What Is the FAST Test in Florida? Scores, Dates & Levels Explained for Parents

The FAST test (Florida Assessment of Student Thinking) is Florida’s statewide assessment used to track how well students are progressing in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. Given three times a year, it helps families and educators understand whether students are on track and meeting grade-level expectations. This guide explains how the FAST test works, when it’s given, how scores are reported, and how parents can use results to better support their child’s learning.

What Is the FAST Test in Florida

Florida’s statewide standardized tests in English Language Arts (ELA)—including Reading and Writing—and Mathematics are aligned with the Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Standards. The Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) serves as the state’s primary assessment system, covering ELA Reading from VPK through grade 10 and Mathematics from VPK through grade 8. FAST is administered three times each school year as a progress monitoring tool, giving students, families, and educators timely insights into academic progress and proficiency.

FAST Test Dates 2025–2026

Administration Windows

The following windows have been established to provide schools with maximum scheduling flexibility; they do not reflect the amount of time one school will spend administering tests.

• PM1: August 11-September 26, 2025
• PM2: December 1, 2025-January 23, 2026
• PM3: May 1-May 29, 2026

Session Lengths

The PM3 administration is slightly longer than PM1 and PM2 because the assessments contain embedded field test items.

Grades/Subject	PM1 and PM2	PM3
Grades 3-10 ELA Reading	90 Minutes	120 Minutes
Grades 3-5 Mathematics	80 Minutes	100 Minutes
Grades 6-8 Mathematics	100 Minutes	120 Minutes

What Is Computer-Adaptive Testing

FAST assessments are computer adaptive. Items that each student receives will be selected to meet blueprint requirements and will adjust item difficulty levels based on how the student responds. 

How Computer-Adaptive Testing Works

FAST uses computer-adaptive testing, which means each student receives different questions based on their performance. The test starts with a medium-level question and adjusts in real time—correct answers lead to more challenging questions, while incorrect answers lead to easier ones. This allows the system to quickly identify a student’s true skill level and provide a more accurate score.

Why Computer-Adaptive Testing Matters

Because the test adapts to each student, FAST can measure ability more precisely with fewer questions. Students are less likely to feel frustrated by questions that are too hard or bored by ones that are too easy. Results are also available more quickly, helping parents and educators better understand strengths, identify gaps, and support learning more effectively.

How to Check Your Child’s FAST Scores

To view your child’s Florida Assessment of Student Thinking results and check their FAST scores, log in to your school district’s FAST Parent Portal. You’ll need your child’s student ID (lunch number) and the unique access code or PIN provided by the school to access progress monitoring results.

What Are Florida B.E.S.T. Standards

The B.E.S.T. Standards (Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking) are Florida’s official K–12 academic standards for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics, introduced to replace the Common Core. Fully implemented beginning in the 2022–2023 school year, these standards focus on clearer expectations and higher-quality instruction. In ELA, they emphasize strong foundational skills, increased exposure to classic and knowledge-rich texts, and the development of civic literacy. In Math, the standards streamline content to prioritize mastery of essential concepts and problem-solving skills.

The table below shows the final achievement level cut scores established in Rule 6A-1-.09422, F.A.C., on October 18, 2023. 

FAST assessments categorize student performance into five levels:

• Level 1: Well below grade level; students at this level will likely need substantial support in the next grade.
• Level 2: Below grade level; these students may also need significant support to improve their skills.
• Level 3: On grade level; students are meeting expectations but may still benefit from targeted instruction.
• Level 4: Proficient; students here are likely to do well in the next grade, demonstrating strong understanding.
• Level 5: Exemplary; students at this level are excelling and well-prepared for future coursework.

How to Use FAST Scores and Results to Support Your Child

If your child has achieved Level 5 or 4, it indicates readiness for advanced classes and academic opportunities. Students at Level 3 are meeting grade-level standards, making this the ideal moment to pinpoint strengths and address gaps, which can lead to substantial growth. Even if your child scored at Level 2 or Level 1, identifying foundational gaps or improving learning habits can swiftly boost their performance.

Level	Common Student Situation	Recommended Think Academy Courses	Parent Guidance
Level 1 Well Below Grade Level	Struggles with foundational concepts, weak computation fluency, low confidence, difficulty with multi-step problems.	Elementary: G3 Honors, G4 Core+, G5 Core+ Middle School: Pre-Algebra Honors	Focus on long-term foundational growth rather than short-term score improvement. Consistent instruction and guided practice are usually most effective at this stage.
Level 2 Below Grade Level	Inconsistent accuracy, difficulty applying concepts independently, benchmark weaknesses remain.	Elementary: G4/G5 Core+ → transition to Honors Middle School: Pre-Algebra Honors	Many Level 2 students can reach Level 3 or Level 4 with targeted support and steady progress monitoring throughout the year.
Level 3 On Grade Level	Performs reasonably well in school but may lack deeper conceptual understanding or acceleration readiness.	Elementary: G3/G4/G5 Honors Middle School: Pre-Algebra Honors, Algebra 1 Honors	This is often the best stage to begin acceleration. Students who consistently strengthen fundamentals here are more prepared for Honors and advanced math pathways later.
Level 4 Proficient	Strong school performance, learns quickly, ready for more advanced reasoning and challenging applications.	Elementary: G3/G4/G5 Challenge Middle School: Pre-Algebra Challenge, Algebra 1 Challenge	Students at this level often benefit more from enrichment and advanced problem solving than repetitive review.
Level 5 Exemplary	Excels in school math, learns advanced topics quickly, may need greater challenge to stay engaged.	Elementary: G3 Ace, G4 Ace, G5 Challenge Middle & High School: Algebra 1 Challenge, Algebra 2	Advanced students often need challenge, acceleration, and deeper mathematical thinking opportunities to continue growing academically.

Starting early offers a significant advantage when paired with the right pacing and structure. If you’re unsure when to begin advanced courses, how to balance academics with competitions, or whether your child is on the right long-term track, a Think Academy Free Evaluation can help.

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