Several schools and as well as colleges that provide certificates or degrees, usually utilize your TABE score to make sure you possess the knowledge to understand the level of teaching materials during classes. Similarly, adult learning areas also utilize the same TABE score to check your knowledge related to a particular course.

It is true – The TABE exam is quite similar to GED. However, it is remotely not as tricky as the GED test. In fact, several students use TABE study material to prepare for the GED. And as much as the TABE test sounds easier, you should never be content with an average preparation. And that’s because numerous colleges check your TABE test results to get an overview of your academic abilities.

The Purpose of the Test

Objectively, schools and colleges use the TABE test to check your academic readiness. Companies, for instance, also use TABE test results to finalize hiring procedures or create promotional strategies.

Is TABE Challenging?

When it comes to the TABE exam, the degree of difficulty depends on the shoulders of the student. It means you will probably do well in your strong areas and will require more practice to improve your weak subject areas.

Structure of the Test

First, you can attempt the TABE exam at your preferable choice of center or educational institute you might decide to attend in the future. Currently, there are (4) four separate TABE versions you can choose. Remember, the select-ability inherently depends on your contemporary educational standard.

Second, before you mindlessly jump on the TABE exam, you will have to partake in a locator test. The idea is to guide your administrative instructor to figure out which testing level is more suitable for you. Generally, it takes about an hour at most to finish the locator test.

Different TABE Levels

The testing instructors refer to TABE levels as LEMDA. In short, the Test for Adult Basic Education consists of five (5) different testing stages.

1. Literacy
2. Easy
3. Medium
4. Difficult
5. Advanced

You can decide to attempt the TABE test at a computer or manually by using a piece of paper and pencil. However, the advanced testing level is strictly computer-oriented. It would be best if you thought of the TABE as a developmental learning program that identifies your collective knowledge in different subject areas. Simultaneously, your shared expertise helps in topics helps instructors to pinpoint your level of difficulty.

Categorization of TABE

As TABE has four (4) different kinds of tests, here are their different purposes:

• TABE 11 and 12

It assesses learning in alignment with college-level readiness standards.

• TABE Advanced Stage

It caters to students who want to start their higher education.

• TABE CLAS-E

It caters to students whose primary language is not English.

• TABE PC

It refers to the computerized version of the test.

What’s the Passing Score?

Apart from the score designation to different subject areas, students don’t have to worry about a passing or failing grade when it comes to the TABE test. In simple terms, there’s no such thing as a passing and failing score on the TABE test.

The TABE test evaluates your performance levels to facilitate academic institutions and companies to find out applicants’ overall academic knowledge. Now, just because there is no passing or failing mechanism, you shouldn’t prepare for the TABE test unceremoniously.

The idea to get rid of the formal score system is to ease the mind of the students who often stress more about the test score than the test subject matter. Therefore, extensively prepare before you attempt the three essential sections of the TABE. If you, for instance, score high on your TABE exam, there’s a good chance you will be accepted into a reputable school to study your desirable courses.

TABE Test Scoring

The National Council of English Teachers, the National Council of Math Teachers, and the Global Reading Association determine your score. These groups collectively strategize to find out the suitable grade range and evaluate the same level of difficulty periodically.

It is vital to understand that the aforementioned TABE versions are merely diagnostic tools and doesn’t involve a passing or failing grade. Naturally, if you want to take the TABE test, your priority would be to opt for a high score. So, don’t worry about losing points for questions that you fail to answer.

The first thing you need to remember is that your scoring will be taken care of through scanning when it comes to TABE 11 and 12. After that, instructors tally and measure your correct answers against required scores.

You can’t figure out the scoring mechanism without the TABE level of difficulty. Ultimately, it depends on how well you perform to receive an average score as per your level of difficulty. Several academic institutions, for instance, form different expectations for students. Therefore, you should reach for more than just an average score as per your level of difficulty.

For example, if your level of difficulty is “Easy” and you manage to get an above-average score, it would help determine that you are ready for a higher level of difficulty. Similarly, if you take the TABE test on the “Medium” level of difficulty with an average score, then it may just be the right range for you.

In hindsight, your academic institute will have a fair idea about your placement. So, if you have a “Literacy” level, you wouldn’t have to share classes with individuals who may have a higher score on the “Advanced” or “Difficult” level.

Standard Score Criteria

• TABE 9 and 10

The language part contains 55 questions and will take you about 55 minutes on average to complete. Reading, on the other hand, is the second-longest part that comprises 50 questions and will take at least 50 minutes to finish. As for the spelling part, you will get 10 minutes to complete 20 questions.

• TABE PC

Unlike TABE 9 & 10, TABE PC is not restricted to the same subject material. You can, however, use the material of this test to attempt the Advanced-stage version. Apart from digital differentiation, you will need to master instantaneous judgments. And remember, the judgment of your score is automatic. It means you will be able to send your score to your instructor, adult education class, or to practically anyone who might need it.

• TABE Advanced Stage

The Advanced-stage exam approximately has 132 questions. Furthermore, mathematics has 60 multiple-choice based questions, while Science and Social Studies collectively contain 35 questions. And the writing portion has two (2) different essay questions.

• What about TABE CLAS-E?

