Core Skills Profile for Adults Core Skills Profile for Adults

CSPA in under 2 minutes

High-quality, diagnostic data for RTOs and TAFEs to measure candidate literacy and numeracy skills through secure online assessments

Snapshot Reading Numeracy Indicator (SRNI)

Reading

Writing

Numeracy

VSL approved

VET suitable

ACSF aligned

Decrease candidate turnaround times with fast and detailed reporting

CSPA reporting in detail

Reduce administrative overheads

Simplify and streamline your assessment intake workflows with CSPA's purpose built candidate management system.

Valid and reliable assessments developed by domain experts

The CSPA was developed by ACER staff with high level expertise in the design of online post-school assessments in language, literacy and numeracy. All items were trialled with adult candidates and proven to be psychometrically valid and reliable.

The CSPA was developed based on the ACSF with key assessment constructs being identified in conjunction with clients to ensure the relevance of assessment content and an appropriate spread of item difficulty.

CSPA assessments

Download the CSPA PDF information pack

Secure assessments available when it suits you

ACER’s online platform allows you to spend less time on administration and planning tests and more time making the most of the insights from effective assessment.

7 Million assessments
per year

Proven and tested delivery day-in and day-out

10 000+ candidates
per week

Deliver your assessments with confidence via our robust platform

70+ countries
worldwide

Trusted around the world to deliver assessments online since 2011

Quality assessment design

Key test constructs for the CSPA were identified in conjunction with our TAFE and VET clients to allow them to accurately assess the core skills of learners across the five levels of the ACSF.

Learner engagement across all skill levels

Successful trials, with over 1400 TAFE and VET candidates across Australia, show the CSPA is accessible for learners at all ACSF levels.

Trusted by leading training organisations around Australia

'The CSPA is highly effective in helping our providers to identify early the literacy and numeracy needs of a candidate so that their individual pathway in training supports their developmental needs, success in training and a smooth transition to further study or employment. The CSPA is a critical tool in implementing South Australia’s foundation skills policy in VET and our commitment to the National Foundation Skills Strategy for Adults.'

Government of South Australia – Department for Innovation and Skills

Used in transition from professional sports

'The AFL Players' Association has always had literacy and numeracy teaching staff, as well as wellbeing managers who help players develop post-competition career paths. The assessment is used to inform the work of both. Other professional sporting bodies also use it for similar purposes.'

AFL Players' Association

Fostering organisational change

'We have found that ACER’s test is easy to administer, user friendly and that it provides instant, detailed and informative feedback for test takers. The writing test has been added to our suite of tests and we have used it for a varied clientele. It has proved to be particularly useful in pin-pointing or confirming particular writing issues. ACER staff has been very helpful and responsive as back up support in ironing out any technical difficulties.'

Box Hill Institute

Practice assessment

The CSPA assessment is an initial assessment of skill level, therefore preparation is not required. If you wish to complete a short practice assessment, please register via an email address. A review page is provided at the end of the test outlining which questions have been marked incorrectly (you will not be able to re-submit your responses once the assessment is complete).

Core Skills Profile for Adults

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