# The TABE: All About the Test

## What is the TABE?

TABE stands for Test of Adult Basic Education. TABE scores are used to determine placement in a variety of adult educational settings, from GED preparatory classes to career readiness training.

## How is it Structured?

The TABE assesses knowledge in 3 subjects: Reading, Language, and Math.

Additionally, there are 5 levels of the TABE: Literacy, Easy, Medium, Difficult, and Advanced.

A short “Locator” test is administered first to determine which level you should take for each subject.

## How Long Does it Take?

The “Locator” test takes about an hour.

The actual TABE takes about 3 hours. There is also an abridged version called the “survey” which takes about an hour and a half.

## What Should I Study?

Reading- Be able to read short passages and understand concepts like main idea, purpose, and point of view. Understand terms such as “inference” and “genre.”

Language- Study basic grammatical principles like punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and sentence structure.

Math- Focus on understanding basic math principles, such as percentages, fractions, whole numbers, and integers.

## How Much Does it Cost?

Many times, the establishment requiring you to take the TABE will cover your fees. If not, you can typically expect to pay $15-$25.