SHSAT Sunset

How Often Each SHSAT Topic and Standard Is Tested

Analysis

The DOE has never published how often each topic or New York State learning standard appears on the SHSAT. Its released questions are the only public evidence. Across those questions, these are the topics and standards tested most often: the ones worth studying first.

1002 different questions, each counted once however many times it was printed. Topics are this site’s question types and standards its analysis of each question; a question can have more than one of each, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Math topics

  1. Fractions and decimals12% of questions
  2. Percents11% of questions
  3. Proportions and scale10% of questions
  4. Linear equations9% of questions
  5. Probability8% of questions
  6. Number properties7% of questions
  7. Number line and absolute value6% of questions
  8. Arithmetic and order of operations6% of questions
  9. Algebraic expressions5% of questions
  10. Rates and speed4% of questions
  11. Unit conversion4% of questions
  12. Inequalities4% of questions
Every Math topic: different questions each year, and their share of the year’s questions
Topic201820192020202120222023202420252026All years
Fractions and decimals7 (6%)16 (14%)21 (18%)7 (6%)16 (14%)14 (12%)20 (18%)8 (7%)20 (10%)63 (12%)
Percents10 (9%)13 (11%)17 (15%)10 (9%)12 (11%)13 (11%)16 (14%)5 (4%)12 (6%)59 (11%)
Proportions and scale5 (4%)10 (9%)13 (11%)5 (4%)19 (17%)10 (9%)13 (11%)7 (6%)21 (11%)52 (10%)
Linear equations11 (10%)10 (9%)8 (7%)11 (10%)11 (10%)11 (10%)8 (7%)13 (11%)22 (11%)49 (9%)
Probability11 (10%)8 (7%)9 (8%)11 (10%)10 (9%)9 (8%)9 (8%)11 (10%)21 (11%)43 (8%)
Number properties11 (10%)14 (12%)4 (4%)11 (10%)5 (4%)13 (11%)4 (4%)9 (8%)10 (5%)37 (7%)
Number line and absolute value8 (7%)9 (8%)8 (7%)8 (7%)3 (3%)7 (6%)8 (7%)8 (7%)11 (6%)31 (6%)
Arithmetic and order of operations3 (3%)3 (3%)8 (7%)3 (3%)10 (9%)5 (4%)8 (7%)2 (2%)10 (5%)29 (6%)
Algebraic expressions6 (5%)4 (4%)7 (6%)6 (5%)5 (4%)4 (4%)7 (6%)8 (7%)10 (5%)26 (5%)
Rates and speed3 (3%)5 (4%)5 (4%)3 (3%)7 (6%)6 (5%)4 (4%)3 (3%)9 (5%)23 (4%)
Unit conversion7 (6%)8 (7%)1 (1%)7 (6%)6 (5%)6 (5%)1 (1%)8 (7%)8 (4%)23 (4%)
Inequalities5 (4%)2 (2%)5 (4%)5 (4%)6 (5%)2 (2%)5 (4%)6 (5%)12 (6%)22 (4%)
Area and perimeter4 (4%)5 (4%)7 (6%)4 (4%)4 (4%)5 (4%)7 (6%)4 (4%)8 (4%)21 (4%)
Mean, median, mode and range5 (4%)5 (4%)4 (4%)5 (4%)2 (2%)7 (6%)4 (4%)5 (4%)5 (3%)21 (4%)
Counting and arrangements7 (6%)4 (4%)2 (2%)7 (6%)4 (4%)4 (4%)2 (2%)7 (6%)10 (5%)20 (4%)
Ratios9 (8%)4 (4%)2 (2%)9 (8%)4 (4%)3 (3%)2 (2%)8 (7%)12 (6%)19 (4%)
Volume and surface area2 (2%)4 (4%)5 (4%)2 (2%)2 (2%)4 (4%)5 (4%)2 (2%)4 (2%)16 (3%)
Tables, charts and graphs3 (3%)1 (1%)–3 (3%)3 (3%)6 (5%)2 (2%)2 (2%)4 (2%)16 (3%)
Exponents and roots1 (1%)6 (5%)4 (4%)1 (1%)1 (1%)5 (4%)4 (4%)1 (1%)1 (1%)13 (3%)
Circles3 (3%)2 (2%)2 (2%)3 (3%)3 (3%)2 (2%)2 (2%)3 (3%)7 (4%)13 (3%)
Angles and lines3 (3%)6 (5%)1 (1%)3 (3%)3 (3%)6 (5%)1 (1%)2 (2%)5 (3%)13 (3%)
Two-variable problems4 (4%)2 (2%)–4 (4%)–1 (1%)–3 (3%)3 (2%)7 (1%)
Patterns and sequences1 (1%)2 (2%)2 (2%)1 (1%)–2 (2%)2 (2%)1 (1%)1 (1%)5 (1%)
Coordinate plane1 (1%)1 (1%)1 (1%)1 (1%)–1 (1%)1 (1%)1 (1%)1 (1%)3 (1%)
Triangles and the Pythagorean theorem––1 (1%)–––1 (1%)––1 (0%)
Functions and slope––1 (1%)–––1 (1%)––1 (0%)

