PERT math practice test: the algebra that decides your placement

The PERT math subtest is 30 adaptive questions, 25 of them scored, almost all algebra: linear equations and inequalities, literal equations, polynomials and factoring, quadratic equations, lines on the coordinate plane and systems of equations. A score of 114 is college ready, and many colleges ask 123 for College Algebra. The free drill below is 12 original PERT-style math questions with every answer explained.

30
math questions, 25 scored: 114
college-ready minimum: 123
College Algebra at many colleges: 12
questions in the free drill

Last checked 22 October 2026 · Test facts from Florida college testing centers and the P.E.R.T. study guide

Free Math drill: 12 original PERT-style questions at an 18-minute practice pace, then every answer explained. No sign-up.

12
questions
18 min
time limit
Free
every answer explained

By the LifeScore Editorial Team · Updated 22 October 2026 · How we check facts · How this is scored

What is on the PERT math test?

Algebra, from evaluating expressions and one-step equations up to factoring, quadratic equations and systems; the official study guide lists the competencies, and there is very little geometry or statistics.

The math competencies, grouped from the P.E.R.T. student study guide
Topic	What to be able to do
Expressions	Evaluate an expression for given values, combine like terms, use the order of operations
Linear equations	Solve in one variable, including with brackets and fractions; solve a literal equation for one letter
Linear inequalities	Solve and graph, remembering to reverse the sign when multiplying or dividing by a negative
Polynomials	Add, subtract and multiply polynomials; use the exponent rules
Factoring	Factor out a common factor, trinomials and the difference of squares
Quadratic equations	Solve by factoring; recognise the solutions from the factors
Lines and the coordinate plane	Slope, intercepts, the equation of a line, parallel and perpendicular lines
Systems	Solve two linear equations in two variables, and set them up from a word problem

What PERT math score do I need?

114 makes you college ready in math, which usually means Intermediate Algebra; for College Algebra (MAC 1105) many colleges ask 123 or more.

One college's math placement chart: Pensacola State College, 2025. Charts vary by college and year.
PERT math score	First math course
50 to 95	MAT 0018 (developmental pre-algebra)
96 to 113	MAT 0028 (developmental algebra)
114 to 122	MAT 1033 (Intermediate Algebra)
123 to 150	MAC 1105 (College Algebra) or STA 2023 (Statistics)

The 114 line is the state minimum; the 123 line is the one that matters most to students whose degree needs College Algebra or Statistics, because it skips a full semester. If you are close to either line, a week of review is worth more here than anywhere else on the PERT. More charts are on PERT scores.

What do PERT math questions look like?

Short algebra problems with four options, from solving an equation with brackets to factoring a trinomial and multiplying polynomials. Eight examples follow; four are worked in full and the others open when you tap.

