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📝 Pearson VUE / CTCCalifornia · Oregon · Nevada3 Sections · 102 Questions

CBEST® Practice Tests

Complete preparation for all three sections of the California Basic Educational Skills Test — Reading (50q, 1.5 hrs), Mathematics (50q, 2 hrs, no calculator), and Writing (2 essays, 1.5 hrs). 102 total questions. Score scale 20–80. Pass: 41 per section, 123 combined. Required for teacher certification in California, Oregon, and Nevada.

3Sections
102Total Questions
20–80Score Scale
41Pass Per Section
$30Per Section
FreeTo Start
Browse All CBEST SectionsScores & Registration

All CBEST Sections (3)

The CBEST contains three separately timed and separately registered sections. Register at ctcexams.nesinc.com. You may take one, two, or all three on the same day or on separate days — and you only need to retake a section you did not pass. Click any section to start practicing.

CBEST Reading
California Basic Educational Skills Test — Reading Section
Critical Analysis & Evaluation — 40%Comprehension & Research — 60%
📋 50 questions⏱ 1.5 hours💰 $30 fee👤 Pass: 41 (min 37)
Start Practicing ›
CBEST Mathematics
California Basic Educational Skills Test — Mathematics Section
Estimation & Stats — 30%Computation — 35%Numerical & Graphic — 35%
📋 50 questions⏱ 2 hours🚫 No calculator💰 $30 fee👤 Pass: 41 (min 37)
Start Practicing ›
CBEST Writing
California Basic Educational Skills Test — Writing Section
Analytical Essay — Prompt 1Personal Experience Essay — Prompt 2
📋 2 essay prompts⏱ 1.5 hours💰 $30 fee👤 Pass: 41 (min 37)
Start Practicing ›
About the Exam

What Is the CBEST®?

The California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) is a foundational skills test for prospective educators developed and administered by the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson under contract with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). The CBEST is designed to verify that candidates possess the basic reading, mathematics, and writing skills essential for the work of an educator — it does not test the ability to teach those skills.

The CBEST is administered as a computer-based test (CBT) at authorized Pearson VUE test centers and via remote online proctored testing (desktop or laptop only — tablets not permitted). Each of the three sections is taken in a separate testing session and registered separately at ctcexams.nesinc.com.

The CBEST is required in California, Oregon, and Nevada as a basic skills requirement for teacher credentialing and licensure. Candidates who pass only some sections retain those scores and only need to retake sections they did not pass. Score reports are available in unofficial form on the day of a computer-based test; official scores are released approximately 4–6 weeks after the test date.

📋 CBEST Quick Facts
Full nameCalifornia Basic Educational Skills Test
Administered byPearson / Evaluation Systems (for CTC)
Required inCalifornia, Oregon, Nevada
Total questions102 (50 Reading, 50 Math, 2 essays)
Score scale20 – 80 per section
Passing score41 per section · 123 combined
Minimum per section37 (below this = fail regardless)
Fee$30 per section ($90 total)
Math calculatorNot permitted
Score release~4–6 weeks (official)
Retake wait45 days after receiving scores
Register atctcexams.nesinc.com

States That Require the CBEST

The CBEST is required for teacher credentialing and licensure in three U.S. states. Always verify your specific state requirement with your credentialing authority before registering.

🌴
California
Required by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) for multiple subject, single subject, and other teaching credentials. The CBEST is one of California's basic skills requirement options. Register and verify at ctc.ca.gov.
🌲
Oregon
The CBEST is accepted in Oregon as a basic skills verification test for teacher licensure. Verify your specific license requirement with the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) at oregon.gov/tspc.
🎲
Nevada
The CBEST is accepted in Nevada for teacher licensure as a basic skills demonstration. Verify current requirements with the Nevada Department of Education (NDE) at doe.nv.gov.
Registration Guide

How to Register for the CBEST

Follow these four steps. Each section is registered and paid for separately at the official California Educator Credentialing Examinations portal.

1
Create a CTC Exams Account
Create your account at ctcexams.nesinc.com. Your name must exactly match your government-issued photo ID. This account is used for all California Educator Credentialing Examinations.
2
Register & Pay Per Section
Select the CBEST section(s) you wish to take and pay the $30 fee per section by credit, debit, or check card. Registration is valid for one year. No refunds or credits after payment. Total cost for all 3 sections: $90.
3
Schedule Your Appointment
After payment, schedule your test appointment online — available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day on a first-come, first-served basis. Choose in-person at a Pearson VUE test center or remote online proctored (desktop/laptop only).
4
Take the Test & Get Scores
Arrive 15–30 minutes early at the test center with two valid forms of ID (one must be a photo ID). Official scores are released 4–6 weeks after your test date. Unofficial scores are available immediately after computer-based testing.

CBEST Passing Scores & Score Scale

Each CBEST section is scored independently on a 20–80 scale. You must score at least 41 on each section, and no less than 37 on any single section, to pass. Confirm current requirements at ctcexams.nesinc.com.

CBEST Score Scale — 20 to 80 (per section)
Automatic Fail20 – 36
Below 37 = Cannot Pass Regardless of Other Scores
Conditional Pass Zone37 – 40
Can Still Pass if Combined Total ≥ 123 (Compensatory)
Passing41 – 80
At or Above Passing Threshold for This Section

Each section scored 20–80 scaled. Standard passing score: 41 per section (123 combined). Compensatory rule: if you score 37–40 on one section, you can still pass overall if your total across all three sections is ≥ 123. If you score below 37 on any section, you cannot pass the CBEST regardless of other scores — you must retake that section. Retake wait: 45 days after receiving scores. Unlimited retake attempts. Score reports typically released 4–6 weeks after the test date.

