← All articles# Official Guide to the 2026 Hunter College High School Entrance Exam
Hunter College High School (HCHS) has released official updates regarding the Entrance Exam for the current admissions cycle. For students seeking entry for Fall 2027, the January 2026 exam will feature a significant pilot change in its structure and content sourcing.
This news explainer outlines the official policy, the new exam format, and what families need to know for the upcoming testing cycle.
## The January 2026 Pilot Program
For the January 2026 administration, HCHS is piloting a change to strengthen its admissions process. The exam will now consist of a hybrid of internally developed Hunter content and licensed content from the **Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE)**, which is owned by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB).
### Key Impact on Testing Rules
It is important for families to note the following regarding the inclusion of ISEE content:
* **Not an Official ISEE Administration:** Taking the HCHS exam does not count as an official ISEE sitting and will not restrict a student’s ability to take the ISEE in the future.
* **No Substitutions:** HCHS will not accept past ISEE scores in place of the HCHS Entrance Exam.
## Exam Format and Sections
The January 2026 exam is divided into two separate booklets. Students will complete the English booklet first, followed by the Mathematics booklet.
### 1. English Booklet (110 Minutes Total)
These sections are developed by HCHS faculty to reflect internal performance standards.
* **Reading Comprehension (70 minutes suggested):** This section includes 50 multiple-choice questions based on various passages. The passages range from contemporary to classic styles across different time periods. Questions measure the ability to interpret, understand, and analyze texts.
* **Writing Assignment (40 minutes suggested):** Students must produce an essay or short creative piece (up to two pages). Depending on the year, students may be given one prompt or a choice of multiple prompts. This section evaluates the ability to express ideas clearly and effectively.
### 2. Math Booklet (75 Minutes Total)
These sections utilize ISEE Middle Level content, aligned with National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards.
* **Quantitative Reasoning (35 minutes suggested):** Includes 37 multiple-choice questions focused on mathematical reasoning, word problems, quantitative comparisons, and pattern recognition.
* **Mathematics Achievement (40 minutes suggested):** Includes 47 multiple-choice questions covering grade-level skills such as computation, algebraic thinking, geometry, measurement, and data interpretation.
While time allotments for each section are suggested, students are permitted to move freely within each specific booklet during its allotted time.
## Scoring and Student Selection
The HCHS selection process follows a multi-step evaluation:
1. **Multiple-Choice Scoring:** The Reading, Quantitative Reasoning, and Mathematics Achievement sections are computer-scored and hand-checked.
2. **The Cutoff:** A cutoff score is established based on the number of test-takers and environmental factors. This score varies annually.
3. **Essay Evaluation:** Only students who meet or exceed the cutoff score will have their Writing Assignment evaluated by a panel to determine final admission.
## Eligibility and Future Cycles
The current information provided by the school specifically reflects the **January 2026 entrance exam** for Fall 2027 entry. The school notes that all components are subject to change for the January 2027 exam. Families interested in Fall 2027 entry should use the current "Notify Me" tools provided by the HCHS admissions office to receive updates.
## Next Steps for Families
To prepare for the 2026 exam, HCHS recommends that students utilize the sample materials available through the official admissions portal.
* **Review Sample Exams:** HCHS has provided two sample English tests and sample Math questions (Quantitative Reasoning and Math Achievement).
* **Understand the Samples:** The school clarifies that these are not past Hunter exams but are illustrative of the types of questions students will encounter. Note that Sample Exam #1 contains fewer reading questions than the actual test will feature.
* **Practice Timing:** Because the test uses suggested time warnings, students should practice managing their time within the 110-minute English and 75-minute Math blocks.
* **Accommodations:** Families of students with approved testing accommodations should ensure their documentation is in order to receive timing adjustments or other supports.
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*Source: [Hunter College High School — Entrance Exam](https://www.hunterschools.org/high-school/admissions/entrance-exam-2026) — automatically synced on 2026-09-06.*