Who Takes The STAAR?

• All students in grades 3–8 at Texas public and open-enrollment charter schools must take STAAR as required by law.
• High school students must take STAAR End-of-Course (EOC) exams for Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology, and U.S. History to graduate.
• Students with documented special education needs take STAAR Alternate 2 as decided by their committees.
• Emergent bilingual students are assessed per agency guidelines to ensure fair access.

Subjects & Grade Levels

• Grades 3–8: Reading Language Arts (RLA) and Mathematics; higher Science and Social Studies in grades 5 and 8.
• Grade 8: students who take Algebra I EOC are exempt from Grade 8 Math.
• High School: STAAR EOCs in Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology, U.S. History. Districts may also offer Algebra II and English III EOCs.

Exam Structure & Scoring

• STAAR tests range from 30 to 50 questions per subject by grade level.
• High School EOCs include both multiple-choice and open-ended questions; e.g., Algebra I: 54 questions (including 5 "grid-ins").
• RLA exams combine reading comprehension and essay writing tasks; essay structure includes introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Scoring requires meeting Texas Education Agency standards for grade/course (minimum "scale score").

Preparation Strategies

• Start with official STAAR practice tests, focusing on question types and timing.
• Use online test prep resources and review sessions to strengthen weak content areas.
• Master essay structure: introduction, strong body paragraphs, clear conclusion.
• Prioritize comprehension, analysis, and application over rote memorization.
• Seek additional help from teachers and use targeted guides for special populations if needed.

Key Factors for Students

• Know the required STAAR subjects and EOCs for your grade.
• Learn about accommodations or alternate tests if eligible.
• Build a study plan early—review test format and sample materials.
• Practice essays using real prompts; review answer explanations for multiple-choice.
• Arrive early, bring required materials, and manage time wisely during the test.

Section Breakdown

The ELA section contains 57 multiple-choice questions divided into two parts:

• Revising/Editing: Questions assessing grammar, usage, sentence structure, and clarity improvement through sentence and paragraph editing tasks.
• Reading Comprehension: Passages from literary and informational texts—including essays, speeches, poetry, historical fiction—with questions assessing understanding, analysis, and inference skills.

Skills Tested

• Identify and correct grammar and usage errors.
• Revise text for clarity, tone, and logical flow.
• Analyze author's argument and narrative development.
• Interpret vocabulary in context and infer meaning.
• Summarize central ideas and supporting details from passages.

Tips for Success

• Familiarize with common grammar rules and editing conventions.
• Practice active reading strategies to quickly identify main ideas and arguments.
• Read varied literary and informational texts to improve comprehension skills.
• Work on time management to handle multiple passages and questions efficiently.
• Use official practice tests to simulate timing and question types.

How Study Alpha Academy Supports ELA Prep

Study Alpha Academy offers targeted coaching on SHSAT ELA skills with expert instructors, personalized feedback, and practice materials designed to build mastery in grammar, reading comprehension, and editing techniques. Our programs help students gain confidence and strategic insights for exam day success.

Section Structure

The Math section includes 57 questions consisting of both multiple-choice and grid-in (student-produced) questions. The suggested time for this section is around 90 minutes, although students can allocate their time between sections as they prefer.

Topics Covered

• Arithmetic: operations including fractions, decimals, percentages, and ratios.
• Algebra: expressions, equations, inequalities, and problem-solving using algebraic methods.
• Geometry: properties of shapes, perimeter, area, volume, angles, triangles, and coordinate geometry.
• Statistics and Probability: mean, median, mode, range, and basic probability concepts.
• Multi-step word problems that integrate multiple mathematical concepts.

Tips for Success

• Practice both multiple-choice and grid-in question types regularly.
• Focus on mastering foundational arithmetic and algebraic techniques.
• Develop strategies for solving complex multi-step problems efficiently.
• Manage your time well; skip difficult questions initially and revisit if time allows.
• Use scrap paper effectively to organize your calculations.

Study Alpha Academy's Math Preparation

Study Alpha Academy provides expert coaching focused on SHSAT Math, emphasizing concept mastery, problem-solving strategies, and personalized practice. Our tailored approach helps students build confidence and accuracy for peak performance on the exam.