Are there improper uses of the released tests?
Yes. The released tests should not be used to drill students for future tests. Students should be provided sound instruction rather than repetitive exercises on specific questions. Because the released passages and questions will never again be used on the FCAT, the use of these questions for test preparation would be misleading. The released tests should be used only as examples. Further, a released test should not be used to identify all of the possible content that will be on a future test. On a test of 4060 questions, it is not possible to test the full content of the Sunshine State Standards, so each year different benchmarks of the Sunshine State Standards are tested. It is important that students are taught all of the content required in the Sunshine State Standards. More information about the content tested on the FCAT can be found on the Department of Education website underFCAT Test Item Specifications.
