100+ Free PERT Practice Questions
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Read the sentence below. Which version is most grammatically correct? "Neither the coach nor the players was ready for the championship."
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Key Facts: PERT Exam
50–150
Score range per subtest
Florida Department of Education / FLDOE
106 / 103 / 114
College-ready cut scores (Reading / Writing / Math)
Florida Administrative Code 6A-10.0315
30 questions
Per subtest (25 operational + 5 field-test)
FLDOE PERT program description
2 years
PERT score validity period
Florida College System testing policies
Untimed
Test duration (avg. ~2 hr 15 min)
Pasco-Hernando State College Testing Services
28 institutions
Florida College System colleges that accept PERT scores
Florida Department of Education
The PERT is Florida's official college placement test used by all 28 Florida College System institutions. Each of the three subtests (Reading, Writing, Math) contains 30 computer-adaptive questions and produces a score on a 50–150 scale. Florida sets college-ready cut scores at 106 for Reading, 103 for Writing, and 114 for Math (college elective credit) or 123 (college general education credit), per Florida Administrative Code 6A-10.0315. Students who score below the cut scores are placed into developmental education courses. PERT scores are valid for two years and students typically have two attempts per two-year period.
Sample PERT Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your PERT exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Read the passage below and answer the question. "The Florida Everglades, often called the 'River of Grass,' is a vast subtropical wilderness covering about 1.5 million acres. Unlike a traditional river with distinct banks, it is actually a slow-moving sheet of water flowing southward from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay. This unique ecosystem supports more than 350 species of birds, 300 species of fish, and numerous endangered species including the Florida panther and the American crocodile." What is the main idea of this passage?
2Read the passage below and answer the question. "Community gardens have flourished in urban neighborhoods across the United States over the past two decades. Residents who once viewed vacant lots as eyesores now tend rows of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Advocates argue that these gardens reduce food insecurity, foster social bonds among neighbors, and improve mental health. Critics, however, caution that gardens occupy land that could be used for affordable housing — a pressing need in many cities." Which statement best describes the author's purpose in including the critics' viewpoint?
3Read the sentence below and answer the question. "Although she had studied the manual carefully, the technician was unable to diagnose the machine's intermittent fault." The word 'intermittent' most nearly means:
4Read the passage below and answer the question. "The playwright Arthur Miller wrote Death of a Salesman in 1949, a time when postwar America was intoxicated by consumer culture and the promise of prosperity. The play's protagonist, Willy Loman, embodies the American Dream — and its catastrophic failure. Miller uses Willy's unraveling as an indictment of a society that measures human worth by material success." Based on the passage, what can the reader infer about Miller's attitude toward the American Dream?
5Read the passage below and answer the question. "Historians have long debated whether the fall of Rome resulted primarily from military pressure by Germanic tribes or from internal decay — economic strain, political instability, and a declining civic culture. Most modern scholars favor a synthesis: the empire was weakened by internal problems that made it unable to resist external pressures. The two causes reinforced each other over centuries." Which conclusion does the passage most strongly support?
6Read the passage below and answer the question. "Migratory birds navigate using a combination of the sun's position, star patterns, Earth's magnetic field, and familiar landmarks. Young birds often fly with experienced adults on their first migration, learning the route. Researchers have found that some species can sense the magnetic field through specialized cells containing magnetite in their beaks." What is the most logical conclusion a reader can draw about bird navigation?
7Read the passage below and answer the question. "Despite the popularity of social media, many sociologists warn that online interaction cannot fully substitute for face-to-face communication. Non-verbal cues — gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice — account for a significant portion of human communication. Digital communication strips away most of these signals, potentially increasing misunderstandings and feelings of isolation." How does the author develop the argument in this passage?
8Read the passage below and answer the question. "Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power have grown dramatically in installed capacity over the past decade. Proponents argue they are essential to reducing carbon emissions. However, critics point out that wind and solar are intermittent — they produce energy only when wind blows or the sun shines — making reliable grid management challenging without adequate energy storage solutions." What is the central tension described in the passage?
