FCAT 2.0
Reading 6-8
READING TEST DESIGN
& TIPS FOR SUCCESS
FCAT 2.0 TEST DATE
Grade 6 - 8 April 18th – May 7th
Items, Duration, & Test Type

Multiple Choice Items
Only

Two 70-minute
sessions over two
days

Computer Based Test
for All Grades
All Grade Levels
Number of Words Per Passage
 6th
Grade
 7th Grade
 8th Grade
200 - 1100 Words
300 – 1100 Words
300 – 1200 Words
Types of Reading Passages
Grade
Literary
Text
Informational
Text
6th
50%
50%
7th
40%
60%
8th
40%
60%
Percentage of Points by
Cognitive Complexity Level
Grade
Low
Moderate
High
6
15-25%
50-70%
15-25%
7
15-25%
50-70%
15-25%
8
10-20%
50-70%
20-30%
Content Category
Grade
Vocabulary
Reading
Application
Literary
Analysis Fiction
&
Nonfiction
Informational
Text
Research
Process
6th
15-25%
25-35%
25-35%
15-25%
7th
15-25%
25-35%
25-35%
15-25%
8th
15-25%
20-30%
20-30%
25-35%
HOW TO HELP
IMPROVE YOUR CHILD’S
FCAT TEST PERFORMANCE?
READ MORE AT HOME
Read at least 45 minutes daily
 Incorporate more nonfiction selections
 Use Sunshine State Young Readers
Awards Site for Annotated Book Lists,
Activities and Resources.
 http://myssyra.org
 Try books on CD
 Read newspapers and magazines

SAMPLE TEST MATERIALS
The FCAT 2.0, like the FCAT, is intended to measure
student mastery of Florida’s educational standards.
Students who have been actively engaged in the
learning process in Florida’s public schools should be
well prepared for success on the FCAT 2.0 without the
need for special coaching or intensive instruction in testtaking strategies. To help students, parents, and
educators understand what the FCAT 2.0 test items will
look like, the Department provides FCAT 2.0 Sample Test
Materials online for public review.
http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/fcatitem.asp
FCAT Explorer
www.fcatexplorer.com
Use FCAT Explorer for practice reading
FCAT type passages and answering FCAT
type questions.
 Ask student’s Reading or Language Arts
Teacher for Log In Information.
 You can also call the help desk for
information at 1-888-750-3228.

Check Your Childs Progress on
Accelerated Reader Home Connect
Log on to the Pines Charter homepage.
 Click on Online Tools
 Click Accelerated Reader
 Click A/R Home Connect
 Students have log in information

Sign Up for FCAT Reading Camp
Session 2 starts in January
 Registration forms can be picked up in the
office.
