CASAS Math Goals Scoring 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A CASAS Math Goals item requires a learner to calculate the total cost of buying 4 items at $3.75 each after a 10% discount. This item primarily assesses which mathematical domain?
- Geometry and spatial reasoning
- Number sense and operations with percent applications (Correct answer)
- Data analysis and probability
- Algebraic patterns and functions
Correct answer: Number sense and operations with percent applications
Calculating a percent discount on a repeated-purchase problem directly tests number sense, multiplication, and percent operations.
Question 2: On a CASAS Math Goals test, a learner reads a bar graph of monthly utility bills and identifies which month had the highest cost. Which competency area does this represent?
- Measurement and geometry
- Number operations
- Data analysis and statistics (Correct answer)
- Algebraic reasoning
Correct answer: Data analysis and statistics
Reading and interpreting a bar graph to draw conclusions is a data analysis and statistics competency.
Question 3: Which of the following best characterizes a CASAS Math Goals item at the ASE level (scores ~243–260)?
- Identifying coins and making change up to $5.00
- Single-step addition and subtraction with whole numbers only
- Reading a simple clock to the nearest hour
- Multi-step problems involving ratios, proportions, or introductory algebra in workplace contexts (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Multi-step problems involving ratios, proportions, or introductory algebra in workplace contexts
ASE-level items require higher-order thinking such as multi-step ratio/proportion problems or beginning algebraic reasoning embedded in real-world scenarios.
Question 4: A workplace-contextualized CASAS Math Goals item asks a learner to convert 2.5 hours to minutes to complete a time sheet. Which skill does this assess?
- Measurement and unit conversion in a functional context (Correct answer)
- Probability and chance
- Number pattern recognition
- Geometric area calculation
Correct answer: Measurement and unit conversion in a functional context
Converting between units of time (hours to minutes) in a job-related context is a measurement and unit conversion skill.
Question 5: CASAS Math Goals items are designed to reflect tasks adults encounter in which settings?
- Only standardized college entrance exam preparation
- Scientific laboratory research environments
- Daily life, community, and workplace contexts (Correct answer)
- Exclusively academic classroom settings
Correct answer: Daily life, community, and workplace contexts
CASAS is built on functional competencies grounded in real-life, community, and workforce situations relevant to adult learners.
Question 6: When a CASAS Math Goals item presents a pay stub with gross pay, deductions, and net pay, and asks the learner to verify a calculation error, which competency is primarily measured?
- Geometric reasoning
- Probability estimation
- Algebraic equation solving
- Number operations in a financial/workplace context (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Number operations in a financial/workplace context
Verifying arithmetic on a pay stub is a number-operations task embedded in a financial workplace context.
Question 7: A CASAS Math Goals item shows a scale drawing of a room and asks the learner to calculate the actual floor area using the given scale. Which domains does this item integrate?
- Number sense only
- Measurement and geometry with proportional reasoning (Correct answer)
- Probability and combinatorics
- Data analysis and statistics
Correct answer: Measurement and geometry with proportional reasoning
Using a scale drawing requires interpreting a ratio (the scale), applying proportional reasoning, and computing area—combining measurement, geometry, and proportional thinking.
CASAS Math Goals Scoring 3
A CASAS Math Goals item requires a learner to calculate the total cost of buying 4 items at $3.75 each after a 10% discount.
This item primarily assesses which mathematical domain?