CASAS
Basic Skill Level & Standard Score Range

CASAS Reading Skill Level Descriptor Statements

CASAS Mathematics Skill Level Descriptor Statements

CASAS Writing Skill Level Descriptor Statements

CASAS Listening Skill Level Descriptor Statements

>200(standard score range)

Individuals at this level generally can read numbers, letters, simple words, and phrases related to immediate needs.  Other skills may include reading and following directions found on signs and directories.  Individuals at this level may be successful in entry-level jobs that require basic oral communication skills.

Individuals at this level generally can add and subtract whole numbers. Other skills may include: interpreting clock time; counting and converting money.  Individuals at this level may be successful in entry-level jobs that involve tasks such as counting items

Individuals at this level generally can write letters, numbers, and a limited number of basic sight words, and simple sentences related to immediate needs.  Other skills may include: filling in basic personal information on simplified forms, including signature and date; writing very simple notes (e.g., writing a note to a co-worker or child’s teacher); making simple entries on a work log form; completing a simple inventory form.  Persons at this level can handle only the most basic written communication in English in routine, entry-level jobs in which all tasks can be demonstrated.

Individuals at this level can understand simplified conversation on everyday subjects containing frequently used words in context and very simple phrases, spoken slowly and repeated. They can respond to simple greetings and common social language, simple questions, instructions, warnings and requests (e.g., Be careful!) related to immediate needs, and questions about basic personal information. They frequently require assistance (rephrasing, explanation, demonstration) to understand even basic communication. They can understand on a limited basis language features such as negatives and question words that give clues to meaning.

201-220
(standard score range)

Individuals at this level generally can handle basic reading tasks related to their life roles.  Other skills may include: reading and interpreting simplified and real-life materials on familiar topics; interpreting simple charts, graphs, maps, labels and menus; following basic written instructions and diagrams.  Individuals at this level may be successful in entry-level jobs that involve following basic oral communications or simple written instructions.

Individuals at this level generally can add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers. Other skills may include: interpreting simple charts, graphs, and labels; interpreting a basic payroll stub; interpreting clock time; counting, converting, and using money, interpreting restaurant menus and computing related costs.

Individuals at this level generally can handle jobs that involve following basic oral communications or simple written instructions and diagrams if they can be clarified orally.  Individuals at this level may be successful in entry-level jobs.

Individuals at this level generally can write simple notes and messages based on familiar situations. Other skills may include: completing short work orders, filling out forms requiring basic personal information, taking simple phone messages. Persons at this level can handle jobs or job training that involve some simple written communication.

Individuals at this level can participate in limited conversations on familiar and some unfamiliar subjects spoken slowly and with some repetition, and can interpret some informal speech using colloquial language. They can understand learned phrases easily and short new phrases containing familiar vocabulary. They have limited ability to understand on the telephone. They can recognize the main idea and understand some supporting details expressed in everyday spoken language and brief informational messages on familiar topics. They can follow oral directions in familiar contexts, including simple multi-step directions.

221-235
(standard score range)

Individuals at this level generally can handle most routine reading tasks related to their life roles.  Other skills may include: interpreting routine charts, graphs, maps, labels, and menus; reading and interpreting a simple employee handbook; interpreting a pay stub; following multi-step diagrams and written instructions.

Individuals at this level may be successful in jobs that involve following basic oral communications, simple written instructions and diagrams.  Persons at this level generally are able to begin General Education Development (GED) preparation.

Individuals at this level generally can handle most computational tasks related to their life roles.  Other skills may include: adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing whole numbers; interpreting routine charts, graphs and labels; interpreting a payroll stub; reconciling a bank statement and completing calculations on a simple order form.

Individuals at this level may be successful in entry-level jobs that involve following basic oral communications and simple written instructions and diagrams.  Persons at this level are generally able to begin General Educational Development (GED) preparation.

Individuals at this level generally can write short, routine work memos or reports. Other skills may include: writing e-mail messages, filling out basic medical forms and job applications, describing basic work procedures in writing, completing incident report forms, making log entries to document work activities, taking notes and phone messages, writing personal notes or letters.

Persons at this level generally are able to begin General Educational Development (GED) preparation, and may be able to pass the writing section of the GED test.

Individuals at this level generally can comprehend communication in most routine survival and social contexts. They can participate in conversations on a variety of everyday subjects, including some involving unfamiliar vocabulary, but may need repetition or rewording. They have some ability to understand telephone conversations on familiar topics. They can follow detailed spoken directions on familiar topics. They can understand the main idea and some details of informational communication on non-technical topics, simple discussions, and descriptive narrative in familiar contexts. They can recognize tone and degree of formality in speech in many situations.

236-245
(standard score range)

Individuals at this level generally can perform tasks that involve written instructions in both familiar and unfamiliar situations.  Other skills may include: reading and following multi-step directions; reading and interpreting manuals and legal forms; interpreting literary materials such as poetry and literature; creating and using tables and graphs; integrating information from multiple texts, charts, and graphs; evaluating and organizing information.

They can also organize information and perform tasks that involve workplace communication skills.  Persons at this level generally are able to successfully complete appropriate sections of the Tests of General Educational Development (GED Tests).

Individuals at this level generally can add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.  Other skills may include using mathematics in the workplace, such as calculating discounts; comparing prices to determine the best buys for goods and services; creating and using tables and graphs; computing standard measurement for length, width, perimeter, and area.  They generally can organize, implement and perform multi-level calculations.  Persons at this level generally are able to successfully complete appropriate sections of the Tests of General Educational Development (GED Tests).

Individuals at this level generally can perform writing tasks, such as most letters, logs, memos, and forms, with reasonable accuracy to meet most personal and employment-related needs. Other skills may include: taking notes from meetings and recorded messages, describing work or training procedures including basic safety directives, job aids, and maintenance instructions; stating personal and employment goals.

Persons at this level generally are able to successfully complete the writing section of the Tests of General Educational Development (GED Tests).