SHSAT ELA Topics 2026: Complete Glossary of Every Skill

TL;DR: The 2026 SHSAT ELA section has 50 questions across two categories: Revising/Editing and Reading Comprehension. Scrambled Paragraphs are gone. The test is now computer-adaptive and fully digital. This glossary defines every ELA topic tested, from subject-verb agreement to inference questions, so students and parents can build a focused study plan using current information.

If you search for SHSAT ELA topics online, you will find a mess of outdated information. Prep sites still referencing 57 questions per section. Blog posts explaining Scrambled Paragraphs as if they still exist. Guides built for a paper test that no longer exists.

Here is the reality: the 2026 SHSAT is computer-adaptive, delivered on DOE-provided computers, with 50 ELA questions and 50 Math questions in 180 minutes. The difficulty adjusts as your child answers. The skills tested haven’t changed much, but the format, the question count, and the test-taking strategy all have.

The NYC DOE does not publish an official enumerated list of ELA topics. As one user on Reddit’s r/SHSAT noted, “There is no official enumerated SHSAT topic list therefore the DOE can more or less do whatever they want here.” That makes a comprehensive glossary genuinely useful. This one covers every skill area identified across official practice tests, practitioner analyses, and real student reports.

Start your SHSAT prep with a diagnostic-first approach that identifies exactly where to focus.

SHSAT ELA Section Overview (2026 Format)

Before defining individual SHSAT ELA topics, it helps to understand the section’s structure. In 2024, 25,678 students took the SHSAT with a 15.9% qualification rate. Competition is stiff, and the ELA section is where many students either pull ahead or fall behind.

Question Type	Approximate Count	What It Tests
Revising/Editing (Standalone)	~3	Grammar and usage rules in isolated sentences
Revising/Editing (Passage-Based)	~4 to 5	Grammar, transitions, and organization within a short passage
Reading Comprehension	~42	Understanding, analyzing, and interpreting six passages
Total	50

Two critical notes:

Scrambled Paragraphs were removed in 2022. If any prep resource includes them, that resource is outdated. Period.

The old 57-question format is gone. NYC SHSAT Portal practice tests confirm 50 questions per section. Some older prep books and even some currently ranking websites still show 57. Don’t trust them.

One more thing about the digital format: standalone ELA items and Math items cannot be revisited once you move on. Inside an ELA passage set, though, you can change answers until you submit that set. This changes pacing strategy significantly.

Revising and Editing Topics Glossary

Revising and Editing questions are, frankly, the best place to gain points fast. Practitioners on forums and YouTube consistently call this the most improvable section on the entire SHSAT. The grammar rules are finite, learnable, and predictable. SHSATlab’s analysis identifies 8 core grammar rules that cover the majority of standalone R/E questions, and learning all 8 is typically a one to two week project.

If you’re building a study plan, consider using a personalized study plan generator to map your weak spots to a daily schedule.

Here is every Revising/Editing topic defined.

Subject-Verb Agreement

The subject and verb in a sentence must match in number. A singular subject takes a singular verb; a plural subject takes a plural verb. On the SHSAT, test makers love inserting prepositional phrases between the subject and verb to create confusion. For example: “The collection of rare stamps is valuable” (not “are”). Look past the phrase “of rare stamps” to find the true subject.

Where it appears: Standalone R/E, Passage-Based R/E

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

A pronoun must agree in number and gender with the noun it replaces (the antecedent). “Each student must bring their notebook” is technically a mismatch in formal grammar, since “each” is singular. The SHSAT tests this rule often.

Where it appears: Standalone R/E

Vague or Ambiguous Pronoun Reference

This goes beyond agreement. The question tests whether the reader can tell which noun a pronoun refers to. Ivy Tutors Network reported that the 2025 SHSAT included questions where it was unclear which noun the pronoun referenced, often called “ambiguous pronouns.” If a sentence contains “he told him that he was late,” the reader can’t tell who “he” is.