Contrary to other versions of the test, CLAS-E evaluates reading, speaking, listening, and speaking skills. The collective four areas of the CLAS-E primarily assess your quantitative literacy.

What’s the General Time Limit?

You will receive approximately 120 minutes (2 hours) on the Reading and 75 minutes on the math portion. In total, you will get 3 hours and 15 minutes (195 minutes) to finish the TABE exam. However, the survey test comprises 100 questions with a different set of dedication for each subject area. Unlike “Complete Battery,” you will have 1.5 hours to finish a Survey test.

Criteria to Retake TABE

If you intuitively feel that you will have to retake the test, you will have to wait six weeks for the retest before the official administration confirms your retake submission. You can use a referral or separate form from a local council or advisory authority.

Eligibility Requirements

Ultimately, your educational institute has the sole power to decide whether or you’re ready to attempt or retake the TABE exam. Apart from the time-lapse requirement, you will also need to reach for a higher level after performing well on your current TABE level.

Sure, you might have excellent skills that will make you a valuable employee. However, without a high school diploma, organizations won’t be able to realize your actual worth. In today’s competitive capitalist society, a job applicant without a high school diploma faces restrictions to hunt for a suitable job.

As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Employment Policies Institute, job opportunities for adults who have a high school diploma can reduce the unemployment rate. For the pursuit of your happiness, rolling in adult-oriented education courses can help you pursue your high school certificate.

Complete Battery vs. Survey Test: What’s the Difference?

The complete Battery version offers more statistical details and requires expertise in five different levels (L, E, M, D, and A) and as well as 9&10 forms. Mainly, this version fo the test includes mathematical computation, reading, language, and applied mathematics. Language structure, spelling, and Vocabulary, however, are optional.

Comparatively, the Survey test is relatively shorter and provides the same information as Complete Battery. It contains four levels (i.e., E, M, D, and A) and two 9&10 forms. Furthermore, it includes Total Mathematics, Total Reading, and Total Language. Interestingly, students have the freedom to use alternative 9&10 forms to make sure the validity of the score results and retake the test.

Failure to Meet the Requirements

As per law, you will have to pass your three primary TABE sections. Furthermore, you can’t attempt the test without regulated standard conditions of your selective program. And if you still opt for it without reserve admittance conditions, you will experience various uncertain conditions.

Also, you need a certificate or diploma for the completion of the TABE test. However, you can participate in a non-credit program so long as you have Seminole support of your State. The underlying purpose is to improve your skills and knowledge. After that, you might have to spend a few hours every week at your designated State College.

Moreover, if you fail to succeed in one of the sections of the test, you will only need to retake that specific portion of the TABE. If you, for instance, pass the Reading and English portion but fail in Mathematics, you will only have to retake the mathematics section. There are, however, certain exceptions to these kinds of rules. Therefore, consult with your State counselor or testing center to find out your criteria.

TABE – Cost Structure

Many academic institutions and administrative facilities charge no fees on the TABE. However, this happens specifically when the institute has an adult education placement program. Other educational institutes, on the other hand, charge a nominal fee through official administration. As of now, the TABE can cost from $15 to $25. Generally, administrative authorities inform students to take the test and the attached cost structure.

Learn about TABE Grade Equivalent

Examiners have the freedom to get a Grade Equivalent (GE) score, which offers an insightful achievement and structure of your general school education (k-12). GE score, on the other hand, is not comparable when it comes to non-graded programs such as adult education classes. 

And that’s because you can use these courses to arrange instructional groups and offer a resourceful reference. Currently, the GE score lies between 0 and 12.9. Primarily, it showcases your 10-month annual period in a conventional secondary or elementary education.

You should, however, interpret your GE score with caution. Well, you cannot use or compare your GE achievement with other tests. Similarly, there’s no balanced interval scale when it comes to the GE score. It means you cannot add, subtract, or take an average of your GE score. Most students, for instance, often misinterpret the meaning of the grade equivalent. Usually, you can score 7.3 grade GE on the Medium level TABE exam.

You can, for instance, get a performance grade of 7.3 in Mathematical Computation evaluation. The nature of the content will have the same difficulty a fourth or fifth grade. The Medium-level TABE content grade ranges from 4.0 to 5.9. However, if you decide to retake the test with, say, Level D, your will GE score will go down. 

Mainly because a test-taker who shows grade 7 level performance on grade 5, cannot render desirable performance in the actual 7^th grade-level content. Typically, this content grade is between 6.0 and 8.9. And don’t forget the fact that the score relevance doesn’t mean anything without contextual assessment of the content.

That said, if you want to move to a higher test-level through GE score, examiners will make sure that you’re GE testing range on the right level before pretest. For instance, if you take a pretest with Medium (M) Level, make sure to score at the upper content grade. The underlying purpose of examiners is to highlight your overall learning progress through classroom performance and quizzes. 

Ideally, you should opt for a 9.9 GE score. However, if you got a 6.5 Medium (M) Level score on a pretest, it won’t be sufficient pretest score to opt for Level D. At this point, the only way out is when the Locator Test affirms the significant improvement. Remember, Locator is undoubtedly the best way to identify your suitable test-level.

The chart below illustrates the connection between the content grade range, the GE score, and test level: