What You Need to Know Before Taking the CBEST

The CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test) often represents the first step toward attaining a teaching credential in California. The exam is designed to test the reading, mathematics, and writing skills determined to be the most fundamental to a career as an educator. In this article we will break down everything you need to know about the test: who’s expected to take it, how to schedule a test date, and, most importantly, the type of content you can expect to encounter on the exam.

To start with, it’s important to understand that the CBEST tests an individual’s content knowledge in the areas of reading, mathematics and writing, rather than their ability to teach those skills. In that way, it isn’t that different from many of the standardized tests you may have taken as a student. The goal is for you, the test-taker, to demonstrate your general proficiency in these core areas of education.

As such, the test can be required in a few different circumstances. Most commonly, passing the CBEST typically allows one to begin substitute teaching within the state and/or is required to gain acceptance into a state-accredited teacher preparation or credentialing program. It is also required of those who are seeking an administrative services credential. 

The test itself is made up of three subtests: reading, mathematics and writing. The reading and math sections consist of 50 multiple choice questions each, while the writing subtest is composed of two essays. These subtests may be taken on separate days or as a combined exam. For more details about the major content areas covered in each subtest, consult the summaries provided at the end of this article.

For more information about the exam, please visit the official California Educator Credentialing Exams website, or take a look at the CBEST information page on the Teachers Test Prep website. Here you’ll find a helpful overview of test dates, registration procedures and preparation options.

In this guide, you wil find the following information:

You can register online on the CTC Exams website or by phone or mail. Click here for details.

You are given four hours to complete all three sections of the exam.

A total score of 123 across all three subtests is required. Your results are determined using scaled scores that range from 20 to 80 for each of the three sections (reading, mathematics and writing). A passing score on each section is a scaled score of 41; however, you can score as low as a 37 on a section, as long as the sum of your three scores is 123 or higher.

Here are some recommended resources to help you prepare for the exam:

To pass the CBEST, your total scaled score must be at least 123 (each section has a passing scaled score of 41 but you can receive a scaled score as low as 37 in one or two sections as long as the total of all 3 sections is at least 123). You may want to retake a section that you already passed in order to increase your overall score. Your highest score for each subtest will be submitted.

For computer-based testing, results are typically made available to you within two weeks. For written-based testing, results are typically made available to you within three weeks.

You can take each subtest as many times as you like in order to pass. However, you must wait at least 45 days from your last test date to retake the computer-based test.