Where it appears: Standalone R/E, Passage-Based R/E

Comma Splice

A comma splice joins two independent clauses with just a comma. “The train was late, we missed the show” is a comma splice. Fix it with a period, semicolon, or coordinating conjunction. This is one of the most commonly tested sentence errors. Students preparing for grammar-heavy standardized tests will recognize this rule across the SAT as well.

Where it appears: Standalone R/E

Run-On Sentence

Two or more independent clauses fused together without any punctuation or conjunction. “The museum closed early the visitors were disappointed” is a run-on. It differs from a comma splice because there is no comma at all. On the SHSAT, the fix usually involves adding a period, semicolon, or conjunction.

Where it appears: Standalone R/E

Sentence Fragment

A group of words punctuated as a sentence but missing a subject, a verb, or a complete thought. “Running through the park on a sunny afternoon.” That is a fragment because it lacks a main clause. The SHSAT tests whether students can identify these, especially when they sound natural in speech.

Where it appears: Standalone R/E

Misplaced Modifier

A word or phrase placed too far from the word it modifies, creating confusion or unintended meaning. “She almost drove her kids to school every day” (she drove them almost every day, not “almost drove”). The fix: move the modifier closer to the word it describes.

Where it appears: Standalone R/E

Dangling Modifier

A modifier that has no clear subject to modify. “Walking to school, the rain started.” Who is walking? Not the rain. This was confirmed as appearing on the 2025 exam by Ivy Tutors Network. Fix it by giving the modifier a logical subject: “Walking to school, she got caught in the rain.”

Where it appears: Standalone R/E, Passage-Based R/E

Parallel Structure

Items in a list or comparison must follow the same grammatical form. “She likes running, swimming, and to bike” breaks parallelism. Correct: “She likes running, swimming, and biking.” The SHSAT frequently tests this in sentences with series or paired constructions.

Where it appears: Standalone R/E

Redundancy and Wordiness

Using more words than necessary or repeating the same idea. “She returned back to her original hometown” is redundant (“returned” already means “went back,” and “original” is implied by “hometown”). The SHSAT rewards concise writing. The correct answer is usually the shortest one that preserves the full meaning.

Where it appears: Standalone R/E, Passage-Based R/E

Verb Tense Consistency

Within a sentence or passage, verbs should maintain a consistent tense unless there is a clear reason to shift. “She walked to the store and buys milk” mixes past and present. Students should watch for tense shifts mid-sentence or mid-paragraph.

Where it appears: Standalone R/E, Passage-Based R/E

Apostrophe Usage

The SHSAT tests whether students know the difference between possessives and contractions. “Its” (possessive) vs. “it’s” (it is). “Students’” (plural possessive) vs. “student’s” (singular possessive). These questions are quick points if you know the rules.

Where it appears: Standalone R/E

Transition Words and Phrases

Passage-based R/E questions frequently ask students to choose the best transition between sentences or paragraphs. There are four basic types of transitions: Additive (furthermore, in addition), Sequential (first, next, finally), Causal (therefore, as a result), and Adversative (however, on the other hand). Picking the right transition requires understanding the logical relationship between ideas.

Where it appears: Passage-Based R/E

Topic Sentences

Some passage-based questions ask which sentence best introduces the main idea of a paragraph. A strong topic sentence states the paragraph’s central claim. The wrong answers are usually too specific, too vague, or about a different topic entirely.

Where it appears: Passage-Based R/E

Irrelevant Sentences

One common passage-based question type asks students to identify sentences that don’t belong. These sentences do not contribute to the overall meaning and can be removed without changing the main idea. To spot them, ask: does this sentence support the paragraph’s topic sentence? If not, it is the answer.

Where it appears: Passage-Based R/E

Sentence Combining

These questions present two short, choppy sentences and ask which answer choice best combines them into one clear sentence. The correct answer preserves both ideas without adding, removing, or distorting meaning, and it uses proper grammar.

