Cheat sheet

Florida PERT Cheat Sheet

Quick Facts

Format
Computer-adaptive
Subtests
Reading, Writing, Mathematics
Per subtest
30 questions
Operational items
25 scored items
Field-test items
5 unscored items
Timing
Untimed
Score range
50-150 each
Readiness scores
R106 W103 M114
Result
Placement, not pass/fail
Navigation
No backtracking
Calculator
On-screen when available

Author Purpose Check

Text, Audience, Purpose, Evidence

Inspect whole selectionProve intended effect

Main Idea vs Detail

Main idea

  • Covers entire selection
  • Connects major details

Detail

  • Supports one point
  • Often narrowly specific

Prefer broad supported coverage

Reading Answer Picker

  1. Asks central pointChoose whole-passage claim(Reject narrow details)
  2. Asks explicit detailLocate matching words(Avoid added inference)
  3. Asks inferenceCombine clues cautiously(Require textual support)
  4. Asks word meaningSubstitute each choice(Preserve sentence meaning)
  5. Asks author purposeIdentify intended effect(Use whole text)
  6. Asks toneCollect loaded words(Match degree precisely)
  7. Asks structureTrace paragraph roles(Follow transitions)
  8. Asks best evidenceChoose direct proof(Strongest textual link)

Main Ideas

Main idea
Central point spanning text
Summary
Main idea plus essentials
Explicit detail
Directly stated information
Inference
Evidence plus sound reasoning
Theme
General insight revealed
Author purpose
Reason for writing
Tone
Attitude conveyed through language
Point of view
Narrator's perspective

Inference vs Assumption

Inference

  • Built from clues
  • Must fit all evidence

Assumption

  • Imports outside ideas
  • Not required by text

Demand textual necessity

Evidence

Best evidence
Most direct textual support
Assertion
Claim requiring support
Fact
Objectively verifiable statement
Opinion
Judgment or belief
Valid inference
Text necessarily supports it
Assumption
Unstated outside idea
Counterclaim
Opposing position
Rhetoric
Persuasive language choices

Fact vs Opinion

Fact

  • Can be verified
  • Evidence settles truth

Opinion

  • Expresses judgment
  • Reasonable views may differ

Test objective verifiability

Text Structure

Chronological
Events follow time
Cause and effect
Reasons produce outcomes
Compare and contrast
Similarities and differences
Problem and solution
Issue followed by response
Description
Features supported by examples
Transition
Signals idea relationship
Sentence relationship
Connection between nearby ideas
Organization
Arrangement shapes meaning

Words and Tone

Context clues
Nearby meaning signals
Denotation
Literal dictionary meaning
Connotation
Emotional association
Figurative meaning
Nonliteral comparison
Pronoun reference
Nearest logical antecedent
Word choice
Creates tone and precision
Multiple texts
Compare claims and evidence
Character trait
Revealed through actions

Coordinating Conjunctions

For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

Join equal structuresComma between full clauses

Fragment vs Run-on

Fragment

  • Incomplete thought
  • Cannot stand alone

Run-on

  • Multiple complete thoughts
  • Missing valid boundary

Count complete clauses first

Writing Edit Picker

  1. Clause lacks completenessRepair fragment(Add independent clause)
  2. Two clauses collideRepair run-on(Use valid boundary)
  3. Verb choice differsFind true subject(Ignore interrupting phrases)
  4. Pronoun choice differsCheck antecedent and role(Match number and case)
  5. Modifier seems misplacedMove beside target(Name logical actor)
  6. Transition choices differName idea relationship(Contrast, cause, example)
  7. Sentence seems wordyKeep precise version(Preserve full meaning)
  8. Paragraph order changesBuild logical progression(Thesis before support)

Development

Thesis
Focused controlling claim
Topic sentence
States paragraph focus
Support
Reasons, examples, or data
Source synthesis
Combines relevant information
Attribution
Credits borrowed ideas
Unity
Every sentence advances focus
Coherence
Ideas flow logically
Transition
Shows idea relationship
Counterargument
Acknowledges opposing view
Conclusion
Synthesizes central claim

Three Soundalikes

Their owns; there points; they're expands

Their shows possessionThey're means they are

Semicolon vs Comma

Semicolon

  • Joins complete clauses
  • Needs no conjunction

Comma

  • Marks lighter separation
  • Needs coordinating conjunction

Check both clause sides

Sentence Boundaries

Independent clause
Complete standalone thought
Dependent clause
Cannot stand alone
Fragment
Lacks independent clause
Run-on
Unjoined independent clauses
Comma splice
Clauses joined by comma
Coordination
Joins equal ideas
Subordination
Shows unequal ideas
Parallelism
Matches grammatical forms

Its vs It's

Its

  • Shows possession
  • Contains no apostrophe

It's

  • Means it is
  • Sometimes means it has

Expand contraction mentally

Agreement and Modifiers

Subject-verb agreement
Subject controls verb number
Each or either
Takes singular verb
Compound subject
Usually takes plural verb
Pronoun agreement
Matches antecedent number
Pronoun case
Role determines form
Modifier placement
Place near target
Dangling modifier
Missing logical actor
Verb tense
Keep timeline consistent
Adjective
Modifies noun or pronoun
Adverb
Modifies verb, adjective, adverb

Punctuation and Words

Introductory comma
Separates opening element
Semicolon
Joins related complete clauses
Colon
Introduces after complete clause
Apostrophe
Shows possession or contraction
Its
Possessive form
It's
Means it is
Their
Possessive plural pronoun
There
Place or existence
They're
Means they are
Conciseness
Removes needless repetition

Order of Operations

Parentheses, Exponents, Multiply, Divide, Add, Subtract

Multiply and divide left-to-rightAdd and subtract left-to-right

Factor vs Solve

Factor

  • Rewrite as product
  • Expression has no answer

Solve

  • Find variable values
  • Equation includes equality

Read requested operation

Math Method Picker

  1. One linear variableInverse operations(Check by substitution)
  2. Variable appears twiceCombine like terms(Simplify both sides)
  3. Negative scales inequalityReverse inequality sign(Only then flip)
  4. Quadratic equals zeroFactor or formula(Find every root)
  5. Two linear equationsSubstitution or elimination(Choose easier cancellation)
  6. Line uses two pointsCompute slope first(Then find intercept)
  7. Rational expressionState excluded values(Factor before canceling)
  8. Word problemDefine variables first(Check units and reasonableness)

Algebra Essentials

Absolute value
Distance from zero
Percent
Part divided by whole times 100
Proportion
Equal ratios
Product powers
Add like-base exponents
Quotient powers
Subtract like-base exponents
Power of power
Multiply exponents
Negative exponent
Use reciprocal power
Zero exponent
Nonzero base equals one

Binomial Multiplication

First, Outer, Inner, Last

Multiply four pairsCombine like terms

Parallel vs Perpendicular

Parallel

  • Same slope
  • Distinct lines never intersect

Perpendicular

  • Negative reciprocals when defined
  • Forms right angle

Compare slopes, not intercepts

Equation Methods

Linear equation
Apply inverse operations
Literal equation
Isolate requested variable
Inequality
Flip after negative scaling
Absolute equation
Split positive and negative
Substitution
Replace isolated variable
Elimination
Cancel one variable
Quadratic standard form
ax² + bx + c = 0
Zero-product rule
Set each factor zero

Polynomials and Factoring

Like terms
Same variables and exponents
FOIL
Multiply two binomials
GCF
Factor greatest common factor
Trinomial factoring
Product c, sum b
a² - b²
(a - b)(a + b)
Perfect square
First, double, last pattern
Rational restriction
Denominator cannot equal zero
Complex fraction
Clear common denominator

Coordinate Geometry

Slope
Rise divided by run
Parallel lines
Equal slopes
Perpendicular lines
Negative reciprocals when defined
X-intercept
Set y to zero
Y-intercept
Set x to zero
Distance
Square root of squared changes
Midpoint
Average corresponding coordinates
Slope-intercept form
y = mx + b

Common Traps

Adaptive Navigation

Answer before moving forward Submitted answers stay locked

Calculator Availability

Personal calculators are prohibited Icon appears selectively

Outside Knowledge

Text evidence controls Plausible is not supported

Negative Inequalities

Flip only during negative scaling Do not flip during addition

Canceled Factors

Factor before canceling Cancel factors, not terms

Sounding Correct

Speech can hide errors Identify clause structure

Last Minute

  1. 1.Know readiness scores 106 103 114
  2. 2.Expect thirty items each
  3. 3.Remember answers lock
  4. 4.Use only provided calculator
  5. 5.Prove reading answers from text
  6. 6.Name every clause boundary
  7. 7.Check subject before verb
  8. 8.Place modifiers beside targets
  9. 9.Factor before canceling
  10. 10.Flip negative-scaled inequalities
  11. 11.Check every algebra solution
  12. 12.Use untimed pace carefully
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