What is the CBEST

C
alifornia Education Code (Section 44252) requires that teachers, administrators, and other school
practitioners demonstrate adequate proficiency, in English, of three basic skills: reading, math-
ematics, and writing. Administered by National Evaluation Systems, Inc. (NES®), the California
Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST®) was created to assess and verify these skills. The CBEST is not a meas-
urement of teaching abilities or skills, but is rather a tool for measuring proficiency in the more basic, necessary
skills as indicated above—skills employed by all school practitioners at the elementary, secondary, and adult edu-
cation levels.
By law, the CBEST provides separate scores in each of these three areas, and acceptable scores must be
achieved in each area to meet the requirements of this code relative to credentialing and employment in Cali-
fornia—and Oregon.
In July 1984, the CBEST guideline was adopted by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commis-
sion (TSPC). Within six months, satisfactory CBEST scores were made mandatory for initial licensure in Ore-
gon as a teacher, personnel specialist, or administrator. The CBEST test requirement is additional to other
licensing requirements as set forth in the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS, Chapter 342), and the Oregon Rules for
CHAPTER
What is the
CBEST?
CHAPTER SUMMARY
This chapter provides the Who, What, When, Where, and How of the
CBEST—those all-important details such as: who has to take it, what
it’s used for and what it’s like, when and where it’s given, how it’s
scored, and how to register.
1
1
Licensure of Teachers, Personnel Specialists, and
Administrators (OAR, Chapter 584).

Who Must Take the CBEST?
California
In California, you are required to take the CBEST if

any one of the following provisions applies to you:
■
You are applying for a teaching or service creden-
tial for the first time.
■
You are applying for issuance or renewal of an
Emergency Permit unless you already hold a valid
California teaching credential for which a bache-
lor’s degree is required.
■
If you have not taught during the 39 months
prior to new employment, the CBEST may also
be a condition of employment under CEC Sec-
tion 44830. If you are uncertain whether the
CBEST is required in the school district where
you are considering employment, contact them
for the necessary information.
■
You are applying for admission to either a
teacher-preparation or service-credential pro-
gram approved by the California Commission on
Teacher Credentialing (CCTC), unless you
already hold a valid California teaching credential
for which a bachelor’s degree is required.
Oregon
Oregon requires passing CBEST scores prior to initial
credentialing as a teacher, personnel specialist, or
administrator, unless one of the following provisions
is met:
■

You can document five years of full-time, licensed
employment in public schools in another state.
■
You already hold one type of Oregon license and
are a first-time applicant for a license of a differ-
ent type. For example, an Oregon-licensed
teacher who applies for an initial personnel spe-
cialist license does not need CBEST scores.
■
You give evidence of passing scores on Praxis I, or
the NTE Core Battery Test of Communication
Skills and General Knowledge.

Who is Exempt from the
CBEST?
California
In California, you are exempt from taking the CBEST
for the following kinds of employment:
■
Instructor of adults in an apprenticeship program
■
Teacher in a children’s center or a development
center
■
Teacher in any subject for which a bachelor’s
degree is not required
■
Provider of health services, unless you are also
required to teach
■

Student Teacher status, which requires a Certifi-
cate of Clearance
■
Educational Specialist in Deaf and Hearing
Impaired, or School Counseling Services, where
the individual seeking employment is prelingually
deaf. Service under this option is limited to state
special schools or to classes for students who are
deaf or hearing impaired. However, those who
choose this option are required to complete a
job-related assessment in lieu of the CBEST
■
Any position where a valid, non-emergency Cali-
fornia teaching credential is held which requires a
bachelor’s degree, and for which CBEST is not
required for renewal
■
Any position that requires the renewal or reis-
suance of a clear, or professional clear, credential
NOTE: CBEST states that candidates wishing to
obtain an Exchange Credential, a Sojourn Credential,
–
WHAT IS THE CBEST?
–
2
or a credential based upon the completion of a
teacher-preparation program outside of California
may obtain an initial teaching credential without
meeting the CBEST requirement. All such candidates
must pass the CBEST, however, during the first year of

validity of the initial credential.
Oregon
In Oregon, you may be granted a two-year (24-month)
exemption from the CBEST requirement if you have
not yet passed the CBEST, but are otherwise qualified
for licensure.
The CBEST waiver is only granted upon request
of the employing school superintendent or school
board in the event that (1) attempts were made to hire
a properly licensed educator, but were unsuccessful,
and that (2) the position is necessary for the school to
operate normally. However, exemption can be granted
without district request to candidates from states with
reciprocral agreements in Oregon—such an exemp-
tion is nonrenewable. For further licensure, passing
scores on the CBEST must be presented by the candi-
date.

