TABE Language Practice Test

Unofficial TABE language practice: correct the sentence, fix the punctuation, choose the right word, at Levels E to A.

Which sentence states an opinion?

Pick an answer, then press Check answer. Then you see Correct or Not quite, with the reason. Keys: A to D pick, Enter checks.

Print covers the next 20 questions. Share this set copies a link to the same questions in the same order.

Exam mode: 20 questions, no time limit.

More options

Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with Data Recognition Corporation, which publishes TABE. Bank checked October 7, 2026.

The real TABE language test: what the publisher's own sheets say

Questions and time
33 questions in 50 minutes, at every level.
Question kinds
Multiple-choice questions only.
What it covers
Text types and purposes, conventions of standard English, and knowledge of language and vocabulary.
Shares
A third each at Levels E and M. At Levels D and A: 39.4%, 27.3% and 33.3%, in the order above.
Locator Test
16 language questions in 20 minutes show which level to take.
Pass mark
None from the publisher, which does not set or recommend cut scores. Each program sets its own.

Checked October 7, 2026 against the publisher's TABE 13&14 testing times sheet, its four language blueprints, its What's New page and its FAQ sheet. Rules change, so confirm with the agency itself before your test.

The publisher's TABE 13&14 blueprints

Next step A full Level M test: 33 more language questionsA full Level D test: 33 more language questions

Level E: all 20 questions

Text types and purposes 7

  • A paragraph gives two reasons why the writer likes the night shift. Which sentence best ends it? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level E: Text Types and Purposes (33.3%), standard 3.W.1, a concluding statement.
  • A paragraph reads: "They can fetch a ball. They can learn to sit and stay. Some even help people who cannot see." Which sentence best begins it? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level E: Text Types and Purposes (33.3%), standard 3.W.2, introducing a topic. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, On Paragraphs.
  • A paragraph tells how to care for a houseplant. Which sentence belongs in it? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level E: Text Types and Purposes (33.3%), standard 3.W.2, developing a topic with facts and details. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, On Paragraphs.
Show all 20 questions (17 more)

Text types and purposes, continued

  • A story reads: "Ana missed the bus. She walked two miles in the rain. Her boss saw her wet coat and handed her a towel." Which sentence best ends the story? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level E: Text Types and Purposes (33.3%), standard 2.W.3, giving a story a sense of closure.
  • Choose the word that best completes the sentence: "I like my new job ______ the people are friendly." TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level E: Text Types and Purposes (33.3%), standard 3.W.1, linking words that join an opinion to a reason.
  • Choose the word that best fills the blank: "First, Sam washed the car. Next, he dried it. ______, he drove it home." TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level E: Text Types and Purposes (33.3%), standard 2.W.3, words that signal the order of events. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, Transitional Devices.
  • Which sentence states an opinion? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level E: Text Types and Purposes (33.3%), standard 3.W.1, an opinion and the reasons for it.

Conventions of standard English 7

  • Choose the correct verb: "My sister ______ to work every day." TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level E: Conventions of Standard English (33.3%), standard 3.L.1, subject-verb agreement. Word: Wiktionary, walks.
  • Choose the correct word: "This week's sales were ______ than last week's." TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level E: Conventions of Standard English (33.3%), standard 3.L.1, comparative and superlative adjectives. Word: Wiktionary, better.
  • Choose the correct word: "Yesterday Mr. Lee ______ the class a story." TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level E: Conventions of Standard English (33.3%), standard 2.L.1, the past tense of irregular verbs. Word: Wiktionary, told.
  • One dog has a bowl. Which sentence uses an apostrophe correctly? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level E: Conventions of Standard English (33.3%), standard 3.L.2, forming and using possessives. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, Apostrophe Introduction.
  • Which is the correct short form of "do not"? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level E: Conventions of Standard English (33.3%), standard 2.L.2, an apostrophe in a contraction. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, Apostrophe Introduction.
  • Which sentence about a holiday trip uses capital letters correctly? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level E: Conventions of Standard English (33.3%), standard 2.L.2, capital letters for holidays and place names. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, A Little Help with Capitals.
  • Which sentence uses the correct plural? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level E: Conventions of Standard English (33.3%), standard 2.L.1, irregular plural nouns. Word: Wiktionary, children.