English Language Arts topics

  1. Text structure25% of questions
  2. Textual evidence18% of questions
  3. Central idea and theme18% of questions
  4. Word meaning and figurative language12% of questions
  5. Author's purpose and point of view8% of questions
  6. Development of ideas and characters7% of questions
  7. Key details4% of questions
  8. Introductions and conclusions3% of questions
  9. Supporting details2% of questions
  10. Punctuation2% of questions
  11. Inferences and conclusions2% of questions
  12. Sentence structure2% of questions
Every English Language Arts topic: different questions each year, and their share of the year’s questions
Topic201820192020202120222023202420252026All years
Text structure28 (25%)34 (30%)24 (21%)34 (30%)28 (25%)31 (27%)22 (19%)28 (25%)46 (23%)121 (25%)
Textual evidence16 (14%)20 (18%)22 (19%)21 (18%)18 (16%)24 (21%)21 (18%)24 (21%)35 (17%)88 (18%)
Central idea and theme20 (18%)18 (16%)24 (21%)16 (14%)24 (21%)25 (22%)23 (20%)24 (21%)30 (15%)85 (18%)
Word meaning and figurative language14 (12%)16 (14%)15 (13%)17 (15%)13 (11%)13 (11%)13 (11%)14 (12%)29 (14%)56 (12%)
Author's purpose and point of view9 (8%)7 (6%)11 (10%)5 (4%)10 (9%)8 (7%)9 (8%)6 (5%)18 (9%)37 (8%)
Development of ideas and characters7 (6%)10 (9%)6 (5%)13 (11%)4 (4%)13 (11%)7 (6%)16 (14%)16 (8%)36 (7%)
Key details12 (11%)3 (3%)1 (1%)2 (2%)1 (1%)2 (2%)1 (1%)1 (1%)4 (2%)21 (4%)
Introductions and conclusions4 (4%)3 (3%)6 (5%)3 (3%)5 (4%)4 (4%)6 (5%)3 (3%)6 (3%)16 (3%)
Supporting details3 (3%)2 (2%)5 (4%)2 (2%)4 (4%)2 (2%)5 (4%)2 (2%)7 (3%)12 (2%)
Punctuation3 (3%)2 (2%)3 (3%)3 (3%)2 (2%)4 (4%)3 (3%)2 (2%)4 (2%)11 (2%)
Inferences and conclusions6 (5%)–1 (1%)–2 (2%)2 (2%)3 (3%)2 (2%)3 (1%)11 (2%)
Sentence structure3 (3%)3 (3%)4 (4%)2 (2%)3 (3%)3 (3%)2 (2%)3 (3%)4 (2%)10 (2%)
Precise language and style2 (2%)1 (1%)2 (2%)2 (2%)2 (2%)1 (1%)3 (3%)1 (1%)4 (2%)9 (2%)
Transitions1 (1%)2 (2%)2 (2%)2 (2%)3 (3%)2 (2%)2 (2%)2 (2%)5 (2%)9 (2%)
Grammar and usage2 (2%)3 (3%)1 (1%)3 (3%)2 (2%)2 (2%)2 (2%)4 (4%)5 (2%)8 (2%)
Combining and revising sentences–3 (3%)1 (1%)3 (3%)4 (4%)1 (1%)1 (1%)2 (2%)5 (2%)7 (1%)
Organization2 (2%)1 (1%)1 (1%)1 (1%)2 (2%)1 (1%)2 (2%)1 (1%)3 (1%)5 (1%)

