If you are a high school student interested in taking dual enrollment classes, the PERT is the first step in the process.

The PERT, which stands for Postsecondary Education Readiness Test, consists of three sections: Reading, Writing, and Math. It is a computer based adaptive test with 30 questions per section (totaling 90 questions overall) that usually takes around three hours, but it is not timed. Once a question is answered and passed, it cannot be changed, and the next question depends on how you answer the previous ones.

In order to take the PERT, high school students must first meet the following requirements: have a 3.0 unweighted GPA or higher, completed their algebra 1 graduation requirement, and achieved a level of 3 or higher on the most recent end of year FAST PM 3 ELA reading test.

Next, students must fill out the PERT interest form, which should be submit by today, the 23rd. The interest form is available to students on the OCSA website under the “GUIDANCE” tab. Click the “Dual Enrollment” drop down, and the link can be found there. Tests will be scheduled from February 6th – 14th and the finalized PERT testing schedule can be found on Mrs. Lindsey’s door (room 3-106) before Wednesday, the 29th. It will also be sent out on Remind.

On test day, students must bring their school issued laptop fully charged in the case with the power cord. Below is a breakdown of the sections on the test.

Reading:

• Main Idea Identification: Recognizing the main point of a passage.
• Inference Skills: Drawing logical conclusions based on text.
• Understanding Vocabulary: Contextual meaning of words.

Writing:

• Grammar Rules: Correct use of punctuation, verb tenses, and subject-verb agreement.
• Sentence Structure: Identifying errors in sentence construction.
• Essay Organization: Understanding paragraph flow and cohesion.

Math:

• Algebraic Concepts: Solving equations and understanding expressions.
• Geometry: Basics of shapes, angles, and area calculations.
• Data Analysis: Interpreting graphs, tables, and data sets. Each question in the PERT math section builds upon essential skills needed for college-level mathematics.

After passing the PERT, applying for Dual Enrollment is a separate process. More information on that in the “GUIDANCE” tab under the “Dual Enrollment” drop down.

For any further questions, contact testing coordinator Mrs. Lindsey via email at [email protected].