The Alliance of Educational Leaders

STANDARDIZED TESTS

*Standardized tests are a part of everyone’s life - from weekly spelling tests to drivers’ licenses.
*Schools in Florida begin early to annually assess whether or not students are learning the skills and knowledge that have been identified as important and necessary to earn a high school diploma.
* The FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test) is a criterion referenced test used in all public schools throughout the state to measure what individual students are learning and how they are progressing from year to year. 
 NOTE:  “Criterion referenced test” means that students are measured by what they know and are able to do.  “Norm referenced test” (the other major type of test) compare students to other students so that there will always be students at the top and at the bottom of the ratings
* For more information about the FCAT, see:  
www.fcatexplorer.com

 

The table below provides an overview of the basic tests that high school students take or need to consider.
 

10th grade

11th grade

12th grade

FCAT:  Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test

Measures skills and knowledge in reading, writing and math

www.fcatexplorer.com

yes – needed to graduate high school;  may take up to six (6) times

 

PSAT: Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test; also called NMSQT: National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

Measures abilities in writing, reading and math as preparation for the SATs (College Boards)

yes

yes

 

SAT – I: Standardized Achievement Test

Measures math, writing and reading skills as part of the college admission process;  scores are given for verbal and math components

 

yes

SATS may be taken several times in efforts to improve scores.

 

yes

SAT – II: Standardized Achievement Test

Measures specific subject/content area knowledge such as foreign language, literature, etc.

 

yes

SATS may be taken several times in efforts to improve scores.

yes

PLAN: 

Preparation test for ACT (American College Test) and includes career planning sections

yes

yes

 

ACT:  American College Test

Assesses knowledge in English, reading, math and science reasoning

 

yes

yes

CPT:  College Placement Test

Measures reading, math and writing skills

Needed prior to entering college and most vocational and/or technical centers


yes

   
 
Okay, so you got your bachelors and now you're planning to apply for grad school. . .

   
 You will most likely need to take the Graduate Records Exam (GRE)