P.E.R.T Study Guide - Florida Postsecondary Education Readiness Test

Oct 5, 2026

Florida’s Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (P.E.R.T.) evaluates academic skills in mathematics, reading, and writing to place students into appropriate college courses. The test consists of three computer-adaptive, untimed assessments where answers drive the next questions, with no backtracking and no passing or failing. Guidance covers preparation, careful reading, elimination-based reasoning, and review before submitting. It also details the mathematics, reading, and writing content areas and math refresh rules for order of operations, exponents, prime numbers, and percents.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

How the P.E.R.T. Works

Test Taking Tips

P.E.R.T. Subject Area Tests

Mathematics

Reading

Writing

What should you expect?

Mathematics review: Order of Operations, Exponents, Prime Numbers, Percents

Florida’s Postsecondary Education Readiness Test P.E.R.T. Introduction The purpose of Florida’s Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (P.E.R.T.) is to adequately assess your academic skills in mathematics, reading and writing through the delivery of three tests, one for each of these areas. The results of these tests are used to determine your placement into appropriate courses at your college. You cannot pass or fail the P.E.R.T.– it is only used to determine which courses are best for you. While it doesn’t impact your grades, we encourage you to take the P.E.R.T. seriously so that your course placement is accurate. How the P.E.R.T. Works The P.E.R.T. assessments are computer-adaptive, which means the questions are chosen based on your answers to previous questions. You will not be permitted to change your answer once you have moved on to the next question or leave a question unanswered. However, all of the P.E.R.T. assessments are untimed so you have as much time as you need to consider each question before submitting your answer. If you do not know the answer to a specific question, you are encouraged to try and answer the question by eliminating one or more of the answer options and then select from the remaining choices. You will not be allowed to bring a calculator with you; however, for certain questions, apop-up calculator will be available for your use. Check with your college testing center for what to bring or not to bring with you on test day. Your scores on each assessment will be available immediately after you submit and your college will provide you with the results. Test Taking Tips 􀁸 Prepare Take practice exams and study areas of weakness. 􀁸 Read the directions carefully When you take the tests, make sure to take your time and carefully follow the instructions for each question. 􀁸 Use reasoning when answering 1. Identify the key phrase in the question. 2. Try to find the correct answer before you read all the choices. 3. Eliminate the choices that you know are not correct. 4. Read all the choices and pick the best answer. 􀁸 Review Be sure to review each answer carefully before submitting. You will not be able togo back to any questions. P.E.R.T. Subject Area Tests There are three P.E.R.T. tests, each with 30 questions. The content that is covered is listed below by subject: Mathematics: 􀁸 Equations– solving linear equations, linear inequalities, quadratic equations and literal equations 􀁸 Evaluating algebraic expressions 􀁸 Polynomials-factoring, simplifying, adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing 􀁸 Dividing by monomials and binomials 􀁸 Applying standard algorithms or concepts 􀁸 Coordinate planes-translate between lines and inspect equations 􀁸 Focusing on pairs of simultaneous linear equations in two variables Reading: 􀁸 Discerning and summarizing the most important ideas, events, or information 􀁸 Supporting or challenging assertions about the text 􀁸 Determining the meaning of words and phrases in context 􀁸 Analyzing the meaning, word choices, tone, and organizational structure of the text 􀁸 Determining the author’s purpose, and the relation of events in the text to one another 􀁸 Recognizing relationships within and between sentences 􀁸 Analyzing the traits, motivations, and thoughts of individuals in fiction and nonfiction 􀁸 Analyzing how two or more texts with different styles, points of view, or arguments address similar topics or themes 􀁸 Distinguishing between facts and opinions 􀁸 Evaluating reasoning and rhetoric of an argument or explanation Writing: 􀁸 Sustaining focus on a specific topic or argument 􀁸 Establishing a topic or thesis 􀁸 Demonstrating use of the conventions of standard written English, including grammar, usage, and mechanics 􀁸 Supporting and illustrating arguments and explanations 􀁸 Developing and maintaining a style and tone 􀁸 Synthesizing information from multiple relevant sources

FAQs

What is the purpose of the Florida P.E.R.T.?

It assesses academic skills in mathematics, reading, and writing to determine course placement at your college. It does not affect grades and cannot be passed or failed.

How does the computer-adaptive P.E.R.T. assessment work?

Questions are selected based on your answers to previous questions. You cannot change an answer after moving on, and you cannot leave questions unanswered.

Are there time limits or can you use a calculator?

The assessments are untimed, so you can take as much time as you need. You will not be allowed to bring a calculator, but an apop-up calculator may be available for certain questions.

What topics are covered in the P.E.R.T. tests?

Mathematics covers equations, algebraic expressions, polynomials, coordinate planes, and simultaneous linear equations. Reading focuses on comprehension, assertions, context meaning, tone, author purpose, relationships, and comparing texts. Writing includes thesis and argument development, standard English conventions, synthesis, organization, and grammar and punctuation skills.

Oct 5, 2026

Uploaded by Aria Callaghan