California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) is a standardized test developed by Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and Evaluation Systems Group of Pearson for certification of teachers in the state. Evaluation Systems is also responsible for conducting and scoring this examination. There are a number of tests in CSET program, which can be opted for meeting certification requirements such as basic skills requirement, Subject matter competence requirement, No Child Left Behind (NCLB) subject matter requirement, Educational technology requirement and Competence requirement for effective teaching of English Learners.
Eligibility:
CSET is a test for achieving and certifying teaching credentials in California. These tests are required to be taken by the individuals aspiring to teach in public schools of the state.
Test Overview:
There are many tests in CSET which are developed to meet different credentials. These are criterion based tests which implies that knowledge and skills of the examinee are tested in reference to a set standard rather than performance of other examinees. The different types of CSET tests are explained below:
CSET- Multiple Subjects: These tests are intended to examine knowledge and skills in specific subject areas. There are three sub-tests in the battery, which consist of multiple choice and constructed response questions.
CSET- Preliminary Educational Technology: This test is targeted to specify abilities needed to use computers in educational settings. There are two sub-tests in it, consisting of multiple choice and constructed response type questions.
CSET- Writing Skills: It is a single test having two constructed response questions. The test is taken along with CSET multiple subjects test to meet out the basic skills requirement.
CSET- Single Subjects: These tests examine the knowledge and skills in specific subject. The test is used for achieving single subject teaching credential. There may be two to four sub-tests in each test, which varies with the number and combination of sub-tests required for a particular credential. Most sub-tests have both multiple choice and constructed response questions.
CSET- LOTE (Language Other Than English): This test is used for bilingual authorization. It consists of sub-tests which assess methodology of bilingual education, bilingual cultural knowledge, language and communication skills. There can be both multiple choices and constructed response, or only multiple choice, or only constructed response questions.
CSET- Mathematics Instruction Authorization Examination (MIAE): This test is one of the entrance requirements for Mathematics Instructions Added Authorization (MIAA) and is issued to those who have gone through specific and in depth training in teaching of mathematics.
Test Format:
The tests are divided into sub-tests, which consist of one or more test sections. All the test sections of a sub-test are required to be taken in same test administration. The test results are valid for a five year period, so all the sub-tests for a test or credential must be passed within this period.
Marking Scheme:
First, the test sections are awarded raw scores which contribute to score of the sub-test. The test sections are weighted and given scaled scores in a range from100 to 300. The passing score is 220. All the sub-tests are required to be passed within 5 years period to pass a test and achieve respective credential.
Schedule:
CSET is a computer based test. The registrations can be done on regular, late and emergency periods. The registrations can be done through internet, telephone or mail. The registration through phone is accepted only in late and emergency periods.
Exam Fees:
The different CSET tests have different fees. Refer to the link http://www.cset.nesinc.com/CS17_testfees.asp for test fees and payment policy.