CATs are administered online. In a CAT, each test question is selected by a computer algorithm that meets the published test blueprint addressing the content standards and is based on the student’s performance on previously administered items. 

FYI: 

Students cannot skip questions. 

Must answer every question. 

• - BUT -

Students may return to items, and they are able to change the answer they provided if they choose to do so. 

The following assessments, launched in the 2022–23 school year, are CAT: 

• Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) VPK–2 Early Literacy, Reading, and Mathematics 

o FAST Grades 3–10 English Language Arts (ELA) Reading 

• FAST Grades 3–8 Mathematics 

• Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Algebra 1 and Geometry EOC assessments 

Beginning in the Spring 2024 administration, the following assessments will be CAT: 

• Grades 5 and 8 Science 

• Biology 1, Civics, and U.S. History EOC assessments 

There are several benefits to CAT: 

• The test attempt is tailored to the ability level of a student, so the precision of resulting test scores is increased, across all ability levels.  

• The tests are more precise because the test is adapting dynamically to the students’ ability level, so fewer items can be delivered to students than a fixed-form test.  

• The tests are more secure since students encounter different items throughout the test. 

The algorithm selects test items from a common item bank that contains test items aligned to the Florida academic content standards. 

The item selection is driven by two things: the test blueprint and student performance. Item selection is primarily driven by the test blueprint, ensuring that students are administered tests that represent the breadth and depth of the standards. 

As mentioned in previous questions, how a student responds to an item informs the algorithm as to whether it selects more or less challenging items to appear next. 

Item bank for each test only contains items within the student’s current grade level.  

o Items on a Reading test are attached to a specific passage and are, therefore, referred to as a “passage set.” Therefore, based on a student’s responses to a passage set (rather than an individual item) and blueprint requirements, the algorithm will select the next passage/passage set. 

o Once the algorithm selects the next set, it is locked in (regardless of whether students go back and change answers within the current set). 

NOTE: Students cannot skip questions. 

Students should always provide their best answer for each item as they encounter it. 

On most assessments, students will receive the same number of items. 

On FAST PM3, students will see field test items on their assessment. Depending on the number of field test items a student receives, their test may be a few items longer or shorter.