Preparing for an FCLE
Sample Test
Users can become familiar with the functionality and item types that they will encounter in the Test Delivery System. Please use the instructions below to help navigate to a sample test session.
- Download the FCLE Secure Browser
- Click "Switch to Sample Items Site"
- Click the "Continue as Guest" button
- Click the "Continue in a Guest Session" button
- For "Student Grade Level" select "30" from the drop-down menu
- Select "Sample Items"
- Scroll down and click "Start FCLE Sample Items"
- Choose your settings
- Click the "Select" button
- Click the "Begin Test Now" button
Please complete these steps well in advance of your scheduled exam time. Resolving technical issues can take longer than expected, and last-minute delays may result in forfeiture of your exam.
Technology Requirements for FCLE Remote Testing
- Most modern desktops or laptops running Windows, macOS, Ubuntu, Fedora, or Chrome OS. Mobile devices such as iPads are also supported.
- How to confirm your Internet Connection
- Ensure your device is running a supported operating system
- Check your internet connection and device setup prior to testing.
- You must have a functioning camera and microphone to test.
If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to get in touch with us. You can send an email to virtualexams @fiu.edu.
FCLE Remote Testing with International Students
If you are taking the exam in the United States, the following section does not apply to you. If you plan to take the FCLE Remote exam from a location that is not the United States, you must provide FIU's Testing Center with your device's public IP address. Please use https://www.whatismyip.com/ to find your IP address. Ensure it is IPv4, not IPv6. Then, email your name, Panther ID, country from which you will be testing, and your test computer's public IP address to virtualexams@fiu.eduat least 2-3 business days (Monday through Friday) before your exam date.
FCLE Review Materials
Student performance on the sample test should not be used as a predictor of performance on the actual test, and neither the sample test nor the supplemental guide should be used to guide classroom instruction.
Additional Civic Literacy Resources:
On Test Day
- You must be available on the day and time of the scheduled appointment to take the test.
- Your testing space must be quiet and free of distractions.
- Clear your desk of all books, papers, notes, and food items.
- Cell phones, smartwatches, headphones, and other electronics are not permitted.
- You will be asked to perform a 360-degree room scan before your exam begins.
- The exam will begin once check-in has been completed. Excessively late arrivals may not be allowed to test and may be required to request a new appointment.
- A valid, unexpired form of identification is required to be admitted for testing. Lack of proper identification at the time of check-in will result in denial of admission to the test session.
- Listed below are the acceptable forms of identification:
- Government-issued driver's license
- Government-issued photo identity cards
- U.S. Military ID
- Government Issued Passport or Passport Card
- Naturalization card
- Student ID
Register for an FCLE - Remote test
Appointments are required for testing. Click the registration button below to register and pay for your Florida Civic Literary Exam.
Remote Testing
Additional Information
- The FCLE has 80 multiple-choice questions. The test is divided into four sections each containing 20 questions (American Democracy, United States Constitution, Founding Documents, and Landmark Impact on Law and Society).
- The passing score is 48 out of 80 (60%).
- There is no time limit; however, the FCLE takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete.
- Scratch paper is only permitted if it's documented as a testing accommodation.
Where to View Your FCLE Test Status
You can check to see if your Civic Literacy Test Component has been satisfied by logging into your My FIU account. Please keep in mind that it may take up to 5 business days for your test status to appear.
Retaking the remote FCLE
A retake requires a 24-hour waiting period between exams (based on appointment availability).
IMPORTANT
- Read the following before testing:
- You must have a reliable internet connection, download and install the secure browser, and consent to video and audio recording. Additionally, you'll need to complete a pre-compatability computer test.
- Please make sure you are available at the scheduled date and time to take your test.
Getting ready to take the FCLE remote exam:
- You must be available on the day and time of the scheduled appointment to take the test.
- Lack of proper identification at the time of check-in will result in denial of admission to the test session.
- The exam will begin once check-in has been completed. Excessively late arrivals may not be allowed to test and may be required to request a new appointment.