Knowledge of language and vocabulary 6

  • Choose the word that tells when: "We ate dinner ______ the movie started." TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level E: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 3.L.6, words that signal time and place.
  • In which sentence does "bark" mean the outside of a tree? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level E: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 2.L.4, using the sentence as a clue to a word with several meanings. Word: Wiktionary, bark.
  • What does the word "builder" mean? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level E: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 2.L.4, the meaning of a word formed with a known suffix. Word part: Wiktionary, -er.
  • What does the word "unlock" mean? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level E: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 2.L.4, the meaning of a word formed with a known prefix. Word: Wiktionary, unlock.
  • Which word is made of two smaller words? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level E: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 2.L.4, the meaning of a compound word. Word: Wiktionary, notebook.
  • Which word names the fastest way of moving on foot? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level E: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 3.L.5, shades of meaning among related words. Word: Wiktionary, sprint.

How this list was compiled: Our own sentences and questions, written to the TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level E, of Data Recognition Corporation (https://tabetest.com/PDFs/TABE1314_BluePrint_LangE.pdf, read 2026-10-07): text types and purposes 33.3%, conventions of standard English 33.3%, knowledge of language and vocabulary 33.3%. The bank holds 20 questions, split 7, 7 and 6. Grammar, punctuation and style rules were read at the Purdue Online Writing Lab (https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/) and word meanings and spellings in Wiktionary on 2026-10-07 and 2026-10-08; each question names the page. No question turns on the comma before "and" in a list, which good references leave open. The real test has 33 questions in 50 minutes (https://tabetest.com/PDFs/TABE_13-14_Test_Max_Test_Times.pdf). Licence: Sentences, questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

Level M: all 20 questions

Text types and purposes 7

  • A letter gives three reasons for a longer lunch break: (1) workers have to eat too fast, (2) the line for the microwave is long, (3) rested workers make fewer mistakes. Where does this sentence belong? "Last year our plant counted fewer errors on days with a longer break." TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level M: Text Types and Purposes (33.3%), standard 5.W.1, grouping reasons with the evidence that supports them.
  • A paragraph argues that the shop should recycle its cardboard. Which sentence best concludes it? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level M: Text Types and Purposes (33.3%), standard 5.W.1, a concluding statement related to the opinion.
  • A paragraph reads: "The day shift starts at 7 a.m. The evening shift starts at 3 p.m. The night shift starts at 11 p.m." Which sentence best introduces it? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level M: Text Types and Purposes (33.3%), standard 4.W.2, introducing a topic clearly. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, On Paragraphs.
Show all 20 questions (17 more)

Text types and purposes, continued

  • A writer wants to convince coworkers to carpool. Which sentence best opens the paragraph? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level M: Text Types and Purposes (33.3%), standard 5.W.1, introducing a topic and stating an opinion. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, On Paragraphs.
  • Choose the phrase that best fills the blank: "Small changes can lower a power bill. ______, turning off lights in empty rooms costs nothing." TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level M: Text Types and Purposes (33.3%), standard 4.W.2, linking ideas with words and phrases. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, Transitional Devices.
  • Which fact best supports the opinion that the break room needs a second microwave? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level M: Text Types and Purposes (33.3%), standard 5.W.1, reasons supported by facts and details.
  • Which sentence gives the reader the most exact information? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level M: Text Types and Purposes (33.3%), standard 4.W.2, precise language. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, Concision.

Conventions of standard English 7

  • Choose the correct verb form: "By the time the bus arrived, we ______ for an hour." TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level M: Conventions of Standard English (33.3%), standard 5.L.1, the perfect verb tenses. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, Introduction to Verb Tenses.
  • Choose the correct verb form: "Since Monday, the team has ______ two reports." TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level M: Conventions of Standard English (33.3%), standard 5.L.1, the perfect verb tenses. Word: Wiktionary, written.
  • Choose the correct word: "The driver ______ truck broke down called the office." TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level M: Conventions of Standard English (33.3%), standard 4.L.1, relative pronouns. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, Pronoun Case. Word: Wiktionary, who's.
  • Choose the pair of words that completes the sentence: "______ the manager ______ the assistant has the key, so the office stays locked." TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level M: Conventions of Standard English (33.3%), standard 5.L.1, correlative conjunctions. Word: Wiktionary, neither.
  • Which sentence punctuates the list of supplies correctly? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level M: Conventions of Standard English (33.3%), standard 5.L.2, punctuation that separates items in a series. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, Extended Rules for Commas.
  • Which sentence uses "then" and "than" correctly? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level M: Conventions of Standard English (33.3%), standard 4.L.1, frequently confused words. Word: Wiktionary, than.
  • Which spelling of the word that means "needed" is correct? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level M: Conventions of Standard English (33.3%), standard 4.L.2, spelling. Word: Wiktionary, necessary.

