Test Preparation
Welcome! This page is the gateway to your CBEST and CSET resource needs. Click on any of the following links to direct you to a specific destination.
Testing Dates and Registration
Visit this site for full information: www.ctcexams.nesinc.com
Test Prep Tips
Six Steps to Success on Your Exam
- Understand the test you are taking. Visit the California Educator Credentialing Examinations website to review the content guide of the test. To apply for the single subject credential program, you must fulfill the criteria of subject matter competency. This can be achieved through taking the CSET exam OR completing an approved subject matter compentecy program. Please see Subject Matter Competency Advisors to check if your coursework qualifies.
- Register for the exam early with enough time to study and commit to that date. Teacher Fellows, as soon as you have registered for the exam, begin to fill out and turn in the reimbursement form (within 60 days of registration). Reimbursement forms are available in Creative Arts 127.
- Understand and assess your strengths and weaknesses. If you are already strong in a particular area, then you may not need to spend as much time focusing on it.
- Pick up a testing manual that provides exam topic content and practice questions. Review the content that will be covered on the test and study.
- One study strategy you can utilize is to find an introductory textbook, pair it with your test preparation guide and analyze any questions you may not understand. This way, you can strengthen and solidify your knowledge on those particular areas.
- There are also plenty of online resources with a wide variety of content, study tips, and practice questions. You can check out books from the CSME Main Office or from the Resource Center in the Creative Arts 127.
Online Resources
Free CSET/CBEST Practice Tests
Free CSET/CBEST Preparation for Science/Math (offered from MSTI)
CBEST
CSET
Resources for Brushing Up on Mathematics
Test Preparation Guides Available for Lending at CSME
CBEST
- CliffsNotes
- Kaplan
- XAM
CSET
- CliffsNotes
- Kaplan
- Princeton Review
- REA
- XAM
Recommended Books
The following are a list of recommended books to supplement test preparation guides and other materials. Copies of the following are available at Creative Arts 127 for checkout. This list will continue to be updated so please check back frequently.
Mathematics (CBEST and CSET)
CBEST
Recommended Books and Video:
- Test Prep Books' CBEST Prep Book for California: 4 CBEST Practice Tests with Study Guide Review for Reading, Math, and Writing [5th Edition] (Paperback) by Joshua Rueda
- Princeton Review CBEST Prep, 4th Edition: 3 Practice Tests + Content Review + Strategies to Master the California Basic Educational Skills Test by Frederick Sliter III
- Caveman Chang Algebra Teacher
Copies of Test Preparations Guides we offer:
- Test Prep Books's CBEST Test Preparation Study Questions 2018 & 2019
- Cirrus's Test Prep CBEST Study Guide Exam Prep and Practice Test Questions for the California Basic Educational Skills Test
CSET
Recommended Books and Video:
- Mometrix Test Preparation's CSET Multiple Subject Test Prep - CSET Secrets Study Guide
- REA's CSET Mathematics California Subject Examinations for Teachers 5th Edition by Kathryn Porter, Ph.D.
Copies of Test Preparations Guides we offer:
- Cirrus's Test Prep CSET Math Test Preparation 2018-2019: CSET Mathematics Study Guide and Practice Test Questions for the CSET Math Subtest I, II, II
- Test Prep Books's CSET Multiple Subject Test Prep 2018 & 2019, CSET Multiple Subjects Subtest 1, Subtest 2, & Subtest 3 Study Guide & Practice Test Questions
- The Princeton Review's Cracking the CSET by Kate Smith and Riley Dacosta
- Mometrix Test Preparation's CSET Foundational-Level Mathematics Secrets Study Guides
Science (CSET)
GENERAL SCIENCE
- Mometrix Test Preparation's CSET Foundational Level General Science Exam - CSET Secrets Study Guide (Included CSET Practice Test)
- Mometrix Test Preparation's CSET Foundational-Level General Science Exam - CSET Secrets Study Guide (Includes Science Practice Test)
CHEMISTRY
- Mometrix Test Preparation's CSET Chemistry exam - CSET Secrets Study Guide
GEOSCIENCES
- XAMonline.com's CSET Earth and Planetary Science 122, 126
- CSET Earth and Planetary Science Exam, California Subject Exam for Teachers, Educational Teaching Group
PHYSICS
- Mometrix Test Preparation's CSET Physics Exam - CSET Secrets Study Guides