Test Prep Without Burnout: Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health During SHSAT Season
Preparing for the SHSAT is a big deal. For many New York City families, it represents the gateway to some of the most prestigious public high schools in the country—like Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, and Brooklyn Tech. With so much riding on one test, it’s only natural to want your child to be as prepared as possible. But just as important as academic readiness is your child’s mental and emotional health. The stress of SHSAT season can lead to burnout if not carefully managed, which can hurt not only performance but also your child’s confidence and well-being. This blog post is here to help you support your child’s success—without sacrificing their mental health.
What Burnout Looks Like in SHSAT Students
Burnout in teens isn’t always easy to spot, especially when they’re under pressure to do well. It’s a state of emotional and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress—and SHSAT prep can sometimes trigger it. You might notice your child becoming unusually irritable or withdrawn, procrastinating more than usual, or complaining of headaches, fatigue, or difficulty sleeping. Some students lose motivation altogether, while others become perfectionistic, afraid to make even the smallest mistakes. What looks like laziness may actually be burnout hiding underneath the surface. Catching these signs early is key to helping your child reset before the stress becomes overwhelming.
Why SHSAT Prep Can Lead to Stress and Pressure
There are a few reasons why SHSAT prep can feel especially heavy. First, it’s a high-stakes test with a high barrier to entry—just one score determines admission to eight competitive NYC high schools. Unlike screened schools that consider grades, interviews, or portfolios, Specialized High Schools only look at SHSAT scores. This increases the pressure students feel to “get it right,” often in just one try. On top of that, many students compare themselves to friends or classmates, worrying that they’re behind or not smart enough. And for students preparing for the new digital version of the SHSAT (beginning in Fall 2025), there’s added anxiety about navigating the interface, typing responses, and adapting to a screen-based test format. It’s a lot for any 12- or 13-year-old to handle.
How to Create a Balanced Prep Plan
The best way to avoid burnout is to create a prep plan that’s consistent, focused, and sustainable. That means quality over quantity. Instead of pushing your child to study for 3 hours every day, try scheduling 3–4 focused prep sessions per week that last 45–60 minutes. Mix it up—alternate between reading comprehension, math, and full-length practice questions. Then, just as importantly, schedule breaks and off-days. Let them rest, play, and be a kid.
Using a calendar or planner can help students visualize their week and reduce the mental load of deciding when to study. Include family time, creative activities, or sports to keep their schedule balanced. This approach not only keeps them motivated, but also helps prevent the frustration and fatigue that often comes with overstudying.
Communication Tips for Parents
One of the most powerful tools you have as a parent is simply talking to your child with empathy. Check in regularly—not just about how they’re doing on practice tests, but how they’re feeling about the process. Ask questions like: “What part of prep feels hardest right now?” or “Is there anything that’s making you feel overwhelmed?” Create space for your child to vent without fear of disappointing you.
Be mindful of the language you use. Instead of saying, “We need to get your score up,” try: “Let’s focus on progress this week and celebrate small wins.” Praise effort, not just results. And remind your child often that one test does not define their worth or future.
When to Adjust or Take a Step Back
Sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is pull back. If your child is consistently anxious, dreading study time, or showing physical signs of stress, it might be time to take a short break. A few days away from test prep can be incredibly refreshing. During that time, encourage creative activities, light reading, or non-academic games.
You can also change how your child studies. If workbooks and flashcards aren’t clicking, try prep games, group study, or online videos. Help them start with easier tasks to rebuild confidence and momentum. Remember: prep is only effective when the mind is ready to absorb it. A burned-out student can’t perform their best—no matter how much they’ve studied.
The Role of Community and Support
Students thrive when they feel supported—not just by parents, but by peers, mentors, and trusted adults. Joining a study group or being part of a prep program with a friendly learning environment can make prep feel less isolating. In some cases, having a teacher, tutor, or coach outside the home creates a more neutral space for learning, especially if the parent-child dynamic has become tense around prep.
If your child is showing signs of persistent anxiety, don’t hesitate to talk to their school counselor. You can also explore mindfulness tools or teen-friendly breathing exercises to help them manage stress. Even 5 minutes of calm breathing a day can make a difference.
The SHSAT is important—but it’s just one step in your child’s larger journey. The real goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress, confidence, and emotional strength. When you support your child’s mental health through the prep process, you’re not only improving their chances of scoring well—you’re also building life skills they’ll carry with them far beyond this one test.
Keep reminding your child (and yourself): It’s okay to rest. It’s okay to struggle. And it’s okay to ask for help. The best SHSAT prep plan is one that keeps your child learning, growing, and believing in themselves—without burning out.