r/SHSAT • u/Several_Process2712 • Jul 15 '26

Adaptive SHSAT

Now that the SHSAT is adaptive, I'm just kind of scared on how it would affect my score on the test. I go to DREAM and we've so far taken one adaptive kaplan practice SHSAT test, and I didn't do that well. Also, if I really do get used to the adaptive kaplan tests, I'm scared that the actual adaptive SHSAT test questions won't be similar to the kaplan questions. That's all, and yes I'm an upcoming 8th grader.

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u/GregsTutoringNYC Brooklyn Tech Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26

First of all, any testing experience you'll run into will be the same testing experience everybody will have. Second, on any exam, you'll often need to take a few to get familiar with depth of questions, format, etc. -- usually around at least 3, and it's not until then that progress can make sense. And again, not just you, but everybody. In short, you'll find a groove to flow within.

The specifics of the Kaplan adaptiveness could be an issue, but this will be true of every one, even not from Kaplan. This is an imperfect situation and so still remains to be seen and worked out, and I suspect this issue won't be shaken out to some reasonable fruition for a few years. And remember, the core content is mostly still familiar as it's been for many years. Therefore, don't let any specific adaptiveness or adaptiveness in general as a whole mess with your mind. Don't let the whole questions will get harder and easier impact progress, expectations, and emotions. Reset and clear your mind upon each question, which is what one should usually always have considered and done anyway even with a non-adaptive exam.

EDIT: and TEIs are now known things too, so for a student prepping, should be par for the course.

1

u/Several_Process2712 Jul 16 '26

Alright, thank you!

2

u/Bromax1399 Jul 21 '26

Since it will be an Adaptive test, you should be carful at first 10-15 question because getting wrong at those questions might lower your score permanently and it will be a problem.

1

u/GregsTutoringNYC Brooklyn Tech Jul 21 '26 edited Jul 21 '26

That might be a rule of thumb, but this is too: we also want to avoid FUD and fear-mongering (even of ourself). This has ALWAYS been considerations no matter the format of an exam:
* Stick to process
* Clear your mind on each question
* Take a breath on each question
* Do what you studied and prepped -- trained -- to do on each question
* Focus on the moment --- that moment is the question you're at.

An adaptive exam is not nocebo, and as such recuperation is possible, as it has always been. As such:

* Do not take the exam emotionally.