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HUNTER TEST PREP
The Hunter College High School (HCHS) Entrance Exam, created by HCHS and used to assess prospective students’ reading, math, and writing skills. The test is only administered to 6th graders for 7th grade entry. In December 2026, HCHS announced a change to the format of the test. It now consists of two sections: ELA (Reading Comprehension and a Writing Assignment) and Mathematics (Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics Achievement).
The Hunter test is the most difficult standardized test that we tutor, relatively speaking. Its content is incredibly elevated - reading passages at 10th and 11th grade levels, math questions at the 7th to 8th grade level, a heavily weighted essay section - and a 185 minute time limit make this test incredibly grueling for 6th graders. Since most start prepping when they receive the notice they’ve qualified, we usually have only approximately 12 weeks to prepare a student.
Expectations are very important when deciding to tutor for this test. Hunter has a 7% acceptance rate, akin to an ultra-competitive school like Harvard. If you want a better chance at results, you will need to start preparing your child in 5th grade. Even so, there’s no guarantee that your child will gain admittance, but there’s a higher chance with more lead time.
For many students, this is their first time navigating the competitive standardized test landscape. Few are prepared for the rigor, self-discipline, and endurance it takes to achieve an ideal score.
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We are here to demystify this process and help your child take charge of their learning!
The Hunter Test's Format
Reading Comprehension: 50 questions/70 mins
This section tests a student's reading comprehension with fiction, nonfiction, and poetry passages. Each passage has a variable amount of questions that can touch on main idea, supporting details, organization/logic, tone/style/figurative language, and inference. This section is developed by Hunter College High School.
Writing Assignment: 40 mins
This section tests a student's writing skills. The prompt changes every year and could be creative or analytical. The scorers pay close attention to a student's creativity, grammar, reasoning, and attention to detail. This section is developed by Hunter College High School.
Quantitative Reasoning: 37 questions/35 mins
This section tests a student's knowledge of math topics ranging from pre-algebra to geometry. There is no calculator allowed. Problems involve computations with fractions/decimals/percents, divisibility rules, area of shaded regions, pattern recognition, data analysis, simple probability, linear equations, and ratios/proportions. There is a section called Quantitative Comparisons, which tests a student's ability to compare mathematical rules in an abstract way. This is one of the Middle Level math sections developed by ISEE (a test usually used for independent school admissions).
Mathematics Achievement: 47 questions/40 mins
This section tests a student's mathematics knowledge of math topics ranging from pre-algebra to geometry. There is no calculator allowed. Problems involve computations with fractions/decimals/percents, divisibility rules, area of shaded regions, pattern recognition, data analysis, simple probability, linear equations, and ratios/proportions. This is one of the Middle Level math sections developed by ISEE (a test usually used for independent school admissions).
Our individualized approach and experienced tutors can help your child achieve dramatic score increases in a short amount of time (provided your child completes the homework we assign!). By working with us and studying for this test, your child can see improvement in their school grades, study habits, and confidence.
Here's how we do it:
FAQs
When should my child start studying for the Hunter test?
For the best outcome with the least amount of stress, we recommend starting in January-March of your child's 5th grade. This will be before they have received notice that they qualify for the test. Qualification notices are usually sent in September of 6th grade.
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Why do you recommend a 9-12 month study timeline?
If you want your child to get into Hunter, this is the optimal timeline. The test uses 7th and 8th grade math concepts which most students haven't learned yet. Our tutors will teach your child these concepts and how to think methodically to answer these types of questions. In addition, improving reading and writing skills takes time.
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My child scored extremely low on their diagnostic test. Should I be worried?
Generally, no. Most students score very low on their diagnostic test for a few reasons. The first is that they aren't used to the format of the test. The second is that the material is hard and they need to review it or learn it. ​
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That said, the lower the score, the sooner a child should start to prepare for the test!
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What scores does my child need in order to be competitive for Hunter?
While we haven't had any confirmation from Hunter College High School, we believe that 85% correct and above is necessary. We also use a rubric we have created to assess a student's writing sample. Please reach out via our Contact form and Remy will set up a free phone consultation to address your specific needs.
When will my child take the Hunter test?
They will take it once, usually in January of their 6th grade.
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Where will my child take the Hunter test?
They will take it at Hunter College High School. Please reach out to the school for more details.
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Do all Andersen Education tutors approach Hunter Test prep the same way?
We don't believe in one-size-fits-all tutoring or tutor processes. Every Andersen Education tutor brings years of specialized experience and their own pedagogical approach. Remy personally vets each tutor through references and a live mock session to make sure their style aligns with our standards for clarity, warmth, and results. Throughout the test prep process, she provides ongoing support and oversight so every student receives comprehensive, personalized care.
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Which materials do you recommend using?
Please visit our Books and Tools page to see which materials we use to prepare our students for the Hunter test.
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How do you prepare students for the Writing Assignment?
We will cover writing basics using the Hochman method, an evidence-based writing methodology in which Remy is certified. The essay section has changed in recent years, and Remy and her team know best practices to approach this section.
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Can you guarantee a certain score? Based on what I’ve told you about my child, what will they score?
We cannot ethically guarantee a specific score or score increase. What we can offer is expert instruction, personalized feedback, and high-quality materials informed by years of experience. Score improvements depend on a range of factors—some within the student’s control (like effort, practice, and focus), and others outside it (like test-day variables or question set difficulty).