- The FTCE GK (082) has four separate subtests: Essay (825), English Language Skills (826), Reading (827), and Mathematics (828).
- Fees are tiered by how many subtests you register for at once: $32.50 for one up to $130 for all four.
- You need a scaled score of at least 200 on each multiple-choice subtest plus 6 of 8 points on the essay rubric.
- Standard English Conventions makes up 50% of the ELS subtest - the single heaviest competency in the exam.
What the FTCE GK (082) Actually Is
The FTCE General Knowledge Test (082) is a Florida certification exam governed by the Florida Department of Education under State Board of Education Rule 6A-4.0021, F.A.C. It is developed and administered by Pearson Evaluation Systems (NES) and delivered by computer at test centers in Florida and nationwide. If you're asking "what is a FTCE GK (082)" for the first time, the short answer is that it's a general knowledge screening exam, not a subject-area teaching exam - it verifies that a candidate has the writing, language, reading, and mathematics competencies expected of someone entering an education career in Florida.
Unlike a single-sitting, single-score test, the FTCE GK (082) is really four independent subtests bundled under one credential. That structure matters for how you register, how you study, and how you pass - details covered in the FTCE GK (082) Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 11 Content Areas.
Who Requires It and Who Hires Around It
The FTCE GK (082) exists inside Florida's educator certification pipeline. There is no coursework prerequisite to sit for it - you can register and test without having completed a specific class. Florida also allows candidates to satisfy the general knowledge requirement through alternative routes: qualifying GRE, SAT, ACT, or CLT scores, or by holding a master's degree or higher. That flexibility means not everyone takes the full computer-based test; some candidates route around one or more subtests through these alternatives.
For everyone else, the exam is administered at Pearson-run computer-based test centers throughout Florida and nationwide, which makes it accessible to candidates who are out of state or completing certification requirements remotely from where their teacher preparation program is based.
Key Takeaway
If your teacher prep program or district hiring process references "general knowledge testing," they almost certainly mean this exam - confirm with your program advisor whether an alternative score route already satisfies the requirement before you register.
Exam Structure: Four Subtests, One Certification Path
The format is entirely computer-based and split into four subtests, each with its own timing and question count:
- Essay (825): One essay, 50 minutes.
- English Language Skills (826): Approximately 30 multiple-choice questions, 40 minutes.
- Reading (827): Approximately 30 multiple-choice questions, 55 minutes.
- Mathematics (828): Approximately 35 multiple-choice questions, 1 hour 40 minutes.
Every form may include unscored field-test questions mixed in with scored items - you won't be able to identify which is which, so every question deserves full attention. Candidates are not required to attempt all four subtests in one sitting. You can split them across any combination of appointments, though each appointment requires its own registration. If you do take all four subtests in a single session, you earn a 15-minute break partway through.
| Subtest | Code | Format | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 825 | One essay | 50 minutes |
| English Language Skills | 826 | ~30 multiple-choice | 40 minutes |
| Reading | 827 | ~30 multiple-choice | 55 minutes |
| Mathematics | 828 | ~35 multiple-choice | 1 hour 40 minutes |
For a deeper breakdown of how difficult each of these feels in practice, see How Hard Is the FTCE GK (082) Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026.
What Each Domain Actually Tests
Across the four subtests, the FTCE GK (082) is organized into 11 scored domains. Knowing the weight of each domain tells you exactly where to spend your study hours.
Domain 1 - Essay Subtest: Knowledge of Formal College-Level Writing (100%)
The entire essay subtest is one domain: producing a coherent, well-organized, formal piece of writing in response to a prompt within 50 minutes.
- Clear thesis and logical paragraph structure
- Command of formal register and mechanics under time pressure
Domain 4 - English Language Skills: Standard English Conventions (50%)
This is the single heaviest competency in the entire exam. Half of the ELS subtest tests grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and usage conventions.
- Subject-verb agreement, pronoun reference, modifier placement
- Punctuation rules across complex and compound sentences
Domains 2-3 - Language Structure and Vocabulary Application (25% each)
The remaining half of the ELS subtest splits evenly between sentence-level structure skills and applying vocabulary in context.
- Recognizing effective sentence combining and revision choices
- Selecting words that fit tone, register, and precise meaning
Domains 5-7 - Reading Subtest
Reading is entirely passage based, with roughly five expository and narrative passages per form. Key Ideas and Details carries the largest share at 40%, followed by Integration of Information and Ideas at 35%, and Text Structure and Meaning at 25%.
- Summarizing main ideas and supporting details across varied passage types
- Comparing or synthesizing information presented across a passage
Domains 8-11 - Mathematics Subtest
Probability, Statistics, and Data Interpretation carries the largest share of the Mathematics subtest at 33%, followed by Algebraic Thinking and the Coordinate Plane at 29%, Geometry and Measurement at 21%, and Number Sense, Concepts, and Operations at 17%.
