ASSESSMENT FOR BASIC

LITERACY TEST
(ABL)
 Objective
At the end of the 2 hours session the ALS
teacher-learners should be able to:
1. Explain the basic features and importance of
the new Assessment for Basic Literacy (ABL);
2. Demonstrate the conduct of specific parts of
the ABL;
3. Explain the steps in scoring the ABL;
4. Score an ABL answer sheet; and
5. Write an interpretation and recommendation
based on the results of the scored ABL

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Session 1

Overview, Parts, and

Features of the New
ASSESSMENT FOR
BASIC LITERACY TEST

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Overview

What?
The Assessment for Basic Literacy (ABL) is the
instrument to assess the learners’ level of literacy: Neo-
Literate and Post-Literate. It includes measures of ability to
supply personal information and prior knowledge of the two
learning strands. Learning Strand 1 – Communication Skills
(Filipino and English) and Learning Strand 3 - Mathematical
and Problem Solving Skills. The test will determine the entry
level characteristics of the learners and will help the ALS
teachers design the learning plan and development activities
suited to the needs of the individual learner.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Who? ALS applicants who did not meet the benchmark
score for the PIS in the FLT

When? Before learning intervention

Where? Community Learning Centers

How? ✔ The learner is given the Assessment for Basic

Literacy Test booklet, and the answer sheet. He/She
is expected to:
− work independently
− answer all the test items properly
− avoid staying too long on any particular item
− Avoid copying from seatmates
✔ The PIS will be answered on the last part and to be
administered individually by the examiner/teacher.
The Assessment for Basic Literacy Test Development
Process
Test
Specifications
Item Writing &
Test Research
Review
ASSESSMENT OF
BASIC LITERACY
Scaling Pilot Testing
TEST
DEVELOPMENT
PROCESS
Tryout of Final
Item Analysis
Form

Final Form

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 ABL Features
Features Old ABL New ABL
Level Stage 1 Neo-Literate (Kinder);
Stage 2 Post-Literate (Grade 1)
Stage 3
Stage 4
Test Parts Pagsulat (W2) ABL Neo-Literate in Filipino (LS1
Pagbasa (R1) – Communication Skills
Pagbilang (N1) (Filipino), LS3 – Mathematical
Pagsulat (W1) and Problem Solving Skills
Pagbasa (R2) (Filipino), PIS Writing, PIS Oral)
Pagbilang (N2)
Pagbasa (R3) ABL Neo-Literate in Filipino &
Pagbilang (N3) English (LS1 – Communication
Pagsulat (W3 Skills (Filipino and English), LS3
– Mathematical and Problem
Solving Skills (Filipino and
English), PIS Writing, PIS Oral)

ABL Post-Literate (LS1 –

Communication Skills (Filipino
and English), LS3 –
Mathematical and Problem
Solving Skills (Filipino and
English), PIS Writing, PIS Oral)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 ABL Features
Features Old ABL New ABL
Type of Multiple choice, matching Multiple choice, oral and
Items type, writing, counting, writing test
problem solving and essay
Number of 1 Form 3 Forms
Forms ABL Neo-Literate in Filipino
ABL Neo-Literate in Filipino
and English
ABL Post-Literate
(PIS in all forms)
Test length Pagsulat (W2) - 8 items ABL Neo-Literate in Filipino-
Pagbasa (R1) - 5 items 15 items
Pagbilang (N1) - 5 items ABL Neo-Literate in Filipino
Pagsulat (W1) - 5 items and English - 30 items
Pagbasa (R2) - 5 items ABL Post-Literate - 32 items
Pagbilang (N2) - 5 items PIS (Oral) 4 Items
Pagbasa (R3) - 9 items PIS (Written) - 4 items
Pagbilang (N3) - 5 items
Pagsulat (W3)- 10 items
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 ABL Features
Features Old ABL New ABL
Time ABL - approximately Neo-Literate in Filipino
1-1/2 hours • Multiple Choice - 50 mins
• PIS - 5 mins

Neo-Literate in Filipino and

English
• Multiple Choice - 60 mins
• PIS - 5 mins

Post Literate
• Multiple Choice - 60 mins
• PIS - 4 mins

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Session 2

Assessment for
Basic Literacy Test
Administration

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Objective

Demonstrate the conduct of specific

parts of the ABL administration.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Manual for ABL Administration

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Manual for ABL Administration
Introduction

The Assessment for Basic Literacy is the instrument to assess the

learners’ level of literacy: Neo-Literate and Post-Literate. It includes measures of
ability to supply personal information and prior knowledge of the two learning
strands: Communication Skills-English and Filipino and Mathematical and
Problem Solving Skills.

The test will determine the entry level characteristics of the learners and
will help the ALS teachers design the learning plan and developmental activities
suited to the needs of the individual learner.

