SHSAT Math: Grid-In Questions Mastery

Grid-in questions are the most challenging part of the SHSAT math section—but also where prepared students can gain a significant advantage. Unlike multiple choice, there's no guessing here. Let's master this unique format.

What Are Grid-In Questions?

Grid-in questions (also called student-produced responses) appear 5 times on the SHSAT. Instead of selecting from answer choices, you:

Calculate the answer yourself
Write it in the boxes at the top of the grid
Fill in the corresponding bubbles below

Critical Difference:

With multiple choice, you can eliminate wrong answers and guess. With grid-ins, you must know how to solve the problem correctly. However, there's also no penalty for creative problem-solving!

The Grid Format Explained

The answer grid has specific rules you MUST follow:

4 columns: You can enter answers from 0 to 9999
Decimal point: Available in columns 2 and 3 only
Fraction bar: Available in columns 2 and 3 only
Leading zeros: Don't matter (002 = 2)
Negative numbers: CANNOT be gridded (if you get negative, you made an error!)

Gridding Rules You Must Know

Rule 1: Mixed Numbers Must Be Converted

WRONG: Gridding 1 1/2

The grid reads this as 11/2 (eleven halves), NOT one and one-half!

CORRECT Options:

Convert to improper fraction: 3/2
Convert to decimal: 1.5

Rule 2: Repeating Decimals

If your answer is a repeating decimal like 0.666..., you can grid:

As a fraction: 2/3 (preferred - exact answer)
As a decimal: .666 or .667 (both accepted)
NOT: .66 (not accurate enough - would be marked wrong!)

Rule 3: Multiple Correct Representations

Some answers can be gridded multiple ways. For example, if the answer is 1/2:

1/2 ✓
2/4 ✓
.5 ✓
0.5 ✓

All are marked correct! Choose the easiest to grid accurately.

Common Grid-In Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Mistake	Why It Happens	Solution
Gridding mixed numbers	Forgetting to convert	Always convert to improper fraction or decimal
Rounding too early	Losing precision	Round only at the final step, fill all 4 boxes
Forgetting to fill bubbles	Time pressure	Write in boxes first, then immediately bubble
Not checking work	Overconfidence	Plug answer back into original problem
Decimal in wrong column	Rushing	Remember: decimal point only in columns 2-3

Practice Problem Walkthrough

Example Problem:

If 3x + 7 = 22, what is the value of x?

Step-by-step solution:

Isolate the variable:
- 3x + 7 = 22
- 3x = 22 - 7
- 3x = 15
Solve for x:
- x = 15 ÷ 3
- x = 5
Check your answer:
- 3(5) + 7 = 15 + 7 = 22 ✓
Grid the answer:
- Write "5" in any column
- Fill in bubble for "5"

Advanced Problem Types

Type 1: Fraction Results

Problem: What is 2/3 + 1/6?

Solution:

Find common denominator: 6
2/3 = 4/6
4/6 + 1/6 = 5/6
Grid as: 5/6 (preferred) or .833 or .834

Type 2: Ratio Problems

Problem: In a class, the ratio of boys to girls is 3:5. If there are 15 girls, how many boys are there?

Solution:

Set up proportion: 3/5 = x/15
Cross multiply: 5x = 45
x = 9
Grid as: 9

Type 3: Decimal Results

Problem: What is 15% of 80?

Solution:

Convert percent to decimal: 15% = 0.15
Multiply: 0.15 × 80 = 12
Grid as: 12

Time-Saving Strategies

Strategy 1: Estimate First

Before solving, estimate what the answer should be. This helps you:

Catch calculation errors immediately
Know if you're on the right track
Decide between fraction and decimal form

Strategy 2: Work Backwards

For some problems, plugging in your answer is faster than solving algebraically:

Problem: x² - 5x + 6 = 0. What is one possible value of x?

Traditional approach: Factor or use quadratic formula

Faster approach: Try small integers: Does x=2 work? 4-10+6=0 ✓

Grid as: 2 (or 3, the other solution)

Strategy 3: Use Your Calculator Wisely

Wait—calculators aren't allowed on the SHSAT! This means:

Practice mental math daily
Know your multiplication tables through 15×15
Memorize common fractions as decimals (1/4=.25, 1/3=.333, 2/3=.667, etc.)
Look for shortcuts (divisibility rules, estimation)

Practice Routine

Week 1-2: Master the Grid

Practice gridding different types of answers
Time yourself: Grid 20 different answers in under 2 minutes
Practice converting mixed numbers and repeating decimals

Week 3-4: Problem Types

Solve 10 grid-in problems daily
Focus on one problem type per day
Check all work by plugging answers back in

Week 5-6: Speed and Accuracy

Timed sets: 5 grid-ins in 8 minutes (target pace)
Mix problem types randomly
Track accuracy percentage (aim for 90%+)

Test Day Checklist

✓ Read the question carefully (what are they asking for?)
✓ Show your work in the test booklet
✓ Calculate your answer
✓ Check if answer makes sense (estimate)
✓ Convert mixed numbers if necessary
✓ Write answer in boxes clearly
✓ Fill in bubbles immediately (don't wait!)
✓ Verify bubbles match boxes
✓ Move to next question

Pro Tip:

Grid-in questions are typically worth the same points as multiple choice, but students often spend twice as long on them. Practice until you can solve grid-ins at the same pace as multiple choice—this will give you more time for harder questions!

Common Trick Questions

Trick 1: Answer in Different Units

Question asks for answer in feet, but you calculated in inches. Always check units!

Trick 2: "One Possible Value"

Problem has multiple solutions. Read carefully—grid ANY correct answer, not necessarily all of them.

Trick 3: Ratio as a Number

"What is the ratio of x to y?" Answer is a number (like 2 or 0.5), NOT "2:1"

Bottom line: Grid-in mastery separates high scorers from average scorers. Invest the practice time now, and these questions become free points on test day!

SHSAT Math: Grid-In Questions Mastery