Attention: CBEST is no longer required for most teaching credentials if you have a bachelor's degree. Learn more about the basic skills requirement .
Computer-based test, administered at a test center. The CBEST is now administered as three separate sections.
Online-proctored test, in which you may test remotely (e.g., from home, workplace). Administered as three separate sections. Registration is now open.
Read more about online proctoring, including important polices and requirements.
The CBEST consists of 3 sections:
You must pass all three sections to pass the CBEST.
Computer-based test (CBT) and online-proctored test:
: 50 multiple-choice questions: 50 multiple-choice questions: 2 essaysComputer-Based Testing
By appointment, year-round, Monday through Saturday (excluding some holidays). Test appointments are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and seating is limited.
Check appointment availability .
Online Proctoring
By appointment with an online proctor during one-week testing windows each month .
Reading and Writing Sections: 1 hour and 30 minutes per section
Mathematics Section: 2 hours
Sections are administered in separate testing sessions; therefore, candidates must register for each section separately.
15 additional minutes are provided to complete a nondisclosure agreement and tutorial.
Computer-Based Testing
You may take restroom breaks during testing. Time taken for breaks is considered part of the available testing time.
Online Proctoring
You may test remotely, including from home. Review system and testing environment requirements .
A total score of 123 for all 3 sections
Read more about passing scores for individual sections .
Computer-Based Testing
Candidates taking the Reading Section or Mathematics Section will receive preliminary test results at the conclusion of their test center appointment. Candidates taking the Writing Section will receive a receipt of completion at the conclusion of their test center appointment. Test results are available within 2 weeks of testing.
Review CBT test results release dates.
Online Proctoring
Test results are available within 2 weeks of testing.
Review test results release dates.
Candidates taking an online-proctored test will not receive preliminary test results or a receipt of completion when their test ends.
Computer-Based Testing
When you register, you agree to abide by all testing policies and rules. Read them now.
Before you test, review the list of materials that are prohibited at the test center.
Online Proctoring
When you register, you agree to abide by all testing policies and rules. Read them now.
Before you test, review the list of reasons your exam could be stopped and/or revoked.
Tests may include questions that are evaluated for future administrations and do not affect a candidate's score.
The questions in the Reading section assess your ability to comprehend information presented in written passages, tables, and graphs. The materials used in the test will vary in level of difficulty and complexity and are drawn from a variety of fields. No questions require outside knowledge; all the questions are related to a particular passage and can be answered on the basis of information provided in the passage.
The Reading section questions are from two skill factors: (1) critical analysis and evaluation, and (2) comprehension and research skills. Approximately 40 percent of the questions from this section are drawn from the critical analysis and evaluation area, and approximately 60 percent are drawn from the comprehension and research skills area.
The questions in the Mathematics section require you to solve mathematical problems. Most of the questions are presented as word problems.
The Mathematics section questions are from three skill factors: (1) estimation, measurement, and statistical principles; (2) computation and problem solving; and (3) numerical and graphic relationships. Approximately 30 percent of the questions from this section are drawn from the estimation, measurement, and statistical principles area; approximately 35 percent are drawn from the computation and problem-solving area; and approximately 35 percent are drawn from the numerical and graphic relationships area.
Use of calculators is prohibited on this examination.
The Writing section includes two writing topics that assess your ability to write effectively. You must respond to both topics. One topic asks you to analyze a given situation or statement; the other asks you to write about a specified personal experience. You are not expected to demonstrate any specialized knowledge in your responses.
If you register for the computer-based CBEST, you must choose which section or sections you wish to take during the 4-hour test session. You may choose any combination of sections, but only the section(s) you select during registration will be available at the test center.
The following table lists the available California test areas.*
| Area | Code | Test Area Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield area | 402 | All test dates |
| Canoga Park/Woodland Hills area | 409 | All test dates |
| Chico area | 403 | All test dates |
| Fresno area | 404 | All test dates |
| Humboldt County/Arcata area | 401 | December, February, April, and July test dates |
| Long Beach area | 405 | All test dates |
| Los Angeles area | 406 | All test dates |
| Oakland area | 426 | September, February, and April test dates |
| Orange County area | 410 | All test dates |
| Pasadena/San Gabriel area | 407 | All test dates |
| Pomona/Ontario area | 408 | December, April, and July test dates |
| Riverside/Moreno Valley area | 411 | All test dates |
| Sacramento area | 412 | All test dates |
| Salinas/San Jose area | 417 | All test dates |
| San Bernardino area | 413 | September, February, and April test dates |
| San Diego area | 414 | All test dates |
| San Francisco area | 416 | All test dates |
| San Luis Obispo area | 418 | All test dates |
| Stockton/Modesto area | 421 | All test dates |
| *Some alternative testing arrangements may be accommodated at selected test centers only. If you wish to request a specific test area due to your documented disability, include this request in Section 11 of your Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form. If after receiving your admission ticket, you find that the test center to which you are assigned is not feasible due to your documented disability, please contact the Alternative Testing Arrangements coordinator. | ||
Emergency registration is limited to the space available at the following test areas across California. Please note that the test areas available for emergency registration are subject to change based on available space. Some test centers may become full and therefore may be unavailable during emergency registration.
| Area | Code |
|---|---|
| Canoga Park/Woodland Hills area | 409 |
| Chico area | 403 |
| Fresno area | 404 |
| Humboldt County/Arcata area | 401 |
| Long Beach area | 405 |
| Orange County area | 410 |
| Sacramento area | 412 |
| San Diego area | 414 |
| San Francisco area | 416 |
| San Luis Obispo area | 418 |
The scaled scores used for reporting CBEST results range from 20 to 80 for each of the three sections (Reading, Mathematics, and Writing) of the test. The passing score on each CBEST section is a scaled score of 41. A total score (the sum of Reading, Mathematics, and Writing scaled scores) of 123 is required for passing status. It is possible to pass the CBEST with a scaled score on one or two sections as low as 37, provided that the total score is 123 or higher. It is not possible, however, to pass the CBEST if any section score is below 37, regardless of how high the total score may be.
Paper-based testing is administered in classrooms with up to 30 candidates and limited social distancing. For the health and safety of other candidates and test center staff, you will be required to wear a mask at all times while on site and throughout the test session.
Do not attend the test session if.
