Welcome to ANCCS CSET Resources Page.

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) has recently completed development of a new series of subject matter examinations for prospective teachers who choose to meet the subject matter competence requirement for certification by taking examinations. The examinations, the California Subject Examinations for Teachers® (CSET®), are offered in most credential areas. The examinations of the CSET reflect the recently revised K–12 California Student Academic Content Standards. The CCTC contracted National Evaluation Systems, Inc. (NES®), to assist in the development, administration, and scoring of the CSET.

As the examinations of the CSET were phased in, they replaced the single subject tests administered by NES under the Single Subject Assessments for Teaching program and the tests administered by Educational Testing Service® under The Praxis Series™ as the required credential tests in California. As of fall 2005, all candidates who choose to meet the subject matter competence requirement by taking examinations must earn passing scores on the examinations of the CSET.

The CCTC and NES worked closely with California educators to design the CSET. Every decision reflected several goals, including the following:

To develop tests specifically for credential candidates based on the unique needs and requirements of classroom teaching in California
To develop subject matter requirements to guide both the credential program and the examinations
To align tests with California student standards and curriculum frameworks
To provide for the repeated and significant participation of California teachers and teacher educators throughout the test development process
To prevent bias and ensure diversity in testing materials for the program
To provide support materials to examinees to help them prepare for the tests and interpret their results
To provide support materials to teacher education programs to help them relate test results to their instructional programs
To develop tests that are equitable to all examinees
To offer all examinees uniform and positive testing experiences
To provide California state policymakers with information to guide program and policy modifications

The examinations of the CSET are criterion referenced and based on CCTC-approved subject matter requirements (also called content specifications). A criterion-referenced test is designed to measure a candidate’s knowledge and skills in relation to an established standard rather than in relation to the performance of other candidates.

The tests are designed to measure domains of subject-matter content knowledge. Within each domain, a set of subject matter requirements, which are statements of important knowledge and skills, defines the content of the test. All subject matter requirements were developed for the CSET program by committees of California educators and approved by the CCTC.

Test questions matched to the subject matter requirements were developed using, in part, textbooks, California curriculum syllabi, teacher education curricula, and teacher credentialing standards. The questions were developed in consultation with and approved by committees of educators, teacher educators, and other content and assessment specialists in California.

The CSET program currently includes CSET: Multiple Subjects, CSET: Preliminary Educational Technology, and CSET: Single Subjects. CSET: Multiple Subjects consists of three separate subtests, each of which is composed of both multiple-choice and constructed-response questions. CSET: Preliminary Educational Technology consists of two subtests, each of which is composed of both multiple-choice and constructed-response questions. Each CSET: Single Subjects consists of two to four separate subtests; most subtests contain both multiple-choice and constructed-response questions. Subtests may include some questions that will not count toward an examinee’s score. These questions are placed on the test in order to collect information about how they will perform under actual testing conditions. See “Test Selection” for detailed information about each examination.

Data srouces: http://www.cset.nesinc.com/CS12_overview.asp

In California, a Single Subject Teaching Credential authorizes the holder to teach a specific subject in a departmentalized class (grades K–12); this credential is primarily used in middle and secondary schools (grades 7–12). A Multiple Subject Teaching Credential enables the holder to teach all subjects in a self-contained classroom (grades K–12); this credential is used primarily in elementary schools (grades K–6). An Education Specialist Instruction Credential authorizes the holder to teach any subject to students in grades K–12 with the specific disability or impairment noted on the document.

Subject Matter Competence Requirement

To earn a Multiple Subject or Single Subject Teaching Credential or an Education Specialist Instruction Credential, as well as other credentials, it is necessary to verify your subject matter competence as a part of your teaching qualifications. Teacher candidates must fulfill this requirement before assuming whole-class instruction (student teaching) or becoming the teacher of record. For candidates who completed their teacher education program in another state, the subject matter competence requirement may also be met through other options; please contact the CCTC for more information regarding this option.

