What is PERT?

The PERT or the Postsecondary Education Readiness Test is a computer adaptive test that is designed to measure a student’s level of readiness for college-level courses. The test is currently administered and used by all Florida high schools including the 28 members of the Florida College System.

The PERT test is regulated to upcoming Florida college students as a placement test for Reading, Math, and English courses. The main purpose of the PERT is to identify which course placements best fit a student’s knowledge and skills. The PERT will also determine whether a student needs remedial work or not.

As mentioned earlier, the PERT uses computerized adaptive testing technology to select the most appropriate set of questions for every test taker. The level of difficulty in the next questions will be based on the performance of students in one PERT question.

PERT Structure and Format

The PERT is broken into 3 subsections: 1.) Reading, 2.) Writing, and 3.) Mathematics. For a complete breakdown of the PERT structure and format, please refer to the table below:

PERT Structure and Format
Section No. of Questions Description

Reading

25 multiple-choice questions

5 field test questions
  • Summarizing and picking the most important concepts and ideas or information.
  • Challenging or supporting affirmations about the text.
  • Determining and identifying the definition of words and phrases using contextual clues.
  • Analyzing and interpreting the definition, organizational structure, word choices of the text
  • Classifying between facts and opinions
  • Assessing the reasoning and rhetoric of an  explanation or argument

Writing

25 multiple-choice questions

5 field test questions
  • Maintaining focus on a particular subject or discussion
  • Building a topic or thesis
  • Showing the precepts of standard written English including grammar mechanics and usage
  • Integrating information from multiple relevant sources
  • Accurately citing data and conclusions. Representing the opinions of others
  • Word choice skills 
  • Sentence structure skills 
  • Grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation skills

Mathematics

25 multiple-choice questions

5 field test questions
  • Composed of equations (linear equations, linear inequalities, quadratic equations, and literal equations)
  • Evaluate algebraic expressions
  • Consists of Polynomials (factoring, simplifying, adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing)
  • Monomials and binomials
  • Applying conventional algorithms or concepts
  • Coordinate planes (includes inspecting equations)

PERT Scoring System

The Postsecondary Education Readiness Test scoring system is quite easy to understand. Each test taker receives a scaled score for all three PERT subtests: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics.

Test-takers neither pass nor fail the PERT exam. The scores they’ll receive in each of the subtests are being totaled to determine their respective skill levels. Once evaluated based on their scores, students are then placed in the most appropriate classes. 

The lowest score that an examinee can possibly get on one of the subtests is 50, while the highest PERT score is 150. While the scoring may not pass nor fail an examinee, it will play a huge role in the assessment of a student’s knowledge and skills.

To provide you with a quick overview of the scoring for each PERT section, please refer to the table below:

PERT Subtest Scoring System
Sections Details

Reading

 Test-takers who fail to score 106 or more on the PERT reading section may be asked to take a remedial reading course or take a developmental education. 106 is the cut score in order to register for a college-level Freshman Composition course or class.

Writing

 Test-takers who are planning to take a college-level  Freshman Composition class must be able to get a score of 103 in the PERT writing subtest in order to qualify successfully. The score is in addition to the minimum required score for the reading subtest.

Mathematics

 Students who scored below 114 in the PERT math section are required to take remedial courses or developmental education. On the other hand, test-takers who were able to earn a score of 114  to 122 are eligible to enroll in a college-level math class such as Intermediate Algebra. For students who successfully scored 123 or above, their eligibility to take other math courses increases.

Note: Students who did not do well on the PERT test when they took the exam in grade 11 or before starting college have the option to take the PERT test again.

PERT Registration

For students who are planning to take the PERT examination, it is highly advisable to follow your school’s registration procedure. This is to ensure that you are given full information about the exam, including the PERT test dates. Most schools offer the PERT exam for free, especially for first-timers. Moreover, there will be a corresponding fee that will apply to students who want to retake the exam. Many schools recommend students to file their registration in advance.

For more registration methods, please refer to the information given below:

Walk-In Examination

Some schools administer placement examinations, such as the PERT, in their very own testing centers. If your school does the same, you may not be asked to register for the PERT test in advance. Therefore, check with your college if this option is available.

Phone/Online Registration

For schools that require their students to register in advance, phone and online registration can be utilized for filing the application to take the test. Depending on the school’s registration process, students may be asked to call or fill up a registration form online.

Note: For students who are trying to pursue dual enrollment, they must take the PERT test at the college that they are planning to enroll in. In this case, students are asked to submit an approval letter from their high school before signing up to take the PERT exam.

PERT Frequently Asked Questions

What does the PERT test consist of?

The Postsecondary Education Readiness Test consists of core subjects that play a significant role in a student’s college admission. These core subjects are Reading, Writing, and Mathematics.

How long does the PERT test take?

