Test Information
California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)
The CBEST is a test required for students interested in teaching.
The purpose of the test is to verify acceptable proficiency in reading,
writing, and mathematical skills. These are all skills needed by
teachers. Once one passes the CBEST it is valid for life. The cost
of the exam is $41 and is administered every other month. More information
about the exam and test dates are available at: www.cbest.nesinc.com.
California Subject Exam for Teachers, Multiple Subject (CSET)
The Multiple Subject California Subject Exam for Teachers (CSET)
is the exam required of prospective elementary teachers to meet
subject matter competency for the multiple subject credential (as
of July 2004) and fulfill the "highly qualified" requirement
in the federal law known as "No Child Left Behind." As
on the CSET site, the exam covers all the "subject specific
knowledge, skills, and abilities required of entry-level teachers."
The test is parcelled into three subject specific subtests:
I. Reading, Language, and Literature; History and Social Science
II. Science; Mathematics
III. Physical Education; Human Development; Visual and Performing
Arts
Students may take one to three subtests in the five hour test session.
Each subtest costs $72 and there is no surcharge for taking subtests
at different test sessions.
Students should consider CSET preparation during academic planning.
The CCT offers academic planning services to assist students in
this process.
More information is available at: www.cset.nesinc.com
CSET, Single Subject
In order to meet the subject matter competency requirement for
admission into a single subject credential program, a student can
pass the state approved exam in the area she wants to teach in.
The CSET, Single Subject exams are replacing the SSAT/Praxis series.
The exams vary from subject to subject. For more information visit
www.cset.nesinc.com.
A student looking to teach middle or high school can also meet
subject matter competency by completing a state approved subject
matter preparation program. For more information about the subject
matter preparation programs CSUF offers please click here.
We recommend that undergraduates follow the requirements for the
subject matter preparation program using courses from GE and the
major whenever possible. These are the very courses that will assist
the student in preparing for the test. In most cases, undergraduates
who decide to be teachers early in their academic careers are able
to complete the subject matter preparation program within the requirements
for the degree. The exam option is best for those students who decide
later in their academic careers and for whom the subject matter
preparation program would require an excessive number of extra classes.
The subject matter exams are rigorous and very difficult to pass
without the appropriate academic background.
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