SHSAT ELA Section
50 questions · computer-adaptive from Fall 2026 · Revising/Editing & Reading Comprehension
Master the English Language Arts Section
The ELA section of the SHSAT tests a student's ability to revise and edit written passages and comprehend complex reading material. It produces its own scaled score, which is added to the Math scaled score to make the composite, so it matters just as much as Math.
On the new computer-adaptive SHSAT (from Fall 2026), the ELA section has 50 questions. Within a passage set you can go back and change answers until you submit the set; stand-alone Revising/Editing questions cannot be revisited once you move on.
Many students underestimate the ELA section, focusing most of their preparation on Math. This is a mistake. With targeted practice, ELA scores can improve dramatically — and the gains can be the difference between acceptance and rejection at your target school.
Dr. Donnelly teaches specific strategies for each ELA question type, building the analytical skills students need to work quickly and accurately under timed conditions.
ELA Question Breakdown
Revising/Editing Part B: Stand-Alone
Each question presents a single sentence or short paragraph. Students must recognize and correct errors so the text follows the conventions of standard written English: grammar, usage, punctuation and sentence structure.
- Subject-verb agreement
- Pronoun-antecedent agreement
- Comma usage and punctuation
- Sentence fragments and run-ons
- Parallel structure
- Precise word choice
Revising/Editing Part A: Passage-Based
Students read a multi-paragraph passage and answer questions about improving the text. These go beyond grammar to test organizational and rhetorical skills.
- Adding or removing sentences
- Reordering sentences within paragraphs
- Improving transitions
- Strengthening topic sentences
- Combining sentences effectively
- Supporting claims with evidence
Reading Comprehension
Students read literary and informational passages, then answer questions testing their understanding of main ideas, details, vocabulary, tone, and structure.
- Main idea and central theme
- Supporting details and evidence
- Vocabulary in context
- Author's purpose and point of view
- Inference and conclusions
- Text structure and organization
How Dr. Donnelly Teaches ELA
Grammar Rules, Not Guessing
Students learn the specific grammar rules tested on the SHSAT, so they can identify errors with confidence rather than relying on what "sounds right."
Active Reading Techniques
Dr. Donnelly teaches annotation and passage-mapping strategies that help students process complex texts efficiently within the time limit.
Elimination Strategy
For every question type, students learn how to systematically eliminate wrong answers, increasing accuracy even on the most challenging passages.
Timed Practice Drills
Regular timed sections build pacing skills so students can finish all 50 ELA questions and still leave enough of the 180 minutes for Math.
Boost Your ELA Score
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