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About This Book
This book will provide you with an accurate and complete representation of the FCAT Grade 10 Mathematics test. Inside this book you will find chapters providing instruction on the mathematics concepts tested on the FCAT. At the end of each chapter are practice questions and answer explanations. Two practice tests are provided, which are based on the official FCAT. The practice tests contain every type of question that you can expect to encounter on the FCAT. Following each test, you will find an answer key with detailed explanations designed to help you completely understand the test material.
About the Test
Who Takes These Tests, and What Are They Used For?
Students in Florida public schools in grades 3 through 10 must take the FCAT, which is the foundation of the statewide educational assessment and accountability program. It includes assessment in the following areas:
Writing for students in grades 4, 8, and 10
Reading and mathematics for students in grades 3 through 10
Science for students in grades 5, 8, and 11
FCAT Mathematics
The purpose of the FCAT is to gather information for parents, students, and teachers
about student mastery of skills and to provide the public with information (1) to better understand the “educational health” of students, and (2) to hold schools and districts accountable for progress.
Is There a Registration Fee?
No. Because all Florida public high school students are required to take the FCAT and pass the test in order to receive a high school diploma, no fee is required.
When and Where Is the Test Given?
The Mathematics portion of the FCAT is given each year in March. Since 1998, the FCAT has been administered in all public schools. The Grade 10 FCAT has now
become the high school graduation test.
Test Accommodations and Special Situations
Every effort is made to provide a level playing field for students with disabilities who are taking the FCAT and seeking a standard high school diploma. Accommodations are available for students in special education programs and students with limited proficiency in English. Check with your school for more information.
Additional Information and Support
Additional resources to help you prepare to take the FCAT can be found on the Florida Department of Education website at www.fldoe.org.
How to Use This Book
What Do I Study First?
Read each chapter and complete all of the problems within the chapter and at the end of the chapter. Be sure to read the answer explanation. Review lessons for questions that you missed. When you feel that you have mastered the material, take the practice tests to become familiar with the format and procedures involved with taking the actual FCAT.
When Should I Start Studying?
It is never too early to start studying for the FCAT. The earlier you begin, the more
time you will have to sharpen your skills. Do not procrastinate! Cramming is not an
effective way to study, because it does now allow you the time needed to learn the test
material. The sooner you learn the format of the exam, the more time you will have to
familiarize yourself with the exam content.
Overview of the FCAT
For Grade 10, the Mathematics portion of the FCAT consists of 45 to 50 multiple-choice
items, some of which are gridded-response items, and 5 to 7 performance tasks
(see “Item Types” for more information).
The Mathematics portion of the FCAT is based on five broad strands, which are broken
down into smaller standards called the Sunshine State Standards Benchmarks:
Strand A: Number Sense, Concepts, and Operations (17% of the test)
Strand B: Measurement (17% of the test)
Strand C: Geometry and Spatial Sense (25% of the test)
Strand D: Algebraic Thinking (25% of the test)
Strand E: Data Analysis and Probability (16% of the test)
Students are allowed to use a calculator on the FCAT Mathematics test.
Item Types
Multiple-choice items—Students choose the correct answer from four possible choices and mark the choice by filling in a bubble in the test booklet or answer document. Multiple-choice items require approximately one minute to answer and are each
worth one raw score point.
Gridded-response items—Students solve problems or answer questions requiring a numerical response and bubble or mark their numerical answers in response grids.
Answers may be gridded by using several correct formats. Students must accurately
fill in the bubbles below the grids to receive credit for their answers. Students are
provided with detailed instructions for filling in the bubbles in the FCAT Sample Test
Materials, which they receive before taking the actual test. Additional instructions
are also included in the front of the test booklet. Each gridded-response item requires
approximately one and a half minutes to answer and is worth one raw score point.
Performance Tasks—Short- and extended-response items—Students show their
solutions to problems. Each short-response task requires approximately five minutes
to complete and is worth a raw score of 0, 1, or 2 points. Extended-response tasks
require approximately 15 minutes to complete, and students may receive a raw score
of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 points for each item.
Sunshine State Standards Benchmarks
Strand A: Number Sense, Concepts, and Operations
MA.A.1.4.2 The student understands the relative size of integers, rational numbers, irrational numbers, and real numbers.
MA.A.1.4.4 The student understands that numbers can be represented in a variety of equivalent forms, including integers, fractions, decimals, percents, scientific
notation, exponents, radicals, absolute value, and logarithms.
MA.A.3.4.1 The student understands and explains the effects of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division on real numbers, including square roots, exponents, and appropriate inverse relationships.
MA.A.3.4.2 The student selects and justifies alternative strategies, such as using properties of numbers, including inverse, identity, distributive, associative, transitive,
that allow operational shortcuts for computational procedures in real-world or
mathematical problems.
MA.A.3.4.3 The student adds, subtracts, multiplies, and divides real numbers, including square roots and exponents, using appropriate methods of computing, such as mental mathematics, paper and pencil, and calculator.
MA.A.4.4.1 The student uses estimation strategies in complex situations to predict results and to check the reasonableness of results.
MA.A.5.4.1 The student applies number relationships such as sequences and series to real-world problems.
