CBEST w/ CD-ROM: The Best Test Prep for the CBEST

How to Prepare for the CBEST with this Book and TESTware¨\ 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 TESTware¨ 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 TESTware¨ 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 knowledge and obtain feedback from other members of your study group. Study groups may make preparing for the exam more enjoyable.\ Scoring the Exam The Reading and Mathematics sections in the CBEST are scored the same way: raw scores are determined by adding together all the correct answers without deducting points for incorrect answers.\ The Writing section is scored a different way. Each of your essays will be scored by two readers. The criteria by which the readers must grade your work are determined before the reading process begins, and the readers are thoroughly trained to grade using only these criteria. The readers are college professors from public and private institutions in California and Oregon, as well as elementary and secondary school English teachers from these two states.\ The two readers will assess each of your essays independently. Each will assign a score from 1 to 4, with 4 being the highest:\ 4 = Pass\ 3 = Marginal Pass\ 2 = Marginal Fail\ 1 = Fail\ The four scores are added, yielding a raw section score that can range from a high of 16 to a low of four.\ Every CBEST test form is designed to measure the same cluster of basic skills. Nonetheless, the fact that each CBEST test form may have different questions—with varying degrees of difficulty—makes it necessary to convert the raw scores to a scale that adjusts for those variations. The scaled scores run from a low of 20 to a high of 80 for each of the test's three sections.\ Attaining a passing score on the CBEST is not just a matter of simply achieving a minimal overall score, but of doing so on each section separately. The scaled passing score on each section is 41, which means that a total score of 123 is required for passing status. While it is possible to pass the CBEST with a scaled score as low as 37 on one or two sections, examinees cannot pass the CBEST if they score below 37 on any one section, no matter how high their total score may be.\ Scoring Rule of Thumb: If you correctly answer roughly 70 percent of the items on each section of the test, (i.e., Reading, Mathematics, Writing) you will receive a passing grade for the whole test. It should be noted that the actual raw passing score could vary a point or two each time the test is given because different forms of the test may be administered. For more on scoring the Mathematics section, see page 44. The same standard for a passing score applies equally to the CBEST itself and to REA's practice tests.\ CBEST Test-Taking Strategies How to Beat the Clock Every second counts and you will want to use the available test time for each section in the most efficient manner. Here's how:\ 1. Memorize the test directions for each section of the test. You do not want to waste valuable time reading directions on the day of the exam. Your time should be spent on answering the questions.\ 2. Bring a watch to the exam and pace yourself. Work steadily and quickly. Do not spend too much time on any one question. If, after a few minutes, you cannot answer a particular question, make a note of it and continue. You can go back to it after you have completed easier questions first.\ 3. As you work on the test, be sure that your answers correspond with the proper numbers and letters on the answer sheet.\ Guessing Strategy\ 1. If you are uncertain about a question, guess at the answer rather than skipping it. You will not be penalized for answering incorrectly, since wrong answers are not counted toward your final score. This means that you should never leave a blank space on your answer sheet. Even if you do not have time to narrow down the choices, be sure to fill in every space on the answer sheet. You can only gain by this, since you will receive credit for any questions answered correctly—even if purely by luck.\ 2. You can improve on your guessing strategy by eliminating any choices recognized as incorrect. As you eliminate incorrect choices, cross them out. Remember that writing in test booklets is allowed. By crossing out incorrect choices, you will be better able to focus on the remaining choices.

CONTENTS  Study Schedule CHAPTER 1Introduction About Research & Education Association How to Prepare for the CBEST with this Book and Testware¨ About REA's Test Experts About the California Basic Educational Skills Test About REA's Diagnostic Test About REA's Review Sections Scoring the Exam CBEST Test-Taking Strategies CHAPTER 2Diagnostic Test The First of Three Full-Length Practice Tests Section 1: Reading Answer Key Detailed Explanations of Answers Section 2: Mathematics Answer Key Scoring the Mathematics Section Detailed Explanations of Answers Section 3: Essay Detailed Explanations of Answers CHAPTER 3 Reading Skills Review Overview Key Strategies for Answering the Reading Skills Questions Short Passage Sample Longer Passage Sample CHAPTER 4 Mathematics Review Overview Part I: Arithmetic Part II: Algebra Part III: Measurement and Geometry Key Strategies for Answering the Mathematics Questions Arithmetic Practice Problems Answers Algebra Practice Problems Answers Measurement and Geometry Practice Problems Answers Chapter 5Writing Review Overview Key Strategies for Answering the Essay Questions Essay Scoring Chapter 6Practice Test 1 The Second of Three Full-Length Practice Tests Section 1: Reading Answer Key Detailed Explanations of Answers Section 2: Mathematics Answer Key Detailed Explanations of Answers Section 3: Writing Detailed Explanations of Answers Chapter 7Practice Test 2 The Third of Three Full-Length Practice Tests Section 1: Reading Answer Key Detailed Explanations of Answers Section 2: Mathematics Answer Key Detailed Explanations of Answers Section 3: Writing Detailed Explanations of Answers       Acknowledgments             Installing REA's TESTware¨