A Guide to the FSA Test 2024: with Tips
Updated January 29, 2024
The Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) test measures a student’s educational progress in English Language Arts (ELA), mathematics and End of Course (EOC) subjects such as algebra and geometry.
The FSA test is taken by all students in grades three to 10 in the spring months, with results being issued in August.
Students must pass to progress to the next grade.
What Are the Florida Standards?
The Florida standards were first introduced in 2014, and are used as benchmarks to see how your child is learning and developing.
The benchmarks in the FSA exam indicate the content, knowledge and skills your child should be able to understand and demonstrate at that stage of their education.
Before 2014, students were assessed against the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS).
What Is the FSA Test?
The Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) test measures a student’s educational progress in:
- English Language Arts (ELA)
- Mathematics
- End of Course (EOC) subjects such as algebra and geometry
The FSA test is taken by all students in grades three to 10 in the spring months.
- Grade three is tested in ELA FSA reading and mathematics.
- Grades four to eight are tested in ELA reading and writing, as well as mathematics.
- Grades eight to 10 are tested in ELA reading and writing.
Get Practice Sample Questions for the FSA ELA Reading and Writing Test at TestPrep-Online
EOC exams in algebra and geometry are assigned to those students enrolled in those courses.
The test is completed online or with a pencil and paper. The format your child takes will depend on their grade and the test they are taking.
Writing Test
The writing test is 120 minutes long and has one question.
Grades four to six take the paper version, and grades seven to 10 complete the computer version.
Reading Test
The reading test consists of 56 to 66 questions.
- Grades three to five will have two 80-minute sessions and take the paper version.
- Grades six to eight will have two 85-minute sessions with grade six completing the paper version and grades seven and eight using a computer.
- Grades nine to 10 will have two 90-minute sessions and complete the computer version.
Math Test
The FSA math test also has 56 to 66 questions.
- Grades three to five will have two 80-minute sessions to complete the paper version of the test.
- Grades six to eight will have two 60-minute sessions to complete the computer version, except for grade six, who take the paper test.
EOC
EOC tests are all computer-based and consist of two 90-minute sessions to complete 68 questions (per exam).
As the FSA is a standardized test, it does reflect your child’s current performance in relation to those in their grade across the whole state.
To help your child perform at their best, you will need to help them prepare by sticking to a study schedule and completing FSA practice tests.
This article will provide you with details about the various FSA tests and advice on what you can do to support your child.
Try an FSA Practice Test with TestPrep-Online
1 One day a lady was getting ready to go to the shops, and her husband said to her,
2 “Mary, we need a new iron and ironing board. Don’t forget.” So the wife bought an iron
3 and ironing board at the shops and started to make her way home. But these items
4 were heavy, and her arms grew tired from carrying them so she stopped and put them
5 down for a minute. While resting, Mary remarked that the ironing board had four legs.
6 “What a shame I did not see those legs before!” cried the woman. “Here you have four legs and I only have two, and yet I have been the one doing the carrying.”
What other word could you use instead of ‘shame’ (line 6) that has the same meaning?
a) Joy
b) Pity
c) Adventure
d) Scare
The following passage is taken from Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery.
“It was November–the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind-songs in the pines. Anne roamed through the pineland alleys in the park and, as she said, let that great sweeping wind blow the fogs out of her soul.”
What does the phrase 'let that great sweeping wind blow the fogs out of her soul' mean?
a) To clear her mind, body and spirit
b) To give her the chills
c) To help remove the frog she swallowed
d) To move her quicker through the park
Learn more about the FSA 4th Grade ELA assessment
Select the option that demonstrates 28 / 4.
a) Michelle has 28 oranges because she picked the same amount for 7 days
b) Michelle has 28 oranges and gives 4 of them to her brother
c) Michelle has 28 oranges with the same amount in each of her 4 baskets
d) Michelle has 28 oranges but needs 4 more
New York has a temperature of -5 degrees Fahrenheit. If Boston is colder, which of the following temperatures could Boston be?
a) 5
b) 0
c) –12
d) –4
Learn more about the FSA 3rd Grade Math assessment
If you want 12-month access to all the practice resources for this test, our partner TestPrep-Online.com offers a Family Membership.
Family Membership gives you access to all the TestPrep-Online resources for the next 12 months. You will also get two separate accounts, which can be very helpful if you have two children preparing for their tests.
Get a Family Membership with 12-month access
Using information from the previous passages, write an informative essay about the effects living with animals has on humans.
