Florida FAST Test — A Parent's Guide by Grade
FAST (Florida Assessment of Student Thinking) is Florida's statewide test, given three times a year as 'progress monitoring' — PM1 in fall, PM2 in winter, and PM3 in spring. PM3 is the one that counts as the end-of-year result.
FAST covers Reading (ELA) and Math against Florida's B.E.S.T. standards. Because PM1 and PM2 are lower-stakes checkpoints, they're a gift for parents: two early snapshots showing exactly what to work on before PM3.
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ELA Reading (grades 3–8)
Reading comprehension across literary and informational texts, vocabulary, and evidence-based responses.
Mathematics (grades 3–8)
Grade-level B.E.S.T. math standards — operations, fractions, geometry, data, and problem solving.
Achievement Levels
Scores map to Levels 1–5; Level 3 is 'on grade level.' Grade 3 reading matters most — promotion can depend on it.
How to prep for the Florida FAST
- Use PM1 and PM2 results as a study map — target the weakest reporting categories before PM3.
- Practice with standards-aligned questions so the wording and rigor match the real thing.
- For 3rd graders, prioritize reading — Florida's promotion rule makes grade-3 ELA the highest-stakes score.
- Build computer-testing comfort; FAST is administered on-screen with digital tools.
Florida FAST FAQ
What is a passing score on FAST?
Level 3 of 5 is considered on grade level. Level 2 or below signals a student needs support — and in grade 3 ELA, scoring Level 1 can trigger retention rules unless other criteria are met.
Do PM1 and PM2 count?
They're progress checkpoints, not final results — PM3 in spring is the score of record. But schools use PM1/PM2 for placement and intervention decisions, so they're worth taking seriously.
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Florida FAST is a trademark of its respective owner. iPrepGenius is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any test publisher. Our practice materials are original.