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TABE Math

Math is one of the three TABE tests. It covers numbers and operations, algebra, geometry, and measurement and data.

What TABE Math measures

TABE 13&14 Math covers four areas: numbers and operations, algebraic concepts, geometry, and measurement, data and probability. TABE 11&12 Math covers topics such as number and operations, fractions, measurement and data, geometry, expressions and equations, and statistics and probability. The skills you see depend on your level.

TABE 13&14 Math has two parts and uses the Desmos calculator on screen. On TABE 11&12 Math, Part 2 at levels M, D and A uses a calculator: a four-function calculator at level M and a scientific calculator at levels D and A.

Questions and time

TestQuestionsTime limit
TABE 13&14 Math4060 minutes (45 minute part and 15 minute part)
TABE 11&12 Math4065 minutes (part lengths depend on level)

Ask the school or agency giving your test which version you will take.

How to study TABE Math

  1. Know your fractions. Practice changing mixed numbers to fractions, like 1 3/4 to 7/4, before you multiply or divide.
  2. Know your percents. Practice turning a percent into a decimal, like 15% into 0.15. Then you can find a part or a whole.
  3. Read word problems twice. First find what the question asks. Then find the numbers you need.
  4. Check if your answer makes sense. If you need room for every box, round up, not down.
  5. Practice both ways. On the online test, the calculator shows on the screen only when it is allowed, so practice some problems by hand.

Sample questions

1. In a shipment, 9 boxes are 15% of all the boxes in the shipment. How many boxes are in the whole shipment?

  1. A. 1.35
  2. B. 60
  3. C. 0.6
  4. D. 6
Show the answer

Answer: B. 9 is 15% of the whole, so divide: 9 ÷ 0.15 = 60. Check: 0.15 × 60 = 9.

2. A recipe uses 1 3/4 cups of flour for one batch. A cook makes 4 batches. How many cups of flour does the cook need in all?

  1. A. 4 3/4 cups
  2. B. 5 3/4 cups
  3. C. 7 cups
  4. D. 4 cups
Show the answer

Answer: C. 1 3/4 is 7/4, and 4 × 7/4 = 28/4 = 7 cups. Choice A forgets to multiply the 3/4 by 4.

3. An uncle is four times as old as his nephew. The sum of their two ages is 45 years. How old is the nephew?

  1. A. 11.25
  2. B. 22.5
  3. C. 36
  4. D. 9
Show the answer

Answer: D. Call the nephew's age x. Then x + 4x = 45, so 5x = 45 and x = 9. Choice C is the uncle's age.

How SPARK helps with TABE Math

SPARK's diagnostic shows which math skills need work. Your study plan starts with those skills, and practice questions explain the mistake behind each wrong choice.

FAQ

How many questions are on TABE Math?
TABE Math has 40 questions in both TABE 11&12 and TABE 13&14.
How long is TABE 13&14 Math?
TABE 13&14 Math has two parts: one of 45 minutes and one of 15 minutes.
How long is TABE 11&12 Math?
TABE 11&12 Math is 65 minutes at every level. Level E is one 65 minute part. Levels M, D and A split the time into two parts.
Can I use a calculator on TABE Math?
On some parts, yes. TABE 13&14 uses the Desmos calculator on screen. On TABE 11&12, Part 2 at levels M, D and A uses a calculator.
What kinds of questions are on TABE 13&14 Math?
TABE 13&14 Math uses multiple-choice and gridded-response questions.

Find out where you stand, free.

SPARK starts with a diagnostic and builds your study plan around the sections pulling your score down.

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TABE is a registered trademark of Data Recognition Corporation, which is not affiliated with and does not endorse SPARK.