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Test Assessing Secondary Completion

Tell me about the TASC

The TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Completion) is a test that measures readiness for college or workforce as outlined by the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). When a student passes the TASC they will be issued a High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma by New York State Education Department (NYSED). Most colleges and employers consider the equivalent to a high school diploma. The TASC replaced the GED® as the test leading to a HSE diploma in NYS in January 2015.

The CCLS are considered more rigorous than the previous learning standards used throughout the nation, and better at preparing students to succeed in their careers and in college. Many exam questions are more demanding, complex and may require multiple steps to solve. While English language arts and math are based on the CCLS, science and social studies are based on other national standards that are also more rigorous. For this reason test candidates may find the TASC more challenging than the GED® that was available in NYS prior to 2014. To ease the transition from one test to the other, the TASC will increase the challenge on the exam each year until 2017.

In NYS, the test is offered without individual cost to the test taker. The Legislature of the State of New York covers the cost for testing in the state budget. We encourage all test takers to prepare for the test in advance by taking classes or through independent study. HFM BOCES offers classes at no cost to the participant. Many free preparation materials are available online. Students can also buy materials from independent publishers.
HFM BOCES is an official test center approved by NYSED.

What is covered on the TASC?

This is a challenging exam. It takes approximately 9 hours scheduled over 2 days to complete. The TASC test assesses five subject areas, which reflects a high school curriculum, including:

• Language Arts: Reading- 75 minutes
• Language Arts: Writing- 105 minutes (For both the essay and multiple
choice sections)
• Mathematics- 105 minutes**
• Science- 85 minutes
• Social Studies- 75 minutes

**HFM BOCES will provide a calculator on the day of your exam; you may not use your own calculator. You will need to be familiar with the TI30XS Multiview Scientific Calculator before you sit for the TASC exam. A Guidebook, for the TI-30XS Multi-view Scientific Calculator, can be found here: TI30XS Guide

Prepare for the TASC exam

The HFM BOCES Office of Adult Literacy and Corrections Education provides classes without costs to participants. Morning and evening classes are available in Amsterdam and Gloversville. Call 736-4340 to be placed on a waiting list to attend the next orientation and screening session. You can also email us at alce@hfmboces.org.

Taking the TASC with special accommodations

Documentation guidelines and forms can be found at https://tasctest.com/demo-home/test-takers/taking-tasc-test/accommodations-for-disabilities/.  A licensed professional will need to diagnose the disability and recommend appropriate accommodations. Allow at least six months to complete the process to receive approval for special accommodation requests.

What are the eligibility requirements to take the TASC Test?

Eligibility for testing is established by the NYSED. Generally, individuals aged 19 and older are allowed to take the test without restriction. Test takers aged 16-18 must meet special eligibility requirements. You can find complete eligibility information at: http://www.acces.nysed.gov/hse/eligibility-requirements-high-school-equivalency-testing-new-york-state

You must have 2 forms of identification in order to be admitted to the test center. If you do not bring these to the test session, you will not be allowed to enter.

  • At least one piece of identification must be current (not expired), issued by a federal, state, or local government entity, and contain a photograph that can be used to establish identity (driver’s license, non-driver ID, passport, military ID, etc.)
  • Proof of New York State residency (utility bill, library card, credit card statement, etc.)

Taking the TASC at HFM BOCES

Currently, HFM BOCES provides the test in paper-and-pencil format and in English only. Computerized testing is anticipated in the future. To take the TASC in Spanish or on the computer you will need to find an alternate test site.

The test takes two days to complete. Please make sure you are aware of start and stop times each day. It is important that test candidates make arrangements for transportation in advance. Telephones are not available near the test center. Estimated completion times are provided in advance; please make arrangements in advance if someone needs to pick you up after the test.

How do I register for a TASC Exam at HFM BOCES?

You need to fill out an application to take the test. Depending on your individual circumstance, you may need an additional attachment that is validated by your former school or other institution. You can find an application and all other forms at http://www.acces.nysed.gov/ged/app_process.html

All applicants must complete, sign & return the Standard TASC Application (attachment A) (2 pages)

If your application is missing information we will make one phone call to inform you. You must make arrangements to submit a new, complete form, or come to the office to complete the information.

Re-testers: Must complete Standard TASC Application (attachment A); including items 13-17 plus enclose a copy of your most recent TASC/GED score report (do not mail your original score report).

Mail your completed application no less than 14 days from the first day of testing to:

HFM BOCES
Adult Literacy – TASC Testing
2755, State Highway 67, Johnstown, NY 12095

Envelopes that are not properly addressed may be delayed. Please take the time to address envelopes as directed. The cut-off date for registering for an exam is 7 days prior to the first day of testing.

Applications may also be delivered in person to the address above, office B109, Monday – Friday, from 8:15am – 3:45pm.

Priority Seating

HFM BOCES has a limited number of seats for each test session. We utilize a four tier priority seating system when registering test takers.

  • Tier 1: Test candidates who are enrolled in a program funded by NYSED and who have a score on a recognized practice test that demonstrates test readiness. This includes any individual who is referred by a preparation program (AHSEP or HSE) with a TASC Test Authorization Form (T-TAF) signed by a program official.
  • Tier 2: Candidates referred by a community-based preparation program (not AHSEP or HSE) who have a score on a recognized practice test that demonstrates test readiness.
  • Third tier: Candidates who have prepared independently and demonstrate readiness by providing scores form one of many free TASC practice tests available online or through materials they have acquired independent of a preparation program.
  • Fourth tier: Candidates who are not referred to the exam by a preparation program of any type.