The revision of the ABL is a response to the need to align the ALS basic
levels to the formal school K-12 Curriculum, particularly the Kinder and Grade I.

The written test portions of the ABL can be administered to learners in a

small group, to a maximum of 20. The test proper of the ABL contains multiple
choice items. It may take an hour to finish. The second form to be answered is the
Personal Information Sheet (PIS). It consists of four (4) questions which will be
administered individually. The examiner/teacher will read the questions and the
examinee will give oral and written responses.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Manual for ABL Administration

As examiners/teachers, you will be expected to follow the directions

given in this manual for the administration of the different parts of the ABL.

Choice of Form

Learners who do not meet the benchmark score for the PIS in the FLT
have to take the ABL. The first form to be administered will be the ABL Neo-
Literate The choice of ABL in Filipino or ABL if Filipino and English will depend
on the learner’s language experience and the judgment of the ALS teacher.
Learners who will pass the Neo-Literate form can proceed with the Post-Literate
form.

Each level form has specific guidelines for administration. A

significant feature in the ABL is that the examiner reads each test item to the
examinee.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Design of Test Session
1. Pretest Activities
2. Administration of the Test
2.1 ABL-NLF (Neo-Literate Test in Filipino)
2.2 ABL-NLFE (Neo-Literate Test in Filipino
and English)
2.3 ABL-PL (Post-Literate Test)
2.4 PIS
3. Posttest Activities

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 ABL Neo-Literate Test in Filipino

A. Pretest Activities
B. Administration of the Test
1. Orientation of Examinees and Administration of
Answer Sheet
2. Administration of Test Booklet
3. Administration of Part I: Communication Skills-
Filipino (7 Items)
4. Administration of Part II: Mathematical and
Problem Solving Skills - Filipino (8 items)
5. Administration of PIS - Oral and Written (4
items each)
C. Posttest Activities

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
ABL Neo-Literate Test in Filipino and English

A. Pretest Activities
B. Administration of the Test
1. Orientation of Examinees and Administration of
Answer Sheet
2. Administration of Test Booklet
3. Administration of Part I: Communication Skills -
Filipino (7 Items)
4. Administration of Part II: Communication Skills -
English (7 items)
5. Administration of Part III: Mathematical and
Problem Solving Skills - Filipino (8 items)
6. Administration of Part IV: Mathematical and
Problem Solving Skills (English) (8 items)
7. Administration of PIS - Oral and Written (4 items
each)
C. Posttest Activities
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 ABL Post-Literate
A. Pretest Activities
B. Administration of the Test
1. Orientation of Examinees and Administration of
Answer Sheet
2. Administration of Test Booklet
3. Administration of Part I: Communication Skills -
Filipino (7 Items)
4. Administration of Part II: Communication Skills -
English (8 items)
5. Administration of Part III: Mathematical and
Problem Solving Skills - Filipino (8 items)
6. Administration of Part IV: Mathematical and
Problem Solving Skills (English) (8 items)
7. Administration of PIS - Oral and Written (4 items
each)
C. Posttest Activities
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
NEO-LITERATE IN FILIPINO

STEP 2
STEP 1 Administration of STEP 3
the Test (LS -1
Pretest Activities Posttest Activities
Filipino, LS - 3 in
Filipino and PIS )

NEO-LITERATE IN FILIPINO & ENGLISH

STEP 2
Administration of
STEP 1 the Test (LS -1 STEP 3
Filipino and English,
Pretest Activities LS - 3 in Filipino Posttest Activities
and English and
PIS)

POST-LITERATE

STEP 2
Administration of
STEP 1 the Test (LS -1 STEP 3
Filipino and English,
Pretest Activities Posttest Activities
LS - 3 in Filipino
and English and
PIS)
Session 3

Scoring, Analysis, and

Interpretation of ABL

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Objective

• Score the ABL Answer Sheet and

PIS and
• Analyse, interpret and
communicate the ABL results to
the learner.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 LET’S SCORE
Scoring the Multiple Choice Test Items for the
LS1: Communication Skills - Filipino and English
and LS 3: Mathematical and Problem Solving Skills

❑ Be ready with the scoring key for the multiple choice

items of the test form taken (ABL-NLF, ABL-NLFE, or
ABL-PL)
❑ Score each item for each test part with the
corresponding answer key.
❑ One point for each correct answer.
❑ Write the total score in the boxes provided for each
test part in the Answer Sheet.
❑ Obtain the total score of the test parts and write this
on the space provided

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
LET’S SCORE

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Sample LS1 Filipino M-C Test Items and
Answer Keys
LS 1 Communication Skills – Filipino

Part I.
Answer Key
Learner’s Answers
LS 1 Filipino
1. C 1. C
2. C 2. C
3. A 3. A
4. B 4. B
5. B 5. C
6. B 6. B
7. B 7. B

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 LET’S SCORE
Scoring the Personal Information Sheet (PIS)

