Testing Information: Standardized Tests
Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test:
The FCAT test measures progress
in reading and mathematics for use in assisting students with curriculum choices.
Passing this test is required for all 10th graders. FCAT is admininstered
in March, with retests in October and June.
FCAT tests:
Reading Skills
1. Interpreting the meaning of text based on context clues.
2. Determining stated or implied main idea and identifying relevant details.
3. Determining author’s purpose and point of view and their effects
on text.
4. Making and confirming inferences from what is read, including interpreting
diagrams, graphs, and statistical illustrations.
5. Identifying devises of persuasion and methods of appeal and their effectiveness.
6. Recognizing cause and effect.
7. Recognizing the use of comparison and contrast in text.
8. Analyzing the effectiveness of complex elements of plot, such as setting,
major events, problems, conflicts, and resolutions.
9. Locating, gathering, analyzing, and evaluating written information for
a variety of purposes.
10. Selecting and using appropriate study and research skills and tools according
to the type of information being gathered and organized.
11. Analyzing the validity and reliability of primary source information and
using information appropriately.
12. Synthesizing information from multiple sources to draw conclusions.
Mathematical Skills
1. Identifying operations (+, -, x, /) and effects of operations.
2. Determining estimates.
3. Knowing how numbers are represented and used.
4. Recognizing measurements and units of measurement.
5. Comparing, contrasting, and converting measurements.
6. Describing, drawing, identifying, and analyzing two- and three-dimensional
shapes.
7. Visualizing and illustrating changes in shapes.
8. Using coordinate geometry.
9. Describing, analyzing, and generalizing patterns, relationships, and functions.
10. Writing and using expressions, equations, inequalities, graphs, and formulas.
11. Analyzing, organizing and interpreting data.
12. Identifying patterns and making predictions, inferences, and valid conclusions.
13. Using probability and statistics.
Florida Writing Assessment Test:
In order to improve statewide assessment in Florida and test higher-order skills, the 1990 Florida Legislature mandated the assessment of student writing. The Florida Writing Assessment Program was established in response to this legislative action. This program assesses the writing proficiency of all fourth, eighth, and tenth graders in the spring. The following rubrics (scales) are used to measure student performance in writing.
Grading Scale
• A paper scored 6 tightly focuses on the topic, has a well-planned
organizational pattern, has substantial development of supporting ideas, and
has few, if any, conventional errors in sentence structure, mechanics, usage,
punctuation and spelling.
• A paper scored 5 tightly focuses on the topic, has well-planned organizational
pattern, has ample development of supporting ideas, and generally follows
the conventions of sentence structure, mechanics, usage, punctuation and spelling.
• A paper scored 4 focuses on the topic but may contain extraneous or
loosely related information, exhibits evidence of an organizational pattern,
has consistent but sometimes nonspecific development of supporting ideas,
and generally follows the conventions of sentence structure, mechanics, usage,
punctuation and spelling.
• A paper scored 3 focuses on the topic but may contain extraneous or
loosely related information, exhibits evidence of an organizational pattern,
has uneven and nonspecific development of supporting ideas, and generally
follows the conventions of sentence structure, mechanics, usage, punctuation
and spelling.
• A paper scored 2 addresses the topic but may lose focus by including
extraneous or loosely related information, exhibits some evidence of an organizational
pattern, has erratic and nonspecific development of supporting ideas, and
may contain errors in the conventions of sentence structure, mechanics, usage,
punctuation, but commonly used words are usually spelled incorrectly.
• A paper scored 1 addresses the topic but may lose focus by including
extraneous or loosely related information, exhibits little evidence of an
organizational pattern, has little if any development of supporting ideas,
and may contain many errors in the basic conventions of sentence structure,
mechanics, usage, punctuation and spelling.
Advanced Placement (AP):
Advanced Placement tests are given at the completion of an advanced placement
course. The exams are administered in May, and the results are mailed to the
home, high school, and specified colleges. Most colleges accept AP credit,
but the student should check the policy of the college of choice. With the
exception of English Literature, all students enrolled in dual enrollment
are required to take the Advanced Placement (AP) Test.
Honors Test:
Students earn an Honors Diploma by obtaining a 4.0 or a 3.0 weighted GPA and
scoring 25 on the ACT and/or 1120 on SAT. However, those students who fail
to meet these requirements can also earn an Honors Diploma by obtaining a
3.0 GPA and a 726 on the honors test.
Armed Services Vocational
Aptitude Battery (ASVAB):
The ASVAB is an optional test measuring mechanical, clerical, verbal, and
mathematical skills with a variety of short, time multiple answer tests. It
is administered to juniors and seniors in the fall of the year. The test can
identify occupations and skills for which students are best suited. Taking
the test does not require a commitment to military service.
College Admission Tests:
The following tests are used by Maynard Evans High School students in preparing
to meet the entrance requirements of college and universities. Students will
be given supporting test information when they work with their counselors.
Early in the ninth grade, college bound students will begin to prepare an
appropriate testing calendar.
Preliminary Scholastic
Aptitude Test (PSAT/NMSQT):
The PSAT is a multiple choice test that measures verbal and mathematical reasoning
abilities. This test gives students the opportunity to qualify for such programs
as the National Merit Achievement Scholarships and National Hispanic Awards.
The PSAT also helps students assess their verbal and mathematical skills,
practice for the SAT, and predict possible SAT scores.
Scholastic Aptitude Test:
The SAT is an objective test designed to measure how well students have developed
their verbal and mathematical skills. It is administered on various dates
during the year and fees are assessed. Optimum dates are in the spring of
the junior year and again in the fall of the senior year if necessary. Results
are mailed to the home, high school, and specified colleges and universities.
American College Test
(ACT):
The American College Testing Program measures scholastic aptitude in English,
Mathematics, Social Studies, and Natural Sciences. This test is required for
admission by some colleges and universities. Optimum test dates are in the
spring of the junior year and again in the fall of the senior year if necessary.
Results are mailed to the high school and colleges and universities designated
by the student.
College Placement Test
(CPT):
Florida requires placement assessment for all students entering a community
college or state university for the first time. The purpose is to ensure that
students are correctly placed in mathematics, reading, and English courses.
Students whose scores fall below a certain level on any assessments will be
required to complete preparatory courses before enrolling in college level
courses. Valencia Community College offers this test at Evans High School.