Welcome to the Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE)
On this page you will learn:
What a TABE test is.
Why you are required to take a TABE test.
Before taking a TABE test.
How to prepare for a TABE test.
How to reserve a seat and schedule an appointment to take a TABE test.
What to bring with you on the day of the TABE test.
What to expect on the day of the TABE test.
Where to report to take the TABE test.
Some Frequently Asked Questions about the TABE test.
What is a TABE test
The Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE) exam(s) have been used as education assessment tools for over 50 years. The TABE test was created to allow students to demonstrate their knowledge/skills in the topics of basic reading and mathematics at High School levels using a series of exams.
Many adult educators use the TABE assessment tools to assist them in placing students in a wide variety of training programs or in the assessment of a student’s level of knowledge to place them in a General Education Diploma/High School Education (GED/HSE) program.
Employers are using TABE tests as assessment tools of basic educational High School knowledge/skills when hiring a new employee and/or when placing an existing employee in a promotional position.
For more information on how TABE tests are used click here.
Why are you required to take a TABE test
The Center for Adult Continuing Education and Workforce Development uses the TABE test to assess a student’s knowledge/skills in the basic topics of reading and mathematics at the High School level before accepting the student as a participant of certification training programs and all no-cost/sponsored programs.
Before Taking a TABE Test
Before taking a TABE test, the test taker should have attended an information session and received an email from an ACE staff member inviting them to take a TABE test.
How to prepare for a TABE Test
For the latest study guides and to utilize practice tests, visit the Data Recognition Corporation (DRC) website.
How to Reserve a Seat and Schedule an Appointment to test
To reserve a seat, test takers must reserve a space no later than 36 hours prior to the test date. To reserve your seat through our secure online website you will need to.
- Click on the Sign–in button and sign-in to your existing account. (Your account is the one you created when you registered for the Information session).
- Choose the date and time by clicking on the Add to Cart button.
- Click on the Check Out button.
- Read and check the box for the Refund Policy, (TABE test are at no charge to you).
Upon successful registration, you will receive an e-mail confirmation. Print your confirmation receipt and bring it with you on your test date. If you would like you may present the email confirmation via your phone.
Special Accommodations
If you have a disability that would prevent you from taking a TABE test under standard conditions, you may request special accommodations and arrangements to take it on a regularly scheduled test date 3 days in advance. Any test taker in need of special accommodation, (e.g., extended time, enlarged fonts), must submit official written documentation dated within the last 3 years.
TABE tests are administered on a computer. If you require a TABE exam to be administered using paper-and-pencil, send an email to ace@bmcc.cuny.edu.
What to bring to the Test Center on the day of the test
- You will need to present photographic identification to the Building’s Security Guards and again to the Security Guard located on the 8th floor.
- You will need one (1) non-expired form of photographic identification to enter the testing room.
- Examples: a government-issued photo ID card that bears your signature (e.g., passport, state-issued driver license, state-issued ID card).
- A printout of the ACE/BMCC confirmation of reservation or electronic proof (you may present the email confirmation of your test appointment via your phone).
- No personal items will be allowed in the testing laboratory. All such items will be stored in a locked locker.
- Do not bring books, papers, cell phones, other electronic devices, or smartwatches or watches that beep or have an alarm.
- Do not bring a calculator. If a calculator is required, it is built into the test and will be available to you on the computer.
- Do not bring food or drinks into the testing lab.
What to expect on the day of the test
- Arrive 30 minutes early.
- You will be presenting unexpired photo ID to Building security and to Security on the 8th floor.
- You will be given directions to the testing lab.
- At the testing lab the proctor will greet you and check you in.
- Check in process will include:
- Review of your unexpired photo ID
- Review of your TABE test confirmation printout or email
- Assignment of locker all personal items will be placed in the locker for the duration of the test.
- You will be assigned to a test station.
- Ten minutes before test time no more test takers will be allowed in the testing lab.
- Ten minutes before the test time check-in process will be completed.
- Once all test takers are seated at their assigned test station the proctor will distribute test tickets to the test takers.
- The proctor will read instructions to the test takers.
- The test takers will be given time to complete the practice test.
- Once all test takers have completed the practice test, they will be instructed to begin the timed test.
- TABE exams are timed and cannot be paused, therefore there are no breaks scheduled.
- Once the test taker has completed their exam
- The test taker will signal to the proctor that they have completed their test.
- The test taker will be signed out of the test.
- The check-out process will begin.
- If available, a copy of your scores will be given to you. Proctors cannot inform you of pass/fail grades. All official notifications will come from the program manager.
- The test taker will be brought to the locker area and asked to remove all their personal belongings from the assigned locker they were given.
- The test is complete all test takers will exit the testing area at this time.
- Test takers will receive notification from the program manager of their next step in the registration process.
Where to Report for TABE tests
Center of Adult Continuing Education and Workforce Development
Borough of Manhattan Community College
25 Broadway 8th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee to take a TABE test?
No. All TABE tests administered to students as requirements for an ACE certification training program or a no-cost/sponsored program are at no cost to the student.
What are the types of TABE tests?
The subjects of TABE tests that ACE uses as assessment tools for certified training programs and no-cost/sponsored programs are Reading and Mathematics.
How long are the TABE tests?
Each subject and level of TABE tests have specific time limits that are set by DRC. If a student requires more time to complete an exam, they may submit a request for special accommodation. The subjects that ACE uses as assessment tools for certified training programs and no-cost/sponsored programs are Reading and Mathematics.
Reading Part 1 50 minutes
Reading Part 2 50 minutes
Total time for both parts of Reading 100 minutes (1 hour 40 minutes).
Math 35 minutes
Total time for all parts Reading and Math 135 minutes (2 hours 15 minutes).
How long does it take to get results from a TABE test?
TABE scores can be shown within two (2) hours of completing the test(s). However, all notifications of meeting the required test score for the certified training program or the no-cost/sponsored program will be sent by an ACE staff member via email to the email address that is in your student profile. This can take up to two (2) weeks.
How are TABE scores sent to the Program Manager?
Once the TABE tests sessions are completed for the day, the proctor will print all TABE test scores and deliver the scores to the Program Managers. The Program Manager will review the test scores and contact the students via email with the student’s status in the registration process.
Ready to register for your TABE test?
Once you are ready to register for your TABE test scroll down this page to select your test date and time then click the add to cart button and complete the check-out process.
