The following suggestions are offered to examinees as one possible way to prepare for the CSET.

 READ THE REGISTRATION BOOKLET & BECOME FAMILIAR WITH SUBTEST FORMAT
You can find the booklet online at http://www.cset.nesinc.com.   Study the content of the examination. The first step in preparing for an examination of the CSET is to identify the information that the examination will cover. For each examination currently offered, the CSETsite provides the  full list of subject matter requirements that are the basis of the examination. The subject matter requirements for each examination can be  downloaded from the test guide section for that examination. (See Specific Information About Each Examination of the CSET for links to  examination-specific information.)

First, read through the entire set of subject matter requirements in your selected subject area(s) to obtain an overall picture of the material
that will be covered on the examination(s).

Note: You may register for 1, 2 or all 3 subtests.  If you fail one or more, you only have to retake the parts you didn't pass.  The total test time, regardless of the number of parts taken is 5 hours.

REVIEW INORMATION FOR A BROAD OVERVIEW
Focus your studies. After obtaining a broad overview of the covered content, read each element of the subject matter requirements carefully
to get a more specific idea of the knowledge that will be required for the examination. When you have become familiar with the subject
matter requirements, make a list of the areas about which you feel you know the least. Use this information to set priorities for your study
and preparation time.

  In planning your study time, focus on those subject matter requirements with which you are less familiar. You should schedule sufficient
  time to review the content of all subject matter requirements, both the familiar and the less familiar ones, but the focus of your preparation
  time and the priority in your studying should be placed on those requirements about which you are least confident.

  You may decide, based on this focusing exercise, that you will register for and attempt during the test session only some of the
  examination's subtests, leaving one or more subtests for another time. This will permit you to expend preparation time where you judge it
  will do the most good and to address at a later time the area(s) of the subject matter requirements in which you need more concentrated
  study or additional coursework.

 IDENTIFY RESOURCES AND CONCENTRATE ON WEAKER AREAS
After you have identified the areas of the subject matter requirements on which you will focus your time, consider the  resources you may use in studying the content of those areas. The most appropriate resources may well be your college textbooks. You  may also wish to consult your class notes and other papers, textbooks currently used in California public elementary and secondary schools, and publications from local, state, and national professional organizations.

In addition, the test guide section for each examination contains an annotated list of resources recommended for that examination by California educators. (See Specific Information About Each Examination of the CSET for links to examination-specific information.) You are encouraged to use these lists in preparing for the examination(s) that you plan to take.

DEVELOP A STUDY STRATEGIES PLAN
Develop your study techniques. Develop a sound study plan and schedule if you have not already done so. There are many books available   on study skills, and you may wish to consult one. Some people find it helpful to study with others who will be taking the examination. If you  are comfortable with this approach, consider forming or joining a study group.

REVIEW SAMPLE PROBLEMS ONLINE

Review the sample questions. For each examination currently offered, sample multiple-choice and constructed-response questions are   provided. Read each sample question and try to answer it. Write your answers on a plain sheet of paper for later review.

Next, check your answers to the multiple-choice questions against the answer key and your response(s) to the constructed-response   question(s) against the sample responses provided. To assess the quality of your response(s) to the constructed-response question(s),
you may need to ask a mentor, advisor, or teacher to help by evaluating your response(s) against the scoring guidelines provided.