Test takers in lower tiers may be displaced from a testing session by students from a higher tier.

How do I know if I am ready?

If you are enrolled in a preparation program your teacher will assess your skills to determine if you are ready for success on the exam. Your teacher will not refer you unless they are comfortable with your skills; they don’t want you to go and fail. If you are preparing on your own remember that the TASC is a rigorous exam, assessing knowledge at the high school level in Math, Writing, Reading, Social Studies, and Science. You can try some sample questions here: http://www.tasctest.com/sample-items-and-answer-keys-for-test-takers.html.

What happens after I register for the exam?

One week prior to the exam we will schedule students for the limited number of seats available according to the priority seating practice. Students who will be seated will received a TASC Letter of Acceptance. This will be sent as an attachment to the email address provided on the TASC application. It will come from an email address with the extension @hfmboces.org. If an email address is not available, a letter will be sent via the US Postal Service to the address on the application.

This letter will contain all of the information you need to know regarding the exam. Read the information completely. You will be responsible for the content. It will tell you when and where the test is, what time we plan to finish each day, where to park, what you can and cannot bring to the test center, and more.

The day of the exam

Arrive on time. The doors will be locked once the registration period ends. There will be no way to enter the building. Examinees that arrive late or with unacceptable identification will need to leave the premises and register for another exam.

Items You Must Bring the Day of the Exam:

  • Your TASC Letter of Acceptance
  • Your Two forms of ID (bring those both days).
  • Several pencils already sharpened

Items You May Bring the Day of the Exam:

  •  snacks, sandwiches, and beverages in a container with a secure lid. These items will stay in the waiting room, which will not be supervised.
  • sweater or sweatshirt without a hood
  • ear plugs and chair cushion for your comfort

All items are subject to inspection by test center staff.

Items You May NOT Bring the Day of the Exam:

  • your own calculator, any electronics, BlueTooth device, MP3 player, ear buds, headphones, etc.

We suggest that you do not bring your cell phone and other valuables into the test center. If you choose to bring your cell phone into the test center you will be given an envelope. You will write your name on the envelope, turn off your cell phone so it does not ring or vibrate during the test, seal your phone inside the envelope and place it in a box at the front of the room. If your cell phone goes off during the test you will be dismissed immediately from the test center. You can have your phone during breaks. You will seal it and return it again before the next test session begins.

You may not take any personal items to your test seat with you. You will leave all coats, purses, bags, backpacks and other items in a designated area at the front of the testing room. Test center staff is not responsible for the security of your cell phone or any other personal item you bring to the test center.

Test takers may not wear head coverings of any type (hats, scarves, hoods on hoodies, etc.) during the exam. The only exceptions will be for religious head coverings with approval from the test coordinator in advance.

NYS law prohibits the use of any tobacco product on school property. If you are caught using tobacco anywhere in the building or on school grounds you will be directed to leave school property.

Candidates that violate cell phone restrictions, deface test booklets, exhibit inappropriate conduct, violate any expectation described here, or cause any disruption during a test session risk having their scores invalidated and may not be permitted to test at HFM BOCES in the future.

What if I cannot attend the test session for any reason?

Please call the office ) 736-4340) as soon as possible and talk with us. With a week’s, we could admit someone else to the test. If it is the day of the exam, we will know not to expect you.

Are my GED® scores going to be grandfathered?

If you previously took the GED® test and passed one or more sections, but failed others, NYSED will allow you to grandfather previous GED® test scores until December 31, 2015. Your score report will combine both the TASC and GED® scores.

  • A candidate may use up to 4 passing GED® sub-tests (score of 410 or above) taken between 2002-2013 to count towards earning a New York State High School Equivalency Diploma.
  • Each TASC sub-test that the candidate passes will be posted on the candidate’s transcript. If the candidate does not pass the TASC sub-test but passed the same GED® sub-test, the GED® score will be accepted as a passing score.
  • If a candidate has already passed all 5 GED® sub-tests but did not attain the minimum total score of 2250, candidate must pass at least one of the TASC sub-tests to obtain a NYS High School Equivalency Diploma.

When will I know my results?

You will receive your test results in the mail from NYSED 6 – 8 weeks after the date of your test. You can see if you passed or failed sooner than that by checking the HSE Status Report found here:  http://www.acces.nysed.gov/ged/GEDStatusReport.html

To use this service, you must have your social security number, or HSE ID number, and your date of birth. Please note that HSE/TASC™ status reports are not official copies of New York State HSE/TASC™ diplomas and transcripts.

You will not see your actual scores. You will see if a diploma was issued or if a failure notice was mailed. Your scores will come in the mail.

Whether you pass or fail, it is very important you keep the notice in a safe place. If you fail, you will need to submit a copy of that report with your TASC application the next time you take the test. If you pass, you will need that documentation to provide proof of completion for employment opportunities and if you want to go to college or other training. If you lose this document and need it in the future, you will need to pay NYSED for a replacement document.

What if I don’t pass?

If one or more of the five subject area subtests are not passed, those parts may be retaken after 60 days. You will need your transcript from NYSED to prove that 60 days have passed. If you take the test in less than 60 days, your test will not be scored.

In most cases the HSE exam may be taken up to three times in a calendar year.

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