Navigating the admissions process for New York City\u2019s specialized high schools is a challenge, but mastering the SHSAT English Language Arts (ELA) section is the first step toward securing a seat. The ELA section evaluates a student’s ability to analyze complex texts and revise written essays. Whether you are completing Revising and Editing tasks that demand a sharp eye for grammar and structure, or diving into Reading Comprehension passages that span from classical poetry to scientific articles, understanding the specific skills tested is essential for an effective study plan. In this guide, we break down what\u2019s tested on the SHSAT ELA section to ensure you approach test day with total confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[ READ NEXT:<\/strong> What\u2019s Tested on the SHSAT Math Section<\/a> ]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n TABLE OF CONTENTS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The SHSAT ELA section is designed to test your reading comprehension and ability to analyze written material. This section is all about accuracy, critical thinking, and understanding nuance. As of 2026, the SHSAT has moved to a computer-adaptive format (CAT). This means the test adjusts to your skill level in real-time\u2014the better you do, the more challenging the questions become.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Past versions of the exam have contained 57 questions in the English Language Arts section, which accounts for one-half of your total points on the SHSAT. Although there may be adjustments to the exam for 2026, the English Language Arts section of the 2025 digital practice exams consisted of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are three main question types you\u2019ll face on the SHSAT ELA section.<\/p>\n\n\n SHSAT Reading Comprehension questions test your ability to understand what you\u2019ve read. The passages will appear on a variety of topics such as science, social studies, humanities, poetry, and literary fiction. The Reading Comprehension questions will test your understanding of what you\u2019ve read in the passages as well as information provided in accompanying tables, charts, or graphs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The beginning of the Reading section will look similar to the following:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n DIRECTIONS: <\/strong>Read the six passages and answer the corresponding questions. Use the digital notepad tool or your scrap paper to help you take notes. Reread relevant parts of the text before choosing the best answer for each question, but be mindful of time. Select the best<\/strong> answer for each question. Base your answers only on the content within each passage.<\/p>\n\n\n SHSAT Revising\/Editing passage-based questions will ask you to improve the organization and topic development of the passage(s).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The beginning of the Revising\/Editing Passage-Based Questions section will look similar to the following:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n DIRECTIONS: <\/strong>Read the passage or passages and answer the questions that follow, improving the writing quality and correcting grammatical errors. You may use the digital notepad tool or your scrap paper to take notes. Reread relevant parts of the text before choosing the best<\/strong> answer for each question, but be mindful of time.<\/p>\n\n\nSHSAT English Language Arts Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
ELA Subsection<\/strong><\/td> Total Number of Questions<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Reading Comprehension<\/td> 48 questions<\/td><\/tr> Revising\/Editing Passage(s)<\/td> 5 questions<\/td><\/tr> Revising\/Editing Stand-Alone Questions<\/td> 4 questions<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n SHSAT English Language Arts Question Types<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Reading Comprehension Questions<\/h3>
Revising\/Editing Passage-Based Questions<\/h3>