As students progress into CASAS STEPS Reading Level D, the reading tasks become more complex and demand stronger critical thinking. Level D bridges intermediate and advanced ESOL learning, preparing students for workplace, community, and academic contexts. Understanding the task areas is essential to succeed on this test.
In a previous blog, we reviewed the task areas for Level C. Now, let’s explore what Level D looks like, how the questions are distributed, and how you can practice effectively. All sample percentages come directly from the official CASAS website.
Task Area Distribution for CASAS STEPS Reading Level D
The chart below shows how test items are divided at Level D:
- Forms: 15% (≈5–6 questions on a 36-item test)
- Charts, Tables, and Graphs: 10% (≈3–4 questions)
- Texts, Emails, Articles, Narratives: 56% (≈20 questions)
- Signs, Ads, and Labels: 19% (≈7 questions)
Compared to Level C, the CASAS STEPS Reading Level D includes longer texts, more detail-oriented forms, and multi-step reasoning with charts and graphs. This prepares students for Level E, where texts become even more academic and professional.
1. Forms (15%)
Students at the CASAS STEPS Reading Level D test will encounter forms that are more detailed than at previous levels. These may include workplace forms, school records, or service applications. Questions may ask for exact information, such as a date of birth, an ID number, or specific instructions written in the form.
Tip: Always scan the form first. Identify where names, numbers, and dates are located before looking at the question.
2. Charts, Tables, and Graphs (10%)
At the CASAS STEPS Reading Level D, charts and graphs go beyond basic visuals. You may see data tables, survey results, or schedules. Students must not only read numbers but also interpret relationships, trends, or comparisons.
Tip: Look at titles, headings, and labels carefully. These usually tell you exactly what the chart is measuring.
3. Texts, Emails, Articles, and Narratives (56%)
This is the largest section of CASAS STEPS Reading Level D. Students will read multi-paragraph narratives, workplace emails, community announcements, and long articles. Level E starts adding two comparative articles, like in the example below, which makes the reading even more difficult. These questions require identifying the main idea, supporting details, synonyms in context, and making inferences (e.g., “What is most likely to happen next?”).
Tip: Pay attention to tone and purpose. Ask yourself: why was this written— to inform, request, or persuade?
4. Signs, Ads, and Labels (19%)
Signs and ads at the CASAS STEPS Reading Level D test are longer and often include multiple details or conditions. Instead of simply naming a picture, students must read carefully to identify rules, restrictions, or comparisons. In the example below, there is a job ad about two job openings.
Tip: Read every word. Sometimes one small phrase (e.g., “valid until July”) changes the correct answer completely.
Final Thoughts
Level D marks a major step forward in CASAS STEPS Reading. By practicing with Level B and Level C blogs, students can see how the difficulty grows over time. The CASAS STEPS Reading Level D task areas push students to handle more text, interpret visuals, and recognize deeper meanings. For more official resources, visit the CASAS website.