FREE FCLE Practice Test 2025 Official Study Guide [PDF]

Last Updated on March 25, 2025

FCLE Practice Test 2025 with Free Study Guide [UPDATED] Prepare for the Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE) with our updated 2024 practice test and study guide. Try our free online review questions and answers to enhance your understanding and test-taking skills.

In addition, you can download the FCLE practice test and study guide in a printable PDF format for convenient offline study. Use these resources to ensure you are well-prepared for the FCLE and increase your chances of success.

The Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE) is a computer-based assessment that measures students’ civic literacy knowledge. In 2021, legislation was passed that requires all students enrolled in a U.S. Government course in high school to take the assessment.

FREE FCLE Practice Test 2025

The purpose of the FCLE Practice Test with Study Guide is to orient faculty and students to the types of questions on the Florida Civic Literacy Examination. The sample questions and answers are not intended to demonstrate the length of the actual test; however, each of the four outcomes assessed on the FCLE Practice Test is represented in the same proportion on the sample test as on the actual test (approximately 25% each).

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FCLE Practice Test

FCLE Practice Test
Total Items: 25
Topics: constitutional, historical, and civic topics, continuing

1) Use the excerpt below from a historical document to answer the question that follows.

“. . . to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed. . . .”

Which principle of government is described in this excerpt from the Declaration of Independence?

2) Which event led to the passage of the 26th Amendment, lowering the voting age to 18 nationwide?

3) Which situation would most likely violate the principle of due process as outlined in the Fourteenth Amendment?

4) In the United States, the concept of “judicial review” allows federal courts to do which of the following?

5) Which of the following best describes the function of the Florida Legislature within the scope of federalism?

6) A suspect in a felony case remains in jail without being charged formally and is denied a hearing. Which legal remedy in the U.S. would address this situation?

7) A public university restricts certain groups from organizing on campus based solely on their peaceful political speech. Which constitutional principle is potentially violated by this restriction?

8) During the Constitutional Convention, smaller states favored the New Jersey Plan because it advocated which principle?

9) Which aspect of the U.S. governmental structure best reflects the Founders’ fear of centralized power?

10) Use the scenario below to answer the question that follows.

A local newspaper publishes critical articles about a new city policy. The mayor threatens to shut down the newspaper unless they cease negative coverage.

Which First Amendment freedom is most directly challenged by the mayor’s threat?

11) In Marbury v. Madison (1803), the U.S. Supreme Court established which precedent?

12) Which of the following expansions of voting rights occurred through a constitutional amendment rather than ordinary legislation?

13) Use the passage below, from a mid-19th-century abolitionist document, to answer the question that follows.

“We hold that all individuals, regardless of descent, are entitled to the same unalienable rights.”

Which previously published document most strongly influenced this argument against slavery in the United States?

14) Which statement best explains the concept of the “social contract,” as found in the writings of Enlightenment philosophers such as John Locke?

15) In the United States, how can Congress override a presidential veto?

16) Which of the following principles was introduced to protect individual freedoms from excessive government control at the federal level?

17) Which of the following is an example of a civic responsibility rather than a legal obligation of citizens in a democracy?

18) Which of the following best illustrates the principle of “separation of powers” in the U.S. Constitution?

19) Use the scenario below to answer the question that follows.

A news magazine publishes an article alleging wrongdoing by a government official. The official sues for libel, claiming reputational harm.

Which legal principle must the official generally prove to succeed in a U.S. court?

20) A state legislature enacts a policy that conflicts with a pre-existing federal law on environmental standards. Which constitutional principle determines the resolution of this legal dispute?

21) When the Fourth Amendment protects citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures, which fundamental concept is it safeguarding?

22) Use the excerpt below from the Declaration of Independence to answer the question that follows.

“For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury…”

Which constitutional right in the Bill of Rights was influenced by this colonial grievance?

23) Under the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which power is typically reserved to the states?

24) Under the U.S. Constitution, which of these powers is uniquely reserved for the Senate?

