Focusing on the FCAT/FCAT 2.0
Test-Taking Strategies
Grades 6-8
Nancy E. Brito, Department of Assessment
[email protected]
561-357-7521, PX47521
Information based on Florida Department of Education, Keys to FCAT
1
What is the objective of this
presentation?
 To provide participants with test-taking
strategies to improve performance on the
Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test
(FCAT/FCAT 2.0)
2
How to prepare for the FCAT/FCAT 2.0
Grades 6-8 – All subjects
 Learn how to answer each type of question
 For multiple-choice questions, read each question carefully and
think about the answer or solve the problem before you select
your answer from the choices provided.
 Answer questions you are sure about first. If a question seems
too hard, skip it and go back to that question later.
 There is no penalty for guessing; therefore, it is best to try to
answer all questions, even if you are not sure of the correct
answers.
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How to prepare for the FCAT/FCAT 2.0
Grades 6-8 – All subjects
 Think positively. Some questions may seem hard, but you may
be able to figure out how to respond if you read the questions
carefully a second time.
 Be sure to completely fill in the answer bubbles in your test
book or answer document. Do not make any stray marks around
the answer spaces.
 Check to make sure the test question number matches the
answer choice number on the answer document.
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Grade 6
Reading and Mathematics
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How to prepare for the FCAT/FCAT 2.0
Grades 6 – Reading Multiple Choice Questions
 Read the passage and question very carefully. Look back at the
passage to find the correct answer to the question.
 Make sure your answer is based on information in the passage
and not on something you read elsewhere. If you are not sure
about details from the passage, go back and read that part of the
passage again.
 Once you have chosen your answer, fill in the bubble that
matches your choice.
 Check your answer.
Sample question
6
How to prepare for the FCAT/FCAT 2.0
Grades 6 – Mathematics Multiple Choice Questions
 Read the question carefully.
 Solve the problem first and then look for your answer among the




choices given.
If your answer is not one of the choices, reread the question to
be sure you understand what is being asked. Solve the problem
again, if necessary.
You are not required to show your work for MC questions;
however, you may use the white space in the test book to do
your calculations.
Once you have chosen your answer, fill in the bubble that
matches your choice.
Check your work.
Sample question
7
How to prepare for the FCAT/FCAT 2.0
Grades 6 – Mathematics Gridded Response Questions
 Read the question carefully. Then use an appropriate strategy to
answer the question.
 You are not required to show your work for GR questions.
However, you may use the white space in the test book to do
your calculations.
 Once you have answered the question, write your answer in the
boxes on the answer grid and fill in the bubbles to match your
answer. Make sure the boxes and bubbles are filled in correctly
and match each other.
 If your answer will not fit in the
response grid, check your work.
Remember that you might need to
round your answer or use another
form of the number.
See sample question on the next page.
8
How to prepare for the FCAT/FCAT 2.0
Sample Grades 6 – Mathematics Gridded Response
Questions
9
Grade 7
Reading and Mathematics
10
How to prepare for the FCAT/FCAT 2.0
Grades 7 – Reading Multiple Choice Questions
 Read the passage and question very carefully. Look back at the
passage to find the correct answer to the question.
 Make sure your answer is based on information in the passage
and not on something you read elsewhere. If you are not sure
about details from the passage, go back and read that part of the
passage again.
 Once you have chosen your answer, fill in the bubble that
matches your choice.
 Check your answer.
Sample question
11
How to prepare for the FCAT/FCAT 2.0
Grades 7 – Mathematics Multiple Choice Questions
 Read the question carefully.
 Solve the problem first and then look for your answer among the




choices given.
If your answer is not one of the choices, reread the question to
be sure you understand what is being asked. Solve the problem
again, if necessary.
You are not required to show your work for MC questions;
however, you may use the white space in the test book to do
your calculations.
Once you have chosen your answer, fill in the bubble that
matches your choice.
Check your work.
Sample question
12
How to prepare for the FCAT/FCAT 2.0
Sample Grades 7 – Mathematics Multiple Choice Questions
13
How to prepare for the FCAT/FCAT 2.0
Grades 7 – Mathematics Gridded Response Questions
 Read the question carefully. Then use an appropriate strategy to
answer the question.
