CliffsNotes CBEST - BTPS TESTING Ph.D., Jerry Bobrow Ph.D. & 8 more 2021

Preface

CliffsNotes CBEST is an easy-to-follow study guide that will prepare you to do your best on the California Basic Educational Skills Test! This book is not meant to be a substitute for formal classroom instruction, but it will give you important learning tools to improve your reading, writing, and math skills.

The skills and concepts presented in this study guide will not only help you pass the CBEST, but will reintroduce some basic skills and knowledge that you may not have used in many years. If you have moments of self-doubt, keep reminding yourself that even though the material may be challenging, it is manageable. Take a deep breath, and know that you can do this by studying the content, strategies, and practice questions offered in this guide. Because there are many pathways to learning that make use of different learning styles, we have included hundreds of sample and practice problems with step-by-step explanations that are designed to enrich your learning style. Four full-length practice tests (found in chapters 8—11) are followed by analysis charts to assist you in evaluating your progress.

In keeping with the fine tradition of CliffsNotes, leading educators in the field of test and college entrance exam preparation developed this guide. For over 40 years, the authors of this text have been successfully teaching thousands of credential candidates to prepare for and perform well on standardized teacher examinations. The materials, strategies, and techniques presented in this guide have been researched, tested, and evaluated in teacher-preparation classes at leading California universities, school districts, and county offices of education.

How this book Is organized

As you work through each chapter, follow the recommended sequence of topics and take detailed notes on the pages of the book to highlight important facts and concepts. Most people find it useful to start by learning general principles and skills before progressing to the memorization of important facts and concepts. For example, you should start your general math review with basic arithmetic (fractions, percents, decimals, and so on), and then move to a specific plan to tackle certain types of basic arithmetic problems (mixed fractions, converting percents to decimals, and so on). Remember to start with general information and then move to more specific problems and concepts.

Each chapter presents subject matter in a structured format to enhance your learning.

· Introduction to the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)—The Introduction is a general description of the CBEST exam, covering test format, content areas, question types, scoring, frequently asked questions, and general strategies.

· Chapter 1: The Reading Section—Chapter 1 reviews the types of reading comprehension passages, question types, the basic skills and concepts tested, directions, and suggested strategies with samples.

· Chapter 2: The Writing Section—Chapter 2 focuses on written essays. It contains important strategies to improve your writing skills and will assist you in planning and writing well-organized essays on two assigned topics: descriptive essay and analytical essay.

· Chapter 3: Introduction to the Mathematics Section—Chapter 3 contains the test format, question types, skills and concepts tested, general strategies, and specific math strategies.

· Chapter 4: Arithmetic Review—Chapter 4 includes an arithmetic diagnostic test, arithmetic review, example questions, and explanations.

· Chapter 5: Algebra Review—Chapter 5 includes an algebra diagnostic test, algebra review, example questions, and explanations.

· Chapter 6: Statistics and Probability Review—Chapter 6 includes a statistics and probability diagnostic test, statistics and probability review, example questions, and explanations.

· Chapter 7: Math Reasoning Problems—Chapter 7 includes review of measurement problems, word problems, and graph interpretation problems, along with example questions and explanations.

Chapters 8—11 each contain a full-length model practice test with detailed answer explanations.

Two-month study plan

The calendar below details a two-month action plan to help you prepare for the CBEST.

