Florida Math Assessment Guide
When each progress monitoring test happens, what it measures, and how parents can use the results to help during the school year.
Created by a Florida mom · Published by Tropical Learning LLC
Next: PM2 · Nov 30, 2026 – Jan 22, 2027 (Grades 3–8)
These are the statewide windows. Each school schedules its own testing days inside them, so ask your child's teacher or school for the exact dates.
| Period | Grades 3–8 (FAST Mathematics) | Grades K–2 (Star Math) |
|---|---|---|
| PM1 | Aug 10 – Sep 25, 2026 | Aug 3 – Sep 25, 2026 |
| PM2 | Nov 30, 2026 – Jan 22, 2027 | Nov 30, 2026 – Jan 22, 2027 |
| PM3 | May 3 – May 28, 2027 | Apr 12 – May 28, 2027 |
Source: Florida Department of Education, 2026–27 FAST Grades 3–10 Fact Sheet and K–2 Fact Sheet.
PM stands for Progress Monitoring. The Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) gives students the same type of test three times a year: at the beginning (PM1), middle (PM2), and end (PM3).
Each test covers the full year of grade-level math. That is why many students score lower at PM1: the test includes skills they will learn later in the year.
Students in Kindergarten through Grade 2 take Star Math. Students in Grades 3–8 take FAST Mathematics. Both follow the same three-period schedule, but their scores are reported differently.
Beginning of the School Year
Establishing a Starting Point
PM1 gives an early picture of a student's math performance. The test covers the whole year's grade-level content, so students will see skills they have not been taught yet.
What Parents Should Know
A low PM1 result is common. Use it as a starting point and ask the teacher which skills to strengthen first.
Middle of the School Year
Checking Progress
PM2 shows progress after about half a year of instruction. Results can highlight growth and the skills that still need support before the end of the year.
What Parents Should Know
PM2 is the best moment to act. There is still time to work on weak skills before PM3.
End of the School Year
Measuring End-of-Year Achievement
For FAST Mathematics in Grades 3–8, PM3 is the end-of-year administration used to report achievement levels against grade-level expectations.
What Parents Should Know
Review the result alongside classroom work and your child's progress across the year.
Test length: Grades 3–5 FAST Mathematics is scheduled for up to 80 minutes at PM1 and PM2 and up to 100 minutes at PM3. Grades 6–8 is up to 100 minutes at PM1 and PM2 and up to 120 minutes at PM3. PM3 is longer because it includes a few field-test questions that do not count toward the score.
Because every test covers the full year, a student at PM1 has been taught only part of what is assessed. As the year goes on and more content is taught, results usually reflect that learning.
Progress does not always show up as a higher score on every test. Look at the overall trend in the official report and talk with your child's teacher.
A helpful reminder: One score does not tell the whole story. Consider classroom work, teacher feedback, and progress across the year.
PM1 happens before students receive most of the year's instruction. PM3 reflects performance near the end of the grade-level curriculum.
Review the progress information in your child's official report. Avoid drawing conclusions from a single result.
Scale scores and achievement levels mean different things, and score ranges differ by grade. Follow the official guidance for your child's test.
Your child's report shows performance in broad math areas, such as fractions or geometry. These point to where extra practice may help most.
After each report, ask your child's teacher which math skills need the most attention. The months between PM2 and PM3 are especially valuable: there is still time to strengthen weak skills before the end-of-year test.
Short, regular practice on those specific skills helps more than long, last-minute sessions. Encourage your child to explain their thinking and learn from mistakes.
FastChomp shows parents which Florida math benchmarks their child is mastering and which need more practice, so you know exactly what to work on.
Frequently Asked Questions
For Grades 3–8 FAST Mathematics, the statewide windows are PM1 Aug 10 – Sep 25, 2026, PM2 Nov 30, 2026 – Jan 22, 2027, and PM3 May 3 – May 28, 2027. Each school chooses its own testing days within these windows, so ask your child's school for the exact dates.
Yes, it is common. Every PM test covers the full year's grade-level content, and at PM1 students have not been taught most of it yet. Interpret a PM1 result alongside classroom performance and teacher feedback.
PM1 and PM2 are used to monitor progress during the year. For FAST Mathematics in Grades 3–8, PM3 is the administration used to report end-of-year achievement levels.
For Grades 3–5, FAST Mathematics is scheduled for up to 80 minutes at PM1 and PM2 and up to 100 minutes at PM3. For Grades 6–8, it is up to 100 minutes at PM1 and PM2 and up to 120 minutes at PM3. PM3 is longer because it includes a few field-test questions that do not count toward the score.
Not necessarily. Students build skills throughout the year, but results can vary from one test to the next. Look at the overall trend in the official report rather than expecting a higher score every time.
Yes, within the same test and grade, using the progress information in the official report. Star Math (Grades K–2) and FAST Mathematics (Grades 3–8) use different reporting systems, so their scores cannot be compared directly.
For testing windows, reporting guidance, and official assessment information, visit the Florida Department of Education.
Help your child build math confidence with original interactive questions aligned with Florida's B.E.S.T. Mathematics Standards.
Start Practicing FreeIndependent Educational Platform. FastChomp is published by Tropical Learning LLC and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the Florida Department of Education. FAST and Star assessment names are referenced for informational purposes only. FastChomp practice questions are original educational materials, not official Florida FAST assessment questions.