- A valid, unexpired form of identification is required to be admitted for testing. Listed below are the acceptable forms of identification:
- Government-issued driver's license
- Government-issued photo identity cards
- U.S. Military ID
- Government Issued Passport or Passport Card
- Naturalization card
- Student ID
Background
In 2017, the Florida Legislature amended section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, and introduced a new civic literacy requirement for all students graduating from a Florida public postsecondary institution. Beginning in the fall of 2018, students entering a Florida public postsecondary institution for the first time needed to demonstrate civic literacy by either taking a specific course or passing an assessment. The 2021 Legislature amended section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, and required students to complete both a course and an assessment from the approved list in Regulation 8.006. During 2024, the Board of Governors revised Regulation 8.006 to better align with the corresponding State Board of Education rule and recognize two new courses meeting the Civic Literacy requirement, AMH 2010 and AMS 2010. As a result of these changes, four cohorts of students are currently matriculating through Florida public postsecondary institutions subject to varying civic literacy competency requirements. Table 1 below outlines the civic literacy requirements based on the specified date of the academic term in which a student initially entered a State University System (SUS) or Florida College System (FCS) institution.
Table 1: Civic Literacy Requirements by Cohort of Students| Students Included in Cohort | Civic Literacy Requirement |
|---|
Cohort 1
Students initially entering the SUS or FCS before fall 2018 | None |
Cohort 2
Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in Academic Year 2018 through Academic Year 2020* | Course OR Assessment |
Cohort 3
Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in Academic Year 2021 through Academic Year 2023* | Course AND Assessment |
Cohort 4
Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2024 and thereafter | Course AND Assessment |
*It is the university’s discretion to determine the academic year.
Additionally, for Cohorts 3 and 4, approved accelerated mechanisms may meet the course and/or assessment requirement, and students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Examination (FCLE) in high school are exempt from the postsecondary assessment requirement.
Meeting the Civic Literacy Requirement
All undergraduate degree-seeking students who enroll in a Florida public institution in fall 2018 and thereafter must demonstrate civic literacy competency. Table 2 details which options meet the course and assessment requirements for each cohort of students. Some options only satisfy the course or assessment requirement, while others may satisfy both.
Credit received for courses in Board of Governors Regulation 8.006 (AMHX010, AMHX020, and POSX041) via credit-by-exam will count toward the course requirement.
- If the exam used as the basis of awarding credit is in Regulation 8.006 (e.g., AP and CLEP), the student would be considered as having met both the civic literacy competency course and the assessment requirement.
- If the exam used as the basis of awarding credit is not in regulation (e.g., AICE and IB), the student would be considered as having met only the course requirement. These students would need to be assessed using an assessment approved in the regulation.
Beginning with fall term 2024 and thereafter, any undergraduate degree-seeking student, regardless of their cohort, can use any of the approved options for Cohort 4 to satisfy civic literacy competency before graduation.
Course and Assessment Options for Cohorts 2, 3, and 4| Options | Score | Cohort 2 | Cohort 3 | Cohort 4 |
|---|
| Courses & Accelerated Mechanisms |
| POS X041 (including dual enrollment) | Passing grade | Course | Course | Course |
| AMH X010 (including dual enrollment)* | Passing grade | Course* | Course* | Course* |
| AMH X020 (including dual enrollment) | Passing grade | Course | Course | Course |
| AMH X010 (including dual enrollment)** | Passing grade | Course** | Course** | Course** |
| Advanced Placement Government and Politics: United States | 3 | Course & Assessment | Course & Assessment | Course & Assessment |
| Advanced Placement United States History | 4 | Course & Assessment | Course & Assessment | Course & Assessment |
| Cambridge AICE History, U.S. History, c.1840-1990 (A-Level) | A-E | Course | Course | Course |
| I.B. History: History of the Americas | 5-7 | Course | Course | Course |
| Assessments |
| CLEP American Government | 50 | Course & Assessment | Course & Assessment | Course & Assessment |
| CLEP History of the United States I | 50 | Course & Assessment | Course & Assessment | Course & Assessment |
| CLEP History of the United States II | 50 | Course | Course | Course |
| U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Test-Civics (U.S. history and government) with supplemental questions | 60 | Assessment | Assessment | None |
| Florida Civic Literacy Examination (FCLE) | 60 | Assessment | Assessment | Assessment |
*If completed fall 2024 or after
**If completed spring 2025 or after