Two-Month Study Plan

8 weeks before the exam	Study Time: 2 hours · Browse the CBEST official website: www.ctcexams.nesinc.com. · Read about the paper-based versus the computer-based test formats on the official CBEST website and decide which version you will be taking. · Read the Introduction. · Study the CBEST exam format (pp. 1—2). · Take notes as you study the test-taking strategies (pp. 4—7).
7 weeks before the exam	Study Time: 2 hours at least three times a week (or as often as your schedule permits) · Chapter 1: Read and take notes on Chapter 1, “The Reading Section.” o Read the overview, skills and concepts tested, and question types (pp. 9—12). o Study the general test-taking strategies and the four-step approach (pp. 12—15). o Practice using the suggested reading strategies (pp. 15—28), answering the multiple-choice example questions, and comparing your answers to the explanations provided. If you miss a question, be sure to note the logic behind the correct answer.
6 weeks before the exam	Study Time: 3 hours at least three times a week (or as often as your schedule permits) · Chapter 2: Read and take notes on Chapter 2, “The Writing Section.” o Read the overview, essay question types, skills and concepts tested, directions, and scoring (pp. 29—32). o Study the test-taking strategies and the three-step essay writing process (pp. 33—41). o Practice writing descriptive essays (pp. 42—49). Compare your responses to the scoring guidelines and sample responses. o Practice writing analytical essays (pp. 49—56). Compare your responses to the scoring guidelines and sample responses. · Chapter 3: Read and take notes on Chapter 3, “Introduction to the Mathematics Section.” o Read the overview, skills and concepts tested, and question types. o Study the general and specific test-taking strategies, as well as the content on analyzing statistical data. Answer the example questions and compare your answers to the explanations provided. If you miss a question, be sure to note the logic behind the correct answer.
5 weeks before the exam	Study Time: 3 hours at least three times a week (or as often as your schedule permits) · Chapter 4: Read and take notes on Chapter 4, “Arithmetic Review.” o Take the Arithmetic Diagnostic Test (p. 82), check your answers against the answer key, and chart your answers to determine areas that need improvement. o Read, study, and practice arithmetic topics as necessary in Chapter 4. · Chapter 5: Read and take notes on Chapter 5, “Algebra Review.” o Take the Algebra Diagnostic Test (p. 113), check your answers against the answer key, and chart your answers to determine areas that need improvement. o Read, study, and practice algebra topics as necessary in Chapter 5.
4 weeks before the exam	Study Time: 3 hours at least three times a week (or as often as your schedule permits) · Chapter 6: Read and take notes on Chapter 6, “Statistics and Probability Review.” o Take the Statistics and Probability Diagnostic Test (pp. 121—122), check your answers against the answer key, and chart your answers to determine areas that need improvement. o Read, study, and practice statistics and probability topics as necessary in Chapter 6. · Chapter 7: Read and take notes on Chapter 7, “Math Reasoning Problems.” o Read and study the “Measurement” section as necessary (pp. 133—138). o Read and study the “Word Problems” section as necessary (pp. 138—142). o Read and study the “Graph Interpretation” section as necessary (pp. 142—152).
3 weeks before the exam	Study Time: 4—6 hours · Chapter 8: Try to simulate testing conditions as you take Practice Test 1. Chart your answers, review the explanations, and review the sample essay responses. · Based on your performance, identify topics and their corresponding chapters that require further review. Study Time: 4—6 hours · Chapter 9: Simulate testing conditions as you take Practice Test 2. Chart your answers, review the explanations, and review the sample essay responses. · Based on your performance, identify topics and their corresponding chapters that require further review.
2 weeks before the exam	Study Time: 4—6 hours · Chapter 10: Simulate testing conditions as you take Practice Test 3. Chart your answers, review the explanations, and review the sample essay responses. · Based on your performance, identify topics and their corresponding chapters that require further review. Study Time: 4—6 hours · Chapter 11: Simulate testing conditions as you take Practice Test 4. Chart your answers, review the explanations, and review the sample essay responses. · Based on your performance, identify topics and their corresponding chapters that require further review.
7 days before the exam	Study Time: 2 hours · Simulate testing conditions as you take the CBEST online (or paper-based) practice test, www.ctcexams.nesinc.com. · Based on your performance, identify topics and their corresponding chapters that require further review.
6 days before the exam	Study Time: 1—2 hours · Review the reading test specifications at www.ctcexams.nesinc.com. · Study and target specific topics as needed.
5 days before the exam	Study Time: 1—2 hours · Review the writing test specifications at www.ctcexams.nesinc.com. · Study and target specific topics as needed.
4 days before the exam	Study Time: 1—2 hours · Review the mathematics test specifications at www.ctcexams.nesinc.com. · Study and target specific topics as needed.
3 days before the exam	Study Time: 1—2 hours · Reread any material you feel is necessary.
2 days before the exam	Study Time: 1—2 hours · Continue to reread any material you feel is necessary.
1 day before the exam	· Relax. You have covered all of the material necessary to score well on the exam. · Get plenty of sleep the night before the exam.
Morning of the exam	· Eat a balanced, nutritious breakfast with protein. · Keep your usual habits. Don’t try something new today. · Bring your photo ID, your ticket for admission, a watch (that does not have Internet and does not beep), several sharpened no. 2 pencils with erasers (paper-based test-takers). Note: Cellphones, scratch paper, books, smartwatches, and food/drinks are not allowed at the testing center.