1.2 Test-Taking With Real Documents
Key Takeaways
- CASAS questions often use real-world documents such as notices, labels, bills, schedules, pay stubs, forms, charts, and workplace memos.
- Read the question stem first so you know which detail, rule, time, amount, or unit to search for.
- Choose the answer supported by exact document evidence rather than outside knowledge or a reasonable guess.
- For math items, copy the relevant numbers with their units before calculating, then check whether the answer should be dollars, hours, tablets, miles, or another unit.
- Common traps include wrong-day schedule entries, gross versus net pay, serving size versus container size, and discounts that require subtraction after finding the percent.
Treat each item like a document task
CASAS items rarely ask for isolated facts. They usually give you a practical document and ask what a person should do, where a number comes from, or which detail matches the situation.
The safest method is simple: read the question stem first, identify what kind of answer is needed, then scan the document for exact evidence. Do not start by reading every line with equal attention. Real documents include extra names, dates, phone numbers, prices, and instructions that may not answer the question.
Common document types
| Document type | What to scan for | Typical trap |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Day, direction, stop, start time, arrival time | Correct time for the wrong day or route |
| Pay stub | Rate, hours, gross pay, deductions, net pay | Confusing gross pay with take-home pay |
| Medicine or nutrition label | Dosage, serving size, servings per container, warnings | Using one serving when the question asks for the whole container |
| Bill or receipt | Due date, subtotal, tax, fee, balance, payment method | Adding a fee that applies only after the due date |
| Workplace memo or safety notice | Required action, deadline, location, contact person | Choosing a detail that is true but not the required action |
| Chart or graph | Axis labels, legend, units, exact category | Comparing heights without reading the unit scale |
A reliable answer routine
- Name the task. Decide whether the question asks for a time, amount, rule, location, person, next step, or reason.
- Circle the signal words mentally. Watch words like first, after, before, only, except, must, and not.
- Find exact evidence. Match the answer to a line, label, table entry, or calculation from the document.
- Check units. Dollars, hours, tablets, ounces, miles, and days are not interchangeable.
- Estimate math answers. A quick estimate catches choices that are too large or too small.
Units decide many answers
In practical math, the calculation is often easy once the units are clear. A pay question might ask for one day of paid work, not the whole week. A nutrition question might list calories per serving, but ask for the entire package. A transit question might require arrival before a deadline, not departure after it.
When two answer choices look close, return to the document. CASAS questions are designed so the correct answer is supported by the evidence in front of you.
Read the notice: COMMUNITY CLINIC FLU SHOTS Walk-in hours: Monday and Wednesday, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM Appointments only: Friday, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM Bring a photo ID and insurance card if you have one. A patient wants to come without an appointment. Which time fits the notice?
Read the label: Laundry Detergent Use 2 ounces for one regular load. Bottle size: 50 ounces. How many regular loads can be washed with one full bottle?