SELECTIVE TEST Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield SELECTIVE TEST facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which of the following is an example of criterion-referenced assessment? → Determining whether a student can read at a 5th-grade level
2. Which principle best describes a teacher's duty to treat all students equitably regardless of background? → Justice
3. When evaluating a website as a research source, which factor is MOST important for determining reliability? → The website was created by a credible author or organization
4. A student struggles specifically with abstract reasoning questions on practice tests. Which targeted activity would help most? → Practicing pattern recognition puzzles and non-verbal reasoning exercises
5. Why is it important to review incorrect answers during practice? → To understand weaknesses and improve.
6. What is a 'digital footprint'? → The trail of data and information left behind by a user's online activities
7. What is the next term in the sequence: 2, 6, 18, 54, ___? → 162
8. A square has a diagonal of 10 cm. What is its area? → 50 cm²
9. Which approach to vocabulary building is most effective for the Selective Test's reading and language sections? → Learning words in context through wide reading and using flashcard spaced repetition
10. A student's SHSAT scaled score ranges between: → 0 and 800
11. Which type of evaluation is conducted AFTER instruction to determine the overall level of student achievement? → Summative assessment
12. In a reading comprehension component, a 'main idea' question asks the student to identify: → The central point the entire passage is organized around
13. A 'topic sentence' serves which structural role within a body paragraph component of an essay? → It introduces the specific point the paragraph will prove
14. Which of the following BEST describes 'flexible grouping' in a differentiated classroom? → Groups change based on the skill or concept being taught
15. Why is it important to cite sources when sharing information in a group presentation? → It gives credit to original authors and allows the audience to verify the information
16. Which of the following would be considered an appropriate professional boundary between a teacher and student? → Communicating through the school's official messaging platform
17. Why is it important to read every answer choice before selecting one on the Selective Test? → To avoid being misled by a partially correct option that is not the best answer
18. A district aligns its K-12 math curriculum so skills taught in one grade directly prepare students for the next grade's content. This is called: → Vertical alignment
19. How does Selective Test certification benefit employers? → It provides assurance of employee competence and commitment to professional standards
20. Which of the following is an example of intrinsic motivation in learning? → Reading a novel because the story is genuinely interesting
21. A team uses a shared online document to collaborate on a project. What is the most important guideline to follow? → Use comments to suggest edits and communicate changes so all members stay informed
22. Simplify the fraction 36/48 to its lowest terms. → 3/4
23. A student needs to cite a website as a source for a report. Which piece of information is typically NOT required in a website citation? → The number of advertisements on the page
24. What should a Selective Test professional do when they encounter a situation beyond their competence? → Refer to a qualified specialist or seek additional training
25. Why might a student with a higher SHSAT score end up at a less prestigious specialized school than a student with a lower score? → The higher-scoring student's school choices ranked lower schools first
26. Hilda Taba's approach to curriculum development is notable because it: → Advocated for teacher-driven, grassroots curriculum development
27. What is the purpose of reassessment in ongoing patient care? → To monitor treatment effectiveness and adjust the care plan
28. A student applying to NYC specialized high schools who is an English Language Learner (ELL) may be eligible for: → Extended testing time as a standard accommodation
29. Which NYC specialized high school does NOT use the SHSAT for admissions? → LaGuardia High School
30. Which of the following is a characteristic of an effective classroom rule? → It is stated positively, is brief, and describes observable behavior