CBEST General Information

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CBEST General Info

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Background

The California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) was developed to meet requirements of laws relating to credentialing and employment. The addition of this test requirement does not replace any other requirements of subject matter, knowledge, professional preparation and practice teaching or field experience used in the issuance of credentials.

California Education Code Section 44252 specifies that you must demonstrate proficiency in basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills in English by passing the California Basic Educational Skills Test.

Who Must Take the Test?

In California, you must take the CBEST if any one of the conditions listed below applies to you:

You are applying for a first teaching credential or service credential.
You are applying for the issuance or renewal of an Emergency Permit, unless you already hold a valid California teaching credential for which a baccalaureate degree is required.
If you have not taught during the 39 months prior to new employment, the CBEST may also be required under Education Code Section 44830 as a condition of employment. If you are uncertain about whether the CBEST is required for employment, you should contact the school district where you are considering employment.
You are applying for admission to a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)-approved teacher-preparation program.

Who is Exempt From Taking the Test?

In California, you are exempt from taking the CBEST if you are applying for one of the following California credentials, certificates, or permits.

    * a credential to teach adults in an apprenticeship program.
    * a permit to serve in a children's center or a development center.
    * a credential to teach a designated subject if a baccalaureate degree is not required.
    * a credential to provide health services, unless the document also authorizes teaching.
    * a Certificate of Clearance (required for practice teaching).
    * any added authorization to teach (This exemption does not apply to individuals who hold a teaching
      credential that did not require a baccalaureate degree and the teaching authorization sought requires this degree.)
    * the renewal or reissuance of a clear or professional clear credential.
    * Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Education Specialist Instruction Credential, if for a prelingually deaf individual*.
    * School Counseling Services Credential, if for a prelingually deaf individual*.

* These credentials are restricted to service in state special schools or in classes for students who are deaf or hearing impaired. The prelingually deaf individuals who choose this option will be required to complete a job-related assessment in lieu of the CBEST.

Taking and Passing the CBEST

To pass the CBEST you must pass all three sections (reading, mathematics, writing). You may take one, two, or three sections at a given test administration.

Once you pass a section of the test, you do not have to take that section again. If you do not pass one or more sections, you may register again and take only the sections of the test that you have not already passed. However, it may be to your advantage to repeat a section already passed; a higher score on that section might help you to reach the total score on that section required to pass the CBEST.

Once the entire test has been passed, it need never be taken again to qualify for the issuance or renewal of any credential in the future.

Retaking the Test

Candidates who do not pass one or more sections of the CBEST may retake the examination as many times as they choose. If you wish to take the CBEST again, you should complete and submit the registration form together with the $40 fee. This $40 fee is required regardless of the number of sections retaken.

Score Interpretation

Each section score is reported on a scale ranging from 20 to 80. For the Reading and Mathematics sections, your score is based on the total number of questions you answered correctly. Your score for the Writing section is based on your performance on the two essays. If you do not pass the Writing section, the features of your writing that may need improvement will be indicated for each essay that does not meet the passing standard.

Your total CBEST score is obtained by adding your scaled scores for the Reading, Mathematics, and Writing sections. If you have retaken sections of the CBEST, the highest score obtained on any section, at any administration, is used to calculate your total score.

The passing score for each section is a scaled score of 41. A total CBEST score of 123 is required for passing status. However, it is possible to pass the CBEST with a scaled score of 37 on one or two sections, provided that the total score is 123 or hight. It is not possible to pass the CBEST if any section score is below 37, regardless of how high the total score may be.

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