You have been asked to write an argumentative essay for your school's blog where you are for or against the use of fast food advertising during sporting events. Use information from Passage A to support your argument.
Third Grade FSA Exam Information
During the test, your child will need to show they can read short stories of around 500 words and answer related questions.
Your child will also need to be able to read maps, graphs, charts and other sources of information.
For a student in the third grade, preparing to start the fourth grade, they must score at least a level two on the English Language Arts FSA test.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
For example:
- Those who have moved to the US and haven’t spoken English for more than two years
- Those with learning difficulties
- Students who have already repeated third grade because of a previous failure
In addition, those students who demonstrate that they have a high capability of reading with another authorized reading test may also be allowed to pass and move into fourth grade.
For those third graders who have to repeat, mid-year promotion is available to those who demonstrate they are independent readers and can perform to grade or above levels. Your child will show their abilities by completing a portfolio showcasing the appropriate benchmarks in the first semester of the new school year.
To ensure your child has the skills and knowledge they need to pass, create a study schedule and work through as many FSA practice tests as possible. The more familiar they are with the test process and format, the better they will perform.
10th Grade ELA and Algebra 1 EOC
Those in 10th grade and/or taking the Algebra 1 FSA test must achieve certain scores in both exams to meet graduation requirements.
If they fail, they have until 12th grade to pass.
At-home FSA Algebra 1 practice test preparation is essential for passing the first time.
Exceptions to this rule are those with disabilities and those who achieve a satisfactory score on the SATs and ACTs.
How to Pass the FSA Exam
As each grade has its own curriculum and passing scores, it is best to discuss a learning plan with your child’s teacher. They will know your child’s strengths and weaknesses and be able to provide additional resources.
The FSA website has lots of information regarding what your child will be assessed on. They also have learning resources and FSA online practice test papers.
To help your child develop their skills, make at-home learning a regular and fun activity. The more enjoyable a task is, the more your child will learn. Forums such as Reddit and Quora have lots of advice and support from other parents.
Your child should also complete an FSA reading practice test and FSA writing practice test to help familiarize them with the test process.
For those enrolled in the algebra course, working through an FSA Algebra 1 practice test will help familiarize them with the time limit and test format.
Frequently Asked Questions
The FSA test is a series of standardized exams designed to measure your child’s readiness to start the next grade. The subject areas are reading, writing and math. Older students will also be expected to complete geometry and algebra exams.
The FSA tests are an indication of how well your child is performing in comparison to others in that grade across the whole state. For those students with the necessary skills and correct preparation, the FSA test will be easy to pass.
To pass the FSA reading test your child will need to complete as many practice papers as they can. You should also help your child create, and stick to, a study schedule that will allow them to develop the necessary skills they need.
There are 56 to 66 questions on the FSA reading test. Those in grades three to five have two 80-minute sessions to complete the test. Grades six to eight have two 85-minute sessions and grades nine to 10 have two 90-minute sessions.
The FSA reading test consists of two 80-minute sessions for grades three to five. Grades six to eight have two 85-minute sessions and grades nine to 10 have two 90-minute sessions.
The FSA test scores are typically released in August.
The best way to prepare for the FSA writing test is to have your child work through practice papers. The more experience they have with writing essays, the more confident they will feel. It is also recommended that your child read a variety of different books and publications.
The best way to pass the FSA writing test is to have your child work through practice papers. The more experience they have with writing essays, the more confident they will feel. It is also recommended that your child read a variety of different books and publications. This will help them form and develop different arguments, as well as understand any passage they are presented with in the test.
If your child fails the FSA test in grades three to nine, you will have to speak to their school about the next steps. It might be that they need to repeat a grade or have other tests that allow them to progress. Those who fail their 10th-grade test will have until the 12th grade to resit and pass.
The FSA test scoring system is very simple to understand. The number of points earned will be converted into levels between one and five. Level one is inadequate, level three is satisfactory and level five is mastery.
The level your child needs to progress to the next grade will depend on the grade they are in and the test they are taking. You can find a full breakdown of the points and levels at TestPrep-Online.
You can get more FSA practice test papers at TestPrep-Online.
The passing grade for the FSA test is level three. However, some grades, such as grade three only require a level two. A full breakdown of the scores and levels can be found at TestPrep-Online.
Final Thoughts
The FSA test can be a tough test for assessment for students in the state of Florida.
To ensure they achieve the best possible score, your child should practice for the test by completing FSA practice test papers and creating a study schedule that will help them develop the necessary skills and knowledge.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s education, speak to their teacher. They have access to more tools and resources, and they know which areas your child excels and struggles in.