Knowledge of language and vocabulary 6

  • At the first staff meeting, the manager told a joke to "break the ice". What was the manager trying to do? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level M: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 5.L.5, the meaning of a common idiom. Idiom: Wiktionary, break the ice.
  • Read the sentence: "The storm was so severe that roads were closed and schools shut for two days." What does "severe" mean? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level M: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 5.L.4, using context as a clue to meaning. Word: Wiktionary, severe.
  • Which sentence contains a simile? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level M: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 5.L.5, similes and metaphors. Word: Wiktionary, simile.
  • Which word best replaces "went" to show that Dana moved fast? "Dana went to the exit when the alarm rang." TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level M: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 4.L.3, choosing words that convey an idea precisely. Word: Wiktionary, dash.
  • Which word is an antonym of "scarce"? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level M: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 5.L.5, antonyms. Word: Wiktionary, scarce.
  • The word part "tele-" means "far" or "over a distance". What does that tell you about a telephone? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level M: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 4.L.4, Greek and Latin word parts as clues to meaning. Word: Wiktionary, telephone.

How this list was compiled: Our own sentences and questions, written to the TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level M, of Data Recognition Corporation (https://tabetest.com/PDFs/TABE1314_BluePrint_LangM.pdf, read 2026-10-07): text types and purposes 33.3%, conventions of standard English 33.3%, knowledge of language and vocabulary 33.3%. The bank holds 20 questions, split 7, 7 and 6. Grammar, punctuation and style rules were read at the Purdue Online Writing Lab (https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/) and word meanings and spellings in Wiktionary on 2026-10-07; each question names the page. No question turns on the comma before "and" in a list, which good references leave open. The real test has 33 questions in 50 minutes (https://tabetest.com/PDFs/TABE_13-14_Test_Max_Test_Times.pdf). Licence: Sentences, questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

Level D: all 20 questions

Text types and purposes 8

  • A report explains how a new scanner cut checkout times at a store. Which sentence best concludes it? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level D: Text Types and Purposes (39.4%), standard 7.W.2, a concluding statement that follows from the information given.
  • A report explains why the night shift has more late orders. Which sentence develops the topic with a relevant fact? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level D: Text Types and Purposes (39.4%), standard 7.W.2, developing a topic with relevant facts and concrete details.
  • A writer argues for a later school start time. Which sentence acknowledges an opposing view? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level D: Text Types and Purposes (39.4%), standard 7.W.1, acknowledging an opposing claim.
Show all 20 questions (17 more)

Text types and purposes, continued

  • A writer argues that a school should serve breakfast. Which source gives the most credible support? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level D: Text Types and Purposes (39.4%), standard 7.W.1, using accurate, credible sources. Word: Wiktionary, credible.
  • A writer claims that a four-day work week would not lower output at a plant. Which evidence is most relevant? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level D: Text Types and Purposes (39.4%), standard 7.W.1, supporting a claim with relevant evidence.
  • Choose the transition that best links the sentences: "The old software crashed every week. ______, the new system has run for six months without a failure." TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level D: Text Types and Purposes (39.4%), standard 8.W.2, transitions that clarify how ideas relate. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, Transitional Devices.
  • Which sentence keeps a formal style suited to a report? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level D: Text Types and Purposes (39.4%), standard 7.W.2, keeping a formal style. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, Levels of Formality.
  • Which sentence states a claim that a writer could argue with evidence? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level D: Text Types and Purposes (39.4%), standard 7.W.1, introducing a claim.

Conventions of standard English 5

  • Which sentence is free of a dangling modifier? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level D: Conventions of Standard English (27.3%), standard 7.L.1, misplaced and dangling modifiers. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, Dangling Modifiers and How To Correct Them.
  • Which sentence keeps its pronoun consistent with the noun it stands for? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level D: Conventions of Standard English (27.3%), standard 6.L.1, shifts in pronoun number and person. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, Using Pronouns Clearly.
  • Which sentence punctuates the two adjectives correctly? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level D: Conventions of Standard English (27.3%), standard 7.L.2, a comma between coordinate adjectives. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, Extended Rules for Commas.
  • Which sentence sets off the extra information about Mr. Abara correctly? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level D: Conventions of Standard English (27.3%), standard 6.L.2, commas that set off a nonrestrictive element. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, Extended Rules for Commas.
  • Which sentence uses the correct pronoun? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level D: Conventions of Standard English (27.3%), standard 6.L.1, pronouns in the proper case. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, Pronoun Case.

