Overview

The Reading section is a huge part of the SHSAT. In fact, it’s 60 percent of the Verbal Section. You’ll be presented with 5 passages
(350–450 words each) and 30 questions (6 per passage). The section is called Reading, but if you think about it, you know that the
Department of Education knows you can read. What’s being tested is your ability to comprehend what you’ve read. Specifically,
you’re being tested on your ability to answer five multiple-choice questions about a given passage.

The scope of these questions is actually pretty narrow. One question will require you to identify the main point of the passage.
Expect this question to be very straightforward. The remaining five questions will either ask you to identify specific details of the
passage or to read between the lines a little.

On the one hand, it’s a good thing that you’re inherently prepared for this section because you already know how to read. On the
other hand, your previous reading experience has the potential to get you into a little bit of trouble on this section of the test. Reading
habits that may serve you well in school can get in the way on the test. There are three big reading traps that you need to avoid on the
SHSAT.

BASIC FORMAT

Reading Comprehension consists of five passages and six questions per passage.