Are flashcards effective for the SHSAT?

Yes. Flashcards use active recall — retrieving an answer from memory — which research shows is one of the most effective ways to make information stick, especially for the grammar rules, math formulas, and vocabulary the SHSAT tests.

What topics do the SHSAT flashcards cover?

ELA Revising/Editing (grammar, punctuation, sentence boundaries), ELA Reading Comprehension (main idea, inference, vocabulary, figurative language), Math word problems and computation (ratios, percentages, algebra, exponents), Math grid-ins and geometry, and the SHSAT's format and rank-order admission.

How should I study with these flashcards?

Mix the modes: flip to learn, type to test recall, match for speed, and quiz to check yourself. Start early, review daily, and drill your weakest topic — the cards make grammar rules and math formulas stick through repetition.

Are the SHSAT flashcards free?

Yes — 100% free, all four study modes, no paywall.

What is an independent clause?

A group of words with a subject and a verb that can stand alone as a complete sentence.

What is a dependent clause?

A subject + verb that cannot stand alone because it starts with a subordinating word (because, although, since, when).

What is a run-on sentence?

Two independent clauses joined with no punctuation or conjunction between them.

What is a sentence fragment?

A group of words punctuated as a sentence but missing a subject, a verb, or a complete thought.

What does FANBOYS stand for?

The coordinating conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. A comma + FANBOYS can join two independent clauses.

When can a comma join two complete sentences?

Only with a coordinating conjunction (comma + FANBOYS). A comma alone is a splice.

How do you fix a comma splice?

Use a period or semicolon, or add a coordinating conjunction after the comma.

What does a semicolon do?

Joins two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction.

What is subject-verb agreement?

A verb must match its subject in number: singular subject → singular verb; plural subject → plural verb.

"The list of volunteers (has/have) been posted." Which verb?

Has. The subject is the singular noun 'list,' not 'volunteers.'

Is 'mathematics' singular or plural?

Singular — it names one field of study, so it takes a singular verb ('Mathematics is...').

What is pronoun-antecedent agreement?

A pronoun must match the noun it refers to in number and gender (a company = 'it,' not 'they').

Difference between 'its' and 'it's'?

'Its' = possessive (its tail). 'It's' = it is / it has.

What is a misplaced modifier?

A describing word or phrase sitting next to the wrong noun, so it seems to describe the wrong thing.

What is a dangling modifier?

An opening phrase that doesn't logically describe the noun right after the comma.

Fix: 'Walking to school, the rain soaked us.'

'Walking to school, we were soaked by the rain.' The noun after the comma must be the one doing the walking.

What is parallel structure?

Items in a series share the same grammatical form: 'to stretch, to drink, and to rest.'

What signals a contrast transition?

Words like however, nevertheless, on the other hand, instead, conversely.

What signals a cause/effect transition?

Therefore, thus, consequently, as a result.

What signals an addition transition?

Furthermore, moreover, in addition, also.

What signals an example transition?

For example, for instance, specifically.

How do you choose a transition word?

Decide the logical relationship between the ideas first, then pick the matching word. Transitions test logic, not vocabulary.

What is a coordinating conjunction?

A word (FANBOYS) that joins two equal grammatical parts, such as two independent clauses.

What is a subordinating conjunction?

A word (because, although, when, since, if) that begins a dependent clause.

When do you use a comma after an introductory phrase?

Always set off an introductory word, phrase, or dependent clause with a comma before the main clause.

How do you set off nonessential information?

With a pair of commas (or a pair of dashes) around the extra, removable detail.

What is a verb tense error?

Switching tense inconsistently within a passage's timeline; keep tense consistent unless time changes.

What is redundancy in writing?

Saying the same thing twice ('annual yearly report'). The SHSAT often asks you to cut it.

Using more words than needed; the SHSAT favors the most concise correct option.

What does the apostrophe show in 'students' books'?

Plural possession — the books belonging to multiple students (apostrophe after the s).

Singular possessive of 'class'?

Class's (add apostrophe + s): 'the class's project.'

What is a comma after each item in a list called?

Items in a series are separated by commas; the last comma before 'and' is the Oxford (serial) comma.

To set off a nonessential interruption (like paired commas) or to create emphasis before a closing remark.

What is the editing test for any boundary punctuation?

Check whether each side is a complete sentence; that decides whether you can use a comma, semicolon, period, or conjunction.

'Their, there, they're' — which means 'they are'?

They're. 'Their' = possessive; 'there' = a place.

'Your' = possessive (your book); 'you're' = you are.

How do you keep a list of actions parallel?

Make every item the same form — all infinitives, all -ing words, or all simple verbs.

What does Part A of Revising/Editing test?

Fixing errors in standalone sentences (grammar, punctuation, usage).

What does Part B of Revising/Editing test?

Improving sentences within a short passage, including organization and transitions.

What is the most concise way to revise a sentence usually?

The shortest option that keeps all needed meaning and is grammatically correct.

What is a clause vs a phrase?

A clause has a subject and a verb; a phrase does not.

What is the main idea of a passage?

The central point the whole passage makes — broad enough to cover the entire text.

Your FREE SHSAT Flashcards 2026 – 200+ Cards

Realistic, SHSAT exam-style flashcards across ELA and Math — flip, match, type, and quiz yourself.

How well do you know them?

SHSAT Flashcards

What is a comma splice?: Two complete sentences (independent clauses) joined by only a comma. Fix with a period, a semicolon, or a comma + a conjunction.
What is an independent clause?: A group of words with a subject and a verb that can stand alone as a complete sentence.
What is a dependent clause?: A subject + verb that cannot stand alone because it starts with a subordinating word (because, although, since, when).
What is a run-on sentence?: Two independent clauses joined with no punctuation or conjunction between them.
What is a sentence fragment?: A group of words punctuated as a sentence but missing a subject, a verb, or a complete thought.
What does FANBOYS stand for?: The coordinating conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. A comma + FANBOYS can join two independent clauses.
When can a comma join two complete sentences?: Only with a coordinating conjunction (comma + FANBOYS). A comma alone is a splice.
How do you fix a comma splice?: Use a period or semicolon, or add a coordinating conjunction after the comma.
What does a semicolon do?: Joins two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction.
When do you use a colon?: After a complete sentence, to introduce a list, an explanation, or a quotation.
What is subject-verb agreement?: A verb must match its subject in number: singular subject → singular verb; plural subject → plural verb.
"The list of volunteers (has/have) been posted." Which verb?: Has. The subject is the singular noun 'list,' not 'volunteers.'
Is 'mathematics' singular or plural?: Singular — it names one field of study, so it takes a singular verb ('Mathematics is...').
What is pronoun-antecedent agreement?: A pronoun must match the noun it refers to in number and gender (a company = 'it,' not 'they').
Difference between 'its' and 'it's'?: 'Its' = possessive (its tail). 'It's' = it is / it has.
What is a misplaced modifier?: A describing word or phrase sitting next to the wrong noun, so it seems to describe the wrong thing.
What is a dangling modifier?: An opening phrase that doesn't logically describe the noun right after the comma.
Fix: 'Walking to school, the rain soaked us.': 'Walking to school, we were soaked by the rain.' The noun after the comma must be the one doing the walking.
What is parallel structure?: Items in a series share the same grammatical form: 'to stretch, to drink, and to rest.'
What signals a contrast transition?: Words like however, nevertheless, on the other hand, instead, conversely.
What signals a cause/effect transition?: Therefore, thus, consequently, as a result.
What signals an addition transition?: Furthermore, moreover, in addition, also.
What signals an example transition?: For example, for instance, specifically.
How do you choose a transition word?: Decide the logical relationship between the ideas first, then pick the matching word. Transitions test logic, not vocabulary.
What is a coordinating conjunction?: A word (FANBOYS) that joins two equal grammatical parts, such as two independent clauses.
What is a subordinating conjunction?: A word (because, although, when, since, if) that begins a dependent clause.
When do you use a comma after an introductory phrase?: Always set off an introductory word, phrase, or dependent clause with a comma before the main clause.
How do you set off nonessential information?: With a pair of commas (or a pair of dashes) around the extra, removable detail.
What is a verb tense error?: Switching tense inconsistently within a passage's timeline; keep tense consistent unless time changes.
What is redundancy in writing?: Saying the same thing twice ('annual yearly report'). The SHSAT often asks you to cut it.
What is wordiness?: Using more words than needed; the SHSAT favors the most concise correct option.
What does the apostrophe show in 'students' books'?: Plural possession — the books belonging to multiple students (apostrophe after the s).
Singular possessive of 'class'?: Class's (add apostrophe + s): 'the class's project.'
What is a comma after each item in a list called?: Items in a series are separated by commas; the last comma before 'and' is the Oxford (serial) comma.
When is a dash used?: To set off a nonessential interruption (like paired commas) or to create emphasis before a closing remark.
What is the editing test for any boundary punctuation?: Check whether each side is a complete sentence; that decides whether you can use a comma, semicolon, period, or conjunction.
'Their, there, they're' — which means 'they are'?: They're. 'Their' = possessive; 'there' = a place.
'Your' vs 'you're'?: 'Your' = possessive (your book); 'you're' = you are.
What is an antecedent?: The noun that a pronoun refers back to.
How do you keep a list of actions parallel?: Make every item the same form — all infinitives, all -ing words, or all simple verbs.
What does Part A of Revising/Editing test?: Fixing errors in standalone sentences (grammar, punctuation, usage).
What does Part B of Revising/Editing test?: Improving sentences within a short passage, including organization and transitions.
What is the most concise way to revise a sentence usually?: The shortest option that keeps all needed meaning and is grammatically correct.
What is a clause vs a phrase?: A clause has a subject and a verb; a phrase does not.
What punctuation joins two sentences when ideas are equally important and related?: A semicolon.
What is the main idea of a passage?: The central point the whole passage makes — broad enough to cover the entire text.
What is a supporting detail?: A specific fact, example, or piece of evidence that backs up the main idea.
What is an inference?: A conclusion the passage strongly implies but does not state outright.
How do you choose the right inference?: Pick the conclusion the text most directly supports — not the most dramatic or one needing outside facts.
What is 'vocabulary in context'?: Choosing a word's meaning based on how it's used in the passage, not its most common dictionary definition.
Strategy for a vocabulary-in-context question?: Reread the full sentence, predict your own meaning, then match the closest choice.
What is the difference between tone and mood?: Tone = the author's attitude toward the subject; mood = the feeling created in the reader.
What is the author's purpose?: The reason the author wrote the text — to inform, persuade, entertain, or describe.
What is personification?: Giving human qualities or actions to something nonhuman ('the wind whispered').
What is a metaphor?: A comparison that calls one thing another, without 'like' or 'as' ('time is a thief').
What is a simile?: A comparison using 'like' or 'as' ('quiet as a mouse').
What is imagery?: Descriptive language that appeals to the senses to create a picture or feeling.
What is a theme?: The central message or insight a literary work conveys about life or human nature.
What is text structure?: How a passage is organized — sequence, cause/effect, compare/contrast, problem/solution.
Words signaling a sequence structure?: First, then, next, finally, after, before.
Words signaling cause and effect?: Because, therefore, as a result, so, leads to.
Words signaling compare/contrast?: Similarly, in contrast, however, on the other hand, both.
What is the effect of strongly negative word choices?: They create an alarmed or critical tone and shape how the reader feels before facts arrive.
How do you find the best evidence for a claim?: Locate the single sentence in the passage that most directly supports the stated claim.
What makes a 'main idea' answer wrong?: It's too narrow (just a detail) or too broad (beyond what the passage says).
Where must every Reading Comprehension answer come from?: The passage itself — never outside knowledge.
What is connotation?: The feelings or associations a word carries beyond its literal meaning (denotation).
What is denotation?: The literal, dictionary definition of a word.
What is hyperbole?: Deliberate exaggeration for effect ('I've told you a million times').
What is irony / sarcasm in tone?: Saying the opposite of what is meant, often to mock ('How kind of you' after harm).
What is a counterargument?: A point that opposes the author's claim, often raised so it can be answered.
What is a claim?: A statement the author argues is true and supports with evidence.
How do you summarize a passage?: State the main idea plus the key supporting points in your own words, leaving out minor details.
What is the topic sentence of a paragraph?: The sentence (often first) that states the paragraph's main point.
What is an allusion?: A brief reference to a well-known person, place, event, or work.
What is alliteration?: Repetition of the same beginning consonant sound ('wild and windy').
What is a stanza?: A grouped set of lines in a poem, like a paragraph.
What is rhyme scheme?: The pattern of end rhymes in a poem, labeled with letters (ABAB, AABB).
What is symbolism?: Using an object or image to represent a larger idea (a dove for peace).
How do you analyze a poem's theme?: Look at its images, tone, and what the speaker realizes or feels, then state the central message.
What is point of view?: The perspective the text is told from: first person (I), second (you), or third person.
What is the difference between explicit and implicit information?: Explicit = stated directly; implicit = implied, requiring an inference.
What is a rhetorical question?: A question asked for effect, not to be answered.
How do you handle a paired (two-passage) reading task?: Pin down each author's viewpoint separately, then describe how the second relates to the first.
What is the function of a sentence in a passage?: Its role — to introduce, give an example, contrast, qualify, or restate — not just what it says.
What is a ratio?: A comparison of two quantities, such as 3 to 4 (written 3:4 or 3/4).
What is a proportion?: An equation setting two ratios equal; solve by cross-multiplying.
Split 28 students in a ratio of 3 girls to 4 boys — how many girls?: 7 parts total; 28 ÷ 7 = 4 per part; girls = 3 × 4 = 12.
How do you find a percent of a number?: Convert the percent to a decimal and multiply: 8% of 350 = 0.08 × 350 = 28.
What is percent change?: Change ÷ original × 100. Always divide by the starting value.
Increase 8,000 by 15% — what is the result?: 0.15 × 8,000 = 1,200; 8,000 + 1,200 = 9,200 (or ×1.15).
How do you multiply by a percent increase directly?: Up 15% = ×1.15; down 15% = ×0.85.
What is a unit rate?: A rate per one unit; divide to get it (miles per hour, cost per item).
Solve 6x + 11 = 47.: Subtract 11: 6x = 36; divide by 6: x = 6.
Solve 5x − 3 = 2x + 12.: Subtract 2x: 3x − 3 = 12; add 3: 3x = 15; x = 5.
How do you solve a linear equation?: Isolate the variable: undo addition/subtraction first, then multiplication/division, doing the same to both sides.
Variable on both sides — first step?: Collect all variable terms on one side and constants on the other.
x⁵ · x³ = ?: x⁸ — multiplying powers of the same base adds the exponents.
x⁸ ÷ x⁵ = ?: x³ — dividing powers of the same base subtracts the exponents.
(x²)³ = ?: x⁶ — a power of a power multiplies the exponents.
Any nonzero number to the 0 power = ?: 1.
What is scientific notation?: A number written as a value between 1 and 10 times a power of 10 (6,400,000 = 6.4 × 10⁶).
What does PEMDAS stand for?: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division (left to right), Addition/Subtraction (left to right).
Evaluate 100 − 4 × 5².: 5² = 25; 4 × 25 = 100; 100 − 100 = 0.
What is 2 to the 5th power?: 32 (2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2).
What is the greatest common factor (GCF)?: The largest factor shared by two numbers (GCF of 24 and 36 is 12).
What is the least common multiple (LCM)?: The smallest number both values divide into (LCM of 4 and 6 is 12).
