- FTCE GK has four subtests: Essay (825), English Language Skills (826), Reading (827), Mathematics (828).
- Pass with 8 of 12 points on the Essay and a scaled score of 200+ on each multiple-choice subtest.
- Fees run $32.50 per subtest up to $130 for all four; retakes cost the same per-subtest rate.
- Wait 31 calendar days between retake attempts; a passed subtest is locked for three years.
Quick Facts Snapshot
Before diving into content, anchor yourself in the mechanics. Florida Teacher Certification Examinations General Knowledge (FTCE GK) is owned by the Florida Department of Education under State Board of Education Rule 6A-4.0021, F.A.C. Test development runs through FLDOE-coordinated subject matter expert committees, while Pearson's Evaluation Systems group handles the registration portal, computer-based delivery, scoring, and customer service at test centers across Florida and nationwide, available by appointment year-round.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Governing body | Florida Department of Education, Rule 6A-4.0021, F.A.C. |
| Test administrator | Pearson Evaluation Systems |
| Number of subtests | 4 (Essay, ELS, Reading, Mathematics) |
| Full-battery testing time | 4 hours 5 minutes + 15-minute break |
| Passing score retention | 5 years |
For a deeper walkthrough of how each piece fits together, the FTCE GK Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 4 Content Areas breaks down every skill category subtest by subtest.
The Four Subtests at a Glance
Every FTCE GK candidate is measured across the same four subtests, each with its own code, format, and time limit. Memorize these numbers - they drive your scheduling decisions and your study order.
Domain 1: Essay Subtest (825)
One essay written in 50 minutes. There are no multiple-choice items on this subtest - your entire score comes from a single piece of extended writing scored holistically.
- Requires at least 8 of 12 points to pass
- Focuses on organization, development, and command of standard written English
- Practice writing under a strict 50-minute clock, not just editing polished drafts
Domain 2: English Language Skills (ELS) Subtest (826)
Approximately 30 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes. This subtest tests grammar, usage, sentence structure, and mechanics rather than reading comprehension.
- Roughly 80 seconds per question on average - pacing matters
- Expect sentence-correction and structure-identification style items
- Scaled score of 200 or higher required to pass
Domain 3: Reading Subtest (827)
Approximately 30 multiple-choice questions in 55 minutes, built around passage-based comprehension, inference, and analysis tasks.
- Longer time-per-question window than ELS because passages take time to read
- Tests main idea, argument evaluation, and textual evidence skills
- Also requires a scaled score of at least 200
Domain 4: Mathematics Subtest (828)
Approximately 35 multiple-choice questions in 1 hour 40 minutes - the longest and largest subtest of the four.
- A mathematics reference sheet and an on-screen four-function calculator are provided
- Personal calculators are prohibited, so practice with an on-screen tool beforehand
- Same 200-scaled-score passing threshold as ELS and Reading
If you're still deciding how much weight to give each subtest in your prep schedule, the FTCE GK Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt lays out a fuller strategy for sequencing your review around these four content areas.
Passing Score Cheat Sheet
Passing FTCE GK isn't about a single composite score - every one of the four subtests has its own bar, and you must clear all four independently.
- Essay: at least 8 out of 12 points
- English Language Skills: scaled score of at least 200
- Reading: scaled score of at least 200
- Mathematics: scaled score of at least 200
Multiple-choice-only subtests typically return on-site unofficial results the same day, while official reports with competency-level breakdowns arrive within four weeks. That delay matters if you're timing certification paperwork around a hiring deadline. For a full explanation of how scaled scores are calculated and what "200" actually represents, see FTCE GK Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass.
Key Takeaway
Track your competency-level breakdown on the official report closely - even a passing subtest score can reveal weak sub-areas worth reviewing if you plan to retake a different subtest later.
Fees, Registration & Retake Rules
FTCE GK pricing is structured per subtest, which means you can spread the cost - and the testing burden - across multiple appointments instead of tackling everything in one sitting.
| Registration Option | Fee |
|---|---|
| One subtest | $32.50 |
| Two subtests | $65.00 |
| Three subtests | $97.50 |
| All four subtests | $130.00 |
Retakes are billed at the same per-subtest rate, so there's no separate "retake fee" penalty - you simply pay for whichever subtest you're attempting again. Candidates can split subtests across any combination of appointments and only need to retake the subtests they didn't pass. There's a mandatory wait of 31 calendar days between attempts on the same subtest, with no cap on total attempts. However, once you've passed a subtest, you cannot retake it for three years, and passing scores remain valid for five years. For a line-by-line cost comparison across scheduling scenarios, check FTCE GK Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown.
