Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYC's specialized high school test stalled by technical problems, DOE says
By
Christian Santana
Published Nov 14, 2026 at 6:40 p.m. ET
Modified Nov 14, 2026 at 6:56 p.m. ET
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
By
Christian Santana
Published Nov 14, 2026 at 6:40 p.m. ET
Modified Nov 14, 2026 at 6:56 p.m. ET
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A number of students were unable to access and finish the Specialized High School Admissions Test on Saturday due to a technical issue, city officials said.
In a statement, the New York City Department of Education said it would reschedule the test after the test's vendor, Pearson, reported technical problems.
"I understand and share the frustration of our students and families," Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels said in a statement. "I have spoken with the vendor and shared this frustration, and they have assured me the issue has been corrected."
The department said testing will continue as planned on Nov. 15. It did not elaborate on the nature of the issue or how many students were affected, and Pearson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday.
School officials said students who were unable to finish the test would be automatically rescheduled, and that families would receive follow-up information by the end of the day on Monday.
Testing on a new date will not affect any student's score or consideration for admission to a specialized high school, according to the department. Students who finished and submitted a test on Saturday are also eligible to retake the test if they choose, the department said.
In a joint statement on Saturday, a group of city and state lawmakers demanded a thorough and transparent investigation into the issue.
“The DOE may point to its testing contractor, Pearson, but accountability cannot be outsourced,” read the statement from Councilmember Susan Zhuang, Assemblymember William Colton, state Sen.-elect Larry He, and Assemblymembers-elect Joyce Xie and Joey Saban. “The DOE selected the vendor, oversees the process, and is ultimately responsible for ensuring that every student receives a fair and reliable opportunity to take this examination.”
“Under mayoral control, the buck stops with City Hall and DOE leadership,” the statement read.
The SHSAT is administered to eighth and ninth graders in New York City and is used to determine admission to eight of the city’s nine specialized high schools.
This story has been updated with new information.
Tagged
education
new york city
Christian Santana
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Gov. Hochul calls on Duffy to resign after FAA meltdown grounds nation's flights
"Serious lapses in our aviation system have become a pattern on Sean Duffy’s watch."
By
Ryan Kost
Published Nov 14, 2026 at 11:25 a.m. ET
Modified Nov 14, 2026 at 1:13 p.m. ET
Expansion proposal for Brooklyn plants fuels data center fears
The two peaker plants produce a disproportionate amount of pollution.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
Expansion proposal for Brooklyn plants fuels data center fears
The two peaker plants produce a disproportionate amount of pollution.
By
Rosemary Misdary
FAA meltdown strands NJ Gov. Sherrill at Dem conference in Denver
By
Ryan Kost
and
Michael Sol Warren
'A palace for the people': Historic, grand Loew's theater reopens in Jersey City
By
Michael Sol Warren
F and G lines grind to a halt as signal issue slows Friday night rush
By
David Giambusso
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .