FCAT test
FCAT test (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test) is an assessment test specifically designed for students of Florida, which was approved by the State Board of Education during 1998, as an overall plan to promote the achievement level of students by executing higher standard of education. FCAT test is based on SSS (Sunshine State Standards), which is the academic curriculum standard meant for the students in the state of Florida. FCAT test helps in measuring the level of progress of students as per Sunshine State Standard.
Students of grades three to eleven in the state of Florida are required to take up FCAT test. While students attending Private schools need not take up FCAT test, those attending Charter schools and those who attend private schools by receiving an opportunity scholarship must take up FCAT test. ESE (Students with disabilities) and LEP (Limited English Proficient) students are also assessed through FCAT test but with certain accommodations. Home schooled children have the option of taking up the test in a public school.
The test consists of two basic sections. One being, CRT (Criterion-Referenced Test) which includes reading, writing, mathematics and science based on SSS and the other called NRT (norm-referenced test) in reading and mathematics which helps in comparing the performance of an individual student of Florida against the national standards. To split up further, the writing test is conducted for students of grade 4, 8 and 10, science for students of grade 5, 8 and 11 and mathematics and reading for students from grade 3 to ten. The tests are conducted during the months of February and March every year.
Though the test format of FCAT test is mainly multiple choice questions, it also consist of questions that require short brief answers and essays type answers, through which students ability of solving problems by thinking independently could be evaluated. The students may also be required to draft a response on a topic assigned within a stipulated time period. The mathematics section includes solving basic numerical problems pertaining to situations in real life, in addition to geometry, measurement, data analysis and algebra.
FCAT test Reading test includes passages (stories, articles and poems) which the students are required to read, analyze and answer the questions asked based on them. The FCAT test science test judges the ability of students to apply the knowledge and concept of science in day to day life activities.
Based on the performance of students, the schools are assigned grades over a range of A to F. The scores of the test range from level one to five (100 to 500). A student receives a diploma if he achieves a minimum of 300 for both mathematics and reading tests. In case a student fails the test, he will not be able to move on to the next grade until he clears the test. A student failing in the tenth grade will be given five to seven additional attempts to clear the test.
FCAT test is a challenging step towards a high school diploma. FCAT test gives a clear picture of skills of students in the field of education for parents and teachers and based on FCAT test results, the public gets to know the standard of “educational health” of students in a particular school or district.