FTCE General Knowledge Test
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Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
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Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
The FTCE General Knowledge Test (GK) is one of the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations, the testing program Florida uses for educator certification. The General Knowledge Test is the basic-skills battery within that program: candidates who need to demonstrate college-level competence in writing, language, reading, and mathematics take it, and it is typically associated with entry into an educator preparation program or with certification routes that require demonstrated general academic skills. According to the official FTCE/FELE registration site, the GK battery is administered as four separately listed subtests - Essay (825), English Language Skills (826), Reading (827), and Mathematics (828) - which means the exam is best understood as four exams taken under one umbrella rather than a single sitting. Three subtests are multiple-choice; the Essay requires you to produce an original piece of writing. Because the four parts test genuinely different skills, preparation should be split accordingly: repeated timed essay drafting with feedback, grammar and sentence-structure drills for English Language Skills, passage-based practice for Reading, and problem sets covering arithmetic through introductory algebra and geometry for Mathematics. Always confirm current registration windows, fees, time limits, item counts, passing standards, and retake rules directly with the Florida Department of Education and the official FTCE/FELE site before you schedule.
What you'll study
About FTCE General Knowledge Test preparation
What is the FTCE General Knowledge Test made of?
It is a four-part battery. The official FTCE/FELE test list names them individually as Essay (825), English Language Skills (ELS) (826), Reading (827), and Mathematics (828). Treat each as its own exam with its own content and its own result, and prepare for all four rather than assuming one study plan covers everything.
Is the GK all multiple choice?
No. Three of the four subtests - English Language Skills, Reading, and Mathematics - are multiple choice, while the Essay requires you to write an original response scored on its own terms. Many candidates underestimate the essay because it feels less like a test; give it dedicated practice with timed drafting and honest feedback on organization, development, and conventions.
How many questions and how much time do I get?
Those details are set by the testing program and are not published in the source material used for this page, so we do not state figures that might be out of date. Check the test information guide and registration pages on the official FTCE/FELE site for the current item counts and time limits for each subtest before you build a pacing plan.
What score do I need to pass?
Passing standards are set by the state and can change, and they are not stated in our source material. Rather than rely on a number from memory or an old prep book, confirm the current passing score for each GK subtest on the official FTCE/FELE site or in the current test information guide.
Can I take the subtests one at a time?
The registration site lists each GK subtest as a separate selectable test, and candidates can review or change an existing registration. That suggests scheduling flexibility, but the exact rules on splitting, combining, and retaking individual subtests are policy questions - verify them with FTCE/FELE Customer Service before you register.
How much does it cost, and are waivers available?
Fees are not given in our source material and should never be assumed from an older prep book. The official FTCE/FELE site maintains a fee schedule and a Certification Fee Waivers resource; check both, since waivers are tied to specific programs and eligibility conditions that change over time.
In what order should I study the four areas?
Diagnose first: take one short timed set in each area and rank them by weakness. Then front-load your weakest area, because score gains there are usually largest, and keep the others alive with short weekly practice. Reserve regular time for essay drafting, since writing improves through feedback cycles rather than through reading about writing.
What mistakes cause candidates to fall short?
Three recur. Not practicing under time pressure, so pacing collapses on test day. Treating the Essay as a warm-up rather than scored work with a clear thesis and developed paragraphs. And drilling rules in isolation for English Language Skills instead of applying them to full passages, which is how the questions actually appear.
What if my appointment is affected by weather or a website problem?
The official site posts outage and severe-weather notices and recommends rescheduling affected appointments. If scheduling, rescheduling, or cancelling fails and you are near a deadline, the site directs candidates to call FTCE/FELE Customer Service at 1-866-613-3281.
Does this page come from the state or from Pearson?
No. This is independent study material and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced by the Florida Department of Education or Pearson. Use the official FTCE/FELE site and Florida Department of Education pages as the authoritative source for registration, fees, scoring, and policy.