Readiness for the Exam

Performance at Level C or higher is required to pass the TASC–ASL (see How the Exam is Scored). The following is a description of the level of sign communication proficiency a person who achieves a Level C on the TASC–ASL is generally expected to demonstrate.

A candidate who achieves a Level C or higher:

• Communicates as a general partner in American Sign Language in a clearly participatory manner.
• Initiates, sustains, and brings to closure a wide variety of communicative competencies, including description, instructions, hypothetical situations, problem solving, and supported opinion.
• Demonstrates comprehension skills in general, understanding most of the interviewer's signing in American Sign Language.
• Demonstrates fluency in American Sign Language by appropriately using ASL signs, grammar, structure and syntax in an understandable fashion, at a pace that does not impede meaning.
• Demonstrates an adequate American Sign Language vocabulary for familiar topics and enough for unfamiliar topics to communicate with the interviewer.
• Uses nonlinguistic cues and facial expressions appropriately in communicating with the interviewer.
• Uses sign space appropriately, establishing referents in space and using verb directionality.

Level of Signing Required to Achieve a Passing Score

A Level C signing proficiency—generally a partner in expressive and receptive communication in American Sign Language—is required to pass the TASC–ASL. Review the Level C description in the Holistic Rating Scale as well as the description of the performance features demonstrated by a signer at Level C in the Analytic Feedback Scale.

Learn about the Exam

The best way to learn about the TASC–ASL is by carefully reading the information on this website and on the TASC–ASL information page.

Enhance Your Signed Communication Ability by Practicing

Even if you are well versed in American Sign Language, you should spend some time practicing by communicating with others who know American Sign Language or taking a class in which only American Sign Language will be taught.

Become Familiar with the Five Communication Competencies

Review the description of the communication competencies that are included on the exam.

Conduct a Practice Filmed Interview to Become More Comfortable with the Exam Format

Ask your preparation program (or a friend with a camera) to film you, if possible, in an American Sign Language conversation with a teacher or friend. You may want to ask the person interviewing you to ask you questions involving the communication competencies you will be asked to perform on the exam. Watch the filmed interview, paying close attention to how well you are communicating your ideas, using the grammar, structure and syntax of American Sign Language. Also, evaluate how well you are signing:

• Is your grammar that of American Sign Language?
• Do your classifiers match up to your size and shape specifiers?
• Are you utilizing mouth movements for morphemic structures?
• Are you using facial grammar for sentence types and conversational markers?
• Are your vocabulary choices based on meaning?
• Are you articulating signs clearly?

This self-analysis and practice should help you become more at ease during the actual exam.