Family & Community Adult Education Adult & Community Learning Services
Adult and Community Learning Services

BEST Plus Frequently Asked Questions
Updated August 5, 2004

Can I roll over my students' BEST test scores from FY04 to FY05?

Unfortunately, you cannot. The scores from the BEST test and the BEST Plus test are based on different scales and use two different rubrics, so the scores are not comparable. All students who got the BEST test in FY04 need to be post-tested with the BEST test before June 30, 2004. That will be the last time we use the BEST test. We won't carry over any BEST scores in SMARTT to FY05. After June 30, 2004, all students will need to be pre-tested using the BEST Plus.

How do I get the test administrations? What do they cost?

There is a charge each time a BEST Plus test is administered. The cost depends on the number of administrations purchased by the program. Test administrations are ordered in multiples of 20 or 50.

• If you buy 20 - 280 administrations, the cost is $1.50 per administration
• If you buy 300 - 480 administrations, the cost is $1.25 per administration
• If you buy 500 or more administrations, the cost is $1.00 per administration

When should I order test administrations?

Programs can order them now, and use the administrations as needed. In other words, programs can purchase test administrations, but not load them onto computers at your program until you need them. We recommend you do not load all purchased test administrations on to computers, because if a computer gets stolen, the administrations are lost. The minimum you can add at one time is 20. Administrations are added in sets of 20, 50, 100, 300, and 500. Because administrations are saved to the computer, it is sometimes better to add fewer administrations more often, so that if something happens to the computer (i.e., it crashes, laptop is stolen, you have to reformat the computer) you lose fewer administrations.

Can I use the BEST Plus for Class Placement?

Programs can use the BEST Plus for placement and for pre-testing. Programs can also use the BEST Oral Interview Short Form or their own assessment tools for class placement only.

How do I determine the number of administrations I need?

You need one administration for each time you test a student. We suggest that you consider the number of BEST tests that will be administered this year and also, keep in mind, the performance standard of pre- and post- testing 70% of your students.

Where can I get more information about the BEST Plus?

The main page of the BEST Plus website is http://www.cal.org/bestplus. You can also access their revised and greatly expanded Frequently Asked Questions on their website at http://www.cal.org/bestplus/faq.html

What SPL levels does the BEST Plus assess?

The BEST Plus is designed to be used for students SPL 0-10.

When can I use the BEST, and when can I use the REEP?

• Programs can choose either the BEST Plus or the REEP for any student SPL 2 and up.
• Students at SPL 0-1.9 must take the BEST Plus test.
• The REEP may be administered to any ESOL student SPL 2 and up.

How do I order test administrations?

Complete the BEST Plus Order Form and return to CAL (attached). All orders for BEST Plus must be in writing. Programs can download the order form in Word or Adobe Acrobat at http://www.cal.org/bestplus/order.html

When ordering BEST Plus test administrations, you need to either fax or mail your order (along with a copy of your Purchase Order or credit card information. Purchasers are required to provide information on the trained test administrators who will use them and to indicate, by their signature on the order form, their agreement with the policies on use and administration of BEST Plus.

Programs can use a purchase order, check or credit card (Master Card, VISA or Discover). Make checks payable to the Center for Applied Linguistics. Tax and shipping charges aren't applied to purchasing test administrations.

Will I receive a confirmation of my order of test administrations from CAL?

No, due to the overwhelming number of orders they receive, you will not get a confirmation. They process orders within 3 business days of their receipt. If you are mailing your order form, please allow more time for processing.

Once I have purchased the number of test administrations I need overall for my program, how do I access them?

Before you access the administrations, decide how many the computers you will be using for BEST Plus testing. CAL must have received and registered payment in its BEST Plus database before you can receive the Purchase Code that unlocks your purchased test administrations.

CAL has a handy "CD Quick Reference Guide" for taking you through the process of accessing your purchased test administrations-find it at http://www.cal.org/bestplus/guide.html.

Then, email (bpcode@cal.org) or phone (1-866-845-2378) CAL to receive your purchase code (don't fax or mail them). Each time you add administrations to a computer, you'll have a new Purchase Code combination.

Also, have a list of staff that will be BEST Plus test administrators for your program, as CAL will verify when you call that they are in their Test Administrator Registry and are trained test administrators. (As you know, all test administrators must have gone through the training.) The test administrator doesn't need to call; it's all right for an administrative assistant, technical person, or program coordinator to call and access tests. After CAL provides you with your Purchase Code, you can begin testing.

If I order more than I need, can I return unused test administrations?

Unused administrations aren't returnable, and are not transferable from one computer to another. Programs may always add more administrations if they are getting low. On the other hand, don't wait until the last minute to order! The Center for Applied Linguistics is open Monday through Friday, 9-5.

Does my program have to pay for the cost of a trainer to train our staff?

Programs will not need to pay the prices listed on CAL's website ($3,250 per training). 24 practitioners across the state have been trained to provide BEST Plus training sessions; please call your SABES region for information about attending a training. Programs do need to cover the cost of their staff to attend the 7-hour training. Programs must have a minimum of 2 staff trained to administer the BEST Plus by the start of their FY05 classes.

What about all the other BEST Plus questions I have?

Feel free to contact your Program Specialist, or your SABES Regional Curriculum and Assessment Coordinator, or Jane Schwerdtfeger (email janes@doe.mass.edu).