Florida · 2026-27 score reports
FAST Scores Explained:
Score Chart & Levels
Last reviewed against Florida Department of Education sources
Quick answer
What is a good FAST score?
Level 3 (On Grade Level) or higher. In ELA Reading, Level 3 starts at 201 in grade 3 and 238 in grade 8; in math, at 198 in grade 3 and 244 in grade 8. Level 4 is Proficient and Level 5 is Exemplary. PM1 and PM2 scores are for information only; PM3 in spring is the score that counts.
Source: FDOE: 2026–27 FAST 3–10 Fact Sheet, Table 1 (PDF) · Updated
Next step
Practice for FAST, grades 3 to 8
Practice tests built to Florida's FAST, with every answer explained. Pick a grade to see what is on it, or start practicing with an account.
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What does my child's score mean?
Type the 3-digit scale score from your child's FAST report. For Grade 3 ELA Reading, Level 3 (On Grade Level) starts at 201.
FAST score chart 2026-27
Scale score ranges for each achievement level on the B.E.S.T. scale. The highlighted column is Level 3, On Grade Level. The same ranges apply to PM1, PM2 and PM3.
| Grade | Level 1 Well Below | Level 2 Below | Level 3 On Grade Level | Level 4 Proficient | Level 5 Exemplary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 3 | 140–185 | 186–200 | 201–212 | 213–224 | 225–260 |
| Grade 4 | 154–198 | 199–212 | 213–223 | 224–236 | 237–270 |
| Grade 5 | 160–205 | 206–221 | 222–231 | 232–245 | 246–279 |
| Grade 6 | 161–208 | 209–224 | 225–236 | 237–249 | 250–284 |
| Grade 7 | 165–214 | 215–231 | 232–241 | 242–256 | 257–292 |
| Grade 8 | 169–219 | 220–237 | 238–250 | 251–261 | 262–300 |
| Grade | Level 1 Well Below | Level 2 Below | Level 3 On Grade Level | Level 4 Proficient | Level 5 Exemplary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 3 | 140–182 | 183–197 | 198–208 | 209–224 | 225–260 |
| Grade 4 | 155–199 | 200–210 | 211–220 | 221–237 | 238–273 |
| Grade 5 | 158–206 | 207–221 | 222–233 | 234–245 | 246–285 |
| Grade 6 | 168–212 | 213–228 | 229–238 | 239–253 | 254–287 |
| Grade 7 | 175–222 | 223–234 | 235–246 | 247–257 | 258–288 |
| Grade 8 | 183–226 | 227–243 | 244–253 | 254–262 | 263–291 |
Source: FDOE: B.E.S.T. Scale Score Ranges for Each Achievement Level on FAST Assessments (2026–27 fact sheet, Table 1).
The five achievement levels
Level 5: Exemplary
FDOE: highly likely to excel in the next grade.
Level 4: Proficient
FDOE: likely to excel in the next grade.
Level 3: On Grade Level
FDOE: may need additional support for the next grade. This is the target: Level 3 means on-grade-level performance.
Level 2: Below Grade Level
FDOE: likely to need substantial support for the next grade. For grade 3 ELA Reading on PM3, Level 2 is the minimum for promotion.
Level 1: Well Below Grade Level
FDOE: highly likely to need substantial support for the next grade. Common at PM1, when most of the year has not been taught yet.
Besides the scale score and level, the report shows how your child did in each reporting category and a percentile rank. The reporting categories are the quickest way to see which areas to work on.
PM1, PM2, PM3: why fall scores look low
FAST is given three times a year, and every test covers the whole year's standards. In the fall your child is tested on things the class has not reached yet, so a Level 1 or 2 at PM1 is common. FDOE says PM1 and PM2 results are for information only; PM3 is the score used for accountability.
| Test | PM1 (fall) | PM2 (winter) | PM3 (spring) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELA Reading, grades 3-10 | 39% | 49% | 61% |
| Math, grades 3-8 | 16% | 34% | 62% |
So the useful question at PM2 is not "is my child at Level 3 yet?" but "how far did the scale score move since PM1?" A score that has barely moved by winter is the one to talk to the teacher about.
When and where you see scores
Families see FAST results in the Family Portal; your school or district gives you the login. Each test is one session on one day: 90 minutes for ELA Reading at PM1 and PM2, 80 minutes for grades 3-5 math and 100 minutes for grades 6-8 math, a little longer at PM3.
Source: FDOE: 2026–27 Statewide Assessment Schedule
Source: Florida Statewide Assessments Portal: Students & Families
Getting ready for PM3
PM3 runs May 3 to 28, 2027. In grade 3, ELA Reading PM3 also decides promotion: Level 2 or higher (186+) is required unless a good cause exemption applies. Start with the reporting categories that came back weakest. Our FAST practice pages by grade:
Source: FDOE: 2026–27 FAST 3–10 Fact Sheet (grade 3 promotion)
More on the test itself: FAST prep for grades 3-8.
Questions parents ask
What is a good score on the FAST test?
Level 3 (On Grade Level) or higher. The Level 3 score depends on grade and subject: in ELA Reading it runs from 201 in grade 3 to 238 in grade 8, and in math from 198 in grade 3 to 244 in grade 8. Level 4 is Proficient and Level 5 is Exemplary. These are FDOE's 2026-27 ranges on the B.E.S.T. scale.
My child got Level 1 or 2 on PM1 or PM2. Is that a fail?
No. Every FAST test, even in the fall, is measured against the whole year's standards, so many children are below Level 3 until spring. FDOE says PM1 and PM2 results are for information only and should not be treated as achievement designations. In 2025-26, 39% of grades 3-10 students were at Level 3 or above in ELA Reading at PM1, 49% at PM2 and 61% at PM3. In grades 3-8 math it went from 16% to 34% to 62%.
Which FAST score counts?
PM3, the spring test. FDOE uses PM3 for school accountability and for the grade 3 promotion rule. PM1 (fall) is a baseline and PM2 (winter) is a mid-year check.
When is FAST PM2 in 2026-27?
For grades 3-8, PM2 runs November 30, 2026 to January 22, 2027. PM1 ran August 10 to September 25, 2026, and PM3 runs May 3 to May 28, 2027. Your school picks the exact days inside each window.
How fast do FAST scores come back?
FDOE reports FAST results within 24 hours of a student finishing the test. Families see results in the Family Portal; your school or district gives you the login. Each report shows the scale score, the achievement level, a percentile rank and performance in each reporting category.
What FAST score does a 3rd grader need to be promoted?
Level 2 or higher on the spring PM3 Grade 3 FAST ELA Reading test, which is 186 or more on the 2026-27 scale. A summer reading test is offered, and good cause exemptions exist for students who score Level 1. Ask the school about the options.
What is the highest FAST score?
It depends on grade and subject. The top of the scale is 260 for grade 3 (both subjects) and 300 for grade 8 ELA Reading, 291 for grade 8 math.
How long is each FAST test?
PM1 and PM2: 90 minutes for ELA Reading, 80 minutes for grades 3-5 math, 100 minutes for grades 6-8 math. PM3 is a little longer (120, 100 and 120 minutes) because it has field-test questions. Students still working at the end can have more time, up to the end of the school day.
My child is below Level 3. What should we do next?
Look at the reporting categories on the report: they show which broad areas cost the most points. Then work on the exact skills inside them. A full practice test built like FAST, such as iMasterly's, scores your child in each reporting category and explains every question, so you can practice before the next window. Your child's teacher can tell you what support the school offers.
Sources
Every number on this page comes from these Florida Department of Education documents. Last reviewed .