The May 4, 2025 NYT Mini Crossword added a clever little detour at 8A with the “School students” clue. If you’ve got your head screwed on straight, a more old-school word for kids in class might come to mind. If not, the puzzle tossed in a helpful hint with the 9A clue “Make a mistake … or 8-Across backward”.
It’s a six-letter term, often used in schools and formal settings, and yes, flipping 9A answer gives the whole game away. Let’s take a closer look at the answer.
School Students NYT Mini Crossword Answer
PUPILS is the answer to the “School students” clue. Since the clue is plural, the solution had to match.
While “pupil” might sound a bit old-fashioned, it is still used, though more often in British English than American, to refer to kids attending school. The puzzle also threw in a clever trick at 9A with the clue “Make a mistake … or 8-Across backward”. The answer to that one is SLIPUP. Reverse it, and you’ve got your answer to 8A staring right back at you.
