An Overview of the TABE Test

The Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) is a standardized test published by CTB/McGraw Hill. The most current form of the TABE is the 9/10, however, the older 7/8 form is still used. There are two tests in each form and are designed to be a pre-test and post-test to be able to evaluate increased scores.

There are five levels to the TABE. The Limited Literacy level is usually given to students whose primary language is not English and they have a limited understanding of written English. The other levels are easy (E), medium (M), difficult (D) and advanced (A.) The D and A levels will predict how the student will perform on the GED test.

The initial part of the TABE test is to give a locator test that will help to determine which level of the TABE will be given to that student. The locator has 5 subsections each taking between 5 and 12 minutes each. The student’s score on the locator will determine which level will be given for each subject. It is possible for a student to have more than one level test administered.

Depending on ability, a student may take a different level test for most of the subtests. The two math tests need to be administered on the same level and the three optional tests (spelling, vocabulary and language mechanics) need to be on the same level as the language test. However, the reading, math and language tests can all be on different levels.

Once the locator is completed, the student will start testing with the different subtests. The subtests are: Reading comprehension, math comprehension, math application, and language. In addition the newest forms of the TABE (9/10) contain optional tests for spelling, vocabulary and language mechanics.

All the levels will have the subtests taking the same length of time. This allows one test administrator to test students on multiple levels at one time. Many times a testing group will contain multiple levels of tests all being given at the same time. It typically takes 3 to 4 hours to complete all sections of the TABE test.

All the questions on the TABE test are multiple choice and are usually answered on an answer sheet where the student will darken a circle corresponding to the correct answer. The first test is for reading comprehension and includes 50 questions and the student is allowed 50 minutes to complete the section. This includes the comprehension of fiction, non-fiction, drama and poetry plus the interpretation of diagrams, maps, charts, table and labels.

The second test is math comprehension with 40 questions to be answered in 25 minutes. This test will assess the student’s ability in all the mathematical operations, fractions, percents, integers and use of decimals. All the problems are calculation problems and must be completed without a calculator. The third test is math applications and includes many word problems, graphs, charts and problem solving questions. The student may use a calculator to answer these questions. This section has 50 questions and the student has 50 minutes to complete it.

The fourth test is the language test with 55 questions and the student has 55 minutes to complete the questions. This test includes grammar, sentence structure, paragraph development and understanding some basic writing concepts.

Many of the TABE tests will end after the four main subtests, however, the test administrator may decide to continue with the three optional tests.

Language mechanics focuses on the correct usage of punctuation, sentence structure, subject and verb agreement, use of pronouns and adjectives, plus the use of phrases and clauses in sentences. There will be some editing and proofreading questions. There are 20 questions to be completed in 14 minutes.

The vocabulary test measures the student’s ability to identify the meaning of words and based on context to select the correct meaning for multiple meaning words. The student will have 15 minutes to complete the 20 questions.

The spelling test has the student look at various spellings of words and choose the correct one based on the word use. The student will have 10 minutes to answer 20 questions.

Once the student has completed the test, the administrator either scores the test by hand or sends it to be scored by a computer.

Most GED programs will administer the TABE test to determine a student’s weak points and identify the skills that students need to work to improve. Once the TABE scores reach a specific level, then the GED student can either take a practice GED test or take the actual GED test.