Testing appointments are available year-round rather than on fixed windows, so plan your timeline around your own readiness instead of a testing calendar. For appointment logistics and lead times, see FTCE GK Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling.
Test Day Logistics
Knowing the room mechanics ahead of time removes one more variable on exam day.
- All subtests are computer-based and delivered at Pearson test centers throughout Florida and nationwide.
- A mathematics reference sheet is provided on-screen during the Mathematics subtest - no need to memorize every formula.
- An on-screen four-function calculator is built into the testing software; personal calculators of any kind are prohibited.
- If you take all four subtests in one sitting, total testing time is 4 hours 5 minutes plus a 15-minute break.
- Unscored pilot items may be mixed into multiple-choice subtests but never count against your score.
Because the calculator and reference sheet are the only tools you'll have, practice math problems using an on-screen four-function calculator rather than a physical one, so the interface itself isn't a surprise. If you're still weighing how demanding the exam feels compared to other certification tests, How Hard Is the FTCE GK Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026 covers that in more depth, and FTCE GK Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows reviews the available scoring data.
Alternative Pathways to Skip the Test
Not every candidate has to sit for all four subtests. Specified GRE, SAT, ACT, or CLT scores, or a master's degree or higher, may satisfy the general knowledge requirement in place of taking the exam. This matters for planning purposes: if you already hold qualifying scores or an advanced degree, you may be able to bypass registration fees and testing time entirely.
For the complete rundown of who qualifies for the exam-exemption route versus who needs to test, see FTCE GK Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify. It's also worth reviewing what certification actually unlocks career-wise before deciding your path - the practice tests at our main practice test hub can help you gauge readiness either way.
One-Page Review Timeline
If you're building a short review sprint rather than a long study plan, allocate each week to one subtest based on its format and demands, then use a final week for full-length timed practice.
English Language Skills (826)
- Drill grammar, usage, and sentence-structure item types
- Practice at roughly 80 seconds per question to build pacing instincts
Reading (827)
- Work timed passage sets to match the 55-minute window
- Focus on inference and evidence-based questions, not just literal recall
Mathematics (828)
- Practice exclusively with an on-screen four-function calculator
- Review the reference sheet contents so you know what's already given
Essay (825) + Full Review
- Write timed practice essays within the 50-minute limit
- Take a full practice run on the main FTCE GK practice test site to simulate the full 4-hour-5-minute session
This structure works because it matches each week's cognitive load to the subtest's actual format - grammar drills for ELS, timed passages for Reading, calculator practice for Mathematics, and writing stamina for the Essay. If you want a longer-horizon plan instead of a four-week sprint, the full study guide extends this same domain-by-domain logic across a multi-week calendar.
Key Takeaway
Never study all four subtests generically at once - each has a distinct format (essay, grammar, comprehension, calculation), so your practice method should shift subtest by subtest.
FAQ
Four: the Essay Subtest (825), English Language Skills Subtest (826), Reading Subtest (827), and Mathematics Subtest (828). All four must be passed to satisfy the general knowledge requirement.
You need at least 8 of 12 points on the Essay and a scaled score of at least 200 on each of the three multiple-choice subtests: English Language Skills, Reading, and Mathematics.
Yes. You only retake the subtests you didn't pass, subject to a 31-calendar-day wait between attempts. There's no cap on total attempts, but a passed subtest can't be retaken for three years.
Registering for all four subtests together costs $130. Individual pricing is $32.50 for one, $65 for two, and $97.50 for three, with retakes billed at the same per-subtest rate.
No. Personal calculators are prohibited. Instead, an on-screen four-function calculator and a mathematics reference sheet are provided during the test.
Yes. Specified GRE, SAT, ACT, or CLT scores, or a master's degree or higher, may satisfy the requirement without taking the exam. Check the specific thresholds before registering for any subtest.