The Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT) is an assessment designed to determine if a student is prepared for college-level courses in English and mathematics. This placement exam is primarily administered to high school students and incoming students at state colleges, particularly within the state of Florida. The PERT ensures that students are enrolled in classes that match their current academic skill level, promoting a higher chance of success in their postsecondary education. The scores guide academic advisors in placing students directly into college-credit courses or into foundational courses meant to strengthen existing knowledge.
The Structure of the PERT Test
The PERT is composed of three distinct subtests: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics, which collectively measure the student’s readiness for college coursework. The Reading section evaluates the ability to comprehend and analyze informational texts, focusing on skills like identifying the main idea, understanding vocabulary in context, and drawing logical inferences from passages.
The Writing section tests proficiency in English language conventions and composition skills necessary for college-level communication. This includes demonstrating knowledge of correct grammar rules, effective sentence structure, and the logical organization of ideas. Students must show an understanding of how to use proper punctuation, verb tenses, and subject-verb agreement to construct cohesive writing.
The Mathematics section covers foundational concepts from algebra and geometry, which are prerequisites for college-level math courses. Content assessed includes solving various types of equations, manipulating algebraic expressions, applying basic geometric principles, and interpreting data sets. Each subtest contains 30 questions, though only 25 contribute to the final placement score, with the remaining five being unscored field-test items used for future test development.
How the PERT Test is Administered
The PERT is administered as a computer-adaptive test (CAT), where the difficulty of subsequent questions adjusts based on the student’s performance on previous questions. The test begins with a question of moderate difficulty; if the student answers correctly, the next question presented will be slightly harder, and conversely, an incorrect answer leads to an easier follow-up question. This adaptive mechanism allows the exam to efficiently pinpoint the student’s actual skill level with a relatively small number of questions.
The PERT is generally untimed, but students typically spend about three hours to complete all three subtests in one sitting. The test is computer-based, and students must answer each question before moving on, as there is no option to return to a previously answered item. For the Mathematics subtest, a pop-up calculator is provided on-screen for specific questions, but personal calculators are not permitted.
Understanding Your PERT Scores
The PERT score for each of the three subtests is reported on a scaled range from 50 to 150. This scale is designed with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15, allowing institutions to interpret the score based on a standardized distribution of student abilities. The practical application of these scores is to determine a student’s placement into college courses, serving as an indicator of college readiness.
Colleges use specific cutoff scores to guide course enrollment decisions. For example, a student who achieves a score of 106 or higher on the Reading subtest is often considered ready for college-level English Composition I. A score of 114 or higher on the Mathematics subtest typically indicates readiness for Intermediate Algebra, a college-credit course. Scores falling below these cutoffs usually require the student to enroll in developmental education or remedial courses, such as those in the 50 to 95 range for mathematics, to build up necessary skills.
Placement scores are generally valid for two years from the date the test was taken, and they are available immediately after the test is completed. The score is not a pass or fail designation, but rather a determination of whether the student requires additional preparation to succeed in introductory college courses. A score below the college-ready threshold suggests a need for targeted instruction to close academic gaps.
Effective Preparation Strategies
Effective preparation for the PERT involves utilizing official practice materials provided by the state Department of Education or the college system. These resources often include study guides and sample questions that mirror the content and format of the actual exam. Engaging with full-length practice tests is beneficial, as it allows test-takers to become familiar with the unique computer-adaptive nature of the assessment and manage their time across the three sections.
A focused study strategy involves identifying specific weak areas based on the known structure of the test, such as algebraic concepts or sentence structure. Students should dedicate more time to reviewing core concepts that have been challenging in the past, rather than simply memorizing practice questions. General test-day readiness includes ensuring adequate rest and nutrition before the assessment. Approaching the test with a calm, focused mindset maximizes performance on this adaptive exam.