Test Information

Candidates need to be aware of several high-stakes tests.  Candidates must take the CBEST exam as a condition of entry to the program.  They must pass the CBEST to advance to student teaching.

Candidates who plan do demonstrate subject matter competence by passing the CSET exam must do so in order to advance to student teaching.

CBEST- (California Basic Educational Skills Test) 
The California Education Code and Title 5 Regulations specify, in most cases, that applicants for a credential, certificate, or permit to serve in the public schools of California must verify basic skills proficiency before the credential, certificate, or permit will be issued.  With the passage of Senate Bill 1209, additional options became available to meet the basic skills requirement.  Passage of the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) remains one of the options.  Effective January 1, 2007, a basic skills examination from another state is also acceptable (CTC Leaflet CL-667).

The California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) measures a candidate’s skills in reading, writing, and math.  Students must take all parts of the CBEST before applying to the SSCP; they must pass all parts before applying for student teaching.

To assist candidates in passing the CBEST, our program offers

• Free CBEST Prep Workshops before each administration of the CBEST exam by NES (sign up in the Teacher Preparation Advising Center in ED1-67)
• Referral services for tutoring (CD-ROM) through the Learning Assistance Center (LAC). 

Study materials are available in the University Bookstore and there are commercial workshops that students can attend such as free CBEST workshops sponsored by the College of Education and/or the Bobrow Test Preparation through UCES.  Details are available in the Teacher Preparation Advising Center in ED1-67.

For more information concerning the CBEST, visit the CBEST website at http://www.cbest.nesinc.com.

CSET - (California Subject Examination for Teachers)

The State of California requires that Single Subject credential candidates demonstrate adequate subject knowledge in all the areas of subject matter they will teach.  This is called the Subject Matter Competence requirement.” Demonstration of Subject Matter Competence may be achieved through CTC-approved coursework or examination.  Currently, the only Commission-approved subject matter examinations used to verify subject matter competence for Single Subject Teaching Credentials is the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) (CTC Leaflet CL-674S).

The following materials and services are available for candidates seeking assistance in preparing for the CSET:

• Orange County Test Prep Series for English, Math, Science, and Social Science. Contact Linda Apple, Program Specialist at 714-966-4156, lapple@ocde.us or Joan Neumann, Test Prep Advisor at 714-966-4319, jneumann@ocde.us
• Study guides available through Borders or Barnes and Noble by Xam Publications.

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing states that CSET examination scores are valid for FIVE YEARS from the first test date in which you took and passed the CSET (or any portion of).

For more information concerning the CSET, including registration fees, application deadlines, test dates, etc., visit the CSET website at: http://www.cset.nesinc.com.

Last update: 9/14/07