❑ Check if you have recorded the score for the oral

which should have been done during the
administration of the PIS. Give 1 point for complete
response and 0 point for incomplete or no response.
❑ Check the responses to the writing items. Give 1 point
for complete response and 0 point for incomplete or no
response.
❑ Obtain the total score for the oral items and the
writing items.
❑ Add the oral and writing scores to obtain the PIS total
score

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 LET’S SCORE

Marcela M. Cruz 1 1 1 1
Cristina K. Lee 1 0 1 1
Arlene H. Manabat 1 1 0 1
Joanne B. Nillo 1 1 1 1
Hannah J. Quilatan 1 0 1 0
Eduardo S. Cortez 1 1 1 1
John B. Lucero 1 1 1 1
Mario M. Santos 1 1 1 1
Christopher S. Templo 1 1 1 0
Juan F. Zulueta 1 1 0 0

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 LET’S SCORE
Recording the Scores

❑ Write the total scores for the M-C test parts

❑ On the Learner’s Score Sheet, write the total scores
obtained in the PIS Writing and Oral items.
❑ Obtain the Overall Score from the combination of the
M-C test parts and PIS score. Write this on the
Learner’s Score Sheet.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Session 3

Interpretation of
ABL Scores

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
ABL Score Benchmarks for Readiness per ALS
Basic Level
NEO-
FORM NON-
TEST PART LITERATE
USED LITERATE
(KINDER)
ABL- NLF LS1 - Communication 0-2 3-7
(Neo-Literate Skills (Filipino)
in Filipino) LS 3 Mathematical and
Problem Solving Skills 0-3 4-8
(Filipino)
PIS Oral 0-2 3-4
PIS Writing 0-1 2-4
Total Score 0-11 12-23
ABL Score Benchmarks for Readiness per ALS
Basic Level
NEO-
FORM NON-
TEST PART LITERATE
USED LITERATE
(KINDER)
ABL- NLFE LS1 - Communication 0-2 3-7
(Neo-Literate Skills (Filipino)
in Filipino LS 1 Communication 0-2 3-7
and English) Skills (English)
LS 3 Mathematical
and Problem Solving 0-4 5-8
Skills (Filipino)
LS 3 Mathematical
and Problem Solving 0-3 4-8
Skills (English)
PIS Oral 0-2 3-4
PIS Writing 0-1 2-4

Total Score 0-19 20-38

 ABL Score Benchmarks for Readiness per ALS
Basic Level
POST-
NEO-LITERATE
FORM USED TEST PART LITERATE
(KINDER)
(GRADE 1)
ABL- PL LS1 - Communication 0-3 4-8
(Post-Literate) Skills (Filipino)
LS 1 Communication 0-3 4-8
Skills (English)
LS 3 Mathematical
and Problem Solving 0-3 4-8
Skills (Filipino)
LS 3 Mathematical
and Problem Solving 0-3 4-8
Skills (English)
PIS Oral 0-2 3-4
PIS Writing 0-2 3-4
Total Score 0-21 22-40
 Interpreting ABL Scores

1. Use of Benchmarks. Look at the

Learner’s Score Sheet and study the scores
obtained for each part of the test and the
Overall Score. Refer to the Table of ABL
Benchmarks to find out which level the
total score falls. This will be the level at
which the ALS teacher can assign the
learner, where he will start interventions
that the learner needs.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Interpreting ABL Scores

1. Levelling of Learners by ABL Test Results

• If the learner’s Total Score on the Neo-Literate form
(ABL-NLF or ABL-NLFE) does not meet the
benchmark, he/she may need interventions for the
Non-Literate.

• If the learner’s score on the ABL-NLF or ABL-NLFE

passes the benchmark, he/she will take the Post-
Literate form (ABL-PL), and if he passes it, he will
undergo the Post–Literate or Grade 1 equivalent
interventions.

• If he fails the Post-Literate benchmark, he will

undergo the Neo-Literate or Kinder equivalent
interventions.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Interpreting ABL Scores

2. Learning Competencies. Identify the item

numbers which the learner answered
incorrectly. Find out the competencies
measured by these items (Refer to the
Table of Learning Competencies). These
will be the areas in which the learner may
need more intervention.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Table of Learning Competencies LS – 1
Communication Skills (Filipino)

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Table of Learning Competencies LS – 1
Communication Skills (Filipino)

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Table of Learning Competencies LS – 1
Communication Skills (Filipino)

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Interpreting ABL Scores

3. Individual Learning Agreement (ILA).

Explain the meaning of the scores to the
learners and the parents/guardians, if
needed. At this point they can arrive at the
proper Individual Learning Agreement (ILA)
which includes the ALS levels and
interventions which the learner will attend.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 We Serve as One.
We Inspired as One.
In ALS we are Together as One.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
THANK YOU!

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION