Spring 2014

Tips for Taking the

It’s almost time to take the FCAT 2.0!

Here are some important explanations and reminders

to help you do your very best.

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FCAT 2.0 Tests

• Students in Grades 3–10 will take FCAT 2.0 Reading

• There are two sessions of FCAT 2.0 Reading given over two days

• You will have 70 minutes to complete each session of FCAT 2.0 Reading

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FCAT 2.0 Tests

• Students in Grades 3–8 will take FCAT 2.0 Mathematics

• There are two sessions of FCAT 2.0 Mathematics Grades 3–5 complete two sessions over two days Grades 6–8 complete two sessions in one day

• You will have 70 minutes to complete each session of FCAT 2.0 Mathematics

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FCAT 2.0 Tests

• Students in Grades 5 and 8 will take FCAT 2.0 Science

• There are two sessions of FCAT 2.0 Science Grade 5 completes two sessions over two days Grade 8 completes two sessions in one day

• You will have 80 minutes to complete each session of FCAT 2.0 Science

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Test Invalidation

Let’s talk about the term test invalidation.

It’s important for you to understand what it means so it

won’t happen to you!

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Test Invalidation

If your test is invalidated, it means that your test will not be scored, and you will

not be able to retake the same test.

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Remove all electronic devices.

If you have an electronic device at your desk, in your pocket, or ANYWHERE you can reach it during testing or during a break within a session, your test will not be scored.

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To make sure your test is scored . . .

Some examples of electronic devices are: Cell phones or smartphones Tablets Handheld video games MP3 players Calculators (permitted for Grade 7 and Grade 8

Mathematics ONLY)

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Electronic Devices

All electronic devices must be turned off before the test. Your teacher may collect them or instruct you to put them away (in a locker or backpack away from your desk).

If you aren’t sure if something is an electronic device, please ask your teacher before the test.

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To make sure your test is scored . . .

Do your own work. If you are caught looking at another student’s answers, allowing another student to look at your answers, talking about the test with other students during breaks, or using any kind of unauthorized aid during the test, your test will not be scored.

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To make sure your test is scored . . .

Don’t be disruptive.

If you are disruptive during a test, you may be dismissed from the room and your test may not be scored. It is very important for you to remain quiet, respect other students, and pay attention to and follow the instructions.

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To make sure yourtest is scored . . .

Don’t leave school during a session.

If you leave the school’s campus for lunch or an appointment before you complete a test session, you will not be allowed to finish taking the test when you return.

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To make sure yourtest is scored . . .

Don’t discuss the test items.After the test, you may not discuss the test items

with anyone. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as texting, emailing, or posting on websites like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

If you are found sharing information about test items, even without the intent to cheat, your test will be invalidated.

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Testing Rules

During the test, you must not:• Talk to other students or make any disturbance• Look at another student’s test materials• Allow another student to look at your test

materials• Ask for help answering any test questions• Have notes or scratch paper• Have any electronic or recording devices in your

possession at any time, including breaks, even if you do not use them

• Fail to follow any other instructions given15

Testing Rules

Before the test, your test administrator will read the testing rules aloud and ask you to read the Testing Rules Acknowledgment. You will be asked to sign your name below the Testing Rules Acknowledgment to show that you understand the rules.

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Marking Your Answers

Now it’s time to review some important tips for marking your

answers correctly.

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Marking Your Answers

When you are filling in bubbles, mark only ONE answer for each question.

Be sure to fill in the bubble for your answer choice completely with your number 2 pencil.

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Marking Your Answers

Fill in only ONE bubble for the answer you choose.

1. A B C D

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Marking Your Answers

Do not circle your answer.

1. A B C D

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Marking Your Answers

Do not fill in more than one bubble.

1. A B C D

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Marking Your Answers

Do not cross out answers you think are wrong or make marks in any other bubbles.

1. A B C D

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Marking Your Answers

You are allowed to circle or underline words in the reading passages, make notes, or work mathematics problems in the blank space in your test book or test and answer book.

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Marking Your Answers

If you are marking your answers in a test and answer book, make sure that any marks you make taking notes or working problems do not go into a bubble that is not your answer.

1 A B C D

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Marking Your Answers

If you change an answer, be sure to erase completely.

If you use your eraser, do so gently to avoid ripping or tearing your answer document.

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Gridded-Response Items

Some items for Grades

4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 Mathematics

will ask students to answer

in a response grid.

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Gridded-Response Items

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This symbol appears next to questionsthat require you to fill in your answeron a response grid.

In the front of your test book, you will find Directions for Completing the Response Grids and Parts of a Response Grid. You may refer to this information at any time during the test.

Gridded-Response Items

Fill in the answer boxes

at the top of the grid.

Do not leave a blank space

between answer boxes.

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Gridded-Response Items

Then grid the bubblesthat match the answerboxes. You must fill in the bubbles to receive credit for your answer.

Do not grid a bubble underneatha blank answer box.

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Gridded-Response ItemsThere are five types of response grids on the Grades 4 and 5 Mathematics tests.

Whole-Number Decimal Percent Money Money (with decimal) (no decimal)

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Gridded-Response Items

There is one type of response grid on the Grade 6 Mathematics test.

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Answer Boxes

Fraction Bar

Decimal Point

Number Bubbles

Gridded-Response ItemsThere are two types of response grids on the Grade 7 Mathematics test.

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Answer Boxes

Fraction BarDecimal Point

Number Bubbles Number Bubbles

Answer Boxes

Decimal PointFraction Bar or Negative Sign

Gridded-Response Items

There is one type of response grid on the Grade 8 Mathematics test.

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Number Bubbles

Answer Boxes

Decimal Point

Fraction Bar or Negative Sign

Rulers

• Students in Grades 3 and 4 will use a ruler during Session 2 of the Mathematics test.

• If a test item requires use of a ruler, it will say so in the directions for that item.

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Reference Sheets•Grades 5, 6, 7, 8, and Retake students will receivea reference sheet to use during the Mathematics sessions.

•Reference sheets containformulas and conversions that you may need in order to answer questions.

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Periodic Table

Grade 8 studentswill receive a Periodic Tableof the Elementsto use during the Science sessions.

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Remember . . .

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If you complete a page in your test bookthat says Go On in the bottom corner, turn the page and continue working.

Remember . . .

38DO NOT GO ON.

When you come to the stop sign at the end of a session, stop working. Do NOT go on to the next session.

Remember…

When you have finished a session, check through your answers for that session to make sure you have filled in only one bubble for each question and that you have answered every question.

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Remember…

During the test, you must not:• Work in another session (working ahead in Session 2

during Session 1 of the test; going back and working in Session 1 during Session 2 of the test)

• Change any answers from a previous session

• Look at another student’s answers

• Allow another student to look at your answers

• Have notes, scratch paper, or electronic devices

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Remember…

You may not ask for help in answering any test questions. Your teacher or test administrator is not

allowed to discuss the test or help you read, understand, or answer test questions.

Try to answer every question.

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Remember…

Once you finish a test and turn it in, you may not ask for it back. Be sure to check your answers and try to answer every question before turning in your test.

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Remember…

During breaks and after testing, it’s important that you don’t talk about the specific test questions with friends, classmates, teachers, or other students.

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Remember…

This may not be your first time taking the FCAT 2.0, but test books, answer forms, and instructions can change at each grade level, so be sure to PAY ATTENTION!

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Most importantly:• Get a good night’s sleep and eat a

good breakfast before the test.

• Relax and do your best!