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407.708.2020
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Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT)

Students Required to Test

Seminole State degree-seeking, first-time-in-college, college-credit and certificate-seeking students whose degree or certificate program is 12 or more credits must take the PERT. Such student may not register for any credit course at Seminole State until they have a set of complete scores on file.

This includes students in the following groups:

• All students who register for any English or mathematics course
• All students seeking dual enrollment
• All students who took a placement examination more than two years ago, whose scores were used for placement, but who have not yet passed a course in the corresponding subject area. Students must complete PERT refresh program before retesting.
• All students who cannot provide ACT, SAT or ACCUPLACER (CPT) official scores or scores on an official transcript by the date of their advising appointment/session must take the PERT.

All students who studied ESOL in high school or studied part of high school in a country where English is not the only official language are required to:

• Complete a timed writing sample for possible placement into English for Academic Purposes (EAP) in addition to having college ready PERT, ACT or SAT scores
• Complete the Level of English Proficiency (LOEP) test in addition to completing the timed writing sample if PERT, ACT or SAT scores are not college ready
• Score at LOEP EAP Intermediate (EAP 400) level to take the PERT math test
• Complete the EAP sequence without a retake of PERT/LOEP after starting sequence (Students may retake after two years' absence from sequence for advancement purposes)
  Download a PERT Exemption Request Form

Students Exempted from PERT Testing

Seminole State students are exempt from PERT unless needed as a prequisite for a specific course, if they provide written documentation for one of the following:

• Your official ACT or SAT scores are less than 2 years old that place you into college-level coursework at Seminole State. If multiple test results are on record, the highest scores are used.
• Your SAT scores are 440 or above on verbal/critical reading and 440 or above on math for placement into Intermediate Algebra (MAT 1033).
• Your ACT scores are 18 or above in reading and 17 or above in English, and you have scores of 19 or above on math for placement into Intermediate Algebra (MAT 1033).

Any score presented which is below that needed for exemption will require the student to be tested on the approproiate PERT subtest(s).

These students are also exempted from the PERT:

• Attended a regionally accredited college or university in which English was the language of instruction and completed college-level or the highest college-preparatory-level coursework, as evaluated by Seminole State, in English and/or mathematics with a grade of "C" or higher
• You are enrolled in another college or university and have applied to Seminole State as transient students.
• Your official Seminole State record indicates that the st are enrolled for teacher certification.

Important Reminders for Students

• College developmental courses have a first digit of zero (0). They do not count toward a degree. However, these courses do count toward eligibility for VA benefits, financial aid and intercollegiate athletics.
• Rule 6A-10.316 also requires students to begin college developmental courses during their first 12 hours at Seminole State. This rule does not provide Seminole State authority to make exceptions to this requirement.
• Rule 6A-10.315 limits students to three attempts to pass each developmental course, including original grades, repeat grades and withdrawals. Upon the third attempt, the student is assessed the full cost of instruction, is not permitted to withdraw and receives a grade for the course. The student may petition to waive the full cost of instruction due to extenuating circumstances or financial hardship by using the "Request for Exemption for Full Cost of Instruction" (non-refundable) form at the registration/records counter in the Student Services building.

To find your placement based on your PERT scores, check the table below, or download the PERT Placement Model.

Please note:

• A Reading Skills score of at least 104 and Writing Skills score of at least 99 are required for placement into ENC 1101.
• Required Developmental Writing and Reading courses (or required EAP courses, if applicable) must be completed prior to entering English I and/or any Gordon Rule course.

To be valid, test scores must be less than 2 years old.

Accuplacer/CPT: College Level Math (CLM) Skills Score

Please note:

• Students who score 135 or above are eligible to take the College-Level Math (CLM) portion of the ACCUPLACER (CPT). Please refer to the Information for Advisors section below for more information on CLM.
• Precalculus, trigonometry and calculus courses are rigorous. Students enrolling in these courses are encouraged to meet with Richard Minton, associate dean of mathematics, to discuss course requirements prior to the start of classes. To set up a meeting, email mintonr@seminolestate.edu or call 407.708.2252. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Prepare for the PERT?   

• Download the PERT Study Guide to learn more about the test and answer practice questions.
• Visit the PERT practice Web page for additional information, practice exams and other resources.   

What are the technical requirements for my computer? 

• Cache and History Information
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When and where can I take the test?    

The PERT is offered on a walk-in basis at any Seminole State Assessment and Testing Center. Please click your preferred campus below for testing hours and locations.

• Altamonte Springs Campus
• Heathrow Campus
• Oviedo Campus
• Sanford/Lake Mary Campus
• Testing Office (A-107)
• Testing Center (D-108)

Am I allowed to retake the PERT?

• Visit the PERT Refresh page for more information about PERT retake procedures.       

Is there a fee to take the PERT?

• First-time testing for Seminole State students: Free!*
• Test Retakes for Seminole State students (partial or complete tests): $10*

*Prices are subject to change. Payments must be received in the form of credit card, check or money order. No cash accepted.

How can I ensure that Seminole State receives my test scores?   

You are responsible for ensuring that Seminole State receives your PERT records. If you took the PERT while you were in high school, speak with your high school guidance counselor. Some schools will include your scores with your high school transcript. Otherwise:     

• Speak with the institution at which you took the PERT. You may be able to have your scores sent to Seminole State.
• Speak with the Seminole State Admissions Office at 407.708.2050. They may be able to tell you whom to contact to get your PERT records.

How can I learn more about the PERT?

For more information about the PERT exam:        

• Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page
• Speak with your high school or Seminole State academic counselor
• Call the Assessment and Testing Center at 407.708.2020

Information for Advisors

* Exemption from preparatory English coursework and subsequent enrollment in ENC 1101: English I requires college-level placement scores in all language-based subtests of the PERT, ACT, SAT or ACCUPLACER (CPT).

Important Reminders for Advisors

• The same withdrawal practices apply to all developmental reading, writing and math courses.
• If a student chooses to withdraw from a developmental course, he or she must do so during the College's posted withdrawal period and retake the course within two years.
• Students may take the PERT up to four times in a two-year period. They may not exceed four attempts in less than two years.
• Students who do not pass the state exit exam for a developmental course may take the PERT for access to the next-level course. Minimum score requirements must be met in order to enter a college-level course. Note: EAP students must pass each course with a grade of "C" or higher in order to progress to the next-level course. EAP students who fail a course must repeat the course and earn a "C" or higher in order to enroll in ENC 1101: English I or any courses with ENC 1101 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
• Students who fail to earn a letter grade of "C" or higher in a developmental course have two options for gaining access to the subsequent course:
  
  1. Repeat the course and earn a "C" or higher.
  2. Take the PERT after the course ends, and meet the minimum score requirements for next-level course placement. Note: Meeting PERT scoring requirements will not remove a "D" or "F" from a student's transcript. The only way to remove/replace a failing grade is to retake the developmental course and achieve a "C" or higher. A developmental course grade of "D" or "F," while visible on the student's transcript, does not count toward his or her college-credit GPA.

What should I bring on the day of the test?

Prior to taking any examination, you will need to present a current, valid and original photo ID with a signature (e.g., passport, driver’s license or state-issued ID card). If your photo ID does not include a signature, a second ID is required with your name and signature (e.g., Social Security card, voter registration card, credit card or debit card). The PERT is administered on a computer. Paper and pencil will be provided for the math portion so you can work out your answers.