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What is the FCAT?

The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, or FCAT, is a standardized test given to public school students in Florida. FCAT scores offer teachers and administrators a way to measure student achievement in math and reading.

The Florida Department of Education developed the FCAT to help ensure that children in Florida receive an education that will prepare them to meet the challenges of a changing world and workplace.

All public school students in grades 3—10 are required to take the FCAT. Home education students are tested only if their parents or guardians select this as an evaluation option. Students receiving an opportunity scholarship who attend a private school must also take the FCAT. Students with disabilities (ESE) and Limited English Proficient students (LEP) are assessed, often with accommodations, if they are working toward a standard high school diploma.

The FCAT is meant to be challenging. It tests the student’s ability to think through problems rather than simply to  memorize information. The FCAT is made up of multiple choice questions and open-response questions called "performance tasks."

What is the best way to prepare children for the FCAT?

Active participation in your child’s education is the best way to help your child prepare for the FCAT. Meeting with teachers, monitoring homework assignments, and reading with your child are all excellent ways to get involved. See Help Children Succeed in the Parent & Family Guide for more tips on things you can do.

How can I help children with a limited proficiency in English?

All children from third to tenth grade are expected to take the FCAT. However, there are two exceptions: children whose IEP committee (Individual Educational Plan) determines that an alternate assessment would be more appropriate, and children with limited English proficiency who have not received two years of service in an LEP program. Your child’s teacher or school staff should be equipped to give you guidance on how to help your child develop English language skills. Please see Help Children Who Are Speakers of Other Languages Succeed in the Parent and Family Guide for tips on things you can do to help your child.

What if I have an exceptional child?

Most students with disabilities are able to take the FCAT when they have the necessary accommodations. Accommodations are simply changes made to the way the students learn and how they are tested. The Individual Educational Plan (IEP) team determines these accommodations. Contact your child’s teacher to discuss accommodations appropriate for your child. Please see Help Exceptional Children Succeed in the Parent and Family Guide for tips on things you can do to help your child.

Why is the FCAT given?

The FCAT is given to Florida public school students to make sure that classroom teaching and curriculum materials meet educational criteria known as the Sunshine State Standards. The FCAT helps identify problem areas for both the child and for the school.

What are the benefits of the FCAT?

FCAT’s main intent is to ensure that Florida’s schools are meeting our children’s needs. The test should indicate when more resources and teacher training are needed at a school. Children benefit when school performance levels are raised and when expectations are clearly defined.

What does the FCAT measure?

The FCAT measures student performance of reading and math skills as described in the Sunshine State Standards. Administrators and educators developed these standards to reflect the skills children need to succeed, not only at higher levels of education, but also in real-world situations such as following written instructions. While the FCAT uses multiple-choice questions, it also poses questions that require your child to think, write, and solve problems.

Who administers the FCAT and when will my child take it?

The FCAT is given in school each spring. Your child’s school office will provide you with specific dates and times for your school district. It takes about seven hours, over several days, to complete the test. Your child’s teacher will administer the FCAT. If you have questions about the test or the test results, be sure to contact your child’s teacher or guidance counselor.

When will the FCAT results be available?

Test results are delivered to your child’s school district in the spring of the year the test is taken.

How do you read the results?

Scores for students on all tests range from a low of 100 to a high of 500. The average student score throughout the state is 300. Your child’s achievement on the FCAT falls into one of five possible levels:

• Level 5 indicates that your child answered most questions correctly, including the most challenging questions.
• Level 4 indicates that your child answered most questions correctly, but was successful only some of the time with questions involving the most challenging content.
• Level 3 indicates that your child answered many questions correctly but was generally less successful with questions involving the most challenging content.
• Level 2 indicates that your child had limited success with the challenging content on the FCAT.
• Level 1 indicates that your child had little success with the challenging content on the FCAT.

If your child’s results are at Level 1 or Level 2, see your child’s teacher or school guidance counselor for advice on how to help your child.

Can my child be retained because of low FCAT scores?

Each local school board establishes its own rules in compliance with state regulations for promotion and retention. Because the FCAT measures your child’s skills in math and reading, the results should be one of the criteria considered. For specific information for your school, ask to see your school district’s Pupil Progression Plan.

What if my child’s school has low scores?

Low FCAT scores can help identify schools that need additional resources and improvement in certain areas. Schools are held accountable for FCAT test results. Parental involvement has played an important role in helping struggling schools improve scores. If you are concerned about the FCAT scores at your child’s school, please call your school board and find out what you can do to help.