What is the CBEST Like?
What Sorts of Questions Does
the CBEST Ask?
The CBEST exam is comprised of three separate sec-
tions: (1) Reading, which consists of 50 multiple-
choice questions; (2) Mathematics, consisting of 50
multiple-choice questions; and (3) Writing, which
consists of two essay subjects.
Questions in the Reading section are derived
from two important skill areas: critical thinking/argu-
ment analysis, and research/comprehension. Drawn
from a variety of fields, such as humanities, the social

sciences, consumer affairs, or health, CBEST questions
are based on passages that vary in degree of difficulty
and complexity, and are designed to assess the test-
taker’s ability to evaluate and comprehend the infor-
mation presented. Some passages are longer (200
words or more); some are shorter (about 100 words).
Some may be statements of one or two sentences,
while others may even be tables or graphs. Every ques-
tion is based on a particular passage, table, or graph.
None require outside knowledge, and all of the ques-
tions can be answered on the basis of the analysis and
comprehension of the information provided.
The Mathematics section is mostly comprised of
questions—presented as word problems—that evalu-
ate the test-taker’s ability to solve mathematical prob-
lems. The questions asked are designed to assess three
major skill areas: estimation, measurement, and sta-
tistical principles; computation and problem solving;
and numerical and graphic relationships.
The Writing section is comprised of two essay
subjects—both of which the test-taker must respond
to—and are designed to assess your ability to write
coherently, authoritatively, and persuasively. In one of
the essays, you will be asked to analyze a situation or
statement, while the other requires a written response
relating to a personal experience. Your essays must be
written in your own words, and you must write only
on the topics presented. All points in both essays must
address the assigned topic, and should be aimed at a
specific audience. Essay responses must support any

assertions with specific, relevant details and examples.
The key to success here is to stay specific—do not
digress! For more detailed information on what it takes
to write a fantastic essay, see the section on Writing in
the CBEST Mini-Course (Chapter 4). The criteria for
scoring the CBEST essays is found at the end of Chap-
ter 5; many tips for successfully writing a “4” (Pass)
essay are also found there.
How Long Does the CBEST Take?
When you take the CBEST, you have a total of four
hours in which to complete the three separate sections.
–
WHAT IS THE CBEST?
–
3
You do not need to complete all three sections in one
four-hour sitting. (The exception to this rule is the
CBEST Writing section. The essays cannot be split up;
both essays in the section must be completed at one
sitting. They cannot be administered separately.) You
may choose to concentrate on one or two sections at
any given test administration, reregister, and then work
solely on a third section at a later date. If you choose
this latter option, take note that regardless of the num-
ber of sections you are taking at any given sitting—
even just one—the entire test fee is required, and you
will be required to reregister each time.
If you choose to do the whole test in one four-
hour sitting, be aware that you don’t have to do the sec-
tions in any particular order. The test is not timed

according to individual sections, so you may want to
get the hardest sections out of the way while you are
fresh and still have your wits about you. You may want
to do the essays first, because you can guess on the
other sections if you run out of time. This may work to
your advantage, since no points are deducted—there is
no penalty—for guessing.
Doing the practice tests in this book, or
taking advantage of the practice questions on the
CD-ROM—which has the advantage of ease of use,
and automatic, immediate test scores—will help you
decide what is the best course of action for you.
What Should I Bring
to the Test Site?
Because of test security, few materials are allowed in
the test-taking room. You will need to bring the fol-
lowing materials:
■
Your admission ticket
■
Several sharpened #2 pencils with erasers
■
A current, government-issued photo ID with sig-
nature
Some other materials NOT permitted in the testing
room (unless previously authorized or provided by
NES®) include:
■
Scratch paper
■

