FTCE ENG 013 Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass

Governing Authority: FTCE ENG 013 is governed by the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Postsecondary Assessment, under Rule 6A-4.0021 F.A.C. and Section 1012.56, Florida Statutes. Pearson's Evaluation Systems group develops and delivers the exam via computer-based testing, Monday through Saturday, at Pearson VUE locations.

How the Multiple-Choice Section Is Scored

The multiple-choice passing threshold is a scaled score of at least 200. Scaled scores are not the same as raw percent-correct - Pearson equates each test form so that scores are comparable across different forms and administration dates, even though the actual questions vary from one test session to the next.

That equating process is exactly why FDOE publishes a maximum correct-answer benchmark rather than a fixed one. As of the February 2, 2026 update, FDOE states that 67 percent is the highest percentage of correct answers a candidate would ever need to pass a given form. Harder equated forms require fewer correct answers to reach the same scaled score of 200; easier forms may require closer to that 67 percent ceiling. In practical terms: don't obsess over hitting an exact raw number on practice tests. Focus on mastering the content across all seven multiple-choice domains, because the scaling system already accounts for form difficulty on your behalf.

For a full breakdown of every competency and how heavily each one is tested, see the FTCE ENG 013 Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 8 Content Areas.

The Written Performance Rubric: 5 Out of 8 Explained

The Written Performance Section is scored holistically by two independent raters, each assigning a score from 1 to 4 based on how well your essay evaluates a student's written analysis of a literary text (Domain 8). Their two scores are combined for a total out of 8 points, and you need at least 5 to pass.

This 5-out-of-8 standard took effect January 1, 2025, replacing a previous 8-out-of-12 rubric. If you studied older prep materials referencing a 12-point scale, discard that scoring framework - it no longer applies. Under the current 1-to-4-per-rater system, a passing essay generally needs to land solidly in the "3" range from both raters, or a "4" from one rater balancing a "2" from the other.

Because the written task is entirely about evaluating student writing rather than producing your own literary essay, it rewards a very specific skill set. If you're unsure how this differs from what you might expect, the FTCE ENG 013 Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt walks through sample prompt structures and response strategies in more depth.

Why the Two Sections Are Scored Independently

Since January 1, 2015, the Multiple-Choice Section and Written Performance Section have been administered, scored, and reported independently. This is one of the most important mechanical facts to understand before you register, because it directly affects how you plan retakes and manage the exam fee.

• If you pass the multiple-choice section but fail the essay, you only retake the Written Performance Section.
• If you pass the essay but fall short on multiple-choice, you only retake that section.
• The full exam fee is $150 for both sections; a single-section retake costs $75 - the same price whether it's your first attempt at that section or a retake.

This independent scoring model rewards candidates who realistically assess their weaker section and concentrate retake preparation there, rather than re-studying material they've already demonstrated mastery of. For a deeper look at how these numbers play out across real candidates, see the FTCE ENG 013 Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows.

Domain Weights and Where Your Points Come From

Every scored multiple-choice point comes from one of seven weighted competencies. Knowing the weights lets you allocate study time proportionally instead of spreading effort evenly across topics that don't count equally toward your scaled score.

Domain	Weight
Domain 1: Effective use of the English language at the postsecondary level	15%
Domain 2: Communication skills, techniques, and processes	18%
Domain 3: Literacy processes and instructional practices	15%
Domain 4: Wide range of literary and informational texts	17%
Domain 5: Listening, viewing, speaking, and presenting techniques	10%
Domain 6: Pedagogical content for teaching English language arts	15%
Domain 7: Assessments and use of assessment data	10%
Domain 8: Evaluate a student's written analysis of a literary text	100% of Written Performance Section

Domains 2 and 4 together account for 35 percent of the multiple-choice score - more than a third of the entire section. Domains 5 and 7, by contrast, are each weighted at only 10 percent. That doesn't mean you can skip them, since a scaled score of 200 requires broad competency, but it does mean your marginal hour of study time returns more value when spent on Domains 2 and 4 than on the lighter-weighted areas, all else equal.

If you want a section-by-section breakdown of testable content within each competency, the FTCE ENG 013 Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 8 Content Areas is the more detailed companion resource to this article.

Retake Windows, Fees, and Score Validity

The passing score doesn't disappear once you've earned it - but the retake rules around it are strict and worth memorizing before you schedule anything.

• Failed section: you may retake it after 31 calendar days.
• Passed section: you may not retake it for three years.
• Violating either window invalidates the new score, and no report is issued for that attempt.
• There is no prerequisite, no eligibility screening, and no cap on total attempts - anyone can register for FTCE ENG 013.
• A passing score is accepted for certification applications submitted within 10 years of the test date, and your score report remains accessible in your candidate account for 5 years.

For a full accounting of what the exam costs across scenarios - including waivers, retakes, and single-section pricing - see the FTCE ENG 013 Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown. If you're still confirming basic eligibility before you register, the FTCE ENG 013 Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify covers that ground.

When and How You'll See Your Score

Multiple-choice results appear at the test center immediately after your session, with a comprehensive score report following roughly two weeks later. Written performance essay scores take longer because two raters must independently score each response - expect approximately four weeks after your test date before that score posts.

This timing gap matters for planning: if you sit for both sections on the same day and fail one, your 31-day retake clock for that section starts from the test date, not from when the score report arrives, so you can often begin re-preparing before you officially know your written performance result.

You can browse available testing dates and locations directly through the FTCE ENG 013 practice test platform, which also lets you gauge your current readiness against realistic question formats before you commit to a registration date. If you're deciding between multiple upcoming windows, the FTCE ENG 013 Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling lays out the scheduling mechanics in detail.

Building a Score-Focused Study Schedule

Generic study techniques only help when they're mapped onto FTCE ENG 013's actual weight distribution. A simple way to sequence preparation: spend early weeks on Domains 2 and 4 since they carry the most multiple-choice weight, then rotate into Domains 1, 3, and 6, and reserve dedicated time for Domain 8 essay practice separately from multiple-choice review - the essay is a distinct skill, not a byproduct of studying literature content.

Use spaced review sessions for vocabulary-heavy competencies and reserve full-length timed practice for the final two weeks so your pacing matches actual exam conditions. For anyone still calibrating how much total prep time this exam realistically demands, How Hard Is the FTCE ENG 013 Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026 breaks down the difficulty factors section by section, and a full-length practice exam is the fastest way to see where your current baseline stands against the 200-point threshold.

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