Testing Information

Taking the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS), Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (F.A.S.T.) or End-of-Course Exam (EOC) is one of 5 options for satisfying the annual evaluation for home education students. Home education students must pre-register with the Home Education Office to take these exams. 

If a home education student enrolls in a public school within Palm Beach County School District they will not need to take the EOC to earn credit, except for the Algebra 1 EOC (for diploma requirement) according to Florida Statute 1003.4282 (7). If a student takes a second semester of an EOC course in public school they will be required to take the EOC to earn credit if they return to public school.

• F.A.S.T Florida Assessment of Student Thinking
  • Florida’s statewide, standardized assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) Reading, Writing, and Mathematics are aligned with the Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Standards. The Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST), which includes VPK through grade 10 ELA Reading and VPK through grade 8 Mathematics assessments, is administered as a progress monitoring assessment three times per year. B.E.S.T. assessments that are not part of the FAST progress monitoring program include grades 4–10 Writing and end-of-course (EOC) assessments in Algebra 1 and Geometry. Information about these assessments can be found on the following pages:
• FAA
  • The Florida Alternate Assessment (FAA) is designed for students whose IEP has determined that participation in the general statewide assessment program is not appropriate, even with accommodations.
  • The FAA is fully aligned to Florida’s alternate academic achievement standards, otherwise known as Access Points.
• EOC End-Of-Course Assessment
  • EOC assessments are computer-based, criterion-referenced assessments that measure the Florida's academic standards for specific courses, as outlined in their course descriptions.

To register students for the PBC School Day PSAT, SAT, or ACT please email homeed@palmbeachschools.org by the registration deadline on the Calendar below.

Applicable fees are the responsibility of the parent/guardian.

• PSAT/NMSQT
  • The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is more than good practice for the SAT. The assessment is your first step in setting your personal SAT target score, entering the National Merit® Scholarship Program, connecting with colleges and scholarships, and exploring careers. 
  • Several scholarships use PSAT/NMSQT scores to find eligible juniors. Other partners and programs can help you get funding for college and academic honors.
• SAT
  • The SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The SAT is a multiple-choice, computer-based test created and administered by the College Board.
  • Many colleges require scores from the SAT or ACT tests as a part of the admissions process.  Your SAT score is a key component of your college applications.
• ACT
  • The ACT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. It is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test, with an online version available administered by ACT, Inc.

To register for an AP Exam, please contact the Home Education Department at homeed@plambeachschools.org by the registration deadline on the Calendar below.

Applicable fees are the responsibility of the parent/guardian.

• AP Exam
  • Advanced Placement Exams are standardized exams designed to measure how well you’ve mastered the content and skills of a specific AP course
  • Most AP courses have an end-of-year exam, but a few courses have different ways to assess what you’ve learned.
  • AP Exams are administered at many high schools and at exam centers.

• SSA
  • The Statewide Science Assessment measures student achievement of the Florida's State Academic Standards in science.
  • Students in grades 5 and 8 participate in the statewide science assessment. Achievement Levels for Science were established in 2012 through a standard setting process.
• FLCE
  • The Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE) is a computer-based assessment that measures students’ civic literacy knowledge. 
  • All students enrolled in a U.S. Government course in high school are required to take the assessment.
• B.E.S.T
  • All students enrolled in grades 4–10 participate in B.E.S.T. Writing assessments.
  • The B.E.S.T. Writing assessments are scored and reported on a 12-point rubric with the following domains:
    Purpose/Structure, Development, and Language.
  • Each domain is worth four possible points. When results are reported,
    students will receive a raw score on the overall scale (12 points) and for each four-point domain.
• Norm-Referenced Assessments
  • Please visit the FLDOE Annual Assessment Requirement website for more information on additional Norm-Referenced Assessment options (e.g. Classic Learning Test (CLT))