100+ Free TACHS Practice Questions
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What is the perimeter of a triangle with sides of 9 cm, 12 cm, and 15 cm?
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Key Facts: TACHS Exam
~200
Multiple-choice questions total (approx. 50 per section)
tachsinfo.com
4 sections
Reading, Written Expression, Mathematics, Ability
tachsinfo.com
$71
Registration fee (2025–2026), includes scores to 3 schools
catholicschoolsny.org
Percentile 1–99
Scoring scale; no fixed passing score — each school sets its own cutoff
tachsinfo.com
November
Annual test administration month in New York City metro area
tachsinfo.com
No calculator
Calculators are not permitted; ~10 estimation questions require mental math
tachsinfo.com / prep guides
The TACHS is taken by approximately 30,000 8th-grade students annually and is the gateway to dozens of Catholic high schools across New York City and Long Island. The exam covers four sections — Reading (vocabulary and comprehension), Written Expression (grammar, spelling, and composition), Mathematics (through pre-algebra and geometry), and Ability (abstract reasoning including figure matrices and paper folding) — each containing roughly 50 questions. Scores are reported as percentile ranks, not raw or scaled scores, with separate percentiles for city and national comparisons. The 2025–2026 registration fee is $71, and registration closes in late October. (Source: tachsinfo.com, catholicschoolsny.org)
Sample TACHS Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your TACHS exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Read the passage and answer the question. "The old lighthouse had stood at the edge of the rocky promontory for over a century. Its beacon, once vital to sailors navigating the treacherous shoals, had been dark for twenty years. Yet locals still regarded it with reverence, as though the light might flicker on again at any moment." As used in the passage, the word 'promontory' most nearly means:
2Read the passage and answer the question. "The old lighthouse had stood at the edge of the rocky promontory for over a century. Its beacon, once vital to sailors navigating the treacherous shoals, had been dark for twenty years. Yet locals still regarded it with reverence, as though the light might flicker on again at any moment." What is the main idea of this passage?
3Read the passage and answer the question. "The old lighthouse had stood at the edge of the rocky promontory for over a century. Its beacon, once vital to sailors navigating the treacherous shoals, had been dark for twenty years. Yet locals still regarded it with reverence, as though the light might flicker on again at any moment." The word 'treacherous' in the passage most nearly means:
4Read the passage and answer the question. "Maria had always dreamed of becoming an architect. Every weekend she would sketch imaginary buildings in her notebook, designing sweeping staircases and soaring glass towers. Her parents, both accountants, gently reminded her that architecture required years of schooling and was highly competitive. Maria smiled and kept sketching." What does Maria's final action — 'kept sketching' — reveal about her character?
5Read the passage and answer the question. "Maria had always dreamed of becoming an architect. Every weekend she would sketch imaginary buildings in her notebook, designing sweeping staircases and soaring glass towers. Her parents, both accountants, gently reminded her that architecture required years of schooling and was highly competitive. Maria smiled and kept sketching." The phrase 'soaring glass towers' is an example of:
6Read the passage and answer the question. "Bioluminescence — the production of light by living organisms — occurs in a surprising variety of creatures, from fireflies in a summer meadow to deep-sea fish in the darkest ocean trenches. Scientists believe this ability evolved independently many times, suggesting it provides significant advantages such as attracting prey, finding mates, or confusing predators." According to the passage, bioluminescence most likely evolved independently many times because:
7Read the passage and answer the question. "Bioluminescence — the production of light by living organisms — occurs in a surprising variety of creatures, from fireflies in a summer meadow to deep-sea fish in the darkest ocean trenches. Scientists believe this ability evolved independently many times, suggesting it provides significant advantages such as attracting prey, finding mates, or confusing predators." As used in the passage, the word 'evolved' most nearly means:
8Which word is closest in meaning to 'ambiguous'?
9Which word is closest in meaning to 'diligent'?
10Read the passage and answer the question. "The city council voted unanimously to preserve the historic theater rather than demolish it for a parking lot. The theater, built in 1923, has hosted countless performances and serves as a touchstone of community identity for longtime residents." The word 'touchstone' as used in the passage most nearly means:
About the TACHS Exam
The TACHS (Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools) is a standardized entrance exam for 8th-grade students applying to Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens. The exam consists of approximately 200 multiple-choice questions across four sections: Reading, Written Expression, Mathematics, and Ability. Students are scored on a percentile basis, and individual schools set their own admission standards. No calculator is permitted.
Questions
100 scored questions
Time Limit
Approximately 2 to 2.5 hours (including administration time and breaks)
Passing Score
No fixed passing score; students receive percentile ranks (1–99) overall and per section. Schools set their own cutoffs; 70th percentile or above is generally competitive.
Exam Fee
$71 per student (includes score reporting to three high schools of the student's choice) (Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) on behalf of the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens)
TACHS Exam Content Outline
Reading
Vocabulary (synonyms, antonyms, words in context) and reading comprehension passages testing main idea, inference, author's purpose, tone, and figurative language.
Written Expression
Spelling, capitalization, punctuation (commas, apostrophes, semicolons), grammar and usage (pronoun case, subject-verb agreement, verb tense, homophones), and composition skills (paragraph unity, transitions, sentence revision).
Mathematics
Whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, ratios, integers, algebraic expressions and equations, geometry (area, perimeter, volume, angles), probability, statistics, order of operations, and mental estimation.
Ability / Abstract Reasoning
Figure matrices, figure classification, paper folding and hole-punch visualization, number sequences, letter sequences, and alphanumeric pattern recognition — all designed to measure reasoning independent of schooling.
How to Pass the TACHS Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: No fixed passing score; students receive percentile ranks (1–99) overall and per section. Schools set their own cutoffs; 70th percentile or above is generally competitive.
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: Approximately 2 to 2.5 hours (including administration time and breaks)
- Exam fee: $71 per student (includes score reporting to three high schools of the student's choice)
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
TACHS Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the TACHS exam?
The TACHS (Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools) is a standardized multiple-choice exam taken by 8th-grade students who are applying to Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens. It covers Reading, Written Expression, Mathematics, and Ability (abstract reasoning).
How many questions are on the TACHS?
The TACHS contains approximately 200 multiple-choice questions across four sections, with roughly 50 questions per section. The exam takes about 2 to 2.5 hours including administration time and breaks.
What is a good TACHS score?
There is no fixed passing score. Students receive percentile ranks (1–99) for each section and an overall composite. A percentile rank of 70 or above is generally considered competitive, but each school sets its own admission requirements.
Is a calculator allowed on the TACHS?
No. Calculators are not permitted on the TACHS. The Mathematics section includes approximately 10 estimation questions that must be completed mentally without any written work.
How do I register for the TACHS?
Registration opens in late August each year at tachsinfo.com or by calling 1-866-61TACHS. Registration for 2025–2026 opened August 25, 2025 and closed October 29, 2025. The fee is $71 per student, and testing takes place in November.
What is the Ability section of the TACHS?
The Ability section measures abstract reasoning without relying on school-taught content. It includes figure matrices (3×3 grids with a missing piece), figure classification (identifying the shape that doesn't belong), paper folding and hole-punch spatial problems, and number/letter pattern sequences.