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Florida’s
Postsecondary Education
Readiness Test
(P.E.R.T.)
Study Guide
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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 assessments, one for each of these areas. The results of these assessments
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, a
pop-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
x Prepare
Take practice assessments and study areas of weakness.
x Read the directions carefully
When you take the assessments, make sure to take your time and carefully follow
the instructions for each question.
x 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.
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x Review
Be sure to review each answer carefully before submitting. You will not be able to
go back to any questions.
P.E.R.T. Subject Area Assessments
There are three P.E.R.T. assessments, each with 30 questions. The content that is tested is
listed below by subject:
Mathematics:
x Equations – solving linear equations, linear inequalities, quadratic equations and
literal equations
x Evaluating algebraic expressions
x Polynomials – factoring, simplifying, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing
x Dividing by monomials and binomials
x Applying standard algorithms or concepts
x Coordinate planes – translating between lines and inspect equations
x Focusing on pairs of simultaneous linear equations in two variables
Reading:
x Discerning and summarizing the most important ideas, events, or information
x Supporting or challenging assertions about the text
x Determining the meaning of words and phrases in context
x Analyzing the meaning, word choices, tone and organizational structure of the text
x Determining the author’s purpose and the relation of events in the text to one
another
x Recognizing relationships within and between sentences
x Analyzing the traits, motivations and thoughts of individuals in fiction and
nonfiction
x Analyzing how two or more texts with different styles, points of view or arguments
address similar topics or themes
x Distinguishing between facts and opinions
x Evaluating reasoning and rhetoric of an argument or explanation
Writing:
x Sustaining focus on a specific topic or argument
x Establishing a topic or thesis
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x Demonstrating use of the conventions of standard written English, including
grammar, usage and mechanics
x Supporting and illustrating arguments and explanations
x Developing and maintaining a style and tone
x Synthesizing information from multiple relevant sources
x Conveying complex information clearly and coherently
x Representing and accurately citing data, conclusions, and opinions of others
x Establishing a substantive claim and acknowledging competing arguments or
information
x Conceptual and Organizational Skills – recognizing effective transitional devices
within the context of a passage
x Word Choice Skills – recognizing commonly confused or misused words and
phrases
x Sentence Structure Skills – using modifiers correctly; using coordination and
subordination effectively; and recognizing parallel structure
x Grammar, Spelling, Capitalization and Punctuation Skills - avoiding inappropriate
shifts in verb tense and pronouns; maintaining agreement between pronoun and
antecedent; and using proper case forms, adjectives and adverbs
What should you expect?
The following section provides an overview of the type of information you will need to
know to perform well on the subject area assessments but it is not intended to be a
comprehensive listing of all content to be tested.
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Mathematics:
You should review your basic math rules such as, the order of operations, exponents, prime
numbers and percents. Here are a few of the rules to review:
Order of Operations
x work within parentheses
x simplify exponents
x multiplication and division
x addition and subtraction
Exponents
The mathematical notation that notates a variable is multiplied by itself the number of
times indicated by the exponent.
x x3 = x × x × x
x x5 = x × x × x × x × x
Prime Numbers
A prime number is defined as an integer that is greater than 1, and has only two positive
factors, 1 and itself. The first ten prime numbers are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, and 29.
Percents
The word percent means “hundredths” or a number which is divided by 100. Converting a
number into a percentage involves multiplying the number by 100.
A percent can be determined by performing the division of the part by the total and
multiplying it by 100:
Percent = Part ×100
Total
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Math Sample Questions:
1. Which of the following is a solution to the equation c + (4 – 3c) – 2 = 0?
A. -1
B. 0
C. 1
D. 2
2. Graph the solution of y – 2 > 1 on a number line.
A.
-10 -5 0 5 10
B.
-10 -5 0 5 10
C.
-10 -5 0 5 10
D.
-10 -5 0 5 10
3. Which of the following is a solution to the equation x2 – 6x + 5 = 0?
A. x = -5
B. x = -1
C. x =
D. x = 5
4. What is the value of the algebraic expression if x = , y = -1, and z = 2?
6x(y2z)
A. -12
B. -6
C. 1
D. 6
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5. Which of the following is equivalent to (8 – 5) ÷ 23 ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
6. Factor completely:
x2 – x – 6?
A. (x – 2)(x + 3)
B. (x – 1)(x – 6)
C. (x + 2)(x – 3)
D. (x + 1)(x – 6)
7. Simplify the following expression:
3x4y2
xy2
A.
B.
C.
D.
8. Which of the following is equivalent to the expression (3ab)(-5ab)?
A. -2ab
B. -2a2b2
C. -15ab
D. -15a2b2
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9. What percent of the grid is shaded?
A. 35%
B. 40%
C. 45%
D. 55%
10. Which of the following is the equation of a line that passes through (-2, -1) and (-4, -3)?
A. y = x + 1
B. y = x + 1
C. y = x – 1
D. y = x – 1
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370 Scotch Road, Ewing, NJ 08628
Toll Free: 866.933.0508
Fax: 267.756.1440
[Link]
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Answer keys:
Math:
Sequence Competency Description Key
1 Solve linear equations in one variable using C
manipulations guided by the rules of arithmetic and the
properties of equality
2 Solve linear inequalities in one variable and graph the B
solution set on a number line
3 Solve quadratic equations in one variable by factoring D
4 Evaluate algebraic expressions D
5 Apply the order-of-operations to evaluate algebraic A
expressions, including those with parentheses and
exponents
6 Factor polynomial expressions C
7 Simplify an expression with integer exponents A
8 Add, subtract, multiply, and divide polynomials; divide D
by monomials and binomials
9 Know when and how to apply standard algorithms or C
concepts, and perform them flexibly, accurately and
efficiently
10 Translate fluently between lines in the coordinate plane B
and their equations; include predicting visual features
of lines by inspection of their equations, determining
the equation of the line through two given points, and
determining the equation of the line with a given slope
passing through a given point
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