← All articles# Hunter College High School Entrance Exam 2026: Official Guide to New Changes and Format
Hunter College High School (HCHS) has released updated official guidelines for the **January 2026 Entrance Exam**, which determines eligibility for the **Fall 2027 entry cycle**. Families and students should note that for the January 2026 administration, HCHS is piloting significant changes to the exam structure, incorporating licensed content from the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE).
This news explainer breaks down the current official policy, the new test format, and what the transition means for prospective students.
## A Major Shift: The 2026 Pilot Program
For the January 2026 exam, Hunter College High School is moving away from a purely internal test. The new pilot format will combine internally generated content with licensed content from the **ISEE Middle Level**, owned by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB).
According to the official HCHS policy, this change is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the admissions process. The exam is now divided into two primary components:
1. **English Sections:** Developed internally by HCHS faculty to reflect their specific performance standards.
2. **Math Sections:** Licensed from the ISEE Middle Level, aligned with national standards from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).
### Important Clarification on ISEE Rules
While the math content is licensed from the ISEE, the HCHS Entrance Exam is **not** an official ISEE administration. This carries two critical implications for families:
* **Future Testing:** Taking the Hunter exam does not count toward or restrict a student’s ability to take the official ISEE in the future.
* **Prior Scores:** Students who have taken the ISEE previously cannot use those scores in place of the Hunter exam; all applicants must sit for the HCHS-specific administration.
## Exam Structure and Timing
The 2026 exam consists of two separate test booklets. Students will complete the English booklet first, followed by the Math booklet. While total time is fixed for each booklet, the time listed for individual sections is "suggested," meaning students may move freely between sections within the same booklet.
### Part 1: English (110 Minutes Total)
* **Reading Comprehension (70 minutes suggested):** 50 multiple-choice questions. This section assesses the ability to interpret and analyze passages ranging from contemporary to classic styles.
* **Writing Assignment (40 minutes suggested):** One essay or creative piece (up to two pages). This is designed to measure clarity and effective expression. Depending on the year, students may have a choice of prompts or a single mandatory prompt.
### Part 2: Math (75 Minutes Total)
* **Quantitative Reasoning (35 minutes suggested):** 37 multiple-choice questions focusing on mathematical reasoning, word problems, and pattern recognition.
* **Mathematics Achievement (40 minutes suggested):** 47 multiple-choice questions focusing on curriculum-based skills, including computation, algebraic thinking, geometry, and data interpretation.
## Scoring and Student Selection
The selection process remains rigorous. The multiple-choice sections (Reading, Quantitative Reasoning, and Math Achievement) are computer-scored and hand-checked.
Following the scoring, a **cutoff score** is established. This cutoff is not fixed; it varies annually based on the number of test-takers and environmental factors. Only students who meet or exceed the cutoff score will have their Writing Assignment evaluated by a panel to determine final admission status.
## Preparing for the Exam
Hunter College High School has provided sample materials to help students familiarize themselves with the new format. It is important to note that these samples are for general reference and are not past exams.
* **Reading Samples:** Actual exams include line numbers for easy reference and represent various time periods.
* **Math Samples:** The Quantitative Reasoning section will emphasize logical analysis over simple procedure recall.
* **Official Disclaimer:** The school notes that while this information reflects the January 2026 exam, all components are subject to change for the January 2027 exam and beyond.
## Next Steps for Families
1. **Monitor Eligibility:** Ensure your student meets the requirements for Fall 2027 entry.
2. **Review Sample Content:** Utilize the official HCHS sample tests for Reading Comprehension, Writing, and ISEE-style math.
3. **Stay Updated:** HCHS advises parents to use the "NOTIFY ME" feature on their official admissions portal to receive updates as they become available.
4. **Accommodations:** Families of students with approved testing accommodations should ensure their documentation is in order for timing adjustments.
---
*Source: [Hunter College High School — Entrance Exam](https://www.hunterschools.org/high-school/admissions/entrance-exam-2026) — automatically synced on 2026-09-06.*