- Interpreting graphs, data sets, and probability scenarios
- Working with a mathematics reference sheet and the on-screen four-function calculator provided at the center - personal calculators are prohibited
The full weighting and question-style breakdown for all 11 domains is mapped out in detail in the FTCE GK (082) Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 11 Content Areas.
Registration, Fees, and Scheduling Mechanics
Fees are tiered by how many subtests you register for in a single appointment: $32.50 for one, $65 for two, $97.50 for three, and $130 for all four. Retakes are charged at the same rates, and there's no cap on how many times you can attempt a subtest. If you fail one, you must wait 31 calendar days before retaking it. If you pass a subtest, you cannot retake it for three years - a rule worth remembering if you're weighing whether to retake a passed subtest to try to boost a score.
Because subtests can be split across appointments, candidates often register for the ones they feel strongest on first, then schedule the harder subtests separately once they've had more preparation time. A full cost breakdown, including how tiering changes the per-subtest price, is available in FTCE GK (082) Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown, and testing windows and appointment planning are covered in FTCE GK (082) Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling.
How Passing Works
Passing the FTCE GK (082) requires a scaled score of at least 200 on each of the three multiple-choice subtests - English Language Skills, Reading, and Mathematics - plus at least 6 of 8 points on the current essay rubric. That rubric replaced a previous 8-of-12 scale, so if you're using older materials, double-check they reflect the current 8-point rubric.
All four subtests must eventually be passed, but you only retake the ones you fail - passing three out of four on your first attempt just means one more registration, not a full retest. Pass/non-pass status is typically shown immediately after testing, with full score reports released within four weeks. If you want to challenge or confirm a score, verification costs $75.
The exact scoring mechanics, including how the essay rubric point values map to pass/fail outcomes, are explained further in FTCE GK (082) Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass. If you want to see how outcomes tend to distribute across the four subtests, review FTCE GK (082) Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows.
Key Takeaway
Because passed subtests lock in for three years and failed subtests only need a 31-day wait, plan your registration order around your weakest subtest first - you have the most flexibility to retake it without pressure.
Preparing for Each Subtest
Effective preparation for the FTCE GK (082) means treating each subtest as its own study project rather than one undifferentiated "test." A candidate strong in reading comprehension but shaky on Standard English Conventions should not spend equal hours on both - spend more time where the domain weight is highest and your accuracy is lowest.
English Language Skills (826)
- Drill Standard English Conventions questions since they represent 50% of this subtest
- Split remaining time between Language Structure and Vocabulary Application items
Reading (827)
- Practice with expository and narrative passages, mirroring the roughly five-passage format per form
- Prioritize Key Ideas and Details, the heaviest reading domain at 40%
Mathematics (828)
- Work Probability, Statistics, and Data Interpretation problems first since they carry 33% weight
- Practice with the provided reference sheet and on-screen four-function calculator, not a personal calculator
Essay (825)
- Write timed 50-minute essays and score them against the 8-point rubric
- Focus on formal college-level structure since this domain is 100% of the subtest score
This sequencing is a starting point, not a rule - adjust it based on which subtests you've already registered for. For a fuller walkthrough of study techniques mapped to each domain weight, see the FTCE GK (082) Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt, and for a compact review before test day, the FTCE GK (082) Cheat Sheet 2026: One-Page Review of Must-Know Facts condenses the highest-weight domains into one page.
You can also build test-day comfort with timed, subtest-specific practice on the main practice test site, which lets you rehearse the multiple-choice pacing for English Language Skills, Reading, and Mathematics before your actual appointment. Running full-length practice sets on the practice platform is especially useful for the Mathematics subtest given its 1 hour 40 minute length and reliance on the on-screen calculator.
If you're still deciding whether investing this preparation time is worthwhile relative to your certification timeline, Is the FTCE GK (082) Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 and FTCE GK (082) Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify walk through eligibility routes, including the GRE/SAT/ACT/CLT and advanced-degree alternatives, in more depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Candidates are not required to take all four subtests in a single appointment. You can split Essay (825), English Language Skills (826), Reading (827), and Mathematics (828) across any combination of appointments, though each requires its own registration and fee.
You need a scaled score of at least 200 on each of the three multiple-choice subtests (English Language Skills, Reading, Mathematics) and at least 6 of 8 points on the current essay rubric for the Essay subtest.
No. Personal calculators are prohibited. A mathematics reference sheet and an on-screen four-function calculator are provided during the Mathematics (828) subtest.
Retakes require a 31-calendar-day wait, and there is no cap on the number of attempts. However, once you pass a subtest, you cannot retake it for three years.
No. There is no coursework prerequisite to sit for the exam. Florida also allows the general knowledge requirement to be met through qualifying GRE, SAT, ACT, or CLT scores, or through a master's or higher degree, as alternatives to the computer-based test.