 You are not required to show your work for GR questions.
However, you may use the white space in the test book to do
your calculations.
 Once you have answered the question, write your answer in the
boxes on the answer grid and fill in the bubbles to match your
answer. Make sure the boxes and bubbles are filled in correctly
and match each other.
 If your answer will not fit in the
response grid, check your work.
Remember that you might need to
round your answer or use another
form of the number.
See sample question on the next page.
14
How to prepare for the FCAT/FCAT 2.0
Sample Grades 7 – Mathematics Gridded Response
Questions
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Grade 8
Writing, Reading, and Mathematics
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How to prepare for the FCAT
Grades 8 – Writing Essay
 Read the prompt carefully and completely. The prompt gives
you suggestions that may help you begin your writing.
 Use the planning sheet to list and organize your ideas for
writing. Plan to include examples and details in your response.
Budget the time you spend planning. The writing on the
planning sheet will not be scored.
 You have 45 minutes to read, plan, and write your response.
 Only the writing on the lines provided in the writing folder will
be scored. If you have time left, check your work and make
corrections to improve your writing.
Sample prompt
17
How to prepare for the FCAT/FCAT 2.0
Grades 8 – Reading Multiple Choice Questions
 Read the passage and question very carefully. Look back at the
passage to find the correct answer to the question.
 Make sure your answer is based on information in the passage
and not on something you read elsewhere. If you are not sure
about details from the passage, go back and read that part of the
passage again.
 Once you have chosen your answer, fill in the bubble that
matches your choice.
 Check your answer.
Sample question
18
How to prepare for the FCAT/FCAT 2.0
Grades 8 – Mathematics Multiple Choice Questions
 Read the question carefully.
 Solve the problem first and then look for your answer among the
choices given.
 If your answer is not one of the choices, reread the question to be
sure you understand what is being asked. Solve the problem
again, if necessary.
 You are not required to show your work for MC questions;
however, you may use the white space in the test book to do your
calculations.
 Once you have chosen your answer, fill in the bubble that
matches your choice.
 Check your work.
See Sample on the next page.
19
How to prepare for the FCAT/FCAT 2.0
Sample Grades 8 – Mathematics Multiple Choice
Questions
20
How to prepare for the FCAT/FCAT 2.0
Grades 8 – Mathematics Gridded Response Questions
 Read the question carefully. Then solve the problem.
 You are not required to show your work for GR questions;
however, you may use the white space in the test book to do your
calculations.
 Once you have solved the problem, write your answer in the
boxes on the answer grid and fill in the bubbles to match your
answer. Make sure the boxes and bubbles are filled in correctly
and match each other.
 If your answer will not fit in the
response grid, check your work.
Remember that you might need to
round your answer or use another
form of the number.
See sample question on the next page.
21
How to prepare for the FCAT/FCAT 2.0
Sample Grades 8 – Mathematics Gridded Response
Questions
22
How to prepare for the FCAT
Grades 8 – Science Multiple Choice Questions
 Read the information provided and the question carefully.
 Study any pictures, charts, and/or tables presented.
 Look at the answer choices and determine the information and/or
procedures needed to find the solution.
 Reread the question.
 Choose your answer and fill in the bubble to match your choice.
 Check your work.
23
How to prepare for the FCAT
Sample Grades 8 – Science Multiple Choice Questions
24
How to prepare for the FCAT
Grades 8 – Science Gridded Response Questions
 Read the information and the question provided. Then solve the
problem.
 You are not required to show your work for GR questions;
however, you may use the white space in the test book to do your
calculations.
 Once you have solved the problem, write your answer in the
boxes on the answer grid and fill in the bubbles to match your
answer. Make sure the boxes and bubbles are filled in correctly
and match each other.
 If your answer will not fit in the
response grid, check your work.
Remember that you might need to
round your answer or use another
form of the number.
See sample question on the next page.
25
How to prepare for the FCAT
Sample Grades 8 – Science Gridded Response Questions
26
Hard work and
effort lead to
victory!
Be prepared to take the FCAT!
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