The Nebraska Assessment Battery of Essential Learning Skills (N-ABELS) is a goal-oriented instrument with an evaluation component providing a basis for determining acquisition of twelve skills defined as learning goals. Each goal is stated in terms of an acceptable performance standard which clearly describes what the student must do. The skills included are reading (decoding an oral passage); writing from dictation (encoding); spelling; math, including basic computation with whole numbers and decimal fractions; map reading; and three information retrieval skills involving the dictionary, encyclopedia and card catalog. There is no relationship between skill mastery and grade level, but most skills should have been introduced by grade 5. Mastery is defined as errorless performance; therefore N-ABELS differs from standardized achievement tests since the latter are norm referenced to scores of other students at the same grade or age. Although N-ABELS is a marked departure from most school testing programs, it is easily understood by the public. An accountability base is thereby established. This document contains the actual test forms for each of the twelve skills. There are four equally difficult forms, designated A-D. An answer key, student answer sheet, and official student progress report form are included. (Author/CP)