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100+ Free PERT Reading Practice Questions

Pass your Florida Postsecondary Education Readiness Test — Reading Subtest exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Read the following passage and answer the question. "In 1869, the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad transformed the United States. Before the railroad, a journey from New York to California took months by wagon or ship. After completion, the trip took less than two weeks. The railroad accelerated western settlement, enabled the growth of national markets, and made possible the rapid transport of goods and people across the continent. However, its construction came at enormous human cost: thousands of Chinese and Irish immigrant laborers died building it under dangerous conditions for meager wages." As used in the passage, 'meager' most nearly means:

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to track
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Key Facts: PERT Reading Exam

30 questions (25 scored + 5 unscored field-test items)

Test Length

Florida Department of Education

50–150

Score Scale

Florida College System institutions

106

College-Ready Cutoff Score (Reading)

Florida Department of Education

Untimed, computer-adaptive format

Test Format

Florida Department of Education

2 years

Score Validity Period

Florida College System institutions

Free for eligible Florida public school and FCS students

Cost

Florida Department of Education

The PERT Reading subtest contains 30 questions (25 scored + 5 field-test items) and uses a computer-adaptive format with no time limit (Florida DOE). Scores range from 50 to 150; a score of 106 or above is required for college-ready placement into freshman English composition (ENC 1101). Students scoring below 106 are placed into developmental reading or integrated reading/writing courses. The test is administered free of charge at Florida College System institution testing centers. Scores are valid for two years and are automatically accessible to all FCS institutions.

