Ninth graders in the sunshine state will have to study harder if they want to graduate.

On a conference call friday morning, the florida department of education said more than 58,000 ninth graders failed the end of course algebra exam.

That's more than half of the students that took the test.

This is the first time ever ninth graders have had to pass the test in order to graduate. 

It's part of the state's efforts to set higher standards and to phase out the FCAT.

By 2015, students will also have to pass tests in geometry and biology to get their degree.

Students who opt out of summer school algebra, can take the course online or wait till next year. 

but waiting means they risk falling even further behind.

To see how your county did, click here