CBEST TEST

CBEST is the acronym of California Basic Educational Skills Test. The National Evaluation Systems (NES) administers the CBEST for those wishing to work in the schools of California an Oregon. Obtaining the grade needed to pass the CBEST ensures that the applicants are credible of receiving the permit or certificate to work in the public schools of California and Oregon. Passing the CBEST is mandatory for not only those aspiring to be full time teachers. The law requires that even those who desire to work as substitute teachers have to pass the CBEST.

The CBEST is not deigned to test the teaching proficiency of the applicant. It is intended to determine the applicant’s mastery of the subjects’ basics. The scores of the CBEST serve as proof of the applicant’s knowledge over the course material.

The CBEST is administered monthly through locations situate throughout the states of California and Oregon. English is the only medium of taking the test and the test scores are available to the student one month from the date of appearing for the test. The test scores has no fixed validity period and hence needs to be taken only once. There is no restriction on the number of attempt made to pass the test. Any number of attempts of the entire CBEST or one or more sections is allowed but the entire registration fee has to be paid at each attempt, irrespective of the number of sections attempted.

The CBEST consists of three sections dealing with reading, writing and maths. The Reading and Math sections are composed of multiple-choice questions while the Writing section consists of two essay questions. Each of the section has a score range of 20 – 80 and the combined score from 60 – 240 score limit. The applicant is required to score a minimum of 41 points in each section and 123 points in overall to be declared as qualified in the test. In case of the applicant achieving the 123 point in the overall score, but the score in the individual sections is below 37 then he will be declared as failed. It is no necessary to take all three tests on the same day. The purpose of the CBEST is to evaluate and validate the applicant’s proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics skills in the English language. The fundamental educational expertise’s needed for teaching in schools is measured through this test. The scores present in general an indication of sufficient ability (Pass) or insufficient ability (not Pass) and assess the basic skills that are needed by qualified employees in schools that offer educational curriculum in kindergarten, grades one to twelve, and adult education.

The total time limit for completing the CBEST is four hours. The individual sections does not have a set time limit, hence the total 4 hour time period of the entire test can be divide as the student wishes. Incase the student is very proficient in the reading and writing skill he could try and complete these sections in 2 hours and apply the leftover 2 hours to concentrate on the math section. The students are not allowed to use calculators for assistance during the test.

The flexibility of the CBEST serves to be very supportive for the test takers.

Application packets for the CBEST are available at any school district office, the county office of education and at colleges and universities in the states of California and Oregon. The registration packets are also available at the SCCOE Credential Services Office. The students wishing to register through internet can register in the website http://www.cbest.nesinc.com . Registration packets are also available through mail from the National Evaluation Systems at (916) 928-4001. The applicant must have passed the CGEST before submitting application for an Emergency Permit. The out-of-state teachers are allowed a one year period to pass the CBEST while applying for their first CA teaching permit. The one year period is calculated form the day of application for the permit and expires after the completion of a year.