Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) – Practice Questions & Study Guide

The Florida Assessment of Student Thinking, or FAST, is an important test used in Florida schools to check how well students are learning.

It matches what they're supposed to learn in school. In this article, we're going to look at some example questions from the FAST test.

These examples help students, parents, and teachers understand what kinds of questions are on the test and how they are set up. Knowing these sample questions can help students get ready for the test and do their best.

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FAST Testing Florida – Example Questions

Here we'll show you some simplified versions of the questions that will be on the Florida FAST assessment.

While these questions are all around the grade 4 level, remember that questions will get progressively harder or easier depending on how the student is doing during the test.

Math Sample Questions

Here are some examples of the types of questions your child will get on their Florida FAST assessment.

Further examples can be found on the Florida Department of Education website but the following questions should give you a good insight into the test

Sample Question 1

Arrange the following numbers in descending order (greatest to least):
4535, 1435, 6465, 7675, 5757

a) 1435, 6465, 7675, 5757, 4535
b) 4535, 7675, 1435, 5757, 6465
c) 7675, 6465, 5757, 4535, 1435

The correct answer is: c) 7675, 6465, 5757, 4535, 1435.

This is because 7675 is the greatest number. Followed by 6465, 5757, and 4535, with 1435 being the smallest number from the options.

Sample Question 2

Which of the following shows the sum of 524 + 195 in expanded form?

a) 700 + 10 + 5
b) 700 + 20 + 9
c) 700 + 10 + 9

The correct answer is: c) 700 + 10 + 9.

This is because 524 + 195 = 719. In expanded form, you take the 700, the 10 and the 9 and add them together to make 700 + 10 + 9 = 719.

Sample Question 3

Which number best shows 156,523 rounded to the nearest thousand?

a) 157,000
b) 160,000
c) 156,000

The correct answer is: a) 157,000.

This is because you should round upwards in this scenario as 156,532 is closer to 157,000 rather than 156,000 due to the 532 being higher than 500 when rounding to the nearest thousand. If the figure was 156,432 then you would have rounded down to 156,000.

Reading Sample Questions

Here we have some example questions that a student may face at grade 4 level.

It’s important to note that the passages in the real tests are much longer and several questions will be asked from the same passage of text, which are usually from books.

Sample Question 1

Passage: Tina and Mom are in the car. They went to drive. Now they are driving home.

Question: Where is Tina?

a) In her room
b) At school
c) In a car

The correct answer is: c) In a car.

Tina is in the car as the passage states that Tina and Mom are in the car together.

Sample Question 2

Passage: Mary woke up early, brushed her teeth, had breakfast, and then caught the bus to school.

Question: What did Mary do after having breakfast?

a) Caught the bus to school
b) Brushed her teeth
c) Woke up early

The correct answer is: a) Caught the bus to school.

As the passage states, Mary caught the bus to school after having breakfast.

Sample Question 3

Passage: The sky was dark, and thunder rumbled in the distance. Sarah grabbed her umbrella and raincoat before heading outside.

Question: Why did Sarah take her umbrella and raincoat outside?

a) Because the sky was dark
b) The thunder suggests it may rain
c) The sun was shining

The correct answer is: b) The thunder suggests it may rain.

Sarah took her umbrella and raincoat outside because the passage states that thunder rumbled in the distance which suggests it may rain.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST)?

The FAST is a statewide assessment used in Florida public schools to measure how well students are mastering the skills and knowledge outlined in the Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) standards. It replaces the older Florida Standards Assessments (FSA).

Who takes the FAST test?

Students in grades K–10 take FAST assessments for English Language Arts (Reading), and students in grades K–8 take them for Mathematics.

How is the FAST test different from the FSA?

Unlike the FSA, which was given once at the end of the school year, FAST is a progress-monitoring assessment. This means students take it several times a year so teachers can track their learning and make adjustments as needed.

What types of questions appear on the FAST test?

FAST includes multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and technology-enhanced questions covering reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and maths skills such as arithmetic, number patterns, and rounding.

How can students prepare for the FAST test?

Students can prepare by practising sample questions from the Florida Department of Education website, reviewing key reading and maths concepts taught in class, and using online resources designed for FAST or B.E.S.T. standards.

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Final Thoughts

The sample questions from the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) are key tools in preparing students for success.

They provide a clear picture of what to expect on the test, helping students to feel more confident and ready.

For teachers and parents, these questions are invaluable in guiding and supporting students through their learning journey. By familiarizing themselves with these samples, everyone involved can work together to ensure students are well-prepared, not just for the test, but for their overall academic growth.

Remember, understanding these questions is the first step towards mastering the skills and knowledge needed to excel in Florida's educational system.