25) Which statement best explains the rationale behind the establishment of three branches of government in the U.S. Constitution?

Your score is

 Chapter Wise Tests 
  1. Understanding the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights
  2. Founding Documents
  3. Landmark Decisions
  4. Principles of Democracy
 Free Online Practice Tests 

NOTE: Student performance on the sample test should not be used as a predictor of performance on the actual test, and the sample test is not intended to guide classroom instruction.

FCLE Practice Test 2024 with Free Study Guide [UPDATED]

FCLE Exam 2025

Undergraduate students must complete the State of Florida’s Civic Literacy requirement before receiving their bachelor’s degree. Depending on when a student first enters a Florida public college or university. The test includes 80 multiple-choice and four sections with 20 questions in each section (American Democracy, United States Constitution, Founding Documents, and Landmark Impact on Law and Society).

Test Name Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE)
Administered by Florida Department of Education
Conducted by Florida public college or university
Total Items 80 Items
Question Type Multiple-Choice
Time Limit Untimed
Exam Fee None
Minimum Passing Marks 60%
Test Mode Online CBT/ Remotely Online

A 60 % is needed to pass the exam, which equals 48 correct questions out of 80 total questions. The FCLE is untimed and takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete. Retesting requires a 30-day waiting period.

Exam Content

American Democracy (20 questions): Understanding the basic principles and practices of American democracy and how they are applied in our republican form of government.

U.S. Constitution (20 questions): Understanding the United States Constitution and its application.

Founding Documents (20 questions): Knowledge of the founding documents and how they have shaped the nature and functions of our institutions of self-government.

Landmark Impact on Law & Society (20 questions): Understand the impact of landmark Supreme Court cases, legislation, and executive actions on law and society.

Content Details

Competency One:

  • Understanding the basic principles and practices of American democracy and how they are applied in our republican form of government Students should be able to identify, explain, interpret, and apply the principles and practices of American democracy and the republican form of government.

Competency Two:

  • Understanding of the United States Constitution and its application Students should be able to identify its articles, amendments, and structures. This includes the Constitution’s principles and how they apply to various aspects of government and life.

Competency Three:

  • Knowledge of the founding documents and how they have shaped the nature and functions of our institutions of self-government. Students should be able to recall, identify, and explain documents from the founding era (1776-1791). They should also be able to identify the influences of earlier documents on the founding of the United States and conceptions of government within a provided context. Most documents are covered by the state K-12 civics and U.S. government benchmarks.

Competency Four:

  • Understanding of landmark Supreme Court cases, legislation, and executive actions and their impact on law and society Students should be able to recall, identify, and explain landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases, legislation, and executive actions and their impact on law and society. Most landmark cases, legislation, and executive actions are drawn from Florida’s K-12 civics, U.S. government, and U.S. history course content.
  • Landmark cases that students should know, as identified primarily in the Florida K-12 civics, U.S. government, or U.S. history benchmarks, involve the expansion or restriction of civil rights and liberties, the power of the federal government (including the various and specific powers and authority of the different branches), and how the U.S. Supreme Court has interpreted clauses of the U.S. Constitution. Be sure to consider the impact of selective incorporation (a principle students should know for Competency Two) within the context of federalism, as well as sources and types of law. Most cases will have appeared in the 7th grade civics, 9-12th grade U.S. government, or 8th grade and 9th-12th grade U.S. history course content.

Scoring

You will know if you have passed the exam within 15 to 30 minutes of completing it. If the exam was taken at a DSC testing location, test results will appear within your Falcon Self-Service portal within 24 hours.

FCLE Study Guide [PDF]

CPALMS is introduced as one place to access supplemental resources, but it is not intended to be an exhaustive source. CPALMS is an online toolbox of information, vetted resources, and interactive tools that help educators effectively implement teaching standards. It is the State of Florida’s official source for standards information and course descriptions. Links have been provided to the CPALMS resources where they are available. In some instances, additional hyperlinks from the National Archives, United States government and Florida government websites, and www.oyez.org have been included.