CBEST Scoring Guide

If you plan to teach in the state of California, you may have heard of the CBEST exam, which is one way to fulfill your Basic Skills Requirement for certification. This exam assesses your fundamental skills in reading, writing, and math.

To prepare for the test, it’s crucial to understand its scoring system. This article delves into everything you need to know about CBEST exam scores.

Overview of the CBEST Exam

The CBEST exam will evaluate your knowledge of a range of skill areas via three subtests:

CBEST: Reading
CBEST: Mathematics
CBEST: Writing

Overall, the test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and two written essays. Each subtest is timed separately. The Reading and Writing subtests each have a time limit of 1 hour and 30 minutes, while the Math subtest has a time limit of 2 hours. Altogether, this adds up to a testing time of 5 hours.

Our CBEST exam overview can give you more information about the structure of this test.

How the Exam is Scored

The CBEST exam is scored by taking the sum of your correct answers and converting this into a scaled score that takes test difficulty into account. The exam is scored via computer.

Passing Score

To pass the CBEST exam, you must achieve a minimum score of 123. Typically, this means you have passed all three subtests, each of which has a minimum passing score of 41. However, if you receive a score of 37-40 on one or two subtests but perform extremely well elsewhere, it’s still mathematically possible to pass the CBEST.

That said, you should go into the CBEST planning to do well on all three exams. This is the best way to achieve a total score of 123.

Remember that if you score below 37 on any subtest of the CBEST, you cannot pass the exam.

For more scoring information on the individual subtests, check out our Scoring Guides for the first two exams:

CBEST: Reading Scoring Guide

CBEST: Mathematics Scoring Guide

Understanding Your Score Report

Your CBEST score report will include:

Whether you passed
Your score on each subtest
Your performance indices for content skill areas on the multiple-choice subtests (Reading and Math)
Performance scores for your essay responses on the Writing subtest

Your score report will usually consist of five sections.

The CBEST description section includes:

Your scores on each subtest taken
The scoring scale for each subtest
Your total CBEST score
Your passing status for each subtest and for the CBEST as a whole

If you took the Reading subtest, the Reading section includes:

Your scaled score on this subtest
Your performance on each skill area, as represented by performance indices that range from + to ++++

If you took the Mathematics subtest, the Mathematics section includes:

Your scaled score on this subtest
Your performance on each skill area, as represented by performance indices that range from + to ++++

If you took the Writing subtest, the Writing section includes:

Your scaled score on this subtest
Your performance on both essay questions, as represented on a scale of 1-4

The last section of your CBEST score report will typically include the names of all institutions that will receive these scores. You selected these institutions when you registered for the exam.

If you passed the CBEST, you should also receive a Permanent Verification Card (as well as two transcript copies of the card) reflecting your passing status. You should retain this card for your records.

For more details about how to interpret your score report, refer to this guide to CBEST results.

Retaking the Exam

If you don’t pass the CBEST exam, you can retake it. You must wait 45 days between attempts, and you will need to re-register and submit new payments.

You only have to register for the subtests you have yet to pass. That said, you may want to retake other subtests anyway, since you might improve your score, making it easier to achieve an overall CBEST score of 123. The CBEST overall score incorporates your highest score on each subtest, no matter when you achieved it – so rest assured that you can’t damage your score by retaking a subtest.

Before you re-register, it’s crucial to evaluate what went wrong on previous attempts. Carefully analyze your score report to identify areas of weakness and develop a targeted study plan to improve your performance on those subtests, content domains, or question types.

Conclusion:

Your CBEST exam scores assess your readiness to teach by ensuring you have basic skills in reading, math, and writing. Understanding how this test is scored and what is required to pass should help you prepare more effectively, maximizing your chances of success. If you don’t pass the exam on your first try, remember to take advantage of the detailed performance breakdown on your score report. It may provide helpful insights.

With diligent study and a clear understanding of the test, you will be prepared to excel on the CBEST exam.

More CBEST Resources

Start your test prep with a free CBEST practice test.
Dig deeper into the structure of the exam using our CBEST exam overview.
Looking for even more study help? Check out our study guide for the CBEST exam.

FAQ

What is the passing score for the CBEST exam?

To pass the CBEST exam, you must achieve a minimum score of 123 across the subtests. Individually, the minimum passing score for each subtest is 41. It is mathematically possible to pass the CBEST if you score between 37-40 on one or two subtests, provided you perform very well elsewhere. However, you cannot pass the CBEST if you score below 37 on any subtest.

When will I receive my CBEST score report?

Your official score report should be available within two weeks of testing. Visit the CBEST website to find out when you can expect your score report to be released.

If I fail the CBEST exam, am I allowed to retake it?

Yes. If you do not pass, you can retake the exam. You must wait 45 days between attempts.