PERT Writing
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Cheat sheet
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ExploreAbout this exam
The PERT Writing subtest is one component of the Postsecondary Education Readiness Test, a placement instrument used within Florida's public postsecondary system to gauge whether incoming students are ready for college-level coursework. It is intended for students entering or transferring into Florida colleges and for others who need a placement determination in writing. The subtest targets the conventions and craft of academic prose: grammar and usage, sentence structure, punctuation, organization and development, and the revision and editing of essay-style passages. Because placement results can affect which courses a student starts in, preparation is worthwhile even for confident writers. Effective preparation means reviewing the rules behind common errors rather than relying on ear alone: subject-verb agreement, pronoun reference, verb tense consistency, sentence boundaries such as fragments and run-ons, comma and semicolon use, and the logic of paragraph order and support. Practice with passage-based revision questions is especially useful, since those items ask you to improve existing text rather than merely label an error. Note that this page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the Florida Department of Education or any college; candidates should confirm all test logistics, scoring, and placement policies directly with the institution where they will test.
What you'll study
About PERT Writing preparation
What does the PERT Writing subtest actually test?
It assesses readiness for college-level writing across five broad areas: grammar and usage, sentence structure, punctuation, organization and development, and essay revision and editing. Expect questions that ask you to choose the best version of a sentence or to improve a short passage, not to write a full essay.
How long is the test, and how many questions are there?
We cannot state a verified time limit or item count here. The official Florida Department of Education page for the PERT returned a page-not-found error when we checked, so no specifications could be confirmed. Ask your testing center or advising office for the current timing and length before you sit for the exam.
What score do I need to pass or place into college-level writing?
We are unable to publish a passing or placement cut score, because the official source page was unavailable and we will not guess at a number. Cut scores are set by the state and applied by individual institutions, and they can change. Your college's testing or advising office is the authoritative source for the score that applies to you.
Can I retake the PERT if I do not get the placement I want?
Retake rules are set by the institution administering the test, not by this page, and we could not verify them from the official source. Many colleges allow retesting after a waiting period or a review requirement, but you must confirm the specific policy, any fee, and any waiting time with your testing center.
Is the Writing subtest hard?
Most candidates find it manageable because the content is familiar high-school English. Difficulty comes from passage-based items that require comparing answer choices that are all grammatically possible but differ in clarity, concision, or logic. Careful reading of the whole sentence or paragraph, not just the underlined part, is what separates strong scores.
What is the most common mistake test takers make?
Choosing an answer because it sounds right rather than because it fixes the actual error. Other frequent errors include ignoring sentence boundaries, letting a pronoun refer to nothing, shifting verb tense mid-sentence, and picking a wordy option when a shorter one preserves the meaning. Always check whether the original sentence is already correct.
In what order should I study the writing topics?
Start with sentence structure and punctuation, because fragments, run-ons, comma splices, and semicolon misuse account for a large share of errors. Then review grammar and usage, especially agreement, pronouns, and tense. Finish with organization and revision items, which combine all the earlier skills and reward practice with full passages.
Does this page have any official connection to the PERT or the state of Florida?
No. This is an independent study resource produced for exam preparation. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Florida Department of Education, the Florida College System, or any testing vendor. For official rules, registration, accommodations, fees, and score reporting, use the Department of Education or your institution's website.