Online Admissions Test Failure Sends NYC Students Home
A technical problem with the Specialized High School Admissions Test platform forced testing to stop at some sites on Saturday.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in College Applications
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Testing was discontinued at Brooklyn Technical High School testing sites after an online platform issue kept many students from accessing and finishing the Specialized High School Admissions Test. The New York City Department of Education said students who could not finish will be automatically rescheduled.
Why it matters
The test is the sole admissions criterion for New York City's eight specialized high schools, so a disrupted sitting affects a large group of applicants. The Department of Education said rescheduled testing will not affect any student's score or admission consideration.
The test is administered to roughly 30,000 eighth graders and 5,000 ninth graders each year, and it moved from paper to an online format in 2025. The Department of Education has not said how many students were affected by Saturday's failure.
The players
New York City Department of Education
The city agency that administers the Specialized High School Admissions Test and oversees New York City's public schools.
Pearson
The educational assessment company that serves as the vendor for the online testing platform used in the exam.
The details
Students were sent home with a note saying testing was discontinued after a technical issue at testing sites. The Department of Education said the vendor's testing platform kept many students from accessing and finishing the exam, and Pearson, the vendor, did not respond to a request for comment.
Timeline
2025: The Specialized High School Admissions Test moved from paper to online format.
Saturday, November 14, 2026: The online testing system failed and students were sent home.
November 14, 15 and 21, 2026: Scheduled online test days this year.
November 18, 2026: Scheduled in-school testing day.
Season Trajectory
The shift from paper to an online vendor platform in 2025 placed the admissions process on new technology. This Saturday's failure raises questions about how the online format will hold up across the remaining test days scheduled this November.
Students who could not finish Saturday's test will be automatically rescheduled, and the Department of Education said the rescheduled testing will not affect any score or admission consideration. Families should watch for notices about the new testing dates before the scheduled November sessions.
The takeaway
Students affected by Saturday's failure should expect automatic rescheduling, and the Department of Education has said those scores will not be penalized. Keeping track of the remaining November test dates is the practical step for anyone still preparing for the exam.
What happens next
The Department of Education said students who could not finish will be automatically rescheduled, and online test days are scheduled for November 14, 15 and 21, 2026, with an in-school testing day on November 18, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the admissions process for these schools, see College Applications coverage for New York City.
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