Exam Preparation
Prepare for every section
Build reading stamina, math accuracy, and timed writing together rather than one at a time.
Checked against Hunter's published admissions pages on October 6, 2026.
Testing
The Hunter entrance exam.
- Sections
- The HCHS Entrance Exam has three sections: Reading Comprehension (50 multiple-choice questions), a Writing Assignment, and Mathematics (30 multiple-choice questions).
- Timing
- Students have three hours for the whole exam and may complete the three sections in any order.
- Reading
- The Reading Comprehension section uses five or six passages of varying lengths, styles, and time periods.
- Math
- Calculators are not permitted on the Mathematics section.
- Sample exams
- Hunter publishes two sample entrance exams; they are samples only and were not administered in any previous year.
- 01
Take one full timed practice under test conditions before building a study plan.
- 02
Practice reading and math accuracy first, then speed.
Essays
The writing.
- Writing assignment
- The Writing Assignment is an essay or a creative piece of up to two pages, judged on originality, effectiveness, and use of detail.
- Topics
- Some years students get a choice of writing topics; other years there is a single topic.
- How essays are read
- Essays are read blind by a panel of readers, with students identified only by HCHS ID numbers.
- 01
Practice timed writing on unfamiliar prompts, not memorized essays.
- 02
Plan for a few minutes before drafting, and leave time to reread.
Preparation plan
A preparation plan that works backward from exam day.
Adjust the pace to your student's schedule. The order matters more than the exact weeks.
Week 1
Take one full timed practice
Use a published sample exam under real timing. Note where time ran short and which questions felt unfamiliar.
Weeks 2-4
Build reading accuracy
Read passages of different styles and eras. Practice finding the line that proves each answer before choosing it.
Weeks 3-6
Practice the Writing Assignment
Respond to unfamiliar prompts under time, submit for feedback, and revise using the notes.
Weeks 5-8
Strengthen math by hand
Work multi-step problems on paper, check answer choices, and keep an error log.
Final two weeks
Full timed run-throughs
Complete the whole exam in one sitting and practice choosing the order of sections.
Exam week
Rest and review
Reread feedback notes and the error log. Keep the last days light.