Did you Know?
According to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, 72% of all CBEST test takers pass the CBEST Writing Test on the first try!
For any number of reasons, though, we are hearing that the thought of having to write essays causes anxiety in many test takers. To help you understand a bit more about what this means, here are the CBEST Test Specifications for the Writing section of CBEST directly from the CBEST website:
The Writing Test consists of two essay questions. One of the essay questions asks examinees to write about a remembered experience. The other question is designed to elicit expository prose that will permit writers to demonstrate their analytic skills.
ABILITIES SPECIFICATIONS
The questions in the Writing Test will elicit a writing sample that will show the examinee's ability to:
• Write with clarity (i.e., the reader can comprehend immediately what is meant),
• Keep the writing focused (i.e., the reader is kept on the track),
• Develop the ideas in the writing through support or illustration,
• Use the conventions of standard written English, and
• Maintain a line of thought essentially free of non sequiturs, internal contradictions, unwarranted conclusions, and confusion of fact and opinion.
TOPIC SPECIFICATIONS
Topics should be of the following two types:
TYPE I (Expressive):
Topics should elicit a sample of expressive writing about a remembered experience.
TYPE II (Expository):
Topics should elicit a sample of expository writing that will permit the examinees to demonstrate their analytic skills.
Topics should NOT:
• Ask examinees to write personal letters or notes, though letters to the editor are acceptable, or
• Ask examinees to write out of imaginary or speculative experiences.
Note: The complete text can be found at: http://www.cbest.nesinc.com/PDFs/CBESTUpdatedTestSpecs.pdf
Please note that CBEST test specifications can change without notice. Please use the link above for the latest specifications.
Get Some Practice
From these specifications, you can see that this is the type of writing we use most every day. If you haven’t done so, take a moment to take the CBEST computer-based test at: http://www.cbest.nesinc.com/CA_viewPT_opener.asp .
For even more trial tests and essay topics are found in test preparation guides available from companies such as Kaplan and Cliff Notes. You can find them in most California book stores and through the online book sellers.
