PERT

Thepostsecondaryeducationreadinesstest(Pert)

The Postsecondary Education Readiness Test is Florida's customized common placement test for college readiness in communication and computation. It is administered by the colleges of the Florida College System and by many Florida high schools, and its scores are used to place students in college-level courses or in developmental education courses that build foundational skills first. Scores also guide academic advisors, support dual-enrollment decisions, and identify high school students who need additional preparation.

Exam Pattern and Structure

The PERT is computer-adaptive: the difficulty of each question depends on how you answered the questions before it, so the test quickly settles on the level of work you can do. Each subtest contains 30 multiple-choice questions with four answer choices. Twenty-five are operational items that determine your score, and five are field-test items being tried out for future tests; you cannot tell which is which, so treat every question as scored.

Subtest	Questions	WhatItMeasures
Mathematics	30(25scored)	Arithmeticfoundationsandalgebra:linearequations inequalities andliteralequations; , ,
		evaluatingexpressions;polynomialsandfactoring;quadraticequations;thecoordinateplane
		andlines;systemsoftwolinearequations
Reading	30(25scored)	Mainideasandsummaries meaningofwordsincontext wordchoice tone andstructure , , , , ,
		author'spurpose relationshipswithinandbetweensentences comparingtexts factand , , ,
		opinion andevaluatingreasoningandrhetoric ,
Writing	30(25scored)	ConventionsofstandardwrittenEnglish sentencestructure agreement modifiers , , , ,
		parallelism commonlyconfusedwords transitions thesisandfocus supportingevidence , , , , ,
		styleandtone anduseofsourcesanddata ,

Timing and Format

Untimed: there is no time limit, so you can work at your own pace. On average, students finish the Mathematics and Writing subtests in about 30 minutes each and the Reading subtest in about an hour.

Computer-based: the test is taken on a computer in a supervised testing center at a college or high school. Some institutions also offer remotely proctored testing. Because each question depends on your previous answers, you cannot go back to a question once you answer it.

Calculator: personal and school-provided calculators are not allowed. For certain mathematics questions, an on- screen four-function calculator appears in the testing window.

Accommodations: students with an IEP or Section 504 plan that authorizes testing accommodations may use the appropriate PERT accommodations.

Scoring and College-Ready Scores

Each subtest is scored on a scale of 50 to 150, and results are available immediately after testing. Florida sets a college- ready score for each subtest in State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.0315. Meeting it shows readiness for college-level courses in that area; scoring below it usually leads to a developmental education course or other support, as determined by the college.

Subtest								Score	Range					College-Ready					Score							PlacementMeaning
Mathematics								50–150						114												ReadyforIntermediateAlgebra;manycolleges
																										requireahigher		score commonly123 forCollege , ,
																										Algebra
Reading								50–150						106												Ready for college-level coursework in reading and
																										communication
Writing								50–150						103												Ready for college-level writing courses such as ,
																										EnglishComposition
														Writing103												Mathematics		114
	50				60			70 80						90 100								110				120 130 140 150
		◀		Below	college-ready: developmental									coursework			or		Reading106 CollegeAlgebra123 support College-level placement ▶

College-ready scores marked on the 50–150 scale; the dashed line shows the higher mathematics score many colleges use for College Algebra. Each subtest is scored separately, so a student can be college-ready in one area and placed in developmental coursework in another.

There is no pass or fail on the PERT. Your score places you: at or above the college-ready score, you enter credit- bearing coursework; below it, you are placed in developmental education or offered other support. Because colleges set their own ranges for developmental levels and for College Algebra, confirm the placement chart with your college's testing center.

Who Takes the PERT

Incoming college students at Florida College System institutions who must demonstrate readiness in reading, writing, and mathematics.

High school students seeking dual enrollment, and students identified for extra college-readiness preparation before graduation.

Adult learners returning to education.

Florida law exempts two groups from being required to test: students who entered ninth grade in a Florida public school and earned a Florida standard high school diploma, and active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Services. Colleges may still recommend testing or developmental coursework to exempt students, and many students test to qualify for specific courses. Institutions may also accept other evidence of readiness, such as qualifying SAT, ACT, or ACCUPLACER scores or approved alternative methods.

Exam at a Glance

ExamAspect	Details
Fullname	PostsecondaryEducationReadinessTest(PERT)
Purpose	Placement in college-level or developmental courses in mathematics reading and writing , ,
Administeredby	FloridaCollegeSysteminstitutionsandFloridahighschools
Format	Computer-adaptive multiple choice four answer choices , ,
Questions	30 per subtest (25 scored 5 field -test); 90 in all ,
Time	Untimed
Calculator	On-screen four-function calculator on certain mathematics questions only
Scores	50–150persubtest;availableimmediately
College-ready scores	Mathematics114·Reading106·Writing103
Scorevalidity	Scoresareusedforplacementfortwoyears
Retesting	Retestlimits waitingperiods andanyfeesaresetbyeachinstitution , ,