General Pre- and Post CASAS
Testing Process Checklist

The CASAS Order Form for Kent

The CASAS order for Community-Based Classes

Order your eCASAS test by noting the correct test on the CASAS tab on your attendance roster.





This checklist provides an overview of the steps required for pre- and post-tests. CASAS pre-testing is handled primarily by instructors in the Educational Interviewing classes or placement/registration sessions. Post-tests are administered by classroom instructors at a time identified by the Basic Skills Office. In either case, the basic process is the same. Make-up tests for students without a pre-test score are scheduled early each quarter..

 

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Determine correct pre- or post-tests to administer – You have many tools available for determining your students’ appropriate post-test or next test. It is your responsibility to select the test appropriately following CASAS guidelines. CASAS testing guidelines and WA State Assessment Policies state that students must be tested using an alternate form from that used for the pre-test (i.e. if a student’s last test was on the B level reading test 83R and his/her score indicates that s/he should continue in the B level test, you would select the 84R as the next test. If the subsequent test also recommends the B level, you would select the 83R, and so on until the student’s score indicate that s/he should move to a C level test). Tools for determining the correct test to administer include the following:

  • Suggested Next Test charts
  • Student profile form - Every student folder should have complete and current information about each student’s last test score. When WABERS is unavailable, the student profile form is the best place to access this information.
  • WABERS+ – Each GRCC ESOL instructor should have a password to WABERS+ Log on Find your class profile which has information about which students are eligible for testing All students must have had at least 45 hours of instruction since their last test or the testing interval must have exceeded 5 months. You can also access a class testing history that gives your information about your students’ test scores during the last year. The “test eligibility” page will suggest the “next test” for each student, but it is recommended that you double-check against the testing history and the SNT Charts.

Complete the CASAS Test Order Form. The office will send you a reminder prior to the deadline for placing test orders. Be sure to order carefully so you have enough tests for everyone in your class.

Order a CD Player from the Media Center – Order your CD player from the Media Center in the Holman Library building, #131 (ext. 2108) at least 24 hours in advance of testing.

For off campus sites, instructors are responsible for organizing their listening test schedule.  For multiple listening tests, consider ordering multiple CD players with multiple headsets for smaller testing groups. Also consider testing over two class periods with groups of students testing at different times.  You will need to check with Heather or Maria to be sure they don’t need those test booklets for another site. If you do test over two days, making appointment cards for students is a helpful reminder.

Test orders are filled by the office staff and available for pick-up by on-campus instructors in RLC 125 immediately prior to the testing session. Off-campus instructors typically pick up their test boxes in RLC 125 but occasionally the boxes will be delivered to the site. Check with Heather (ext. 2319) or Maria (ext. 2316) to make arrangements.

If you need help with any of the steps above, please contact your CASAS Cadre member - Emilie Coates-White – ext. 4835, Cynthia Gaede, ext. 2317, Heather Brandel, ext. 2319, or Maria Hernandez, ext. 2316. ach academic year, the Basic Skills program is required to report its outcomes to the Green River Board of Trustees. Significant progress on CASAS tests (every 3-5 point gain on either/both the reading and listening tests throughout the year) provides the basis of this report.

The pre- and post-test answer sheets are two-sided. Demographic information must be completed on BOTH sides because each side is scored separately. For information about correct bubbling procedures, contact Maria Hernandez (ext. 2316) or Heather Lambert (ext. 2319)in RLC 125. If there are errors on your answer sheets, they will be returned to you for correction.

Before beginning the test, remind students to mute cell phones.  Hanging a CASAS testing in progress sign on the outside of the classroom door discourages interruptions.  Move students so that they have enough space between them.  For the reading test, consider placing students taking different tests next to each other.

Proctoring the test – Standardized testing by definition requires that the testing conditions be the same for every person taking the test. It is important that you do not provide additional direction beyond reading the directions at the top of the first page of the test booklets. You may talk with students about the practice items to be sure they understand.

Monitor students as they begin the test to be sure they are starting on the correct side of the answer sheet and with the correct item number. Continue to supervise and monitor the testing. Do not leave test takers unattended at any time. Follow the standard time limits. At the end of the test, be sure to collect all the test booklets, answer sheets, scratch paper, pencils and erasers. These must be returned to the office in your testing box.

Time limits - This is one of the main areas of standardization. The time limit for CASAS Life and Work series Reading post-tests is one hour. Time limits for the Life and Work listening tests vary by test level (see chart below). You may allow a student 2-3 minutes to complete the questioning they are working on, but s/he should not turn the page to begin a new question.  Write the test ending time on the board.

Life and Work Listening Test Timing

Level A Listening 81 and 82 – 35 minutes

Level B Listening 83 and 84 – 40 minutes

Level C Listening 85 and 86 – 30 minutes