Sample PERT Reading Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your PERT Reading exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Read the following passage and answer the question. "The manatee, sometimes called the 'sea cow,' is a large aquatic mammal found in the warm coastal waters of Florida. These gentle creatures can weigh up to 1,200 pounds and reach lengths of thirteen feet. Despite their massive size, manatees are herbivores, feeding primarily on seagrass and aquatic vegetation. They must surface to breathe every three to five minutes, making them vulnerable to collisions with motorboat propellers. Today, manatees are listed as a threatened species, with boat strikes accounting for a significant portion of human-caused manatee deaths each year." What is the main idea of this passage?
A.Manatees are large aquatic mammals whose survival is threatened primarily by boat strikes.
B.Manatees eat seagrass and must surface to breathe every three to five minutes.
C.Florida has strict laws protecting manatees from motorboat collisions.
D.Manatees are gentle herbivores that can weigh up to 1,200 pounds.
Explanation: The passage introduces the manatee, describes its characteristics, and concludes by stating it is a threatened species due to boat strikes. The main idea ties together the animal's vulnerability and threatened status, which is what the whole passage builds toward.
2Read the following passage and answer the question. "The manatee, sometimes called the 'sea cow,' is a large aquatic mammal found in the warm coastal waters of Florida. These gentle creatures can weigh up to 1,200 pounds and reach lengths of thirteen feet. Despite their massive size, manatees are herbivores, feeding primarily on seagrass and aquatic vegetation. They must surface to breathe every three to five minutes, making them vulnerable to collisions with motorboat propellers. Today, manatees are listed as a threatened species, with boat strikes accounting for a significant portion of human-caused manatee deaths each year." According to the passage, why are manatees especially vulnerable to motorboat propellers?
A.They are slow swimmers that cannot avoid boats.
B.They must come to the surface to breathe at regular intervals.
C.They are attracted to the warm water near boat engines.
D.They are too large to dive deep enough to avoid boats.
Explanation: The passage states that manatees must surface every three to five minutes to breathe, which places them near the surface where motorboat propellers operate. This regular surfacing behavior is what makes them particularly vulnerable.
3Read the following passage and answer the question. "The manatee, sometimes called the 'sea cow,' is a large aquatic mammal found in the warm coastal waters of Florida. These gentle creatures can weigh up to 1,200 pounds and reach lengths of thirteen feet. Despite their massive size, manatees are herbivores, feeding primarily on seagrass and aquatic vegetation. They must surface to breathe every three to five minutes, making them vulnerable to collisions with motorboat propellers. Today, manatees are listed as a threatened species, with boat strikes accounting for a significant portion of human-caused manatee deaths each year." Based on the passage, what can be reasonably inferred about manatees?
A.Manatees would be better off living in freshwater lakes away from boats.
B.If boat traffic in Florida waters decreased, manatee survival rates would likely improve.
C.Manatees once had no natural predators and thrived in Florida waters.
D.Florida's government has failed to take any action to protect manatees.
Explanation: Since boat strikes are identified as a significant cause of human-caused manatee deaths, it is logical to infer that reducing boat traffic would lower this threat and improve survival rates. This is a reasonable conclusion supported by the passage's details.
4Read the following passage and answer the question. "Urban gardens have blossomed across cities in recent years, transforming vacant lots into productive green spaces. These gardens provide fresh vegetables to neighborhoods that often lack access to grocery stores, sometimes called 'food deserts.' Beyond food production, community gardens serve as gathering places that strengthen social bonds among neighbors. Research also suggests that access to green spaces reduces stress and improves mental health. Critics, however, argue that community gardens use land that could generate tax revenue if developed commercially." What is the author's primary purpose in writing this passage?
A.To argue that city governments should fund more community gardens
B.To entertain readers with stories of gardeners in urban neighborhoods
C.To inform readers about the benefits and a criticism of community gardens
D.To persuade readers that food deserts are the most urgent urban problem
Explanation: The author presents multiple benefits of urban gardens and then introduces a counterargument from critics. The balanced, informational presentation of both sides indicates the author's purpose is to inform, not to argue one side.
5Read the following passage and answer the question. "Urban gardens have blossomed across cities in recent years, transforming vacant lots into productive green spaces. These gardens provide fresh vegetables to neighborhoods that often lack access to grocery stores, sometimes called 'food deserts.' Beyond food production, community gardens serve as gathering places that strengthen social bonds among neighbors. Research also suggests that access to green spaces reduces stress and improves mental health. Critics, however, argue that community gardens use land that could generate tax revenue if developed commercially." Which sentence in the passage presents a fact rather than an opinion?
A.Urban gardens have blossomed across cities in recent years.
B.These gardens provide the best solution to the problem of food deserts.
C.Community gardens are more valuable than commercial development.
D.Critics are wrong to oppose community gardens in urban areas.
Explanation: The first sentence states an observable, verifiable trend—that urban gardens have grown in number—making it a factual claim. The other options express judgments or evaluative positions that cannot be objectively verified.
6Read the following passage and answer the question. "Urban gardens have blossomed across cities in recent years, transforming vacant lots into productive green spaces. These gardens provide fresh vegetables to neighborhoods that often lack access to grocery stores, sometimes called 'food deserts.' Beyond food production, community gardens serve as gathering places that strengthen social bonds among neighbors. Research also suggests that access to green spaces reduces stress and improves mental health. Critics, however, argue that community gardens use land that could generate tax revenue if developed commercially." How is this passage organized?
A.Chronological order, tracing the history of urban gardens over time
B.Cause and effect, explaining why food deserts exist in cities
C.Problem and solution, showing how gardens solve specific urban issues
D.Main benefits followed by a contrasting criticism
Explanation: The passage lists several benefits of community gardens (food access, community bonding, mental health) and then introduces a contrasting critic's perspective at the end. This is a benefits-then-counterargument structure.
7Read the following passage and answer the question. "Urban gardens have blossomed across cities in recent years, transforming vacant lots into productive green spaces. These gardens provide fresh vegetables to neighborhoods that often lack access to grocery stores, sometimes called 'food deserts.' Beyond food production, community gardens serve as gathering places that strengthen social bonds among neighbors. Research also suggests that access to green spaces reduces stress and improves mental health. Critics, however, argue that community gardens use land that could generate tax revenue if developed commercially." As used in the passage, what does the word 'blossomed' most likely mean?
A.Struggled
B.Rapidly grown and spread
C.Produced flowers
D.Been regulated
Explanation: In context, 'blossomed' is used figuratively to describe how urban gardens have expanded across cities. The word signals positive, vigorous growth—consistent with the idea of transformation from vacant lots to productive spaces.
8Read the following passage and answer the question. "Sleep is not a passive state. During sleep, the brain cycles through distinct stages, including REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, during which vivid dreaming occurs, and non-REM stages that facilitate physical restoration. Research shows that adults need seven to nine hours of sleep per night to maintain optimal cognitive function, emotional stability, and immune health. Chronic sleep deprivation—getting less than six hours per night for extended periods—has been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression." What is the main idea of this passage?
A.REM sleep is the most important stage for physical restoration.
B.Sleep is an active, essential process with significant health implications.
C.Adults who sleep fewer than six hours per night will develop heart disease.
D.Dreaming occurs only during the REM stage of the sleep cycle.
Explanation: The passage opens by correcting the misconception that sleep is passive, then explains brain activity during sleep and consequences of sleep deprivation. The central point is that sleep is an active, essential process with serious health consequences.
9Read the following passage and answer the question. "Sleep is not a passive state. During sleep, the brain cycles through distinct stages, including REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, during which vivid dreaming occurs, and non-REM stages that facilitate physical restoration. Research shows that adults need seven to nine hours of sleep per night to maintain optimal cognitive function, emotional stability, and immune health. Chronic sleep deprivation—getting less than six hours per night for extended periods—has been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression." Based on the passage, which conclusion is best supported?
A.A person who sleeps eight hours every night will never experience depression.
B.Getting adequate sleep may help protect against certain serious health conditions.
C.Non-REM sleep is less important than REM sleep for overall health.
D.Scientists fully understand all the functions of sleep.
Explanation: The passage states that chronic sleep deprivation is linked to cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression. It follows logically that getting adequate sleep may help reduce the risk of these conditions.
10Read the following passage and answer the question. "Sleep is not a passive state. During sleep, the brain cycles through distinct stages, including REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, during which vivid dreaming occurs, and non-REM stages that facilitate physical restoration. Research shows that adults need seven to nine hours of sleep per night to maintain optimal cognitive function, emotional stability, and immune health. Chronic sleep deprivation—getting less than six hours per night for extended periods—has been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression." As used in the passage, the word 'facilitate' most nearly means:
A.Prevent
B.Complicate
C.Support or make possible
D.Interrupt
Explanation: 'Facilitate' means to make something easier or help it happen. In context, non-REM sleep stages 'facilitate physical restoration'—meaning they support or enable the body's physical recovery processes.