Where it appears: Standalone R/E, Passage-Based R/E

Word Choice and Precision

The SHSAT tests whether students can select the most precise word for a given context. “The scientist studied the data” is better than “The scientist looked at the data” when the passage emphasizes careful analysis. This overlaps with the concept of diction, the deliberate choice of words for clarity and effect.

Where it appears: Passage-Based R/E

Relevance and Conclusions

Some questions ask which sentence best concludes a passage or paragraph. The correct conclusion typically restates or reinforces the central idea without introducing new information. Other questions in this category ask whether a sentence is relevant to the passage’s argument.

Where it appears: Passage-Based R/E

Inline Dropdown Questions (Technology-Enhanced Item)

New to the digital SHSAT, inline dropdown questions show a sentence with one or more blanked words replaced by dropdown menus. Your child selects the correct word or phrase from the dropdown. This format tests the same grammar skills (subject-verb agreement, transitions, word choice) but in a different digital interface. SHSATlab has documented this as a new TEI format for the 2025/2026 test.

Where it appears: Standalone R/E, Passage-Based R/E

Reading Comprehension Topics Glossary

Reading Comprehension makes up roughly 42 of the 50 ELA questions, making it by far the largest category on the test. It is also the hardest to improve quickly, which is why practitioners recommend starting RC prep early. SHSATlab’s data analysis suggests focusing on inference questions first because they appear most often and most students miss them.

Students will encounter six passages covering fiction, nonfiction, informational, historical, scientific, and even poetry texts. NYC tutors like Khan’s Tutorial warn that test makers purposefully make the passages boring to test stamina. Don’t expect exciting stories. Expect dry, dense prose that rewards careful reading.

From 2025 student reports, many students saw a poem with antiquated language and called it the most challenging part of the test.

Here are the SHSAT ELA topics within Reading Comprehension, organized by skill area and question type.

Central Idea / Main Idea

These questions ask what a passage is mainly about. The central idea is the overarching point the author makes across the entire text, not just one paragraph. Students should distinguish between a topic (what the passage discusses) and a central idea (what the passage says about that topic). Central Idea is one of the three most frequently tested RC skills, accounting for nearly half of all RC questions alongside Evidence and Author’s Point of View.

Question type: Global

Theme (Literary Passages)

Theme is similar to central idea but applies to fiction and poetry. It is the underlying message or lesson conveyed through characters, conflict, and resolution. A theme is never stated directly. It must be inferred from the story’s events. “Perseverance overcomes adversity” is a theme. “A girl climbs a mountain” is a plot summary, not a theme.

Question type: Global

Supporting Evidence

Evidence questions ask students to identify which specific detail, quotation, or example from the passage best supports a given claim. Sometimes these appear as two-part questions: first pick the inference, then pick the evidence that supports it. Strong readers trace every answer back to a specific line or paragraph.

Question type: Detail

Inference and Implied Meaning

Inference questions ask what can be reasonably concluded from the passage even though it is not directly stated. This is the single most common and most missed question type on the SHSAT ELA section. The key is staying close to the text. Good inferences are small logical steps from what’s written, not creative guesses.

Question type: Inference

Vocabulary in Context

These questions present a word (sometimes common, sometimes unfamiliar) and ask what it means in the specific sentence where it appears. “The atmosphere in the room was charged” does not mean electrical charge. Context clues in surrounding sentences point to the intended meaning. Students who have been working through words-in-context practice for the SAT will find these skills transfer directly.

Question type: Detail / Function

Author’s Purpose

Why did the author write this passage? To inform, persuade, entertain, or explain? Author’s purpose questions can also be more specific: why did the author include this particular paragraph, example, or quotation? The answer is always rooted in what effect the author wanted on the reader.

Question type: Function

Author’s Point of View

Point of view questions ask what the author thinks about the topic. Is the author supportive, critical, neutral, or skeptical? This is one of the top three most frequently tested SHSAT ELA topics. Don’t confuse point of view (the author’s opinion) with perspective (first person vs. third person narration), although the SHSAT can test both.

