One way to increase a, FCAT writing score to a 5 is to take many practice tests. Usually the topic in the test is abstract and based on a well-known fact, current events or opinion. Students must know the style of writing asked for in the test, and be able to write the appropriate style of essay.
Taking practice tests and writing many different forms of essays will help increase the overall score that a child receives on the FCAT to a 5. Practice tests are available from the Florida Department of Education.
Pay attention to the tests to ensure you select the appropriate tests. Tests are available for Grades 4, 8 and 10. These are the only grades that offer a writing section on the test.
Reading skills are essential to performing well on the writing section of the FCAT. The test will ask students to write a particular style of paper on a specific topic. If the student has trouble comprehending the written instructions, he won't score highly on the written portion of the test. Intensive reading programs, such as Tunein to Reading, have been shown to increase a student's FCAT score, according to the University of South Florida.
In the FCAT, there is a section provided where students are expected to plan their outline and arguments for their written assignment. Without the correct structure and clear arguments, the writing sample will not score a 5 on the FCAT. Teaching students to construct a paper outline, along with clear and concise arguments will help increase a low score to the high score of 5. Students should also learn correct grammar and spelling to score highly on the test.
There is no set style of essay that's always on the FCAT. The test may have students write a persuasive paper, while on another test the student must write an informative essay. It's important for students to know the styles of essays and how to formulate each style. This will help students receive the high score of 5 on the FCAT writing test.