Hunter Test

The Hunter College High School Entrance Exam is a test taken by residents of New York City for admission to Hunter College High School.

As a New York-based company, Bespoke is proud of the knowledge and experience we offer families preparing for this highly specialized test.  Our comprehensive approach to test prep incorporates individualized tutoring sessions and weekly homework to comprise a program that is both thorough and tailored to your student’s specific needs.

Whether you’re ready to begin tutoring immediately or just have questions about the test, our client services team is looking forward to speaking with you! You’ll talk to a knowledgeable, caring individual who will create a test prep plan and pair you with the perfect tutor for your student’s personality and learning style. Your student will then learn the actionable skills to build confidence and thrive on test day and beyond.

About the Hunter Test

What is the Hunter Test?
The Hunter College High School Entrance Exam is used exclusively for admission to Hunter College High School, a free public school operated by Hunter College.

Who takes the Hunter Test?
The Hunter Test is taken by sixth grade students for admission to seventh grade. Only students who live in New York City are eligible to take the test. Additionally, to be eligible to take the Hunter Test, students must have achieved qualifying scores on the fifth-grade New York State English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics tests. Students who did not sit for those tests may also submit qualifying scores on one of four other accepted fifth-grade standardized tests. For more information on testing eligibility, click here.

What’s on the test?
The Hunter test has two multiple-choice sections—English Language Arts and Mathematics—as well as a Writing assignment.

  • The English Language Arts section consists of five or six reading passages followed by questions that assess students’ ability to understand, interpret, and analyze those reading passages.
  • The Mathematics section consists of questions that assess students’ proficiency in arithmetic, geometry, data analysis, and pattern recognition.
  • The Writing assignment asks students to write an essay or short story based on an assigned prompt.

How long is the test?
Students are given three hours to complete the exam. The individual sections are not timed—students may take as much or as little time as they need on any particular section.

How is the test scored?
The multiple-choice sections of the Hunter Test are scored based on the number of correct answers. The students with the top 500 multiple-choice scores will have their essays read by members of Hunter’s English faculty, and the students who write the top 170 essays will be offered admission.

How is the test administered?
The Hunter Test is a pencil-and-paper test and is offered once per year, usually in January, at Hunter College High School and Hunter College. 

Where can I get more information about the Hunter Test?
For more information on the Hunter Test, and to register online, please visit the Hunter College High School admissions website.