📖 Reading Section
Questions50 selected-response
Time1.5 hours (90 min)
Skill Area 1Critical Analysis & Evaluation — 40%
Skill Area 2Comprehension & Research — 60%
Score range20–80
Passing score41
🔢 Mathematics Section
Questions50 selected-response
Time2 hours (120 min)
Skill Area 1Estimation, Measurement & Stats — 30%
Skill Area 2Computation & Problem-Solving — 35%
Skill Area 3Numerical & Graphic Relationships — 35%
CalculatorNot permitted
Passing score41
✍️ Writing Section
Questions2 essay prompts
Time1.5 hours (90 min)
Essay 1Analyze a given situation or statement
Essay 2Write about a specific personal experience
ScoringEach essay scored separately; combined = Writing score
Passing score41

Registration, Test Day & Scheduling

Everything you need to know before and on exam day for the CBEST.

Registration

Registration portalctcexams.nesinc.com
Fee per section$30 ($90 for all 3)
Sections registeredSeparately — pay per section
Schedule availability7 days/week, 24 hrs/day
Registration validity1 year from payment
RefundsNo refunds or credits after payment

Test Day — In-Person

Arrive15–30 min early
Late arrivalsNot admitted
ID required2 forms; 1 must have photo
Personal itemsLeft in locker outside testing room
NDAMust sign before exam begins
Restroom breaksAllowed; clock does not stop

Test Day — Remote (OnVUE)

Log in15–30 min before scheduled time
DeviceDesktop or laptop only (no tablets)
RequiredWebcam + microphone + OnVUE app
MonitorOnly one monitor permitted
Room scanRequired via webcam before exam
Others in roomNot permitted during test

Scores & Retakes

Score scale20–80 per section
Passing score41 per section; 123 combined
Minimum per section37 (below = cannot pass)
Official results~4–6 weeks after test date
Retake wait45 days after receiving scores
Retake limitUnlimited attempts

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything teacher candidates need to know about the CBEST.

What is the CBEST and who needs to take it?+
The California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) is a foundational skills test for educators, developed and administered by the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson under contract with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). It tests basic reading, mathematics, and writing skills important for the work of an educator. It is required for teacher certification in California, Oregon, and Nevada. Register at ctcexams.nesinc.com.
What is the CBEST passing score?+
Each of the three CBEST sections (Reading, Mathematics, Writing) is scored on a 20–80 scale. The standard passing score is 41 per section, for a combined minimum of 123. If you score between 37–40 on one section, you can still pass overall if your combined total across all three sections is at or above 123 (compensatory scoring). However, if you score below 37 on any section, you cannot pass the CBEST regardless of your other scores — you must retake that section.
How much does the CBEST cost?+
The CBEST registration fee is $30 per section ($90 total for all three sections). Each section is registered and paid for separately at ctcexams.nesinc.com. Payment is by credit, debit, or check card. Registration is valid for one year from payment. No refunds or credits are issued after payment.
Is a calculator allowed on the CBEST Mathematics section?+
No. Calculators are not permitted on the CBEST Mathematics section. The mathematics content is tested at the level of foundational skills needed for an educator — primarily word problems covering estimation, computation, numerical relationships, and basic statistics. No personal calculators or scratch paper are allowed; scratch work is done on provided materials at test centers.
Can I take just one section of the CBEST?+
Yes. Each of the three CBEST sections — Reading, Mathematics, and Writing — is registered for and taken separately. You can take one, two, or all three on the same day or across different days. If you pass some sections but not all, you keep your passing section scores and only need to retake the section(s) you did not pass. You must wait 45 days after receiving your scores before registering to retake a failed section.
How soon after taking the CBEST will I receive my scores?+
An unofficial score is available immediately at the end of a computer-based test (CBT). The official scaled score is typically released approximately 4–6 weeks after your test date. Your score report will include your scaled score (20–80) for each section you took, as well as a breakdown of your strengths and weaknesses within each section to help guide retake preparation if needed.
What are the two CBEST Writing essay prompts?+
The CBEST Writing section contains two essay prompts in 1.5 hours: Essay Prompt 1 asks you to analyze a given situation or statement — you write an analytical or persuasive essay responding to the prompt. Essay Prompt 2 asks you to write about a specific personal experience — a narrative essay drawing from your own life. Both essays are scored for content, organization, language use, and mechanics. Each essay is scored separately, and the combined score determines your Writing section score (20–80 scale).
What are the technical requirements for remote CBEST testing?+
To take the CBEST remotely via OnVUE (Pearson's online proctoring platform), you must have: a desktop or laptop computer (tablets and touchscreen devices are NOT allowed); one monitor only; a working webcam and microphone; the OnVUE application downloaded and installed; a stable internet connection; and a private, distraction-free room. Log in 15–30 minutes before your scheduled time. No one else may enter the room during the test. A system check is available at the Pearson VUE website before test day.

Ready to Pass Your CBEST?

Adaptive practice questions for all three CBEST sections — Reading, Mathematics, and Writing — aligned to the official content specifications. Section-level analytics so you know exactly where to focus before test day.

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Sources: California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) — ctcexams.nesinc.com; Pearson VUE — pearsonvue.com/us/en/cbest; Evaluation Systems group of Pearson (official CBEST test developer and administrator); Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC); Nevada Department of Education. CBEST® and California Basic Educational Skills Test® are registered trademarks of the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Pearson Education, Inc. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by CTC, Pearson, or NES/Evaluation Systems. Always verify current requirements at ctcexams.nesinc.com.