CSET Multiple Subjects Plus Writing Skills Examination

by DenBeste, Michelle, Ph.D.; Jordine, Melissa, Ph.D.; Love, James L.; Mullins, Maire; Nickel, Ted

• ISBN13: 9780738609980
• ISBN10: 0738609986
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-10-13
• Publisher: Research & Education Assn

Summary

REA's CSET: Multiple Subjects Plus Writing Skills Test Prep with TestWare CD Gets You Certified and in the Classroom! Updated Third Edition! Nationwide, more than 5 million teachers will be needed over the next decade, and all must take appropriate tests to be licensed. REA gets you ready for your teaching career with our outstanding library of Teacher Certification test preps! Scoring well on the CSET: Multiple Subjects Plus Writing Skillstestdoesn't just help you get certified to teach in California, it helps you build your career. This test prep is perfect for college students, teachers, and career-changing professionals who are seeking certification as California teachers.Written by an education expert, the targeted review covers every subject and question type tested on the exam: language and literature, history and social science, science, mathematics, physical education, human development, and visual and performing arts. A special section on the CSET Writing Skills Test with sample essays is also included. Based on official CSET exam questions, our two full-length multiple-choice practice tests feature every type of question, subject area, and skill tested on the actual exam.The practice tests replicate the CSET question format and timing, allowing you to assess your skills and gauge your test-readiness. This TestWare edition includes the book's practice tests in a timed format on CD with instant scoring, diagnostic feedback, and on-screen detailed explanations of answers.Our TestWare CD offers the most powerful diagnostic tools available today. Automatic scoring and instant reports help you zero in on the topics and types of questions that give you trouble now, so you'll succeed when it counts! Every practice exam comes with detailed feedback on every question.We don't just say which answers are rightwe explain why the other answer choices are wrongso you'll be prepared on test day. Our detailed explanations of answers let you identify your strengths and weaknesses while building your skills. This complete test prep package comes with a customized study schedule and REA's test-taking strategies and tips. This test prep is a must-have for anyone looking to teach in California! REA books and software have proven to be the extra support teacher candidates need to pass their challenging tests for licensure. Our comprehensive test preps are teacher-recommended and written by experts in the field.

Excerpts

Passing the CSET: Multiple Subjects
The California Subject Examinations for Teachers: Multiple Subjects is one of the most comprehensive educator certification exams in use today. Covering seven subject areas and requiring writing as well as analytical skills, the CSET: Multiple Subjects Test is designed to ensure that only well rounded, competent educators are certified to teach in the state of California.

The CSET: Multiple Subjects Test is a lengthy, challenging exam, and may cover material that you have not studied in several years. But by studying the information and proven strategies in our book, you will be well on your way to succeeding. REA provides you with everything you need to know to achieve a passing score. Every type of question, every subject area, and every skill needed to pass the exam is given complete coverage.The information in this book, coupled with your dedication, will get you certified. Let’s start by learning a little bit about the background of the exam. In California, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential enables one to teach any subject in a self-contained classroom. While this credential is good for grades K–12, in practice it is used mostly in elementary schools. A California Single Subject Teaching Credential enables the holder to teach a specific subject in a departmentalized class. Again, the Single Subject Credential allows the holder to teach in grades K–12; however, its most prevalent use is for gettingThe focus of this book and accompanying software is the CSET: Multiple Subjects Test, which is administered by Pearson’s Evaluation Systems Group. CSET: Multiple Subjects is part of a series of teacher certification exams, which also includes the California Basic Educational Skills Test. For more information on the CSET series in general, or the CSET: Multiple Subjects examinations in particular, contact:CSET Program
Evaluation Systems
Pearson
P.O. Box 340880
Sacramento, CA 95834-0880
Phone: [phone] or [phone]
Website:www.cset.nesinc.com



 

Know the Format
The CSET consists of three distinct subtests, each containing both multiple-choice and constructed-response items. By and large, this exam has the feel of the straightforward fill-in-the-oval kind of exam you’ve seen many times in your educational career. The balance of the CSET, however, features items that require you to write short, focused responses.

Each testing session is five hours in length. You may choose to take up to three CSET: Multiple Subjects subtests per session. Subtest I consists of Reading, Language and Literature, and History and Social Science. Subtest II consists of Science and Mathematics, while Subtest III encompasses Physical Education, Human Development, and Visual and Performing Arts. Individual subtests are not timed. 

SSD Accommodations
Many students qualify for extra time to take the CSET exams. But, arrangements must be made ahead of time. Go to the CSET website atwww.cset.nesinc.comand click onRegistering for Alternative Testing Arrangements. This site also contains a Documentation Checklist for your convenience. Also, see the section entitled:Requests for additional time.

 

About This Book & TestWare®
When Should I Start Studying?
It’s never too early to start studying for the CSET. With so many subject areas to cover, the more time you have, the better. We’ve included an eight-week study schedule, but the format is very flexible. If you’ve got only a few weeks before your test date, you’ll have to make some adjustments. If you’ve got a few months, then extend the time allotted to each section in the study schedule. Remember, the more time you spend studying, the more confident and prepared you’ll feel on test day.

About the Practice Tests
REA provides two full-length practice tests—each composed of all three subtests—which are based on the most recently administered CSET: Multiple Subjects Test. The practice tests contain every type of question that you can expect to encounter. Following each practice test, you will find an answer key with detailed explanations designed to help you better grasp the test material.The practice tests in this book and software package are included in two formats: they are printed in the book and offered as TestWare® on the enclosed CD.We recommend that you begin your preparation by first taking the practice exams on your computer.The software provides timed conditions, automatic scoring, and scoring information, all of which makes it easier to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses.

About the Review Sections
The review material in this text has been compiled in accordance with explicit guidelines provided by Pearson Education, Inc., which developed the CSET: Multiple Subjects Test in collaboration with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. By using the review material in conjunction with the practice tests, you should be well prepared for the actual CSET: Multiple Subjects Test. At some point in your educational experience, you have probably studied all the material you’ll encounter on the test. For most candidates, however, this was most likely some time ago. Our reviews will refresh your memory of these topics, and our practice tests will help you gauge which areas you need to work on.

Scoring the CSET
How Do I Know If I’ve Passed the Exam?
The CSET Program administers several versions of the CSET, and these versions vary in their level of difficulty just as the scoring weight of each question varies. For this reason, there is no single formula that you may use to convert your raw score into a scaled score. Responses to multiple-choice questions are machine scored. Test scores are based on the number of questions answered correctly. No penalty is assessed for guessing.The Content-Response Exercises also are difficult to score. A scoring guide is included in the Content-Response Exercises practice exam, as are sample essays against which you can judge your work. You may want to have a professor or another test candidate judge your work against our sample essays. If you are honest with yourself about the quality of your work, however, there is no reason why you cannot score your responses yourself. Each response is graded on a four-point scale, 0–3.To pass the test, you will need to answer roughly 85, or 60 percent, of the multiple-choice questions correctly and score an average of about "2" on the constructed-response questions. If you don’t achieve a passing score on your first practice test, don’t worry. That’s what diagnostic exams are for. Use what you learned about your strengths and weaknesses to focus your study.About six weeks after you take the actual exam, you’ll get your official score report from Pearson’s Evaluation Systems. The numbers on that score report will reflect yourscaled score.Your scaled score is the total value of the questions you answered correctly based on your unique test administration.Remember, each subtest is scored individually. Therefore, there is not an overall minimum score to obtain to pass the CSET: Multiple Subjects Test. You must pass all three subtests to pass the complete exam.