7 High School Entrance Prep Books That Deliver Results

Kaplan Test Prep brings decades of expertise to this SHSAT prep book, designed specifically for New York City's specialized high school admissions. You’ll find three full-length practice tests that mirror the actual exam, along with detailed answer explanations and focused content reviews on math and verbal sections. The book also dives into expanded poetry and fiction analysis, a section many students find challenging. If you're an eighth- or ninth-grader aiming for schools like Stuyvesant or Bronx Science, this guide offers targeted strategies and insights that reflect current test trends, helping you build confidence with familiar question types and formats.

When Sharon Weiner Green, M.A., teamed up with Michael Siemon and Lexy Green to update this CHSPE prep guide, they brought decades of teaching and test prep expertise to California students aiming for a high school equivalency diploma. You’ll find detailed reviews of writing, reading, and math fundamentals, plus two full-length practice exams with thorough answer explanations that sharpen your test-taking skills. This book is especially useful if you want to focus on mastering essay writing techniques, grammar, and arithmetic concepts tailored for the CHSPE. It’s designed for motivated learners ready to take control of their high school proficiency journey, though it may feel dense if you prefer a lighter overview.

This tailored book explores the nuances of high school entrance exams with a focus that matches your background and interests. It covers essential exam topics, including subject-specific content and practice exercises, while revealing approaches that align with your unique learning needs. By synthesizing broad expert knowledge, it creates a personalized pathway through complex material, helping you build confidence and competence. The book emphasizes the skills and concepts most relevant to your goals, making your preparation more efficient and meaningful. This personalized guide bridges expert insights with your individual study style, offering a tailored experience that sharpens your readiness for success.

After analyzing shifts in the SHSAT exam structure, The Princeton Review crafted this third edition to match the redesigned test's demands. You learn targeted strategies for the updated English Language Arts and Mathematics sections, along with two full-length practice tests that simulate the real exam environment. The book offers detailed answer explanations and stepwise approaches to problem-solving that sharpen your test-taking skills. It's especially useful if you're aiming for New York City's specialized high schools and want a resource aligned precisely with the current exam format. However, if you're preparing for different regional tests, its focus may feel too specialized.

Drawing from over 80 years of experience in educational testing, Kaplan Test Prep crafted this guide to address the complexities of SSAT and ISEE Middle & Upper Level exams. You’ll find detailed practice tests paired with strategic insights based on extensive test data and psychometric research, helping you sharpen the specific skills these entrance exams demand. The book breaks down question types and test sections, offering you a clear roadmap through verbal reasoning, quantitative skills, reading comprehension, and writing samples. It's particularly suited for students aiming to build confidence and mastery in high-pressure exam environments, though those seeking fundamental test-taking strategies might find it especially beneficial.

APEX Test Prep approaches high school placement test prep with a clear focus on easing the student's journey through the HSPT exam. This book delivers straightforward instruction, detailed practice questions modeled closely on the actual test, and thorough answer explanations that pinpoint common pitfalls. You'll find valuable test-taking tips that help decode the examiners' intent and sharpen your guessing skills when faced with tough questions. The chapters systematically cover each test section, ensuring you build both knowledge and confidence. If you're aiming for solid, no-frills preparation that respects your time, this guide suits you well, although it’s best paired with active study rather than a purely casual read.

This tailored book explores a step-by-step plan to boost your readiness for high school entrance exams efficiently. It covers essential exam content, practice techniques, and time management approaches that focus specifically on your skill level and target exam. By concentrating on your personal goals and areas needing improvement, the book reveals a focused path through complex material, helping you build confidence and competence quickly. The personalized nature of this guide means it matches your background and desired outcomes, ensuring you engage with content that matters most to your success. Whether preparing for SHSAT, SSAT, or other exams, this book provides a tailored roadmap to accelerate your exam preparation journey.

What started as a mission to demystify challenging Catholic high school entrance exams became a thorough guide crafted by Wendy Hanks and her co-authors. Drawing on their extensive experience in test preparation, this book delivers targeted skill-building techniques across reading comprehension, vocabulary, math, and writing mechanics. You’ll find detailed strategies for tackling analogies and verbal logic, plus six full-length practice exams covering COOP, HSPT, and TACHS tests, complete with answer explanations. If you’re aiming to navigate these specific exams confidently, this resource offers structured preparation tailored to your needs, though it’s best suited for those committed to rigorous study rather than casual review.

Douglas S. Kovel's extensive experience as the founder of Kweller Prep Tutoring shines through in this focused guide for Hunter High School entrance exam candidates. You’ll find carefully curated materials tailored exclusively for Kweller Prep's methodology, offering practice tests and question types that mirror the exam's demands. The book sharpens essential skills like critical reasoning, vocabulary, and math problem-solving, structured to build your confidence and exam readiness. If you’re aiming for Hunter High’s selective admission, this resource aligns directly with that goal, though its targeted nature means it’s less suited for broader high school entrance prep beyond this exam.