The FTCE Test: Everything Thing You Need to Know

What is the FTCE Test

The Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) is a comprehensive series of exams developed by the Florida Department of Education to assess the skills and knowledge of aspiring educators in Florida.

The FTCE test series encompasses various assessments, including the General Knowledge Test (GKT), Subject Area Examinations (SAE), Professional Education Test (PEd), and more specialized exams such as the Educational Leadership Examination (ELA). These tests evaluate candidates in various subjects, including mathematics, science, reading, writing,and teaching methodologies.

How to Prepare for the FTCE Test

To adequately prepare for your FTCE exams, follow these steps:

First, identify which exams you need to take based on your desired certification and review the Florida Department of Education requirements.

Familiarize yourself with the exam format, scoring system, and frequently asked questions to comprehensively understand what to expect.

Develop a structured study plan covering all exam topics and ample practice with sample questions and full-length practice tests. Monitor your progress and adjust your study plan accordingly.

On exam day, ensure you’re comfortable by wearing suitable clothing and bringing necessary items such as snacks, water, and any permitted materials. Familiarize yourself with the test center location and policies beforehand to minimize stress on the exam day.

How to Register for the FTCE Test

Registering for an FTCE exam is a straightforward process:

Access the Florida Department of Education’s website to create an account and select the desired exam. You’ll be asked a few background questions and must agree to the testing policies.

Choose a convenient test date and location, complete the registration process, and pay the applicable fees online.

Alternatively, registration can be done via phone or mail, although online registration is typically the quickest and most efficient method.

For detailed instructions on registration, visit the Florida Department of Education’s official website.

How the FTCE Test is Scored

The FTCE exams are scored by converting a raw score to a scaled score. This scaling process adjusts for varying difficulty levels between different versions of the same test. If you do not pass, your completed exam will be reported as either PASS or NOT PASS, and the numerical scaled score will be included. Please note that maximum scores vary across different FTCE exams and cannot be compared with each other. FTCE scores range from the mid-200s to the 400s. For instance, a scaled score of 240 on one exam is not equivalent to a scaled score of 240 on a different subject exam.

The FTCE exams may contain traditional multiple-choice and written/oral performance components. Qualified raters score performance components holistically. If you wish to learn more about performance scoring, including scoring rubrics, guidelines, and rater qualifications, please visit the FTCE login on the official FTCE site.

As different tests have different numbers of questions, minimum passing percentages vary. However, it is usually around 70%. Wrong answers do not receive point deductions, so guessing is better than leaving a question blank. The Florida Department of Education (FLOE) website has a chart that shows the percentage of correct answers required to pass each exam.

How Hard is the FTCE Test

The difficulty level of FTCE exams can vary based on individual strengths, academic background, and the specific exam taken. While some tests may cover fundamental skills, others may delve into more specialized subjects.

Preparation is key to overcoming any perceived difficulty. By thoroughly studying exam content, adhering to a structured study plan, and practicing with sample questions, candidates can enhance their confidence and performance on test day.

Cost of the FTCE Test

The cost of your FTCE exam depends on which exam you take and whether you take the entire exam or just certain subtests.

The General Knowledge (GK) test costs $130 for all four subtests. However, you can choose to take varying amounts of subtests simultaneously. The cost for one subtest is $32.50; for two subtests, it’s $65; and for three subtests, it’s $97.50.

The Professional Education (PEd) exam costs $150.

The Elementary Education K-6 and Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3 exams have four subtests. You must take all four subtests for $150 on your first attempt. After your first attempt, you can retake individual subtests for the following costs:

– One subtest: $37.50

– Two subtests: $75

– Three subtests: $112.50

All other Subject Area Exams (SAE) cost $150.

For additional information about FTCE costs, please visit the Florida Department of Education website.

What to Expect on Test Day

Before the Test

Ensure you have two forms of valid identification to present to the site staff once you arrive. As part of the check-in process, you may be asked to take a photo and have your palm scanned.

Personal items besides essential documents are not allowed in the testing room. The FTCE website has a list of prohibited items that you may not take into the test room. Arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes early.

During the Test

You’ll spend the designated testing time in the examination room. You may not communicate with any other examinees while taking your exam. However, if you have any issues with your computer or have any other questions you can raise your hand and site staff will help you.

While most exams don’t include scheduled breaks, candidates can take short breaks if necessary. However, unscheduled breaks will impact total testing time, so be sure to use that time sparingly. If you take an exam with multiple subtests like the General Knowledge or FELE exam, you will receive a 15-minute break between subtests.

After the Test

After completing the exam, your test materials will be collected, and you will be escorted from the testing room. Once you leave the testing room, you must leave the test site.