1. FCAT Reading & Math
7th Grade
Tips for Success

2. Reading 2.0
Paper & pencil
Two sessions of 70 minutes each
50-55 questions per session
Test Breakout
Vocabulary 15-25%
Reading Application 25-35%
Literary Analysis 25-35%
Informational Text 15-25%

3. What Should 7th Graders Know?
Context clues
Word structure * Cause and effect
Word relationships * Text structure
Multiple meanings * Patterns
Phrases * Compare
Author’s purpose * Contrast
Author’s perspective * Plot development
Author’s bias * Theme
Main idea * Conflict
Summary * Point of view
Conclusions * Descriptive language
Details * Figurative language
Predictions * Text features

4. Types of Passages
60%
40 % Informational
Literary passages are
passages subject-
provide matter
entertainment centered. The
or inspiration context of
and include these
fiction, nonfict passages
ion, poetry, an includes
d drama. everyday life
outside of the
classroom.

5. Sample Passage
#Words per passage Range 300–1100 Average700

6. Areas to Target-Compare/Contrast
Read this sentence from the passage.
There were storms and seas so big that in the trough of a
wave the boat seemed surrounded by mountains of water.
Based on the sentence above, in what way are waves similar
to mountains?
A. Both are jagged.
B. Both are enormous.
C. Both are difficult to climb.
D. Both are topped with foam.

7. Areas to Target-Compare/Contrast
What: identify the similarities and difference between
two topics or persons
Ask your child:
 What is being compared?
 How are they alike or different?
 Make connections between what you read, “That’s just
like the other story we read because…”

8. Areas to Target-Cause/Effect
“Shackleton’s Epic Voyage”
What caused the trip of the James Caird to be a fierce
ordeal?
A. The supplies and food were scarce.
B. The ice floes split and the wind dropped.
C. The pressure on the hull of the boat was extreme.
D. The weather created stormy seas and huge waves.

9. Areas to Target-Cause/Effect
What: identify a cause and its effect
Ask your child:
 What happened?
 Why did it happen?
 What caused it to happen?
 What was the result?
 Make them aware of cause and effect by applying it to
everyday life, “you didn’t clean you room, so now you
are grounded.”

10. Areas to Target-Summarizing
“The Earthmovers”
If this article were published in a newspaper, which headline
best expresses the main idea?
A. “Oldest Known Earthworks Discovered in Louisiana”
B. “Research Uncovers Evidence of New Native American
Groups”
C. “Jones and Saunders Publish Findings After Four Years of
Research”
D. “Striking Similarities Found Between Watson Brake and
Poverty Point”

11. Areas to Target-Summarizing
What: to retell the main points of a story in your own
words
Ask your child:
 What happened in the paragraph?
 Can you tell me in one sentence what happens?
 Tip: If your child likes to text, “create a text message to
tell your friend what the paragraph is about”.

12. How Can You Help?
Read to your child
Studies show this is the single most important thing parents
can do to help their children succeed
Take turns reading aloud
Discuss what is happening in the story and try to predict what
might happen next
Provide a variety of reading materials for your child
Check out the public library, bookstores, school book clubs
and book fairs, or shop the Internet
Make reading an enjoyable experience
Encourage your child to find a comfortable place to read

13. Southern Oaks Middle School
7th Grade Math FCAT 2.0 Information
2012

14. Test Purpose
Tests students’ mastery of the Florida Next
Generation Sunshine State Standards benchmarks.
Find them at www.floridastandards.org and in the front
of your student’s textbook.

15. Testing Categories
Reporting Categories:
30% Geometry and Measurement
25% Ratios/Proportional Relationships
25% Number: Base Ten
20% Statistics and Probability

16. What the Test Includes
35-40 Multiple Choice questions
Worth 1 point each.
Expected to take 1 minutes to solve.
10-15 Gridded Response questions
Worth 1 point each.
Expected to take 1 ½ minutes to solve.
2 different grids are used.
60-65 questions total

17. Math 2.0
Two sessions of 70 minutes each for a total of 140
minutes.
Paper and pencil test.
Calculator allowed similar to TI-108
Reference Sheet provided.
Small break provided between sessions for snacks,
water, bathroom break. NO GUM.

18. 3 Levels of Item Difficulty
Easy
70% or more of students expected to answer correctly.
Average
40% - 70% of students expected to answer correctly.
Hard
Less than 40% of students expected to answer correctly.

19. 3 Levels of Cognitive Complexity
Low Cognitive Complexity
10% - 20% of questions
Moderate Cognitive Complexity
60% - 80% of questions
High Cognitive Complexity
10% - 20% of questions

20. Results
Level 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 awarded.
Level 1 and 2 scores mean student has not mastered
course material and is non-proficient and below
grade level.
Level 3 score means student has mastered course
material and is proficient at grade level.
Level 4 and 5 scores mean student has mastered
course material and is proficient above grade level.

21. Developmental Scale Scores

22. Requirements to Study
Algebra 1 Honors in 8th Grade
Score upper quartile level 3, level 4, or level 5 on 7th
grade Math FCAT
AND
Score A, B, or C in both semesters of M/J Math II
AND
Score 80% or higher on district Algebra screening
assessment.

23. Algebra 1 Honors
High school credit course.
Algebra 1 Honors credit is awarded as follows:
0 credits after 1st semester.
1 credit after 2nd semester ONLY IF
Florida Algebra 1 EOC exam is passed.
Course grade awarded as follows:
35% 3rd 9 weeks, 35% 4th 9 weeks, 30% EOC
For info on High School Math Classes:
http://www.stlucie.k12.fl.us/pdf/StudentProgressionPlan.pdf

24. When Will These Tests Occur?
One day within following window:
April 16 to April 27, 2012

25. Testing Strategies
Before the Test
Get plenty of rest the night before
Eat a good breakfast before leaving for school
Arrive at school on time on testing days
Please do NOT bring electronic
devices on testing days

26. Testing Strategies
During Testing
Answer every question, even those that are difficult.
 There is no penalty for guessing.
Read all the answer choices before deciding on the best answer.
Avoid spending too much time on any one item.
 This is a timed test.
Write on the test to help me think.
Check frequently to make sure I am in the right place on my
answer sheet.
 Getting off by one number can be disastrous!
Take a deep breath or stretch a little bit every now and then to
stay alert.