PERT-style question 1 · Linear equation
Solve for x: 4(x − 3) = 2x + 6
1. A9
2. B3
3. C4.5
4. D1.5
Worked answer
A: 9. Distribute: 4x − 12 = 2x + 6. Subtract 2x: 2x − 12 = 6. Add 12: 2x = 18, so x = 9.
1. Distribute the 4 to both terms: 4x − 12.
2. Collect x on one side: 4x − 2x = 2x, so 2x − 12 = 6.
3. Add 12 and divide by 2: x = 9. Check: 4(6) = 24 and 18 + 6 = 24.
The trap: Getting 4.5 by writing 4x − 3 instead of 4x − 12. Multiply the 4 into every term inside the brackets.
PERT-style question 2 · Linear inequality
Which is the solution of −3x + 5 > 17?
1. Ax < −4
2. Bx > −4
3. Cx < 4
4. Dx > 4
Worked answer
A: x < −4. Subtract 5: −3x > 12. Divide by −3 and flip the sign: x < −4.
1. Subtract 5 from both sides: −3x > 12.
2. Divide both sides by −3.
3. Dividing by a negative number reverses the inequality: x < −4.
The trap: x > −4 forgets to flip the sign. Check with x = −5: −3(−5) + 5 = 20, which is greater than 17, so values below −4 work.
PERT-style question 3 · Literal equation
The area of a triangle is A = ½bh. Which equation gives h in terms of A and b?
1. Ah = 2A/b
2. Bh = A/(2b)
3. Ch = 2Ab
4. Dh = b/(2A)
Show the worked answer
A: h = 2A/b. Multiply both sides by 2: 2A = bh. Divide by b: h = 2A/b.
1. Clear the fraction: multiply both sides by 2, so 2A = bh.
2. h is multiplied by b, so divide both sides by b.
3. h = 2A/b.
The trap: h = A/(2b) divides by 2 instead of multiplying. Undo ½ by multiplying by 2.
PERT-style question 4 · Factoring
Which is the factored form of x² + 2x − 15?
1. A(x + 5)(x − 3)
2. B(x − 5)(x + 3)
3. C(x + 15)(x − 1)
4. D(x − 5)(x − 3)
Worked answer
A: (x + 5)(x − 3). You need two numbers that multiply to −15 and add to +2: +5 and −3. So x² + 2x − 15 = (x + 5)(x − 3).
1. List factor pairs of −15: (1, −15), (−1, 15), (3, −5), (−3, 5).
2. The pair that adds to +2 is 5 and −3.
3. Check by multiplying out: x² − 3x + 5x − 15 = x² + 2x − 15.
The trap: (x − 5)(x + 3) has the right numbers with the signs swapped, and gives −2x. Always multiply back to check the middle term.
PERT-style question 5 · Equation of a line
A line has slope 3 and crosses the y-axis at (0, −2). What is its equation?
1. Ay = 3x − 2
2. By = −2x + 3
3. Cy = 3x + 2
4. Dy = −3x − 2
Show the worked answer
A: y = 3x − 2. In y = mx + b, m is the slope and b is the y-intercept, so y = 3x − 2.
1. Slope-intercept form: y = mx + b.
2. m = 3 and the y-intercept is −2, so b = −2.
3. y = 3x − 2.
The trap: y = −2x + 3 swaps the slope and the intercept. The number multiplying x is the slope.
PERT-style question 6 · Quadratic equation
What are the solutions of x² − 9x + 20 = 0?
1. Ax = 4 or x = 5
2. Bx = −4 or x = −5
3. Cx = 2 or x = 10
4. Dx = 9 or x = 20
Show the worked answer
A: x = 4 or x = 5. Factor: (x − 4)(x − 5) = 0, because −4 × −5 = 20 and −4 + −5 = −9. So x = 4 or x = 5.
1. Find two numbers that multiply to 20 and add to −9: −4 and −5.
2. x² − 9x + 20 = (x − 4)(x − 5).
3. Set each factor to zero: x = 4 or x = 5.
The trap: x = −4 or −5 reads the solutions straight off the factors. The factor (x − 4) is zero when x = +4.
PERT-style question 7 · Multiplying polynomials
Which is equal to (2x + 3)(x − 4)?
1. A2x² − 5x − 12
2. B2x² − 12
3. C2x² + 5x − 12
4. D2x² − 11x − 12
Worked answer
A: 2x² − 5x − 12. Multiply every term by every term: 2x² − 8x + 3x − 12 = 2x² − 5x − 12.
1. First terms: 2x × x = 2x².
2. Outer and inner: 2x × −4 = −8x and 3 × x = 3x, which combine to −5x.
3. Last terms: 3 × −4 = −12. Result: 2x² − 5x − 12.
The trap: 2x² − 12 multiplies only the first and last terms. The two middle products are where most of the points are.
PERT-style question 8 · Exponent rules
Which is equal to (3x²y)³?
1. A27x⁶y³
2. B9x⁶y³
3. C27x⁵y³
4. D3x⁶y³
Show the worked answer
A: 27x⁶y³. Raise every factor to the third power: 3³ = 27, (x²)³ = x⁶ and y³, so the result is 27x⁶y³.
1. The power applies to each factor inside the brackets.
2. 3³ = 27 and (x²)³ = x²ˣ³ = x⁶.
3. y³ stays y³: 27x⁶y³.
The trap: 27x⁵y³ adds the exponents 2 + 3. A power of a power multiplies them.

Reach 123 and skip a semester

One drill shows the gap. Four math drills and eight full mocks close it, with every answer worked.

