Details About the Math Test of FTCE

Everything about the FTCE Math 6-12

The Mathematics test is one of the Subject-Area Evaluation (SAE) tests of the Florida Teacher Certification Exams. The primary purpose of this test is to assess the knowledge of the candidates aspiring to become Math teachers for grades 6-12 in Florida. It is a standardized exam that is developed and designed by the Bureau of Educator Certification (BEC), Florida.

Essential Aspects of the FTCE Math Test:

  1. Test Design

    The test assesses about 15 grade-appropriate knowledge-areas, including but not limited to trigonometry, calculus, statistics, discrete mathematics etc. Under each knowledge-area, several specific competencies are evaluated. For example, under the trigonometry knowledge-area, the candidates must answer questions that require them to solve problems related to trigonometric functional identities. Each knowledge-area is allotted a particular percentage in the coverage of questions. For a complete breakdown of these knowledge-areas, competencies and their coverage in percentages, you may refer to the FTCE Math Test Information Guide at this link – www.fl.nesinc.com/PDFs/Math6-12_TIG_5thEdition_DOE050610.pdf.

  2. Test Format and Duration

    This test is computer-based test (CBT) and it consists of 80 multiple-choice questions, with 4 answer-choices for each question. The candidates are given 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete this test.

  3. Question Types

    The 8 types of questions (along with their descriptions) that may appear in the Math test are listed below:

    • Graphical Questions – In this type, the candidates are provided with a graph, chart or illustration of a problem, which they must study. Thereafter, they must answer a question based on the given graphical item and choose the right or best answer from the given 4 answer-choices.
    • Command Questions – In this category of questions, the candidates are provided with a direct instruction, which they must follow and thereafter, select the right answer-option.
    • Direct Questions – As the name of this category implies, a direct question is posed to the candidates for which they must select the correct answer-option.
    • Selection Questions – Here, the candidates must select an answer that satisfies (or does not satisfy) all the conditions stated in the given question.
    • Sentence Completion Items – The candidates are required to fill in the blanks in the given item with the best answer-option.
    • Word Problems – This part of the test consists of realistic mathematical problems that may occur in everyday life. The candidates are required to understand the given problem, apply appropriate mathematical principles to it and find the best answer, thereby solving it.
    • Proof Questions – In this question category, an algebraic or geometric theorem or principle will be provided, along with answer-options that prove the given theorem or principle that the candidates must choose from.
    • Scenarios – Here, every question describes a situation, case or problem that requires an analysis or some recommended action, options for which are provided in the answer-choices. The candidates will then be asked to either identify the cause of the problem or suggest a solution, by picking the right answer-option.

    Several sample questions for each question category, along with corresponding answer keys are available in the Test Information Guide for your review (The link to this guide has been provided earlier).

  4. Test Scoring

    Unofficial score reports of the test are generally provided to the candidates at the end of the test. However, the official score reports are available online on the candidate’s FTCE account in about 4 weeks from the date of testing. This score report contains two main components; namely, a Pass or Fail status and a total scaled score. The minimum scaled score that the candidates must achieve to pass this test is 200. This means that each candidate must answer a minimum of 71 questions correctly to pass this test.

  5. Test Preparation

    The Test Information Guide mentioned earlier in this article provides a list of reference materials and books for test preparation. Other prep options include study guides on Amazon.com, study blogs (such as TestPreview.com) or courses.

Thus far, we have discussed all the pivotal aspects of the Math test. We hope that this article has provided you with all the basic pieces of information about this test. For further details, you may refer to the official website (www.fl.nesinc.com).