CSET and CBEST | cateach.ucla.edu

Testing and Credential Information

In preparation for applying to credential programs, students will need to demonstrate:

1. Knowledge of the subject you want to teach
2. Knowledge of basic educational skills.

To demonstrate your "Subject Matter Knowledge" students can either successfully pass the CSET (California Subject Exam for Teachers) or successfully complete a Subject Matter Waiver Program. For more information about the UCLA Math Department's Subject Matter Waiver Program, please look under "Teach Math > Math Department Offerings" in the links at the top of the page. UCLA science departments do not have waiver programs, and therefore science credential students must pass the CSET.

To demonstrate "Knowledge of Basic Education Skills", students must either 1) successfully pass the CBEST exam or 2) meet other minimum scores on SAT, ACT or select AP tests. Please see the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing for the current scores necessary to satisfy the requirement, or see their CBEST page under "What are the Basic Skills Testing Options for California?".

Reimbursement for CSET and CBEST for UCLA Cal Teach Students

Contingent upon continued funding, the UCLA Cal Teach program will reimburse UCLA Cal Teach students who successfully pass the CSET exams. To be reimbursed, you must have taken the exam while enrolled as a UCLA student, be a math or science major, and have taken at least one UCLA Cal Teach course or internship (i.e. Science Education 1SL, 10SL, 100SL, Math 71SL, 72SL, 103, 105, or summer internship). We reimburse for CSET Single Subject exams in math or science. We will potentially reimburse for CSET Multiple Subjects under limited circumstances for math or science majors. Please contact the Academic Coordinator at cateach@chem.ucla.edu for more information. To be reimbursed, you will need to email us a copy of your test result showing that you passed, and a copy of the receipt showing that you paid the associated fees. Please note that we cannot reimburse for late fees as per University policy.

We will also reimburse for CBEST exams, according to the same criteria above. However, please note that taking the CBEST may not be necessary if you meet the minimum scores on the SAT, ACT, or select AP tests. Please see the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing for the current scores necessary to satisfy the requirement, or their CBEST page under "What are the Basic Skills Testing Options for California?".

The California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)

Note that taking the CBEST may not be necessary if you meet the minimum scores on the SAT, ACT, or select AP tests. Please see the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing document, or their CBEST page for the current scores necessary to satisfy the requirement.

The CBEST consists of three sections: Reading, Mathematics, and Writing, and includes 50 multiple choice questions in the Reading Section, 50 multiple choice questions in the Mathematics sections, and 2 written essays.

How to Prepare?

A practice test is available on the CBEST website: https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/PM_CBEST.asp. Most students find reviewing this material adequate preparation. Numerous additional preparation books are sold in bookstores and on commercial websites including Amazon.com

The California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET)

There are various versions of the CSET. Please check directly with the CSET website and credential programs to confirm the appropriate tests and subtests for your situation.

1) For students wanting to teach Elementary School, the CSET: Multiple Subject is required.

For the above credential, students are required to take the following CSET subtests:
#101 (which covers Reading, Language, Literature, History and Social Science)
#214 (which covers Science and Mathematics)
#103 (which covers Physical Education, Human Development and Visual and Performing Arts)

How to prepare?

UC Irvine has created a great website with self-paced preparation guides. We highly recommend this resource! http://ocw.uci.edu/collections/california_subject_examination_for_teachers__preparation_resources.html

2) For students wanting to teach Science, two options exist.

a) Foundation-Level General Science - A Single Subject Teaching Credential in Foundation-Level General Science authorizes teaching only in general, introductory, and integrated science (integrated science through Grade 8 only).

For the above credential, students are required to take the following CSET subtest:
Science Subtest I: General Science (215)

b) Science with an area of concentration - A credential in this area authorizes teaching general and integrated science AND the area of concentration in high school. (Most students choose this option as it seems to have the best appeal to the majority of schools during the hiring process)

For the above credential, students are required to take the following CSET subtests:
Science Subtest I: General Science (215)

And ONE of the following subtests:
Science Subtest II: Life Sciences (217)
Science Subtest II: Chemistry (218)
Science Subtest II: Earth and Space Sciences (219)
Science Subtest II: Physics (220)

How to prepare?

Check the CTC site for sample questions and test structure and content: https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/PM_CSET.asp?t=217

UC Irvine has created a website with self-paced preparation guides. http://ocw.uci.edu/collections/california_subject_examination_for_teachers__preparation_resources.html

Cal State Fresno offers free workshops on CSET preparation. http://fresnostate.edu/kremen/about/centers-projects/teachmathscience/in...

Free study guides are available to be checked out from our office at 1039 Young Hall by currently enrolled UCLA science or math students who have taken at least one Cal teach course or internship (i.e. Science Education 1SL, 10SL, 100SL, Math 71SL, 72SL, 103, 105, or summer internship).

3) For students wanting to teach Math, various options exist

a) Foundational-Level Mathematics - A Single Subject Teaching credential in Foundational-Level Mathematics authorizes teaching only in limited mathematical content areas: general mathematics, algebra, geometry, probability and statistics, and consumer mathematics.

For the above credential, students are required to take the following CSET subtests:
Foundational-Level Mathematics Subtest I (211)
Foundational-Level Mathematics Subtest II (212)

b) Mathematics - A Single Subject Teaching Credential in Mathematics authorizes teaching all mathematics coursework.

For the above credential, students are required to take the following CSET subtests:
Mathematics Subtest I (211)
Mathematics Subtest II (212)
Mathematics Subtest III (213)

How to prepare?

Check the CTC site for sample questions and test structure and content: https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/PM_CSET.asp?t=211

UC Irvine has created a website with self-paced preparation guides. http://ocw.uci.edu/collections/california_subject_examination_for_teachers__preparation_resources.html

Cal State Fresno offers free workshops on CSET preparation. http://fresnostate.edu/kremen/about/centers-projects/teachmathscience/in...

Additional Teaching related websites include:

Credentialing Information
California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

Teacher Resources
California Department of Education
Content Standards
Curriculum Frameworks and Instructional Materials