About the Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE)
The FCLE is Florida's civic literacy assessment. Here is what it covers, how it is scored, and who has to take it. Rules can change, so confirm the details with your school, testing center, or the Florida Department of Education.
The exam at a glance
| Format | Computer-based, multiple choice |
|---|---|
| Length | 80 questions |
| Passing score | 60% (48 of 80 correct) |
| Content | Four civic literacy competencies (below) |
| Time | One 160-minute session in one day, according to FLDOE's 2026–27 K–12 FCLE fact sheet. Students who have not finished in 160 minutes may continue working up to half a typical school day. College testing sites may set their own rules, so confirm with yours. (FLDOE fact sheet, PDF) |
The four competencies
FLDOE says the FCLE measures understanding of:
- The basic principles and practices of American democracy and how they are applied in our republican form of government.
- The United States Constitution and its application.
- The founding documents and how they have shaped the nature and functions of our institutions of self-government.
- Landmark Supreme Court cases, landmark legislation, and landmark executive actions and their impact on law and society.
Who takes the FCLE?
High school students: Since a 2021 law, Florida students enrolled in a high school U.S. Government course take the FCLE (s. 1003.4282(3)(d), F.S.).
College and university students: Under s. 1007.25, F.S., students first entering a Florida College System or State University System institution in 2021–22 or later must complete a civic literacy course and an assessment. Students who passed the civic literacy assessment in high school are exempt from the postsecondary assessment requirement, and credit earned through approved acceleration mechanisms can count. Your college can tell you exactly which options apply to you.
How to prepare
- Take a 20-question diagnostic.
- Read the study guide chapters for the areas you missed.
- Work through the learning path topic quizzes and milestone tests.
- Take realistic 80-question exams (timed, with no feedback until the end) until you score well above 60% every time.
- Look over FLDOE's official sample items (linked below) to see the question style.
Official sources
- FLDOE: Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE), with the fact sheet, the Supplemental Guide, and official sample items
- FLDOE: Postsecondary Civic Literacy
- FLDOE: Civic Literacy FAQ (PDF)
FCLE Practice is not affiliated with FLDOE. Our questions are original practice items, not actual test questions.