California Public School Teachers - CBEST and CSET help
 

Just wondering if anyone is a public school teacher in California. I'm going to be teaching elementary school out there next year, and I'm currently struggling with studying for the CBEST and especially the CSET. Just wondering if anybody had any pointers for how to succeed on these ridiculously complicated tests.

I'm so overwhelmed by the amount of material on the CSET - i don't understand why i need physics, chemistry, and high school math to teach elementary school children.

Thanks for the help!

The CBEST is the easiest of all the teaching tests you will take. The best advice for the CSET is to get those homework help books for grades 3-6. The history, science and social science is mostly 4-6th grade material. (That is if you are just getting your multiple subject credential.)

CBEST and CSET testing taking classes are helpful. Just remember to answer the questions without babbling. They are looking for straight forward answers on the essays.

Good luck!!! ;) Everyone needs a little when becoming a teacher...

Grea advice! The CBEST is cake, so easy, but the CSET is another story as it tests on material from K-12 and really does cover all of these grade levels. I studied for two weeks abot 4-5 hours a day using the Cliff Notes Prep Book and I passed all three of the Multiple Subject tests my first try (which is no easy feat!). Also, within the essay section part, if you don't know the answer, show whatever work you can so you can get at least 1/4 points. Let me tell you that had to be the only thing that saved my on the math and science essays!

Good Luck and PM if you have anymore questions (I'm in my 2/3 semesters of a credentialing program so I have lots of info.)

Do you have to take the RICA eventually? That is the test I am taking next.

I am scheduled to take the CSET this Saturday. Ugh. I did buy that book you mentioned (Cliffs Notes Prep Book) and I've been studying it like crazy.

I took the CBEST in the early 90s when GEN Alum was assigned to the National Training Ctr. From what I recall, it was ridiculously easy. There was no CSET at the time.

You need to be able to "do" the high school mathematics to truly understand the elementary levels. Can you imagine a secondary teacher who only teaches trig and below saying they don't "need" DiffEQs, OR or Calculus?

It's not a matter of discouraging people but rather of making sure that those who teach in our public school systems are adequately trained to teach.

Let's put it this way. Would you want a lawyer who couldn't pass their LSAT? Or a doctor that couldn't pass their MCAT?

Oh my gosh. I don't believe this shit.

$10 says your the same person who says they want to teach because its easy and you get summers off.

:eek: :eek: :eek:

I'm looking at my study guide for the CSET. It is a difficult test to take but not impossible to pass. If it were, there wouldn't be teachers in CA.

It took me 4 hours to complete all 3 sections today. Now I can only wait until the results are posted next month.

Wow. I'm glad I only had to do the PRAXIS I and II, because this CSET thing sounds scary!!! Good luck!

Yeah, that is ridiculous that they'd expect teachers to have an understanding of the subjects they're teaching. What gives with that? I'd much rather have uneducated, underqualified teachers in the schools.

My scores will be released on December 4th. I talked about it with some other people from my classes that took with me on Saturday & we all got the same test & most of us gave the same type of answers on the essays.

The results are in from the CSET I took one month ago.
I took all 3 of the CSET exams in one sitting and have passed 2 of them. I failed the Math/Science CSET :( but I know I was close. You need a score of 220 to pass & I received a 211. My scores for the other 2 exams weren't released via the internet. Those they mail to me. Yay to me for passing 2 of the hurdles but Boo for failing one. Oh well. Now I have to study some more & retake it in January.

Congrats on passing two of the exams! Now at leat you know what to concentrate on for Jan. Thats the way I looked at it when I didn't pass one of my Jersey tests, I had taken 3 on one day, and didn't pass one...so I knew what I had to focus on for the next time.

I know. You're absolutely right. I just wanted to be able to say that I passed all 3 on one try. Oh well. At least now I can concentrate on 1 area instead on focusing on all 3.

So due to idiotic mishaps and schedule conflicts, I am FINALLY taking the Math CSET this Saturday. I have been studying for it on and off for the past few months. This week, I'm studying it intensely. The results will be posted in one month so by mid-June, I'll know if I passed or not. If I do, then I can do my final block of student teaching starting in late August. If I don't, then I have to retake it in July, postpone student teaching, and cry.

Yay, indeed. Congrats!

Thanks!

Congrats! Hope you have a wonderful student teaching experience this fall!

I passed the requirements to be a teaching intern so instead of student teaching, I got a job as a kinder teacher. I'm an intern until November when I receive my credential but I get paid unlike student teachers which is a HUGE bonus. I love it. It's a year round school and I'm on track right now but I'll be off all of September.

I passed my RICA and I got a 4/4 on my TPA Task 2. I recently submitted TPA Task 3 and those results will be in sometime in October/November. I'm really happy.

So a condition of my job is that I have to get a BCLAD. That's another test I have to take. *sigh* Oh well. Having that BCLAD will ensure I get better paid and that I am qualified to teach in Spanish.

I agree with previous posters in that the CBEST was a joke. For that matter, the GRE General exam was basically the same apart from a moderately challenging verbal section. Just concentrate on the CSET.