What is a prime number?: A whole number greater than 1 whose only factors are 1 and itself (2, 3, 5, 7, 11).
What is the mean?: The average — sum of the values divided by how many there are.
What is the median?: The middle value of an ordered data set (average the two middle values if the count is even).
What is the mode?: The value that appears most often in a data set.
What is the range of a data set?: The largest value minus the smallest value.
Mean vs median — which resists outliers?: The median resists outliers; the mean is pulled toward extreme values.
What is probability?: Favorable outcomes ÷ total outcomes — a number from 0 to 1.
Probability of red from 3 red and 5 blue marbles?: 3 ÷ 8 = 3/8.
How do you convert a fraction to a percent?: Divide to a decimal, then multiply by 100: 3/5 = 0.6 = 60%.
How do you convert a percent to a fraction?: Put it over 100 and simplify: 60% = 60/100 = 3/5.
How do you add fractions with different denominators?: Find a common denominator, rewrite each fraction, then add the numerators.
How do you multiply fractions?: Multiply numerators and multiply denominators, then simplify.
How do you divide fractions?: Multiply by the reciprocal of the second fraction (flip and multiply).
What is an integer?: A whole number and its negatives: ..., −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, ...
What is the absolute value of a number?: Its distance from zero, always nonnegative (|−7| = 7).
Distribute: 2(y − 4).: 2y − 8.
What is the slope of a line?: Rise over run — the change in y divided by the change in x.
Slope-intercept form of a line?: y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept.
What is the formula for distance, rate, time?: Distance = rate × time (d = rt).
If 4 workers build a wall in 18 days, how long for 6?: Total work 4 × 18 = 72 worker-days; 72 ÷ 6 = 12 days.
What is a coefficient?: The number multiplying a variable (in 3x, the coefficient is 3).
What is a like term?: Terms with the same variable and exponent that can be combined (4x and 7x).
Write 6,400,000 in scientific notation.: 6.4 × 10⁶.
What is the order to undo operations when solving?: Reverse PEMDAS: undo addition/subtraction first, then multiplication/division.
What is a negative exponent, e.g., x⁻²?: A reciprocal: x⁻² = 1/x².
What is a percent greater than 100%?: A value more than the whole; 150% of a number is 1.5 times it.
How do you find part of a whole from a ratio?: Add the parts, divide the total by the sum, then multiply by the part you want.
What is a function in math?: A rule pairing each input with exactly one output, often written f(x).
What is a grid-in question?: A student-produced-response Math question with no answer choices; you enter an exact numeric answer.
How many grid-in questions are on the SHSAT Math section?: 5 of the 57 Math questions are grid-ins.
Can you guess on a grid-in?: There's no penalty, so never leave it blank — but there are no choices to work backward from, so accuracy matters.
Do you round a grid-in answer?: No — enter the exact value (whole number, fraction, or decimal) unless the question says to round.
Is a grid-in worth more than a multiple-choice question?: No — each scored question is worth the same.
What is the Pythagorean theorem?: For a right triangle with legs a and b and hypotenuse c: a² + b² = c².
Hypotenuse of a right triangle with legs 6 and 8?: 10 — since 6² + 8² = 36 + 64 = 100, and √100 = 10.
Name three common Pythagorean triples.: 3-4-5, 5-12-13, and 6-8-10 (a scaled 3-4-5).
Area of a rectangle?: Length × width.
Area of a triangle?: ½ × base × height.
Area of a circle?: πr² (pi times the radius squared).
Circumference of a circle?: 2πr (or πd, pi times the diameter).
Volume of a rectangular box?: Length × width × height.
Perimeter of a shape?: The sum of the lengths of all its sides.
Interior angles of a triangle sum to?: 180°.
Angles on a straight line sum to?: 180°.
Angles around a point sum to?: 360°.
What is the side of a square with area 144?: 12 — the side equals √(area), and √144 = 12.
What is a right angle?: An angle of exactly 90°.
What are complementary angles?: Two angles that add to 90°.
What are supplementary angles?: Two angles that add to 180°.
What is an isosceles triangle?: A triangle with two equal sides and two equal base angles.
What is an equilateral triangle?: A triangle with three equal sides and three 60° angles.
Express 3/5 as a percent.: 60%.
What value should you grid for 9 squared?: 81.
