TACHS (NYC Catholic HS) Exam Survival Guide

Audience: NYC Catholic HS admissions | Sections: Reading, Language, Math, Ability (abstract/figural)

Must-do topics

• Reading: main idea, detail, inference, author’s purpose, context vocab.
• Language: grammar/usage (S–V, pronouns), punctuation, sentence improvement.
• Math: arithmetic, ratios/percent, pre-algebra, basic geometry.
• Ability: sequences, figure matrices, analogies (nonverbal).

Top traps

• Over-annotating passages (time sink).
• Treating Ability as “tricks” instead of rules (rotate/reflect/add).
• Confusing ratio vs percent problems.
• Misplacing commas around nonessential clauses.

Quick checks

• Ratio: If 2:5 = x:20 → x = 8.
• Context: “the tenuous agreement” ≈ fragile.
• Ability: ■ ▲ ■ ▲ ? → ■.
• Commas: “My sister, who lives in LA, is visiting.” (nonessential set-off)

You will make

• Ability rule chart (rotation/flip/add/remove/number/position).
• Ratio–percent translator sheet.
• Comma/relative clause cards.
• Reading purpose stems.

Last-48h checklist

• 2 timed Ability minis (10 Q each).
• 15 math mixed (ratio/percent/geometry).
• 2 Reading sets (8–10 Q).
• 15 Language fixes (punctuation/grammar).
• Light review; hydrate; early night.

Speed tactics

• Ability: name the rule first; check it fits all prior frames.
• Reading: answer from text; avoid “sounds right” traps.
• Math: set up proportion/equation cleanly; cancel units.

Day-of plan

• 6-minute drill: 6 ability + 4 math.
• Keep margin notes minimal; star returns.