California Basic Educational Skills Test

One of the books designed to help individuals review for the test.

The California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) is a standardized test which can satisfy the basic skills requirement for teacher credentialing in the state of California. The exam is also available as an option in Oregon and Nevada. It was developed by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)[1] to meet the California Education Code (Section 44254),[2] which was amended by the legislature of California on February 1, 1983.[1] This amendment "requires teachers, administrators, and other school practitioners, [to] demonstrate adequate proficiency, in English, of three basic skills: reading, mathematics, and writing." The CBEST is administered by the National Evaluation Series (NES), a division of Pearson VUE, under the direction of the CBEST Program.[2] It does not test an individual’s teaching skills or abilities; it only tests reading skills (critical analysis, evaluation, comprehension, and research skills), mathematics skills (estimation, measurement, computation, and problem-solving, etc.), and writing skills that are considered important for a job in the education field, either at the elementary, secondary, or higher education levels.[2]

The CBEST gives a separate score for each section tested, and a passing score must be obtained in every section to pass the test. Passing the CBEST is one way to satisfy the California Education Code basic skills requirement for obtaining a California teaching credential, required to teach in California public schools. [2]

The CBEST format was implemented by the Oregon Teachers Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) in July 1984 to assess the basic skills of individuals entering the education field. Six months after, it became a requirement for obtaining a license in Oregon as an educator. At the time it was implemented, it was an additional requirement for obtaining a license or credential, and it did not replace the other requirements established for the issuance of teaching credentials.[2] While the CBEST remains an option in Oregon, as of June 11, 2011, the state legislature approved other methods for meeting the basic skills requirement in that state.[3]

The CBEST consists of three sections, containing multiple-choice questions and two essay questions. Each multiple-choice question presents five choices (A through E) and examinees are given four hours to take the test. The time given can be divided among the three sections in any way desired.

Passing requires a total of 123 points across all three sections, and a score no lower than 37 in any one section.

CBEST computer-based testing (CBEST CBT) is available "by appointment, year-round, Monday through Saturday (excluding some holidays)." In addition, "[t]est appointments are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and seating is limited. The exam is administered at Pearson Professional Centers operated by Pearson VUE.[5] Each site gives a list of the testing windows that are open for registration. Test sites show information about available test centers in California and other centers in the United States.

The CBEST is an option for prospective educators to satisfy the basic skills requirement in the following situations:

1. applying for a teaching or service credential for the first time;
2. employees starting a new job who have not taught during the prior 39 months;
3. applying for admission to either a teacher-preparation or service-credential program approved by the CCTC.

There are three different ways to register for the CBEST including internet registration, mail, and telephone registration.

Internet registration is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Internet registration for the paper-based test can be utilized during regular, late, and emergency registration periods. Registration can occur through the official CBEST website,"[4] following the instructions listed. Telephone registration is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time), Monday through Friday, excluding certain holidays. Registration must be completed by 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) on the registration deadline to be eligible for that specific registration period.[7]

Mail registration deadlines are strictly enforced and must be postmarked by the regular registration deadline. Anything postmarked after the deadline may cause delays or cause you to incur additional registration fees. Telephone registration can be utilized during late and emergency registration periods only. Registrants can call (800) 262-5080 or (916) 928-4001 on the given times and dates.[4] Examinees can then confirm their registration by consulting the CBEST website in the state where they registered.

All three sections of the test must be passed in order to pass the CBEST. Raw scores can range from 1–50, which are then converted to scaled scores ranging from 20–80. The passing scaled score on each section of the test is 41, and a minimum total score of 123 for all three sections must be achieved to pass.[5]

Scores are mailed four to six weeks after the test date. For each section, the scores announce whether or not the section was passed, and it suggests areas within each section that one might need to study. The score report also includes the highest score obtained. A passing score on any section of the test does not have to be taken again.[4]

• CBEST Official Site
• Pearson VUE CBEST Site