PERT Test 2026: Format, Scores and Who Is Exempt

What is the PERT test?

Florida's common placement test: Florida colleges use it after admission to decide your first English and math courses, and the college-ready minimums come from the State Board of Education.

The PERT is used across the Florida College System, the state's public state colleges and community colleges, and by some universities and high schools for dual enrollment. You take it at a college testing center before registering for your first classes, unless you are exempt or have other qualifying scores.

It measures readiness for two gateway courses in particular: ENC 1101, the first college English course, and the first college-level math course, usually Intermediate Algebra (MAT 1033) or College Algebra (MAC 1105).

The real PERT, with where each fact comes from
Subtests	Mathematics, Reading and Writing, taken and scored separatelySourcedChipola College, About PERT
Questions	30 multiple-choice questions in each subtest: 25 scored and 5 unscored field-test questions that look the sameSourcedChipola College, About PERT
Format	Computer-adaptive: each answer sets the difficulty of the next questionSourcedChipola College, About PERT
Time limit	None. The PERT is untimed, though your testing center sets its hoursSourcedChipola College, About PERT
Score	50 to 150 on each subtestSourcedPensacola State College, College Readiness Assessments Standards 2025 (PDF)
College-ready minimums	Reading 106, Writing 103, Math 114, under State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.0315SourcedPensacola State College, College Readiness Assessments Standards 2025 (PDF)
College Algebra	Math 123 or higher at many colleges, such as Pensacola State and Seminole State (a college placement level, not a state minimum)SourcedSeminole State College, FTIC placement testing (PERT)
Calculator	An on-screen calculator on some math questions only; you cannot bring your ownSourcedChipola College, About PERT

What is on the PERT test?

Three subtests: Mathematics (mostly algebra), Reading (main ideas, inferences, claims and word meaning) and Writing (sentence structure, grammar and organization).

The PERT subtests, with content from the official P.E.R.T. student study guide
Subtest	Questions	What it covers
Mathematics	30 (25 scored)	Linear equations and inequalities, quadratic and literal equations, expressions, polynomials and factoring, lines on the coordinate plane, and systems of two equations
Reading	30 (25 scored)	Key ideas and summaries, supporting details, inferences, claims and evidence, author's purpose and tone, and word meaning from context
Writing	30 (25 scored)	Sentence structure (fragments and run-ons), agreement, pronouns, verb tense, modifiers, punctuation, word choice, transitions and organization

The math is almost all algebra. There is little arithmetic for its own sake and almost no geometry or statistics, which surprises students who prepared for a general math test. If you are short on time, spend it on equations, factoring and exponents.

Practise each subtest: the PERT math practice test, the reading practice test and the writing practice test each have a free drill.

How is the PERT scored?

Each subtest is scored from 50 to 150, based on how many of the 25 scored questions you get right and how hard they were; the five field-test questions do not count.

Because the questions change with your answers, two students with the same number right can end with different scores: the one who answered harder questions correctly scores higher. That makes the early questions important. Rushing the first few and missing easy ones steers the test toward lower-value questions.

You usually see your scores at the end of the session. There is no overall score: each subtest is compared with the minimum for its course, so a high reading score cannot rescue a low math score.

No penalty for a wrong answer, but no skipping: you answer to move on.
No going back to change an answer once you submit it.
No time limit, so the only reason to hurry is your own patience.
Five unscored questions in each subtest that you cannot identify, so treat every question as if it counts.

What is a passing score on the PERT?

There is no pass or fail, but the state sets college-ready minimums: 106 in Reading, 103 in Writing and 114 in Math; many colleges ask 123 for College Algebra.

College-ready minimums under Rule 6A-10.0315, checked 2026-10-22
Subtest	College ready
Mathematics	114 or higher
Reading	106 or higher
Writing	103 or higher

Below a minimum, the college places you in developmental education in that subject, unless you are exempt and decline it. The full charts, with what each range means, are on PERT scores.

Practise all three subtests

The free test shows your weakest subtest. The Pass Pack gives you seven more mocks and four drills for every subtest.

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

Who is exempt from the PERT?

Under Florida law, students who entered ninth grade in a Florida public school in 2003-04 or later and earned a Florida standard high school diploma, and active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Services, are exempt from the placement test and from developmental education.

This exemption, in section 1008.30 of the Florida Statutes and in effect since January 2014, means many recent Florida high school graduates never have to take the PERT. Exempt students can still choose to test, and many colleges encourage it, because a placement test helps choose between Intermediate Algebra and College Algebra.

Students who are not exempt, such as those who graduated out of state, earned a GED or are home-schooled, take the PERT or submit other qualifying scores. Many colleges also accept recent SAT or ACT scores, and some accept other placement tests; check your college's testing page for the current list.

What happens on PERT test day?

You check in with photo ID at the college testing center and take each subtest at a computer; many students take all three in one sitting.

Check whether your college needs an appointment, what it charges and which subtests you need.
Bring a photo ID and your student ID number if you have one.
Leave your phone and calculator: the test shows a calculator on some math questions.
Answer each question before you move on: there is no skip and no going back.
Read your scores at the end and ask an advisor which courses they place you into.

There is no clock, so take a short pause between questions or subtests if your center allows it. A tired mind misreads a negative sign on the twentieth algebra question.

How do I prepare for the PERT?

Take a full practice test to find the weakest subtest, drill it for a week with worked answers, then take another full practice test; for math, focus on algebra.

Florida colleges publish the official P.E.R.T. student study guide, which lists the competencies and includes sample questions. Our free PERT practice test adds a score for every subtest, and the drills explain every answer.

For math, master linear equations, inequalities, factoring and exponent rules first. For reading, practise finding the sentence that proves your answer. For writing, learn fragments, run-ons, agreement and modifiers. The seven-day plan is in how to pass the PERT.

If you are also applying in Texas, colleges there use the TSI test; many other states use the ACCUPLACER. The skills overlap heavily.

Frequently asked questions

What does PERT stand for?

Postsecondary Education Readiness Test. It is Florida's common placement test for college English and math.

How long does the PERT take?

There is no time limit. Plan for a long session if you take all three subtests, and ask your testing center how long to set aside.

Can I retake the PERT?

Usually, yes, but your college sets the waiting time, the number of attempts and any fee. Ask before your first attempt.

Is the PERT hard?

It covers material most students have seen, but the math is algebra from start to finish and the adaptive format brings harder questions to strong students.

Does the PERT affect admission?

Usually not. It decides placement after admission, though some programs ask for college-ready scores before you start them.

Who makes the PERT?

It was developed for the Florida Department of Education, and the official study guide was published by McCann Associates. LifeScore is not affiliated with either.

Prepare once, place higher

Eight full PERT-style mocks, 12 drills across the three subtests and every answer explained, for one payment.