CASAS Student Performance Measurement 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which CASAS scale score range indicates a learner is functioning at a beginning literacy level?
- Below 190 (Correct answer)
- 200–210
- 221–235
- 236–245
Correct answer: Below 190
CASAS scale scores below 190 correspond to beginning literacy, indicating very limited reading and math skills.
Question 2: In CASAS performance-level descriptors, what does 'Level D' broadly represent?
- Advanced vocational training readiness (Correct answer)
- Beginning ESL literacy
- Low-intermediate skills roughly equivalent to grades 4–5
- Transitional skills for two-year college
Correct answer: Advanced vocational training readiness
CASAS Level D (scores roughly 221–235) signals readiness for advanced vocational training and more complex workplace tasks.
Question 3: A student scores 211 on a CASAS reading appraisal. Which form series should the administrator select for follow-up testing?
- Series 80 (advanced)
- Series 900 (workforce)
- Series 70 (low-intermediate) (Correct answer)
- Series 10 (beginning literacy)
Correct answer: Series 70 (low-intermediate)
A score of 211 places the learner at low-intermediate level, so Series 70 forms are appropriately targeted.
Question 4: How does CASAS use 'competency-based' scoring differently from traditional norm-referenced scoring?
- It compares students to a national percentile rank
- It measures mastery of specific real-world skills rather than ranking against peers (Correct answer)
- It assigns letter grades based on classroom performance
- It relies on teacher observation only
Correct answer: It measures mastery of specific real-world skills rather than ranking against peers
CASAS competency-based scoring assesses whether learners can perform specific life-skills tasks, not how they rank among peers.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of administering a CASAS pre-test at program entry?
- To assign a final grade for the term
- To establish a baseline score for measuring subsequent learning gains (Correct answer)
- To determine whether a student qualifies for financial aid
- To select the most appropriate teacher for the student
Correct answer: To establish a baseline score for measuring subsequent learning gains
The pre-test baseline score is required so programs can calculate NRS-reportable educational functioning level gains at post-test.
Question 6: Under NRS guidelines, how many instructional hours must a student typically accumulate before a valid CASAS post-test can be administered?
- At least 12 hours
- At least 40 hours
- At least 60 hours (Correct answer)
- At least 100 hours
Correct answer: At least 60 hours
NRS policy requires a minimum of approximately 60 instructional hours between pre- and post-test to allow meaningful learning gains.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes a CASAS scale score gain that would qualify as an Educational Functioning Level (EFL) advancement?
- Any increase of 1 or more scale score points
- A gain that moves the student into a new NRS EFL band (Correct answer)
- Scoring 10 points higher than the national average
- Completing all items on the post-test
Correct answer: A gain that moves the student into a new NRS EFL band
An EFL advancement occurs when a post-test score crosses into a higher NRS band, not merely any numerical increase.
CASAS Student Performance Measurement 2
Which CASAS scale score range indicates a learner is functioning at a beginning literacy level?