The PERT test is an untimed examination. Furthermore, the approximate time for each subtest are as follows:

  • Writing section – 30 minutes
  • Mathematics section – 30 minutes
  • Reading section – 1 hour

Is the PERT test multiple-choice?

As provided in the structure and format table earlier, the PERT test has 30 questions in total. 25 of them are in a multiple-choice format while the other 5 are field test questions.

Is PERT easier than the SAT?

Considering the elements of the examinations, it is safe to say that the PERT is easier than the SAT. Moreover, the preparation you need in order to pass the PERT should never be neglected or given less importance. Even though the PERT does not pass or fail students, your PERT scores are still important when it comes to your college course evaluation.

What do I need to bring to the PERT test?

For test-takers who are taking the PERT at high schools, presenting identifiable information is not a necessity. However, students who are taking the test at colleges are required to show a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license. 

What score do you need to pass the PERT test?

As previously discussed, the PERT test does not pass nor fail a student. But for performance purposes, a student must aim for a higher score on each subtest to be eligible for different college courses.

Is the PERT test mandatory?

The PERT exam is a placement test. Thus, students will either be recommended or required to take the test. 

How do you pass the PERT reading?

The best way to pass the PERT test (not just reading) is to prepare for it. There are heaps of PERT practice test materials that you can use to maximize your chance of getting a high score.

Are you allowed to use a calculator on the PERT test?

Since the PERT is a computer adaptive test, a built-in PERT calculator will pop up if the mathematical question allows you to use it. However, keep in mind that handheld calculators are strongly prohibited.

PERT Study Guide and General Exam Strategies

There are a variety of practice test materials that you can use to prepare for the PERT test effectively. Some of these materials can be accessed for free online. If you’re looking for PERT test sample questions and study guide, you can check out the following topics or guides below:

  • PERT Math Practice Test
  • PERT Math Study Guide
  • PERT Reading Practice Test
  • PERT Writing Practice Test
  • PERT Test Study Guide

These are only some of the topics and materials that you can utilize for your preparation for the PERT examination.

PERT Exam General Strategies

#1 Stay Calm and Don’t Rush

The PERT test is an untimed examination. Therefore, rushing is not the best approach to use while taking the test. Aside from making yourself susceptible to errors and mistakes, rushing will also affect your understanding and mental process. If you want to do great on the PERT test, keeping yourself relaxed and focused during the exam is the best way to achieve that objective.

#2 Don’t Hesitate To Skip a Question When Needed

If you came across a tough question that you have no idea about, it’s better to skip it than waste your energy trying to think of the answer. Even though the PERT is untimed, it is still important to save your time and energy for the other questions. Stressing your mind over one difficult question will not benefit you in the end. Skipping a tough question and answering easier ones can help you maximize your score.

#3 Check and Review Your Work

Careless mistakes are a result of overconfidence. As much as possible, don’t let this happen to you. This is why it is essential to check and review your work before submitting it. For instance, you might have marked a choice incorrectly despite knowing the right answer. Every item missed is a lost point. If you’re aiming to get a good score on the PERT test, reviewing your work goes a long way.

#4 Read with Full Comprehension

Even though this strategy isn’t always applicable to every question you’ll encounter on the PERT test, it is still one of the most effective ways to increase your chances of getting a good PERT score. Fully understanding what the question is asking can greatly impact the probability of choosing the correct answer. Moreover, if the question is quite challenging, looking for contextual clues can also help you decipher the whole meaning of the question.

#5 Use Logical Deduction

Eliminating incorrect answers is easily achieved through logical deduction. As soon as you realize that one or two of the answer choices are incorrect, remove them immediately in your list of options. One way to take advantage of the logical deduction is to consider all angles and possibilities. As easy as it may sound, deducing your choices to arrive at the right answer requires a keen analysis of the question and critical thinking. If you can master this strategy during your PERT test prep, it is a surefire way of acquiring positive exam results.

PERT Sample Test Questions

Practice Test Question #1

A line passes through A (-3, 18) and B (5, 2). What is the slope of the line?

  1. 2
  2. -2
  3. 1/2
  4. -1/2

Practice Test Question #2

Which choice best completes the sentences below?

Our energy needs are not being adequately met, and in only a few short decades, we will be unable to satisfy the growing demand. _______, no one has developed a plan to address those needs. Both sides of the argument have facts, science, and history to back their claims. _______, fossil fuels are widely-used and available. _______, there is a limited supply of them and they damage the environment.

  1. So it seems, Similar to other claims, However
  2. However, On one hand, On the other hand
  3. On one hand, However, Similarly
  4. Strangely, First of all, Second of all

Practice Test Question #3

What is the midpoint of points A (-20, 8) and B (5, 3)

  1. (5.5, 7.5)
  2. (7.5, 5.5)
  3. 5.5, -7.5)
  4. (-7.5, 5.5)

Online Source: https://study.com/academy/popular/pert-test-day-preparation.html