Skills and concepts tested - Introduction to the mathematics section

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

Skills and concepts tested
Introduction to the mathematics section

Questions require basic computation, measurement, interpreting graphs, and understanding standardized test scores (e.g., stanine scores). Complex computations are not required, and most of the terms used are general, commonly encountered math expressions (e.g., perimeter, integer, and prime number). According to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), math proficiency is not just about memorizing math formulas to find the correct solution to a problem. CTC focuses on your ability to teach students to be effective math problem-solvers, including the ability to solve real-world math word problems.

The mathematics section is composed of the following content areas; the approximate number of questions and their percentages are noted.

Skill Factor

Topics

*Approximate Number of Questions

Approximate Percentage

Skill Factor 1

Estimation and Measurement

15 questions

30%

·   Units of length, temperature, and weight

·   Measure length and perimeter

·   Estimates of time

·   Problem solving (add, subtract, multiply, and divide)

Statistical Principles

·   Basic statistical arithmetic operations associated with test scores (e.g., averages, ratios, proportions, and percentile scores)

·   Make simple predictions (e.g., what is the probability of an occurrence).

·   Interpret the results of standardized test scores (e.g., stanine scores and percentiles).

Skill Factor 2

Computation and Problem Solving

17 questions

35%

·   Arithmetic operations and computation with positive and negative whole numbers (add, subtract, multiply, and divide)

·   Fractions, decimals, and percentages (add, subtract, multiply, and divide)

·   Determine whether enough information is given to solve a problem and identify the facts in a problem.

·   Identify alternative methods for solving math problems (simple algebra).

Skill Factor 3

Numerical and Graphic Relationships

18 questions

35%

·   Identify relationships in numerical data (e.g., compute a percentage change from one year to the next).

·   Identify the position of numbers (e.g., is between and ).

·   Identify less than, greater than, equal to, and their symbols.

·   Identify numbers and formulas for math expressions that are equivalent

(e.g., ).

·   Identify “rounding off” rules.

·   Apply logical connectives (e.g., and, or, if-then) and quantifiers (some, all, or none).

·   Interpret tables, graphs, and spreadsheets (e.g., bar, circle, line, total, and subtotal) to solve math problems.

TOTALS

50 questions

100%