The BASIS is described as a quick screening tool for assessing basic skills of students functioning at grade 1-8 levels. The tool uses norm-referenced and criterion-referenced measures to assess achievement in reading, mathematics, spelling, and writing. This paper discusses test administration, scoring, standardization, reliability, and validity.

The BASIS will quickly screen children's reading, mathematics, and spelling skills. BASIS yields both criterion-referenced and norm-referenced information and features an optional 10-minute descriptive writing exercise. All basic test items in reading, mathematics, and spelling are grouped in grade-referenced clusters.