Assessments
Assessments Used in Minnesota Adult Education
All adult education learners reported in the National Reporting System (NRS) must be assessed using federally- and state-approved standardized assessments. Data from these assessments are used to place learners at appropriate levels of instruction, to diagnose learner strengths and weaknesses, to monitor progress, and to certify learner mastery at specific levels of instruction or readiness to exit adult education. Three tests are currently approved for Minnesota Adult Education programs to use for official pre- and post-testing purposes: CASAS, TABE, and BEST Plus. Learn more about the approved forms, formats, and usage dates for these assessments below.
Approved Assessments
Minnesota has approved the CASAS, TABE, and BEST Plus standardized assessments for use in establishing NRS educational functioning levels.
CASAS GOALS — For Levels ABE 1–6
Reading GOALS
Content: Reading
Format: Computer Form, Paper Form
Forms/Levels: 901R–908R
Usage Date: Now–June 30, 2026
Reading GOALS 2
Content: Reading
Format: Computer Form, Paper Form
Usage Date: Now–June 30, 2032
Math GOALS 2
Content: Math
Format: Computer Form, Paper Form
Forms/Levels: 921M–930M
Usage Date: Now–July 13, 2030
CASAS STEPS — For Levels ESL 1–6
Listening STEPS
Content: Listening
Format: Computer Form, Paper Form with CD
Forms/Levels: 621L–630L
Usage Date: Now–July 13, 2030
Reading STEPS
Content: Reading
Format: Computer Form, Paper Form
Forms/Levels: 621R–630R
Usage Date: Now–July 13, 2030
TABE — For Levels ABE 1–6
11 and 12
Content: Reading, Math, Language
Format: Computer Form, Paper Form
Forms/Levels: L (Literacy), E (Easy), M (Medium), D (Difficult), A (Advanced)
Usage Date: Now–June 30, 2026
13 and 14
Content: Reading, Math, Language
Format: Computer Form, Paper Form
Forms/Levels: L (Literacy), E (Easy), M (Medium), D (Difficult), A (Advanced)
Usage Date: Now–June 20, 2027
BEST Plus — For Levels ESL 1–6
Basic English Skills Test (BEST) Plus 3.0
Content: ESL
Format: Computer-Adaptive and Form, Paper Form
Forms/Levels: 1 and 2
Usage Date: Now–July 13, 2030
Assessment Training
All staff must complete assessment implementation training prior to administering CASAS, TABE, or BEST Plus and must participate in recertification training every 5 years. Assessment training is available through Southwest ABE as part of the Adult Education Support Network or through the test publishers. Learn more about assessment training opportunities on the Assessment Training website below.
Minnesota Adult Education Assessment Policy
See all the details in the official Assessment Policy that is written by staff at the Minnesota Department of Education and approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
Assessment Policy 2024-2025
- Type:
- Policy
- Year:
- 2024-25
- Format:
- Word
Looking for GED or HiSET information?
Find information about GED and HiSET assessments on the High School Equivalency (HSE) page.