TACHS
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ExploreAbout this exam
TACHS stands for the Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools, an entrance examination used by many Catholic secondary schools, primarily in and around New York City, as one part of their admissions decisions. It is taken by students in their final year of elementary or middle school who plan to enter ninth grade at a participating Catholic high school. The test is not a credential you earn; it is a screening instrument that schools combine with records, recommendations, and sometimes interviews.
The exam is multiple choice and samples four areas: Reading, Written Expression, Mathematics, and Ability, which covers verbal and quantitative reasoning. Reading and Written Expression reward careful close reading, vocabulary in context, grammar, and sentence logic. Mathematics covers arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percents, pre-algebra, geometry basics, and word problems. Ability questions test pattern recognition, analogies, sequences, and logic rather than memorized content.
Preparation works best spread over months. Diagnose with a full-length practice test, then build skills in the weakest area while keeping the others warm with short weekly drills. Because reasoning questions reward familiarity with question types, timed practice matters. Check the official TACHS website for current registration dates, test dates, fee information, and score reporting, since the testing organization publishes those details and they change.
What you'll study
About TACHS preparation
What is the TACHS actually used for?
It is an entrance exam that participating Catholic high schools use alongside your school records, teacher recommendations, and sometimes an interview or essay. A strong score can support your application, but it does not guarantee admission, and schools weigh it differently.
What is the test format?
It is entirely multiple choice, with four sections: Reading, Written Expression, Mathematics, and Ability, which combines verbal and quantitative reasoning. You mark answers on a separate answer sheet, so practice transferring answers accurately and keeping pace.
How long is the test and how many questions are there?
The official testing organization publishes the current question count and time limits, and they can change between administrations. Check the official TACHS website for the exact figures before you plan practice sessions, and use full-length practice tests that match the published timing.
How hard is it compared with schoolwork?
Most students find the content familiar but the pace demanding. Reading passages are long, math rewards accuracy under time pressure, and the Ability section feels unfamiliar at first. Difficulty comes less from advanced content than from stamina, careful reading, and question-type fluency.
Can I retake the exam?
Retake rules are set by the testing organization and participating schools, so confirm the current policy on the official TACHS website. Do not assume a second sitting is available or that schools will consider it. Plan to do your best on the first attempt.
What should I study first?
Start with a timed full-length practice test to find your weakest section. Then spend most of your study time there, while keeping the other sections warm with short weekly drills. Reasoning and vocabulary improve slowly, so begin those early rather than cramming them at the end.
How do I improve on the Ability section?
Learn the common question types, such as analogies, number and letter sequences, coding, and logic puzzles, then practice them in short timed sets. Keep a log of missed items by type. Improvement comes from recognizing patterns quickly, not from memorizing facts.
What are the most common mistakes candidates make?
Running out of time on reading passages, rushing math word problems without checking units, guessing without eliminating choices, and neglecting the Ability section because it is unfamiliar. Misreading the question stem and losing track of the answer sheet are also frequent, avoidable errors.
How should I prepare in the final weeks?
Shift from learning new material to timed practice and review. Take at least one or two full-length tests under realistic conditions, review every wrong answer, and rehearse logistics such as materials and arrival time. Sleep and steady routine matter more than last-minute cramming.
Where do I find registration, dates, and fees?
The official testing organization publishes registration windows, test dates, fees, fee waivers, and score reporting on its website. Those details change, so use the official site rather than third-party summaries, and confirm deadlines with your school counselor early.