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CBEST – with TESTware
Includes CD with timed practice tests, instant scoring, and more.
For California Licensure
Are you prepared to excel on the CBEST?
* Get to know the test, how it is scored, and much more.
* Set up a study schedule by following our flexible, results-driven timeline
* Take the first full-length practice test to discover what you know and what you should know
* Use REA's advice to ready yourself for proper study and success
Sharpen your knowledge and skills
* All areas on the official exam are covered in the Reading, Writing, and Mathematics reviews
* Lessons reinforce necessary skills
* Key tutorials enhance specific abilities needed on the test
* Targeted drills increase comprehension and help organize study
Practice for real
* Create the closest experience to test-day conditions with three full-length practice exams on REA’s TESTware CD, featuring test-taking against the clock, instant scoring by topic, handy mark-and-return function, pause function, and more
* OR, choose paper-and-pencil testing at your own pace
* Chart your progress with full and detailed explanations of all answers
* Boost your confidence with test-taking strategies and experienced advice
Get to the head of the class! Get certified!
REA books and software have proven to be the extra support teacher candidates need to pass their challenging test for state licensure. Our comprehensive study guides are teacher-recommended and written by educators who have mastered the test and the related program of study.
How to Prepare for the CBEST with this Book and TESTwareš
By reviewing and studying this book, you can achieve a top score on the California Basic Educational Skills Test, or CBEST. The CBEST assesses knowledge that you have gained throughout your academic career. Most of the knowledge tested by the CBEST is covered in your college or university teacher preparation programs or through other classes. While the test does not ascertain aspects of teaching such as dedication, rapport with students, and motivation, it does assess basic skills relevant to the teaching profession.
We at REA believe the best way to prep for the CBEST is to replicate the complete CBEST test-taking experience. Toward that end, we provide three full-length exams that accurately reflect the CBEST in terms of format, content, and degree of difficulty. Our practice exams mirror the latest CBEST test forms and include every type of question that you can expect to encounter when you sit for the exam. Following each of our practice exams is an answer key complete with detailed explanations and solutions. Designed specifically to clarify the material for the student, the explanations not only provide the correct answers, but also explain why the answer to a particular question is indeed the best choice. By completing all three practice exams and studying the explanations that follow, you will flesh out your strengths and weaknesses. This in turn will allow you to concentrate progressively on attacking the sections of the exam you find to be toughest.
The practice exams in this book and software package are included in two formats: in TESTwareš form on the enclosed CD and in printed form in this book. We recommend that you begin your preparation by taking CBEST Practice Exam 3 on your computer, which is the Diagnostic Test in this book. The software provides timed conditions, automatic scoring of the multiple-choice sections, and scoring information that makes it easier to target your strengths and weaknesses. In this way, you can decide how to best use your study time. This is especially important if your preparation time is limited.
About REA's Test Experts
To aid us in meeting our objective of providing you with the best possible study guide for the CBEST, REA's test experts have carefully prepared our topical reviews and practice exams. Our authors come armed with specific knowledge of the CBEST. They have thoroughly examined and researched the mechanics of the CBEST to ensure that our model tests accurately depict the exam and appropriately challenge the student. Our experts are highly regarded in the educational community, with most having studied at the doctoral level. They have taught in their respective fields at competitive universities and colleges throughout California and Oregon. They have an in-depth knowledge of the subjects presented in the book, and provide accurate questions that will help you best prepare for the exam. Each question is clearly explained in order to help you achieve a top score on the CBEST.
About the California Basic
Educational Skills Test
The CBEST is required by the states of California and Oregon for applicants seeking their first teaching or services credential. In California, unless an applicant already holds a California teaching credential, this test must be taken to obtain an issuance or renewal of an Emergency Credential. This rule does not apply in Oregon.
There are two other cases when the CBEST may be required: (1) for those people who have not taught for 39 months or more and are reentering the teaching profession, and (2) for diagnostic purposes for students entering teacher education programs in their state. To determine if you should take the CBEST, contact the school district where you are considering employment. For questions pertaining to CBEST policies, contact your respective state's teacher credentialing commission:
California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
P.O. Box 944270
Sacramento, CA 94244-2700
Phone: (916) 445-7254
Website: www.ctc.ca.gov
or
Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
255 Capitol Street N.E., Suite 105
Salem, OR 97310-1332
Phone: (503) 378-3586
The CBEST is given six times a year: in October, December, February, April, June, and August. The test is administered by National Evaluation Systems, Inc., under the direction of the CBEST Program. Questions regarding registration procedures for the CBEST can be referred to:
CBEST Program
National Evaluation Systems, Inc.
