PERT Math

It is a placement assessment used by Florida public postsecondary institutions to decide which math course a student should start in. A strong result can place you into credit-bearing coursework rather than developmental or preparatory courses, which can save both time and tuition.

The content is grouped into four areas: linear equations and inequalities, algebraic expressions and systems, quadratic equations and graphing, and geometry with measurement and data analysis. Expect arithmetic and elementary algebra foundations to underlie nearly every item, so shore those up first if they feel shaky.

It is a computer-adaptive, multiple-choice assessment, meaning the software selects each question based on how you performed on prior ones. Because of that adaptation, candidates do not all see identical question sets, so do not expect a fixed, predictable sequence when you sit for it.

We could not verify the current time limit or item count from an official source at the time of writing, so we do not publish figures that might be out of date. Check with your testing center or your college's placement office for the exact timing and length before test day.

Most items are at the level of solid high school algebra, so the difficulty comes less from advanced content and more from breadth and pacing. Students who have been out of math class for a while usually find that refreshing fractions, signed numbers, and equation solving raises scores more than studying exotic topics.

Retake rules are set by the institution and by state policy, and we were unable to confirm current details from the official page. Ask your admissions or testing office how soon a retake is allowed, whether a fee applies, and whether there is a limit on attempts.

Start with a timed diagnostic set to identify weak areas. Then rebuild arithmetic and pre-algebra fundamentals, move into linear equations and inequalities, follow with expressions, functions, and systems, then quadratics and graphing, and finish with geometry and data analysis. End with full mixed practice under time pressure.

Careless arithmetic with negative signs, distributing a minus across parentheses, forgetting to flip an inequality when multiplying or dividing by a negative, and misreading what a word problem is asking. Slowing down on the first step of each problem fixes more errors than learning new material late in the game.

Scoring and cut scores are determined by the state and by individual institutions, and we could not confirm current values from an authoritative source, so we do not state a passing or placement threshold. Your college will tell you which score range corresponds to which course placement.

Calculator policy and any reference sheets are set by the testing program and can change, and we were unable to verify current rules. Confirm the policy with your testing site ahead of time, and practice basic computation by hand so you are not dependent on a tool that may not be permitted.