About the PERT Reading Exam

The PERT Reading subtest is Florida's computer-adaptive placement assessment for reading. It consists of 30 questions (25 scored, 5 unscored field-test), is untimed, and covers reading comprehension skills including main idea, inference, author's purpose, vocabulary in context, text structure, and argument evaluation. Scores range from 50 to 150 and determine placement into college-level or developmental reading coursework.

Questions

30 scored questions

Time Limit

Untimed (no time limit)

Passing Score

Score of 106 or higher places students into college-level coursework; scale is 50–150

Exam Fee

Free for eligible Florida public school and Florida College System students (Florida Department of Education; administered at Florida College System institution testing centers)

PERT Reading Exam Content Outline

~20%

Main Idea and Supporting Details

Identifying central ideas and distinguishing key supporting details from peripheral information.

~18%

Inference and Conclusions

Drawing logical inferences and conclusions supported by—but not stated in—the passage.

~17%

Author's Purpose and Tone

Determining the author's intent (inform, persuade, entertain) and identifying tone and attitude signals.

~17%

Vocabulary in Context

Using surrounding text and context clues to determine word meaning and interpret figurative language.

~15%

Text Structure and Organization

Recognizing patterns such as cause-effect, compare-contrast, sequential, and problem-solution organization.

~13%

Evaluating Arguments and Fact vs. Opinion

Distinguishing verifiable facts from subjective opinions and evaluating the strength of arguments and evidence.

How to Pass the PERT Reading Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Score of 106 or higher places students into college-level coursework; scale is 50–150
  • Exam length: 30 questions
  • Time limit: Untimed (no time limit)
  • Exam fee: Free for eligible Florida public school and Florida College System students

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 Reading Study Tips from Top Performers

1Practice reading short passages (2–4 paragraphs) from diverse topics—science articles, opinion pieces, literary excerpts—and answer comprehension questions after each one to build stamina.
2For vocabulary questions, read the full sentence and the sentences before and after the target word; context clues almost always point to the correct meaning without needing to memorize definitions.
3When identifying main idea, ask: 'What one sentence could summarize everything in this passage?' The correct answer will cover all major parts, not just one detail.
4Distinguish tone from mood: tone is the author's attitude (serious, ironic, concerned); mood is the feeling created in the reader. Look for word choice, especially emotionally loaded adjectives and adverbs.
5For inference questions, eliminate answers that are too extreme, too specific, or go beyond what the passage supports. The correct inference should feel like a logical 'next step' from the text.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the PERT Reading test?

The PERT Reading subtest has 30 total questions: 25 scored (operational) items that determine your placement score, plus 5 unscored field-test items used to develop future test questions. You cannot tell which questions are unscored, so treat all 30 equally.

What score do I need on the PERT Reading to place into college-level English?

You need a score of 106 or higher on the PERT Reading subtest to place into college-level coursework such as ENC 1101 (Freshman Composition). Scores of 50–83 typically place students into developmental reading level 1, and scores of 84–105 into developmental reading level 2, though exact cutoffs can vary by institution.

Is the PERT Reading test timed?

No. The PERT Reading subtest has no time limit. However, you should answer each question carefully because you cannot go back and change previous answers—the test is computer-adaptive and moves forward only.

What types of reading passages appear on the PERT Reading test?

The PERT Reading test includes both informational passages (science, history, social issues, current events) and literary passages (fiction, narrative, descriptive prose). Questions test comprehension skills including main idea, inference, author's purpose, vocabulary in context, text structure, and evaluating arguments.

Can I retake the PERT Reading test if I am not satisfied with my score?

Most Florida College System institutions allow two PERT attempts within a two-year period. A third attempt may require documentation and approval from an assistant dean. PERT scores are valid for two years and are automatically shared across all FCS institutions.

Is the PERT Reading test the same as the PERT Writing test?

No. The PERT Reading subtest focuses on reading comprehension—understanding passages and answering questions about them. The PERT Writing subtest assesses grammar, sentence structure, organization, and writing mechanics. Both are separate 30-question subtests, and many institutions require a qualifying score on both to place into ENC 1101.