The best unofficial prep for the TABE Test.

Many institutions and facilities administer the TABE at no cost as part of their adult education or career placement programs. Some schools include the cost of the TABE testing in their admission fees. At others, there is a charge for each administration, which tends to range between $15 and $50. You will be told if you need to take this test and what the cost will be.

Your local education agency can be more specific about any items you need to bring to your TABE testing session. Most testing facilities require some sort of photo ID and some utilize a preparation packet that must be filled out and turned in on the day of testing. Additionally, the type of test you take (computer or written) will affect the need for additional supplies, such as pencils. Local officials can also tell you what is not allowed inside the testing room. Prohibited items usually include personal belongings, cell phones, and any sort of books or notes.

TABE scores range from 300 to 800. There is a specific range for each level of the test, and it is a little different for each of the three subjects. For instance, the range for level E of the Reading test is 310 to 535. If you score a 550, E is not the right level for you, and you will be given the next highest level, which is M, to fully evaluate your skills. The idea is to find your appropriate level of instruction, study those skills, and retest to try for a higher score and move up to the next level. This may take several attempts.

You may have exceptional skills and talents that would make you an outstanding employee, but if you don’t have a high school diploma or its equivalent, employers may never know your worth. In today’s world, a job applicant who has not completed high school is severely limited in finding a job. According to the Employment Policies Institute and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job prospects for adults without a high school diploma are limited, regardless of economic conditions and unemployment rates. However, adults can always better their chances by enrolling in adult education courses in pursuit of a high school equivalency certificate.

Your adult education program decides when you are eligible to take or retake a TABE test. There is a time lapse required between administrations of the same TABE level, but you might be asked to take a higher level soon after scoring well on your present TABE level.

TABE testing is a very useful tool in adult education. The scores can help educators place you in the appropriate level of instruction, one that is neither too easy nor too difficult. This helps you to make the best use of the time you spend pursuing your high school diploma. If tested as part of a career training program, once enrolled in an adult education program, instructors may use TABE scores to adjust your instruction as you gain knowledge and skills. The TABE has been shown to predict readiness for high school equivalency testing. Additionally, TABE results can help determine the career path that is most in line with your skills and abilities.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that US workers who do not have a high school diploma or equivalency earn only 57% of a high school graduate’s salary. This means that, by earning a high school diploma or equivalency, you can vastly raise your earning potential. By continuing your education past the high school level, your earning potential is boosted with each step. Simply getting an associate’s degree could mean another 22% increase in earning power. That means you can nearly double your earning potential by getting a high school diploma and an associate’s degree.

There are specific guidelines concerning where and by whom the TABE can be administered, and there will probably be specific dates and times that you can take it if it is offered in your area. Local adult education officials can give you this information. A good place to begin looking is your local community college or other sources of a GED program in your area.

Whatever your previous school experience was like, you can succeed now! There are excellent adult education programs available all over the world that specialize in teaching people of all ages. You’re never too old or young to go for that high school diploma, and assessing your skills with the TABE can be a positive first step!

Here is a summary of the possible times involved in TABE testing. Keep in mind that you might not take all of these in one day. It depends on the procedures established at your testing site and might also depend on your preference.