9Read the passage below and answer the question. "In 1962, Rachel Carson published Silent Spring, documenting how the widespread use of the pesticide DDT was decimating bird populations by thinning eggshells and preventing reproduction. The book sparked a national debate and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. DDT was eventually banned in the United States in 1972." According to the passage, what was the direct environmental consequence of DDT use described by Carson?
10Read the passage below and answer the question. "The rise of streaming services has fundamentally altered how consumers engage with entertainment. Instead of waiting for scheduled broadcasts, viewers can access vast libraries of content at any time. While studios celebrate increased revenues from subscription models, independent filmmakers struggle to have their work discovered amid the flood of content that major platforms produce." Which of the following best describes the tone of this passage?
About the PERT Exam
The PERT (Postsecondary Education Readiness Test) is Florida's customized computer-adaptive placement test, administered to incoming students at all Florida College System institutions. It consists of three subtests — Reading, Writing, and Mathematics — each with 30 questions (25 operational, 5 field-test). Students receive a score between 50 and 150 per subtest, which determines placement into developmental or college-level courses. There is no pass/fail outcome and the exam is untimed.
Questions
90 scored questions
Time Limit
Untimed (avg. ~2 hr 15 min)
Passing Score
No pass/fail; college-ready: Reading 106+, Writing 103+, Math 114+
Exam Fee
Free for FL public high school students; varies by institution (Florida College System institutions; test by Cambium Assessment / MAA)
PERT Exam Content Outline
Reading
Main idea, inference, vocabulary in context, author's purpose, text structure, fact vs. opinion, and comparing multiple texts. Questions include short embedded passages.
Writing
Grammar, usage, sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, pronoun agreement and case, punctuation, parallel structure, verb tense, word choice, paragraph development, and thesis statements.
Mathematics
Linear equations and inequalities, polynomial operations, factoring, quadratic equations and the quadratic formula, rational expressions, coordinate geometry (slope, intercepts, distance formula, midpoint, parallel lines), and systems of equations.
How to Pass the PERT Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: No pass/fail; college-ready: Reading 106+, Writing 103+, Math 114+
- Exam length: 90 questions
- Time limit: Untimed (avg. ~2 hr 15 min)
- Exam fee: Free for FL public high school students; varies by institution
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
PERT Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a passing score on the PERT?
The PERT has no pass/fail score. Instead, scores on a 50–150 scale determine course placement. Florida's college-ready benchmarks are 106+ for Reading, 103+ for Writing, and 114+ for Math (college elective) or 123+ for college general education math. Scores below these thresholds place students into developmental education courses.
How many questions are on the PERT?
Each PERT subtest has 30 questions — 25 operational (scored) questions and 5 unscored field-test items. With all three subtests (Reading, Writing, Math), the total is 90 questions. The test is computer-adaptive and untimed.
How long does the PERT take?
The PERT is untimed, so students may take as long as they need. Most students complete all three subtests in approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, though individual times vary.
Can I retake the PERT if I am not satisfied with my score?
Policies vary by institution, but most Florida colleges allow two attempts within a two-year period. A third attempt typically requires approval from a dean or testing director and documentation of extenuating circumstances. Students must usually wait 30 days between attempts and may be required to complete remediation.
What math topics does the PERT cover?
The PERT Math subtest covers pre-algebra through college-algebra-readiness content: linear equations and inequalities, polynomial operations (including FOIL and factoring), quadratic equations, rational expressions, absolute value, and coordinate geometry concepts such as slope, intercepts, distance, and midpoint formulas.
Who must take the PERT in Florida?
All non-exempt, degree-seeking students entering a Florida College System institution whose program is 12 or more credits must take a placement assessment. High school students in the 10th grade or above may also take the PERT to establish dual enrollment eligibility. Students with qualifying SAT, ACT, or other approved scores may be exempt.