What is the GCF of 24 and 36 (a grid-in answer)?: 12.
Median of 7, 3, 9, 5, 11?: 7 — ordered: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11; the middle is 7.
What is the diameter of a circle?: A straight line through the center, equal to twice the radius.
What is the radius of a circle?: The distance from the center to the edge, half the diameter.
What is the value of pi (approx.)?: About 3.14 (or 22/7).
Are vertical angles equal?: Yes — angles opposite each other where two lines cross are equal.
Sum of interior angles of a quadrilateral?: 360°.
What is a parallelogram's area?: Base × height.
How can you grid a fraction like 3/8?: Enter it as the fraction 3/8 or its exact decimal 0.375 — both are acceptable.
What is the surface area of a cube with side s?: 6s² — six equal square faces.
What does 'congruent' mean?: Equal in size and shape.
What does 'similar' mean for shapes?: Same shape, proportional sizes (equal angles, sides in the same ratio).
How do you find the average speed for a trip?: Total distance ÷ total time.
Coordinates of the origin on a graph?: (0, 0).
What is the x-coordinate vs the y-coordinate?: x is the horizontal position (first), y is the vertical position (second).
What does SHSAT stand for?: Specialized High Schools Admissions Test.
Who administers the SHSAT?: The NYC Department of Education (developed under contract by Pearson).
How many questions are on the SHSAT?: 114 total — 57 ELA + 57 Math.
How many questions are scored in each section?: 47 scored + 10 unscored field-test questions per section.
How long is the SHSAT?: 180 minutes (3 hours), self-paced across both sections.
What are the two SHSAT sections?: English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics.
What is a field-test question?: An unscored question used to try out new items; you can't tell which, so answer all.
Is there a passing score on the SHSAT?: No — admission is by competitive rank order of your composite score.
What is the SHSAT composite score?: Your ELA and Math scaled scores added into one number (max about 800).
What is a scaled score?: A converted score that adjusts for slight differences between test forms so versions are comparable.
How does rank-order admission work?: Seats fill from the highest composite down; you're placed in the highest-ranked school whose cutoff you meet.
How many specialized high schools use the SHSAT?: Eight.
Which school historically has the highest SHSAT cutoff?: Stuyvesant High School.
Is there a guessing penalty on the SHSAT?: No — answer every question, including grid-ins.
Can you use a calculator on the SHSAT?: No — no calculator is permitted.
How many schools can you rank?: Up to all eight specialized high schools, in order of preference.
Does LaGuardia HS use the SHSAT?: No — LaGuardia admits by audition or portfolio, not the SHSAT.
What are the two parts of the ELA section?: Revising/Editing and Reading Comprehension.
How is the Math section split?: 52 multiple-choice questions and 5 grid-in questions.
Is the SHSAT digital now?: Yes — fully digital since fall 2025 for most students (paper for certain accommodations).
What change is planned for fall 2026?: The SHSAT becomes computer-adaptive, adjusting difficulty based on responses.
Why should you rank schools in true preference order?: The match places you in your highest-ranked school whose cutoff you meet — ranking has no downside.
Name three of the eight specialized high schools.: Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, and Brooklyn Tech (also Brooklyn Latin, HSMSE, HSAS-Lehman, Queens Science, Staten Island Tech).
Why answer every SHSAT question?: There's no guessing penalty, and you can't tell the scored questions from the field-test ones.
What single number decides SHSAT admission?: Your composite scaled score (ELA + Math).
What grade do students usually take the SHSAT in?: Eighth grade (current 8th graders for 9th-grade admission); some 9th graders also test for 10th-grade seats.
Who is eligible for the SHSAT?: NYC residents in the appropriate grade applying for admission to a specialized high school.
Is the SHSAT free to take?: Yes — there is no fee for NYC students to take the SHSAT.
What does a higher composite score do?: It improves your rank, giving access to more (and more competitive) schools.
Are ELA and Math weighted equally?: Each section has 57 questions; their scaled scores combine into the composite.