Calculators
■
Dictionaries
■
Cellular phones or other communication devices
■
Alarm watches
■
Visitors
Bringing any prohibited materials to a test adminis-
tration may result in your score(s) being voided. If you
have questions or require more detailed information
on the day of the test, call CBEST at (916) 928-4001,
from 7:30
A
.
M
. to 3:30
P
.
M
. PST (Pacific standard time).
What is a Passing Score?
To pass the CBEST, you must pass all three sections of
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. You must achieve a minimum total score of 123 for
the three sections to pass (the sum of the Reading,
Writing, and Mathematics scaled scores).

It is possible to pass the CBEST even if your
scaled score in one or two sections is as low as 37, pro-
viding your total scaled score is 123 or higher. (Take
note that regardless of how high your total scaled score
might be, you will not pass the CBEST if, in any sec-
tion, you get a scaled score lower than 37.)

What Do My Scores Mean?
You should receive your scores four to six weeks after
the test date. For each section—Reading, Math, and
Writing—your scores will announce whether or not
you passed the section and will suggest areas within
each section that you may need to study. The score
–
WHAT IS THE CBEST?
–
4
report will also include the highest score you have
obtained so far in that section. A passing score on any
part of the test means that you will not have to take
that part of the CBEST again!
Retaking the Test
What happens if you fail, or fail to finish, one or more
sections of the CBEST? Don’t worry. You don’t need to
pass all three sections at the same time, nor is there a
limit to the number of times you can retake any or all
sections of the CBEST to achieve a passing score. Once
a section is passed, you need never take that section
again. However, you may wish to repeat a section
already passed to achieve a higher score, if that higher

score can help you reach the total score required to
pass the entire CBEST.
Once the entire CBEST has been passed, you will
never have to take it again. You only need to pass the
entire CBEST once to qualify for the initial issuance or
future renewal of any teaching credential.

How Do I Register for the
CBEST?
When is the Test Given?
The CBEST is offered six times a year, once every two
months, at various locations throughout California
and Oregon. It is usually given on the first or second
Saturday of the months of February, April, June,
August, October, and December.
How Do I Register?
There are three periods of registration: Regular, Late,
and Emergency; and three registration options: mail,
phone, and Internet.
For Regular Registration, you should register at
least one month prior to the applicable test date. You
can register either by mail or the Internet; phone reg-
istration is not available for this option. If registering
by mail, applications must be postmarked by the Reg-
ular Registration deadline, or received by the Late Reg-
istration deadline. If registering online, applications
should be completed by 5:00
P
.
M

. PST on the Regular
Registration deadline.
For Late Registration (up to approximately two
weeks prior to the test date), a late fee applies, and reg-
istration is granted on a space-available basis only. You
may register by mail, phone, or Internet. If registering
by mail, your completed materials must be received on
or before the Late Registration deadline. If you regis-
ter by phone, you must call before 5:00
P
.
M
. PST on the
Late Registration deadline. If registering online, your
application must be finished by 5:00
P
.
M
. PST on the
Late Registration deadline.
For Emergency Registration (up to four days
prior to the test), an additional late fee is charged, and
registration is granted on a space-available basis only.
You can register either by phone or Internet; mail reg-
istration is not available for this option. If you register
by phone, you must call before 5:00
P
.
M
. PST on the

Emergency Registration deadline. If registering online,
your application must be finished by 5:00
P
.
M
. PST on
the Emergency Registration deadline. Emergency Reg-
istration is limited to ten test areas in California, and
one in Oregon.
Alternative testing arrangements can be made for
either religious reasons or for special needs accommo-
dations. All requests for alternative testing arrange-
ments must be postmarked by the Regular Registration
deadline for the test date applied for. Be advised that
registration deadlines are strictly enforced—and there
are NO exceptions!
Whom Do I Contact with
Questions?
For any questions, or more detailed information
regarding registration procedures, test dates, or loca-
tions, contact:
–
WHAT IS THE CBEST?
–
5