ELA Section

The section is made up of three question types:

Reading comprehension questions test how well students understand the passages they read. They may ask students to analyze main ideas, supporting details, word choice, structure, author's purpose, evidence, and inference. Passages span a range of genres, including science, social studies, fiction, and poetry.

Revising and editing questions measure the ability to improve written English, and they come in two forms.

Passage-based questions focus on the organization and structure of a longer passage. They may ask students to order ideas logically, strengthen transitions, or add and remove supporting details.

Stand-alone questions focus on grammar and the mechanics of written English, such as punctuation, sentence structure, word usage, and clarity.

Test-Taking Tips

You can revise your answers within a passage set, but once you submit the set you cannot return to it. Manage your time across passage sets rather than getting stuck on any single question.

As a rough pacing guide, give yourself about five minutes to read a reading comprehension passage and then about one minute per question. For a revising and editing passage, spend about two to three minutes reading before answering. Read carefully enough to understand the passage first, then adjust your pace, speeding up or slowing down as the questions allow.

Because the test adapts as you go, it is tempting to try to judge how well you are doing. Avoid this. Focus on one question at a time and give each your full attention.