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By Career EmployerUpdated Sep 12, 2026

200+ free SHSAT flashcards — 4 ways to study

SHSAT Flashcard of the DayNew daily

The classic card. Do you know this one?

Click Study Flashcards above to open the flashcard hub — 200+ SHSAT cards you can flip, match, type, or quiz yourself on. Every card is drawn from the ELA and Math skills the NYC Specialized High Schools Admissions Test measures, so you study exactly what the exam tests.^[1] Pair them with our free practice test and study guide.

SHSAT Flashcard Study Modes

Flip mode turns each card over for quiet review, Match times you on pairing terms with definitions, Type hides the term so you spell it out from the definition alone, and Quiz builds multiple-choice items from the same cards. Type is where a front like What is an antecedent? stops feeling familiar and starts being something you can actually recall.

Free SHSAT flashcards from Career Employer — active recall for ELA and Math

Why Flashcards Work for the SHSAT

Math — Word Problems & Computation is the largest group at 50 cards, mixing exponent mechanics with the vocabulary word problems assume you already know. Expect prompts like (x²)³ = ? and x⁵ · x³ = ? sitting next to definition cards such as What is a ratio? and What is the median?.

ELA — Revising/Editing holds 45 cards on the grammar and punctuation errors this section asks you to fix. The card that asks What is a comma splice? sits near When do you use a colon? and homophone checks like ’Your’ vs ’you’re’?, so you can name the error before you pick a rewrite.

ELA — Reading Comprehension covers 40 cards of literary and argument vocabulary that turns up inside question stems. Cards such as What is a theme?, What is imagery?, and What is a claim? give you clean labels for what a passage is doing and what a question is really asking.

Math — Grid-Ins & Geometry runs 40 cards of formulas and quick conversions you enter by hand with no answer choices to check against. Area of a circle? and Circumference of a circle? drill the two students blur together, while Express 3/5 as a percent. keeps number sense quick.

SHSAT Format & Admission closes the deck with 30 cards on the test itself and the process around it, from How long is the SHSAT? and What is a scaled score? through How many schools can you rank?. Knowing these removes small surprises that cost attention on test day.

That matters for the SHSAT, which rewards instant recall of grammar rules, math formulas (the Pythagorean theorem, area of a circle, percent change), and reading skills. Used alongside our practice test and study guide, flashcards turn review time into measurable progress.^[3]

SHSAT Flashcards by Topic

The cards are organized by the ELA and Math skills the test measures. The two sections are equal in size — 57 questions each — so balance your review across both, and drill your weakest area:^[2]

SHSAT flashcards by topic (2026)
Section	Topic area	What it covers
ELA	Revising/Editing	Grammar, punctuation, sentence boundaries, agreement, modifiers
ELA	Reading Comprehension	Main idea, inference, vocabulary in context, figurative language
Math	Word Problems & Computation	Ratios, percentages, algebra, exponents, number sense
Math	Grid-Ins & Geometry	Pythagorean theorem, area, statistics, student-produced responses
Test	Format & Admission	Question counts, composite score, rank-order admission, the 8 schools

How to Get the Most Out of These Flashcards

Start with the biggest math set. Math — Word Problems & Computation carries 50 cards, more than any other domain, and its exponent rules and definitions feed directly into the grid-in questions.
Type-drill the ones you fake. Run Type on fronts like x⁸ ÷ x⁵ = ? and What is a comma splice?, since recognizing an answer choice is far easier than producing the rule yourself.
Use Match for vocabulary blocks. The literary terms in ELA — Reading Comprehension, such as What is hyperbole?, pair fast under time pressure and expose the ones you only half know.
Move to the practice test after two clean passes. Once Quiz stops surprising you across both math domains, take the practice test to work on pacing and full passages instead of isolated terms.
Rotate rather than binge. With 205 cards, work one domain per session and mix in a short Match round from a domain you studied earlier in the week to keep it warm.

SHSAT Flashcards FAQ

Hundreds of free SHSAT flashcards, organized across the ELA and Math skills tested on the exam — Revising/Editing grammar, Reading Comprehension skills, math word problems, geometry and grid-ins, plus the test's format and admission rules. They're free with no account required.

References

1.NYC Department of Education. “Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT).” NYC Public Schools. ↑
2.NYC Department of Education. “Specialized High Schools Student Handbook.” NYC Public Schools. ↑
3.Institute of Education Sciences (U.S. Dept. of Education). “Organizing Instruction and Study to Improve Student Learning (Practice Guide).” What Works Clearinghouse, IES. ↑

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