A shift control apparatus that advances activation of an engagement element to be engaged during a shift requiring engagement and release of four engagement elements, thereby reducing the shift time. The automatic transmission achieves a sixth-to-fourth-to-third shift by controlling servo pressures for the four engagement elements. The control apparatus starts, during the time of the sixth-to-third shift, supply of the hydraulic pressure for activating the engagement element to be engaged at the time of the fourth-to-third shift, thereby advancing the establishment of the engagement stand-by state at the time of the fourth-to-third shift. Accordingly, the reduction in the servo pressure of the engagement element to be released at the time of the fourth-to-third shift can be advanced, thereby reducing the time for the sixth-to-third shift.