P.O. Box 340880
Sacramento, CA 95834-0880
Phone: (916) 928-4001
TDD: (916) 928-4191
Website: www.cbest.nesinc.com
You can also contact your school's education department for information on how to register for the test.
The exam tests reading skills (critical analysis and evaluation and comprehension and research skills), mathematics skills (estimation, measurement, and statistical principles, computation and problem solving, and numerical and graphic relationships), and writing skills (insight into a subject, writing for a specific audience, clarity, consistency of point of view, strength and logic of supporting information, and overall mechanics, spelling, and usage). The CBEST consists of multiple-choice questions and two essay questions. Each multiple-choice question presents five choices (A through E). Examinees are given four hours to take the test. You can divide this time in any way you wish among the three sections.
The test's three sections look like this:
1. Reading Section: This section contains 50 multiple-choice questions based on original passages of between 100 and 200 words. In some cases, however, these passages may be short statements of not more than one or two sentences.
2. Mathematics Section: This section contains 50 multiple-choice questions. These questions come from three broad categories: arithmetic, algebra, and measurement and geometry. Within these categories, the following types of problems will be tested:
+ Processes Used in Problem Solving--For example, identifying an operation needed to solve a problem or changing a verbal problem into one using math symbols.
+ Solution of Applied Problems--For example, answering word problems including arithmetic, percent, ratio and proportion, algebra, elementary geometry, and elementary statistics.
+ Mathematical Concepts and Relationships--For example, recognizing the definitions of certain terms (such as percent) and relationships shown by graphs.
All of these categories require knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, and measurement and geometry.
3. Writing Section: This section contains two essay questions. You must write on both topics. One topic requires you to analyze a given situation, the other asks you to write about a personal experience.
Following this introduction are test strategies, examples, and suggested study techniques, all of which will help you properly prepare for the CBEST.
About REA's Diagnostic Test
Our diagnostic test is a full-length model test designed to help you determine your strengths and weaknesses on the material the CBEST will cover. For maximum benefit, take it as Practice Test 3 on our interactive TESTwareš so that you have the advantages of timed conditions and automatic scoring.
Take each section separately. After each section, score yourself and review the detailed explanations of answers to determine your strengths and weaknesses. Each section offers a discussion of scoring so that you can understand what grade you must receive to pass the exam.
After you complete each section of the diagnostic test, study the reviews in Reading Skills, Mathematics, and Writing. By reading our Study Schedule, you should be able to refine your own studying plan.
About REA's Review Sections
This book offers three topical reviews that correspond to the subject areas you will find on the exam. These include Reading Skills, Mathematics, and Writing. Supplementing your studies with our review will provide focus and structure, and will allow you to choose a particular subject or subtopic to study. The reviews are set up to give you exactly what you need to do well on the exam.
Reading Skills Review
In this review you will be taught to recognize literal, inferential, and critical comprehension questions. We give general strategies for answering reading comprehension questions and then you give you ample opportunity to practice these strategies on sample questions.
Mathematics Review
The Mathematics Review offers three mini-reviews on the following topics:
+ Arithmetic, including integers, prime and composite numbers, odd and even numbers, place value, powers and roots of whole numbers, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of integers, common fractions, decimal fractions, percents, and elementary statistics.
+ Algebra, including algebraic expressions, simplifying algebraic expressions, factoring, solving linear equations, solving inequalities, evaluating formulas, elementary probability, and algebra word problems.
+ Geometry and measurement, including perimeter and area of rectangles, squares and triangles, circumference and area of circles, volume of cubes and rectangular solids, angle measure, properties of triangles, the Pythagorean Theorem, properties of parallel and perpendicular lines, coordinate geometry, graphs, and the metric system.
You can read a full review on each topic and then be able to practice your skills in a short exercise at the end of this review.
Writing Review
The Writing Review focuses specifically on essay writing for the CBEST. You will learn about the types of topics you can expect to see on the CBEST and sample topics will be given. In addition, you will learn how the essay grade is determined so that you will be able to sharpen your writing ability and achieve a high grade.
Participate in Study Groups
As a final word on how to study for this exam, you may want to study with others. This will allow you to share knowl...