Knowledge of language and vocabulary 7

  • A supervisor asks you to "summarize" a ten-page report. What should you do? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level D: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 8.L.6, general academic words. Word: Wiktionary, summarize.
  • A text to a friend reads: "Hey, running late. Save me a seat!" Which next sentence keeps the same tone? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level D: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 6.L.3, keeping style and tone consistent. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, Levels of Formality.
  • The Latin root "port" means "carry". Which meaning fits the word "portable"? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level D: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 6.L.4, Greek and Latin roots as clues to meaning. Word: Wiktionary, portable.
  • Read the sentence: "Unlike her talkative brother, Nadia was reticent and rarely spoke in meetings." What does "reticent" mean? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level D: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 6.L.4, using context as a clue to meaning. Word: Wiktionary, reticent.
  • Which sentence states the idea most concisely? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level D: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 7.L.3, expressing ideas concisely. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, Concision.
  • Which word can be removed from this sentence without changing its meaning? "The two partners cooperated together on the final report." TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level D: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 7.L.3, eliminating redundancy. Word: Wiktionary, cooperate.
  • The word part "bio-" means "life", and "-logy" means "the study of". What is biology? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level D: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 6.L.4, Greek and Latin word parts as clues to meaning. Word part: Wiktionary, bio-.

How this list was compiled: Our own sentences and questions, written to the TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level D, of Data Recognition Corporation (https://tabetest.com/PDFs/TABE1314_BluePrint_LangD.pdf, read 2026-10-07): text types and purposes 39.4%, conventions of standard English 27.3%, knowledge of language and vocabulary 33.3%. The bank holds 20 questions, split 8, 5 and 7. Grammar, punctuation and style rules were read at the Purdue Online Writing Lab (https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/) and word meanings and spellings in Wiktionary on 2026-10-07; each question names the page. No question turns on the comma before "and" in a list, which good references leave open. The real test has 33 questions in 50 minutes (https://tabetest.com/PDFs/TABE_13-14_Test_Max_Test_Times.pdf). Licence: Sentences, questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

Level A: all 20 questions

Text types and purposes 8

  • A report explains why a call center's wait times rose in July. Which detail is most relevant? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level A: Text Types and Purposes (39.4%), standard 9-10.W.2, developing a topic with relevant and sufficient facts.
  • A report finds that most customer complaints involve late deliveries. Which closing sentence best states what the finding implies? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level A: Text Types and Purposes (39.4%), standard 9-10.W.2, a conclusion that states what the information implies.
  • A writer argues that a town should ban plastic bags. Which sentence develops a counterclaim fairly? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level A: Text Types and Purposes (39.4%), standard 9-10.W.1, developing a counterclaim fairly.
Show all 20 questions (17 more)

Text types and purposes, continued

  • Choose the word that best completes the sentence: "______ the supplier raised its prices twice this year, the firm renewed the contract." TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level A: Text Types and Purposes (39.4%), standard 9-10.W.1, words that clarify how a claim and its reasons relate. Word: Wiktionary, although.
  • Which evidence would best support the claim that a safety program reduced injuries at a plant? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level A: Text Types and Purposes (39.4%), standard 9-10.W.1, supplying evidence for a claim.
  • Which sentence best introduces a report that compares two payroll systems? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level A: Text Types and Purposes (39.4%), standard 9-10.W.2, introducing a topic and organizing the ideas. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, On Paragraphs.
  • Which sentence keeps an objective tone suited to an analysis? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level A: Text Types and Purposes (39.4%), standard 9-10.W.2, a formal style and an objective tone. Word: Wiktionary, objective.
  • Which sentence states a precise claim for an argument? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level A: Text Types and Purposes (39.4%), standard 9-10.W.1, introducing a precise claim.

Conventions of standard English 5

  • Read the sentence: "Although the truck was late, the store opened on time." Which part is a dependent clause? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level A: Conventions of Standard English (27.3%), standard 9-10.L.1, independent and dependent clauses. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, Independent and Dependent Clauses.
  • Which sentence joins the two clauses correctly? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level A: Conventions of Standard English (27.3%), standard 9-10.L.2, a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb between independent clauses. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, Independent and Dependent Clauses.
  • Which sentence lists the job's duties in parallel structure? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level A: Conventions of Standard English (27.3%), standard 9-10.L.1, parallel structure. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, Parallel Structure.
  • Which sentence uses a colon correctly to introduce a quotation? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level A: Conventions of Standard English (27.3%), standard 9-10.L.2, a colon that introduces a quotation. Rule: Purdue Online Writing Lab, Punctuation Overview.
  • Which spelling of the word that means "apart" is correct? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level A: Conventions of Standard English (27.3%), standard 9-10.L.2, spelling. Word: Wiktionary, separate.