Question type: Global / Function

Tone and Mood

Tone is the author’s attitude toward the subject. Mood is the feeling the passage creates in the reader. A passage about endangered species might have a tone that is urgent and concerned, creating a mood of anxiety. On the SHSAT, tone questions often offer four adjective choices, and students must eliminate words that are too extreme or too neutral.

Question type: Function

Text Structure and Organization

How is the passage organized? Common structures include chronological order, cause and effect, compare and contrast, problem and solution, and order of importance. These questions might ask why the author arranged paragraphs in a particular sequence or what organizational pattern the passage follows.

Question type: Function / Global

Figurative Language and Imagery

The SHSAT tests whether students can interpret metaphors, similes, personification, and vivid descriptive language. “The city was a jungle” is a metaphor, not a literal claim about vegetation. Questions ask what the figurative language means in context or what effect it has on the reader.

Question type: Function / Detail

Cause and Effect

Some questions ask students to identify what caused a particular event or outcome within the passage. Others ask about the effect of an event. The challenge is distinguishing between correlation (two things happening together) and causation (one thing causing another).

Question type: Detail / Inference

Compare and Contrast

These questions ask how two ideas, characters, events, or arguments in the passage are similar or different. In passages with multiple perspectives, students may need to identify where two authors agree or disagree.

Question type: Detail / Inference

The Four RC Question Types

NYC tutors and Kaplan both break SHSAT Reading Comprehension into four basic question types. Recognizing the question type before answering can sharpen your approach.

Global Questions

Global questions ask about the passage as a whole. They might ask you to choose a correct summary, identify the central idea, or determine the author’s overall argument. Read the full passage before answering these. Skimming usually leads to wrong answers.

Detail Questions

Detail questions point to specific facts, quotes, or figures in the text. The answer is stated directly in the passage. These are the most straightforward question type, but students lose points when they rely on memory instead of going back to verify.

Inference Questions

Inference questions ask you to extend what you have learned from the passage to draw a conclusion. The answer is not stated word for word. It requires a small logical leap. The best approach: eliminate answers that are too extreme or unsupported.

Function Questions

Function questions ask about the purpose behind a specific authorial decision. Why did the author use this word? Why is this paragraph placed here? What is the effect of this example? These questions test analytical reading, not just comprehension.

Passage Types on the SHSAT ELA

Understanding what kinds of passages appear helps students prepare mentally. The SHSAT draws from a variety of subjects.

Informational / Nonfiction: Articles about real-world topics, often structured around a thesis and supporting evidence. These passages test students’ ability to follow an argument.

Literary Fiction: Short stories or excerpts from novels. These test understanding of character, conflict, theme, and narrative technique.

Poetry: Poems with varying complexity, sometimes using antiquated or figurative language. Students in 2025 reported poetry as particularly challenging.

Historical / Social Studies: Passages about historical events, movements, or political ideas. These can include primary source excerpts with formal, older language.

Science / Technical: Passages explaining scientific concepts or processes. These test whether students can follow a logical explanation and identify key findings.

Outdated SHSAT ELA Terms (What’s No Longer Tested)

This matters because using outdated prep materials wastes time and builds the wrong skills.

Scrambled Paragraphs: Removed in 2022. These questions asked students to arrange five sentences into a logical paragraph. They no longer appear on the SHSAT. If your prep book or tutor includes them, find a different resource.

Logical Reasoning: Removed years ago. These were standalone logic puzzles unrelated to reading passages.

57-Question Format: The old SHSAT had 57 ELA questions and 57 Math questions. The 2026 test has 50 and 50. Some prep books and websites still show the old numbers. Practicing with 57-question sets means practicing with incorrect pacing.

Grid-In Questions: These exist in the Math section only. They are not part of the ELA section.

If you want practice materials that reflect the current format, look for resources aligned with the latest digital SHSAT practice tests.

SHSAT ELA Topics by Frequency

Not all SHSAT ELA topics carry equal weight. Based on SHSATlab’s analysis of official practice tests, here is how topics break down by frequency.

Reading Comprehension (highest frequency first):

Topic	Frequency	Notes
Central Idea / Evidence / Author’s POV	Very High	These three account for nearly half of all RC questions
Inference	Very High	Most common question type and most frequently missed
Vocabulary in Context	High	Appears across all passage types
Text Structure	Moderate	More common on informational passages
Tone and Mood	Moderate	Especially on literary and poetry passages
Figurative Language	Lower	Primarily on fiction and poetry passages

Revising/Editing (highest frequency first):

Topic	Frequency	Notes
Subject-Verb Agreement	Very High	Most tested standalone R/E rule
Transitions	Very High	Dominates passage-based R/E
Comma Splices / Run-Ons	High	Quick points if rules are memorized
Pronoun Agreement / Reference	High	Confirmed on 2025 exam
Dangling/Misplaced Modifiers	Moderate	Confirmed on 2025 exam
Parallel Structure	Moderate	Common in sentence correction format
Redundancy	Moderate	Often paired with word choice questions
Apostrophes	Lower	Simple rule, easy points

Knowing which topics appear most often lets you prioritize study time. A diagnostic test can pinpoint exactly which of these areas need the most work, so you’re not studying blindly.

For students also considering the SAT down the road, many of these SHSAT ELA topics overlap directly with the skills tested on the digital SAT Reading and Writing section. Building these skills now pays off later.

How to Use This Glossary

Print it or bookmark it. As you work through SHSAT practice tests, note which question types you miss. Come back to the relevant glossary entry, review the concept, and practice again. The students who improve fastest are the ones who study their weaknesses systematically instead of doing random practice.

For a structured approach to preparation, check out the SHSAT study guide for a step-by-step plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ELA topics are on the SHSAT?

The SHSAT ELA section tests two categories: Revising/Editing and Reading Comprehension. Revising/Editing covers grammar rules like subject-verb agreement, pronoun reference, comma splices, modifiers, parallel structure, transitions, and word choice. Reading Comprehension tests central idea, inference, evidence, vocabulary in context, author’s purpose, tone, text structure, and figurative language.

How many ELA questions are on the 2026 SHSAT?

The 2026 SHSAT has 50 ELA questions: approximately 3 standalone Revising/Editing questions, 4 to 5 passage-based Revising/Editing questions, and about 42 Reading Comprehension questions across six passages.

Are Scrambled Paragraphs still on the SHSAT?

No. Scrambled Paragraphs were removed from the SHSAT in 2022. Any prep material that includes them is outdated and should not be used for current test preparation.

What grammar rules are tested on the SHSAT?

The eight core grammar rules are subject-verb agreement, pronoun-antecedent agreement, misplaced/dangling modifiers, parallel structure, comma splices and run-ons, redundancy, apostrophe usage, and transition logic. Mastering all eight is typically a one to two week project.

What passage types appear on the SHSAT ELA section?

Students encounter informational nonfiction, literary fiction, poetry, historical/social studies passages, and science or technical texts. Poetry passages with antiquated language were reported as especially challenging by 2025 test takers.

Is the SHSAT ELA section harder than the Math section?

It depends on the student. Reading Comprehension, which makes up about 42 of the 50 ELA questions, is harder to improve quickly because it requires years of reading skill development. Revising/Editing, on the other hand, is highly learnable in a short time. Math improvement tends to fall somewhere in between. A diagnostic helps determine which section needs more attention.

What are Technology-Enhanced Items on the SHSAT?

Technology-Enhanced Items (TEIs) are digital question formats including inline dropdown menus, drag-and-drop, and grid-in (Math only). For ELA, inline dropdowns are the main new format. They test the same grammar and usage skills but require selecting answers from dropdown menus within a sentence rather than choosing from traditional multiple-choice options.

What is a good SHSAT score for ELA?

There is no separate ELA score reported. The SHSAT produces a single composite score combining ELA and Math. Cutoff scores vary by school. Check current SHSAT cutoff scores by school to see what composite score you need for your target program.