The PERT Pass Pack gives you 8 full mocks on the real clock, 12 drills of 12 questions for the sections that cost you points, and a predictor that turns your mocks into the odds of reaching your target. One payment, no subscription, and your free score stays free.

Prep courses for these tests usually cost $19 to $129. The PERT Pass Pack is US$39 (£29), once.

See the PERT Pass Pack How our questions are built and checked

8
timed mocks: 12
topic drills: 1
score predictor

What formulas do I need for PERT math?

There is no formula sheet, so know the slope formula, slope-intercept form, the exponent rules, the factoring patterns and the rule for flipping an inequality by heart.

Our study list for PERT math
Rule	What it says
Distributing	a(b + c) = ab + ac: multiply into every term
Inequalities	Multiplying or dividing by a negative reverses the sign
Slope	(y₂ − y₁) ÷ (x₂ − x₁)
Slope-intercept form	y = mx + b (m is slope, b is the y-intercept)
Parallel and perpendicular	Parallel lines share a slope; perpendicular slopes multiply to −1
Product of powers	xᵃ · xᵇ = xᵃ⁺ᵇ
Power of a power	(xᵃ)ᵇ = xᵃᵇ
Negative exponent	x⁻ᵃ = 1 ÷ xᵃ
Difference of squares	a² − b² = (a + b)(a − b)
Trinomial factoring	x² + bx + c = (x + p)(x + q) where pq = c and p + q = b

What are the most common PERT math mistakes?

Sign errors, distributing to only the first term, forgetting to flip an inequality, adding exponents that should be multiplied, and factoring that is never checked.

Distributing a negative to only the first term: −2(x − 3) is −2x + 6, not −2x − 3.
Not flipping the inequality after dividing by a negative.
Reading quadratic solutions straight off the factors: (x − 4) gives x = 4, not −4.
Adding exponents in a power of a power: (x²)³ is x⁶, not x⁵.
Stopping one step early: answering 2x = 18 with 18.

The same habit fixes all five: check every answer before you choose it. Substitute a solution back into the equation, test one number in an inequality, and multiply a factored answer back out. It takes ten seconds and the test has no clock.

Can I use a calculator on PERT math?

Only the on-screen calculator that appears on some questions; you cannot bring your own. Practise without one.

Most PERT math is symbolic, so a calculator would not help much anyway: factoring, exponents and solving for a letter are done by hand. Arithmetic with negatives and fractions is where slips happen, so do your practice by hand on scratch paper, as you will on the day.

How should I study for PERT math in a week?

Start with linear equations and inequalities, then exponents and polynomials, then factoring and quadratics, then lines and systems, and finish with a full practice test.

Our plan, about 40 minutes a day

Day 1
40 min
Take the free math drill. Write down every topic you missed.
Day 2
40 min
Linear equations, literal equations and inequalities: 20 problems, checking each by substituting.
Day 3
40 min
Exponent rules and multiplying polynomials. Make a one-page rules card.
Day 4
40 min
Factoring trinomials and the difference of squares; solving quadratics by factoring.
Day 5
40 min
Slope, the equation of a line and systems of two equations.
Day 6
60 min
Take the full [PERT practice test](/pert-practice-test) and review every miss.
Day 7
30 min
Redo the questions you missed, then rest.

The full plan, with reading and writing, is in how to pass the PERT. The algebra overlaps heavily with the TSI math practice test and the ACCUPLACER math practice test, so either is a good second source of practice.

Frequently asked questions

How many math questions are on the PERT?

30, of which 25 are scored and 5 are unscored field-test questions you cannot identify.

What is a good PERT math score?

114 is college ready. 123 or more places you into College Algebra at many Florida colleges, including Pensacola State and Seminole State.

Is there geometry on the PERT?

Very little. The math subtest is almost all algebra, with coordinate-plane questions about lines.

Is PERT math hard?

It is algebra from start to finish. Students who have not done algebra in a while find it hard at first, but the topics are a short, learnable list.

What if I score below 96?

At Pensacola State, a score below 96 places you in MAT 0018, two developmental courses below College Algebra. Other colleges use different lines.

Place into College Algebra

Four math drills, eight full PERT-style mocks and every answer worked step by step, in one payment.