical Reading (50 questions)
5–6 passages, comprehension & analysis

Mathematics (30 questions)
Problem solving & reasoning

Writing Assignment (1 prompt)
Essay-read only for top ~500 scorers

  • No penalty for wrong answers
  • Sections can be done in any order
  • No retakes or rescoring
  • Results released ~March
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How Hunter Selects Its Class

Understanding the selection process changes how students should prepare. The essay is a real factor — but only if the multiple choice gets you there first.

All multiple choice is scored

Reading and Math scores are combined and all eligible students are ranked city-wide. The test has no penalty for wrong answers, so every question should be answered.

Top ~500 essays are read

Only the approximately 500 highest multiple-choice scorers have their essays reviewed by a panel of Hunter English faculty. Writing matters — but only once the MC threshold is cleared.

~170 students receive offers

From those 500 essays, roughly 170 offers are extended in March. A waitlist of 20–30 students is also maintained. There is no reconsideration or appeal process.

What this means for prep: Strong multiple-choice performance is the gate. Students who don’t clear that threshold never have their essays read — no matter how well written. Prep must prioritize Reading and Math speed and accuracy first, with dedicated essay practice once the MC foundation is solid.

Our Hunter Prep Programs

Private One-on-One Tutoring

Built entirely around where your child stands after a full diagnostic. Sessions target the specific gaps in Reading, Math, and Writing that will hold their score back on test day.

  • Full diagnostic before prep begins to establish a starting baseline
  • Reading comprehension — passage analysis and pacing under pressure
  • Math problem-solving strategies for speed and accuracy
  • Essay structure and argumentation for when it counts
  • Flexible scheduling around school and activities

5-Day Hunter Crash Course

Five consecutive days of targeted preparation for students approaching the January exam. Structured to close the most impactful gaps in the shortest time.

  • Diagnostic on Day 1 shapes the entire week’s focus
  • Reading: passage strategies and question-type recognition
  • Math: problem patterns most common on the Hunter exam
  • Essay workshop — argument structure, evidence, and timing
  • Full-length mock exam with score analysis
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Key Dates to Know

Spring 5th Grade

NYS 5th Grade ELA & Math Exams
These scores determine eligibility to sit for the Hunter entrance exam. Minimums for 2026 entry: ELA 486+, Math 500+. Scores are released to parents in fall.

Sep–Nov 6th Grade

Applications Open — Deadline December 5
Eligible students apply via Ravenna. NYS score reports must be uploaded. The application window is short — don’t wait on gathering documents.

January 6th Grade

Hunter Entrance Exam — One Date, No Make-Ups
Held at multiple NYC sites. Students receive an exam ticket mid-December with their assigned location. There is no snow date and no alternate sitting.

March 6th Grade

Offer Letters Released
Approximately 170 offers are emailed out. Students typically have about one week to accept. Hunter does not rescore exams or reconsider decisions.