Preparing for the CASAS STEPS Reading Test Level A (ESOL 1)? Level A uses simple, real-life materials—forms, short texts, emails, ads, labels, receipts—and also includes picture-only vocabulary items. Understanding how each task area works (and how questions are presented) will help you practice with purpose and feel confident on test day.
In our CASAS STEPS Reading overview we covered the big picture. This post focuses on Level A task areas and clarifies an important detail: picture-only items don’t show an instruction line—you just see the image and choose the correct word—while text-based items (emails, labels, ads, forms) include a short instruction or question.
What Are Task Areas in CASAS STEPS Reading Level A?
Task areas are categories of everyday reading materials used in the CASAS STEPS Reading Test. Instead of abstract questions, CASAS measures how you read authentic items from real life. At Level A, the official blueprint shows the following distribution:
Credit: The chart and sample screenshots below are from the official CASAS website.
Note that while signs/ads/labels dominate the blueprint, Level A also includes many picture-only vocabulary items. In those picture items, there is no instruction line; you see a photo or icon (e.g., a bus, socks) and choose the correct word. For text-based items (like emails, labels, receipts, forms) you’ll see a short instruction or question.
Task Area 1: Forms (18%)
What you see: In CASAS STEPS Reading Level A, you will se short, simple forms—school registration, clinic slips, sign-in lists—testing whether you can locate a basic detail (date of birth, address, time, phone). Form items can be little details such as a date, or a number, or they may be text-based, so you’ll see a question line (e.g., “What is the date of birth?”).
Example (Form):
Tip for Forms: Read the question first, then scan for the matching label (Date, Phone, Address, Name). Don’t guess—locate the exact field and match words exactly (e.g., “Birthdate” vs. “Date”).
Task Area 2: Texts, Emails, Short Articles, and Narratives (18%)
What you see: very short written messages—email reminders, clinic confirmations, class notes. These are also text-based and include a question line asking for a key detail (who, what, when, where).
Example (Email/Text):
Tip for Texts: Read the question first, then skim for names, dates, times, and places. Those are the most common details at Level A.
Task Area 3: Signs, Ads, and Labels (64%)
What you see: everyday visuals and short text—from store receipts and sale posters to product labels and posted notices. Many of these are text-based (for example, receipts with totals, labels with abbreviations), so they include a question line. However, Level A also uses picture-only vocabulary items (no instruction line) in this general area—see the next section.
Example (Receipt – text-based with question line):
Example (Label/Abbreviation – text-based with question line):
Tip for Signs/Ads/Labels (text-based): Watch for short words and abbreviations (Dec., Mon., Apt., Ave.). Read numbers carefully (prices, dates, times). The instruction line tells you exactly what detail to find.
Picture-Only Vocabulary Items (No Instruction Line)
At CASAS STEPS Reading Level A, you will also see picture-only items: a photo or icon appears without any instruction line. Your job is to identify the correct word from the answer choices. Examples include pictures of transportation icons (e.g., bus) or common clothing (e.g., socks). There is no sentence telling you what to do—just the image and four choices.
Example (Picture-only book – no instruction line):
Example (Picture-only number – no instruction line):
Example (Picture-only bus icon – no instruction line):
Example (Picture-only clothing vocabulary – no instruction line):
Tip for Picture-only Items: Say the word in English (bus, socks, number, date, zip code, etc.) before you look at the choices. Then match the exact word in the answer options. Don’t add meaning; just name what you see.
How to Prepare for Level A
Practice with real-world materials: store receipts, medicine labels, school notes, bus schedules.
Pay attention to dates, times, and numbers—they’re frequent at Level A.
Use CASASTEPS.com to try free CASAS STEPS Reading practice quizzes at your level.
Study common abbreviations (Jan., Feb., Mon., Ave., Apt.).
For picture-only items, practice naming common objects and icons in English (bus, socks, exit, stop).
Final Thoughts
The CASAS STEPS Reading Level A test blends text-based items with instruction lines (forms, emails, labels, receipts) and picture-only vocabulary items (no instruction line). Knowing this difference will help you read each screen correctly and answer faster. Most questions come from signs/ads/labels, but forms and short texts are essential too.
Practice with authentic examples from the official CASAS site and our free practice quizzes to build confidence for test day.