Our free bank has 365 PERT practice questions in Math, Reading and Writing, sorted into six question types. Each type has a guide with a method, common mistakes and worked examples, and every question comes with an explanation. Start with a type below, or build a mixed set at the bottom of the page.
The real PERT has 30 multiple-choice questions in each subject and does not label question types. We sort our questions into two types per subject so you can practice one kind of thinking at a time. The counts below are the questions in our bank, not the number you will see on test day.
| Question type | What it covers | Practice questions |
|---|---|---|
| Algebra and mathematical models | Math: linear, literal and quadratic equations, inequalities, systems, slope and lines, and word problems | 75 |
| Expressions, polynomials and factoring | Math: signed numbers, fractions, exponents, polynomials, factoring and rational expressions | 50 |
| Passage evidence and inference | Reading: main ideas, summaries, inferences, supporting details and arguments | 65 |
| Purpose, vocabulary and relationships | Reading: words in context, tone, purpose, organization, characters and paired texts | 55 |
| Revision and organization | Writing: focus, thesis, support, order, transitions, tone and using sources in a draft | 60 |
| Grammar and sentence editing | Writing: agreement, pronouns, tense, clauses and punctuation, modifiers and parallelism | 60 |
| All six types | Math, Reading and Writing | 365 |
Most questions are at the intermediate level: 280 of the 365, with 52 foundational (easier) questions and 33 advanced ones. Algebra and models and passage evidence and inference have the most advanced questions, 12 each. Use the difficulty filter in the mixed practice below to start with foundational questions and step up.
An equation expresses a relationship that stays true for the unknown quantity. PERT preparation should connect a verbal condition to linear or quadratic equations, inequalities, literal formulas and simultaneous equations. The goal is to find values that satisfy every original condition, including units and denominator restrictions.
Study this question typeExpression questions test whether two forms of an expression mean the same thing. Work with signed numbers and fractions, exponents, substitution, distribution, polynomial arithmetic, factoring and rational expressions. A correct simplification keeps the original meaning, including values that make a denominator zero.
Study this question typeReading decisions must follow the complete passage. A summary covers the central development, evidence supports a particular assertion, and an inference follows from clues without adding an unsupported story. These distinctions matter in nonfiction, argument, narrative and comparisons between texts.
Study this question typeA writer uses wording, tone and organization to guide the reader. Identify what a sentence or paragraph does in the whole text, then interpret a word or relationship in that setting. A dictionary meaning or familiar transition is useful only when it fits the local evidence.
Study this question typeRevision improves a draft’s purpose, development and coherence. Read the paragraph or numbered passage before evaluating an addition, deletion, transition or reordered sentence. PERT Writing uses selected responses to examine writing decisions; it does not ask for a scored essay.
Study this question typeEditing protects the intended meaning through standard sentence structure, grammar, usage and punctuation. Identify the sentence’s clauses and grammatical roles before comparing alternatives. A fluent-sounding option can still attach a modifier to the wrong noun or change who performed an action.
Study this question typeIf you have taken a free PERT practice test, its results already show how many you got right in each question type. Start with the type where you missed the most, and read its guide before you practice it, so you are practicing a method and not repeating the same mistake.
Without a baseline, use these rules of thumb. In Math, start with expressions if negatives, fractions or exponents slow you down, because every algebra question depends on them. Move to algebra and models once those are steady. In Reading, start with evidence and inference, since locating proof in the passage is the skill both types share. In Writing, students who know grammar rules but lose points on drafts should start with revision; students unsure about commas, agreement or modifiers should start with editing.
When a question shows you a gap in a skill, not just a slip, go back to the lesson. Each explanation in the bank links to the matching lesson in the free PERT course, and the reference sheets for algebra, reading terms and grammar summarize the rules in one place.
Volume matters less than review. A set of 10 questions you check carefully teaches more than 40 you rush through. Answer each question as if you can’t change it, as on the real PERT, even when the set lets you go back. Then, after you submit, read the explanation for every miss and every guess, and write down one sentence about what you will do differently.
Practice one type until your misses come from new situations, not repeated ones, then mix types. The real test does not group questions by type, so finish with mixed sets and a full practice test. These are the habits that cost the most points in each subject:
Mistake: Math: stopping at the first number you find, such as the student count when the question asks for adults.
Better: Reread the last line of the question, then substitute your answer back into the original situation.
Why: Wrong choices often include the values you get partway through a correct solution.
Mistake: Reading: choosing the answer that sounds true or that you agree with.
Better: Point to the sentence in the passage that supports your choice before you select it.
Why: Wrong choices are often reasonable statements the passage never makes, or that go further than it does.
Mistake: Writing: picking the choice that sounds right when read alone.
Better: Read the choice inside the full sentence or draft and check what comes before and after it.
Why: Agreement, modifiers and transitions depend on the words around the underlined part.
These three questions come from the bank. Try each one before you read the walkthrough.
Math: expressions, polynomials and factoring · Medium · Factoring polynomials
Factor x² − 5x − 14.
Answer: A ((x − 7)(x + 2))
Why it works: The needed constants multiply to −14 and add to −5: −7 and 2. Hence (x − 7)(x + 2) is correct. Reversing both signs changes the middle coefficient to +5.
Reading: passage evidence and inference · Medium · Reading inference
Why might self-selection explain part of the fan room’s result?
Answer: B (Its participants could already have different study habits.)
Why it works: List and time were held equal; the passage identifies participant habits as a possible group difference.
Writing: grammar and sentence editing · Easier · Writing clauses punctuation
Which revision forms a complete grammatical sentence?
Answer: A (Although the road was wet, the driver continued slowly.)
Why it works: The dependent although clause needs an independent main clause. A comma separates the introductory dependent clause; a semicolon cannot join it as if independent.
Build a set below from the whole bank. Choose a subject (or all three), a difficulty level and a set size of 5, 10, 20, 40 or 100 questions. Changing the set number gives you a different selection with the same settings, so you can come back for fresh questions.
These sets work differently from the practice tests. You can move back and forth and flag questions to revisit, and you see the explanations after you submit the set. That makes them good for learning a type. The builder here mixes types; to practice one question type, open its guide above, which has its own practice set for that type. To rehearse the real rule of answering before you advance with no going back, take a full practice test instead. The same set builder is also on the question bank page.
PERT rules are set by Florida law and by each college. These are the pages this guide relies on; your testing center’s current instructions take priority.