FCAT Reading Test

Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test Reading Test

FCAT Reading measures Grade
3-10 students’ ability in four areas. The content becomes more challenging and contains specific differences as students progress from one grade level to the next as shown in the chart below.

GRADES	WORDS & PHRASES IN CONTEXT	MAIN IDEA, PLOT & PURPOSE	COMPARISONS & CAUSE/EFFECT	REFERENCE & RESEARCH
FCAT READING CONTENT
3-5	• meaning of words in context • word analysis	• main idea • supporting details • chronological order • author’s purpose in a simple text plot • development & conflict resolution	• use of comparison & contrast • cause & effect relationships • similarities & differences among characters, settings, events	• organization & interpretation of information
6-8	• words in context • drawing conclusions • organizational patterns	• main idea • relevant details • organizational patterns • author’s purpose or point of view • character & plot development • setting • conflict resolution • tone	• use of comparison & contrast • cause & effect relationships	• organization • interpretation & synthesis of information • validity & accuracy of information
9-10	• words in context • inference • interpretation of data presentations	• main idea • supporting details • methods of development • author’s purpose or point of view • complex elements of plot • setting • conflict resolution • tone	• use of comparison & contrast • cause & effect relationships	• identification & synthesis of information • synthesis of information from multiple sources • validity & accuracy of information