Knowledge of language and vocabulary 7

  • A manager promises to "mitigate" the effects of a layoff. What does the manager intend to do? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level A: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 11-12.L.6, general academic words. Word: Wiktionary, mitigate.
  • An inspector asks a contractor to "substantiate" the claim that the wiring meets code. What is the inspector asking for? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level A: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 11-12.L.6, general academic words. Word: Wiktionary, substantiate.
  • Choose the correct form of the word: "The committee will ______ both bids before it awards the contract." TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level A: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 11-12.L.4, patterns of word changes that mark different parts of speech. Word: Wiktionary, evaluate.
  • In a debate, a speaker says, "I concede that the plan is costly." What is the speaker doing? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level A: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 11-12.L.6, general academic words. Word: Wiktionary, concede.
  • Read the sentence: "The audit was comprehensive: it covered every account, every branch and every month of the year." What does "comprehensive" mean? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level A: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 11-12.L.4, using context as a clue to meaning. Word: Wiktionary, comprehensive.
  • Read the sentence: "The engineers judged the plan feasible, since the crew, the budget and the schedule were all in place." What does "feasible" mean? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level A: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 11-12.L.4, using context as a clue to meaning. Word: Wiktionary, feasible.
  • Read the sentence: "The engineers released a preliminary report in March and the full report in July." What does "preliminary" mean? TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level A: Knowledge of Language and Vocabulary (33.3%), standard 11-12.L.4, using context as a clue to meaning. Word: Wiktionary, preliminary.

How this list was compiled: Our own sentences and questions, written to the TABE 13&14 Language Blueprint, Level A, of Data Recognition Corporation (https://tabetest.com/PDFs/TABE1314_BluePrint_LangA.pdf, read 2026-10-07): text types and purposes 39.4%, conventions of standard English 27.3%, knowledge of language and vocabulary 33.3%. The bank holds 20 questions, split 8, 5 and 7. Grammar, punctuation and style rules were read at the Purdue Online Writing Lab (https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/) and word meanings and spellings in Wiktionary on 2026-10-07 and 2026-10-08; each question names the page. No question turns on the comma before "and" in a list, which good references leave open. The real test has 33 questions in 50 minutes (https://tabetest.com/PDFs/TABE_13-14_Test_Max_Test_Times.pdf). Licence: Sentences, questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

How it works

This TABE language practice test has 80 questions of our own, 20 at each level from E to A. It is unofficial and not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Data Recognition Corporation, which publishes TABE.

Read the full guide

What the language test asks

Three groups at every level. Conventions of standard English: verb forms, pronouns, capitals, commas, spelling. Knowledge of language and vocabulary: the precise word, word parts, idioms, context clues. Text types and purposes: the best opening, linking word or closing sentence for a short piece of writing.

How the levels differ

Levels E and M give each group a third of the test. At Levels D and A, text types and purposes grows to 39.4%, so more questions ask you to shape an argument or a report.

A full-length language test

The TABE Level M practice test and the TABE Level D practice test each hold 33 other language questions, the count of the real test.

  • Three of the four choices often differ from the right one by a single comma or word, so read all four.
  • After a miss, open the rule the explanation names.

Questions and answers

What is on the TABE language test?

Sentences to correct and short pieces of writing to improve. The publisher lists multiple-choice questions only for the language test, so you choose every answer and write nothing out.

How many questions are on the TABE language test?

33 questions in 50 minutes at every level of TABE 13&14. The Locator Test, which sets your level, asks 16 language questions in 20 minutes.

Is the TABE language test the same as the reading test?

No. Reading asks what a text means. Language asks you to correct and build sentences: grammar, punctuation, spelling, word choice and the order of ideas. They are separate subtests, and the publisher says a program may give one without the others.

Is there a TABE language practice test to print?

Yes. Finish a round, then press Print. The sheet can hold all 20 questions of a level, with or without the answer key, and the print window can save it as a PDF.

More tests

Show 8 more

Browse Civics and Law