NYS standards

Every standard’s official wording, with its questions

Math standards, most tested first: different questions each year
Standard201820192020202120222023202420252026All years
7.RP.3 multistep ratio and percent problems1311151314151591960
7.EE.4a two-step equations81278713771441
6.NS.3 multi-digit decimal operations791271061171040
6.RP.3c percent as a rate per 1006131067994839
7.NS.1c rational number subtraction76107661071336
6.RP.3d converting measurement units992987191129
7.SP.8b sample spaces for compound events855866581328
6.RP.3b unit rate problems866846581227
7.EE.1 linear expressions with rational coefficients4610416106826
7.NS.3 four operations with rational numbers745775561026
6.SP.8a uniform probability models655645571023
6.EE.2c evaluating expressions and order of operations55557555823
7.RP.2b constant of proportionality137193731023
7.EE.4b two-step inequalities425462551121
6.NS.4 common factors and multiples76275526721
6.SP.5c range, center, and overall pattern55452645520
6.NS.1 dividing fractions by fractions22726273819
6.EE.7 one-step equations76372637718
7.SP.8a compound event as fraction of outcomes34335532718
6.RP.3 ratio and rate reasoning36534653618
8.EE.7b linear equations with rational coefficients32235224815
7.NS.2a rational number multiplication24225422614
6.NS.6c positioning rational numbers and points36331533414
6.G.1 area of polygons42641264513
7.EE.4 equations and inequalities from problems51253126813
7.G.4 circle area and circumference32233223713
6.EE.8 writing simple inequalities22323233613
6.RP.1 ratio concepts and language54153314713
7.EE.2 rewriting expressions to show relationships35233523413
7.G.5 angle relationships and equations36133612513
7.G.1 scale drawings24322432311
7.SP.1 box plots and interquartile range––––162–210
7.NS.2b rational number division1–115112710
7.EE.3 multi-step rational number problems22224222510
6.NS.7c absolute value as distance1241124129
6.NS.7a inequality as relative position1521152129
7.RP.1 unit rates with fractions–13–5–3–49
8.G.5 angle sums, transversals, angle-angle similarity24–234–259
6.G.5 perfect squares and perfect cubes–33––43––8
6.G.2 volume with fractional edge lengths1311131128
6.EE.1 whole-number exponent expressions2312231228
6.NS.2 multi-digit division1331133128
7.NS.2d fractions to decimals by long division2122112247
7.RP.2d points on proportional graphs––2–5–2–27
6.SP.5a number of observations2122112217
6.EE.6 variables representing unknown numbers1121212137
6.EE.2a writing algebraic expressions1211211137
6.EE.5 solutions and substitution3213–21327
7.G.6 area, surface area, and volume1–311–3126
7.NS.1b rational number addition3–33––3336
7.RP.2a testing for proportionality––1–3–1136
7.NS.1d properties for adding and subtracting1111221136
6.RP.3a tables of equivalent ratios1–21––2225
6.SP.1b samples and populations–12–212–25
7.RP.2c proportional relationship equations––2–1–2235
6.SP.7 long-run relative frequency1111211125
8.EE.2 square and cube roots–21––21––4
6.SP.6 probability from 0 to 1––1–1–1134
6.SP.3 measures of center and variation2112––1224
7.NS.2c properties for multiplying and dividing11–111–234
6.SP.5 summarizing data sets3––31––224
6.G.4 nets and surface area1–21––2113
8.EE.7 linear equations in one variable1–111–1123
6.EE.2b parts of an expression1–21––2113
6.G.3 polygons in the coordinate plane1111–11113
6.EE.3 generating equivalent expressions––1–1–1–13
8.EE.1 integer exponent properties–2––11––13
8.EE.8c systems in real-world problems2––2–––223
6.EE.9 dependent and independent variables––––1––133
6.NS.7d absolute value versus order––2–––2––2
8.G.4 similarity and dilations–11––11––2
6.RP.2 unit rate concept1–11––1112
6.SP.8b probability models from observed frequencies1––11––122
6.NS.5 positive and negative numbers––––2–––22
6.NS.7b order statements in context––––1–––12
8.F.4 modeling with linear functions––1–––1––1
7.SP.4 comparative inferences about populations––––––1––1
8.NS.1 decimal expansions and irrational numbers–1–––1–––1
7.G.3 slicing three-dimensional solids––––1–––11
6.SP.8 probability models for simple events––––1–––11
7.NS.1a opposite quantities making 0––––1–––11
6.SP.4 dot plots and histograms––––1––––1
6.NS.7 ordering and absolute value––––1–––11
6.EE.4 identifying equivalent expressions–––––––111
English Language Arts standards, most tested first: different questions each year
Standard201820192020202120222023202420252026All years
7R1 textual evidence and inferences393437323240394060164
7R5 structure and genre features304129403435293257139
7R3 plot elements and ideas183318422634233751122
7R2 theme or central idea23222619292726263799
7R4 word meaning and choice20242023191919244484
7R6 point of view and author position131116811121392551
7R8 evaluating arguments and claims210368394730
7L1 grammar and usage conventions576676591323
7L5a interpreting allusions25453534416
7L2 capitalization, punctuation, and spelling44544534515
7L5c connotation and denotation42434435614
7L5 figurative language and word relationships71614251914
7L3a precise and concise language21324242612
7W2d transitions in informative writing23235232810
7L4a context clues3425–21159
7W2b developing a topic2131323278
7W2a introducing and organizing a topic2131334368
7W2e concluding informative writing1121222135
7W1e concluding an argument11111–1––4
7W1b supporting claims with evidence11211–2––4
7W1a introducing claims and counterclaims21111–1––4
7W1d transitions in arguments12–22––––4
7W2f informative writing style–1–111–133
7L3 knowledge of language–2–22–––23
7L4b Greek and Latin affixes and roots––1––1–111
7W1c precise language for arguments––1–––1––1
7W1f argument style and tone1––––––––1