If you plan on fulfilling the subject matter competence requirement by passing one or more of the examinations of the CSET, please note that you may take an examination of CSET only if you have earned, at minimum, a high school diploma, a GED, or the equivalent or if you are or have been a student taking courses for college credit pursuant to a career in education. If you are uncertain about your eligibility to test, please contact the CCTC for approval to test.

Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

To earn a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, all candidates who enrolled in California multiple subject teacher preparation programs on or after July 1, 2004, must pass a CCTC-approved subject matter examination, currently the CSET: Multiple Subjects. Passage of previously approved subject matter examinations (e.g., Multiple Subjects Assessment for Teachers [MSAT]) may be used to satisfy the requirement only if the passing score was achieved before July 2003 and used to earn certification within five years of the date that the score was achieved. Otherwise, passing the CSET: Multiple Subjects is required.

Candidates who enrolled in a California multiple subject teacher preparation program prior to July 2004 and have not earned their credential as of July 1, 2004, have two options to satisfy the subject matter competence requirement for their credential. They must have completed a CCTC-approved multiple subject matter preparation program prior to July 1, 2004, or pass a CCTC-approved subject matter examination. However, these candidates are still subject to the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) "Highly Qualified Teacher" requirements for elementary teachers, which may include passage of a CCTC-approved subject matter examination. For more information on NCLB requirements, candidates are encouraged to consult with the credential analyst at their institution or with their employer.

Single Subject Teaching Credential and Education Specialist Instruction Credential

To earn a Single Subject Teaching Credential or Education Specialist Instruction Credential, candidates may pass the examination(s) approved by the CCTC as one method of satisfying the subject matter competence requirement. Candidates wishing to earn a Single Subject Teaching Credential or an Education Specialist Instruction Credential may verify their subject matter competence in one of the following ways:

By completing a CCTC-approved subject matter preparation program, or for Science (Specialized) go to www.ctc.ca.gov
By passing the appropriate subject matter examination(s)
If trained in another state, by verifying appropriate experience or education
One way to fulfill the subject matter competence requirement is to complete a subject matter preparation program or its equivalent at a California college or university. Only programs that have been evaluated and approved by the CCTC fulfill this requirement. (The CCTC has evaluated and approved more than 400 programs at 70 accredited institutions. Check with a credential analyst at one of these CCTC-approved institutions to determine whether your educational experience satisfies its program requirements.)

Another way to verify your subject matter competence is to pass one or more of the subject matter examinations adopted by the CCTC. You may pass the appropriate subtests listed in the following table to verify your subject matter competence.

Educational Technology Requirement

The Multiple Subject and Single Subject Teaching Credentials require knowledge and skills in general and specialized uses of instructional technology in educational settings. Individuals trained inside and outside of California must satisfy both the basic and advanced levels of the educational technology requirement before being issued the professional clear credential. CSET: Preliminary Educational Technology (test codes 133 and 134) is the current approved examination that may be used to fulfill the basic educational technology requirement. Candidates who have completed a teacher education program outside of California may wish to contact the CCTC to determine whether they have met the basic educational technology requirement through their previous education or experience. For more information regarding this requirement, see the CCTC’s Web site at www.ctc.ca.gov.

No Child Left Behind Compliance

In spring 2004 the California State Board of Education adopted regulations for the implementation of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). These new regulations require that elementary teachers who are “new to the profession” pass a CCTC-approved subject matter examination. CSET: Multiple Subjects is the current CCTC-approved elementary subject matter examination for the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Passage of the previously approved subject matter examination (i.e., Multiple Subjects Assessment for Teachers [MSAT]) may be used to satisfy the requirement only if the passing score was achieved before July 2003 and used to earn certification within five years of the date that the score was achieved. Single Subject Teaching Credential candidates have two options to meet the NCLB requirement: completing a CCTC-approved single subject matter preparation program or passing a CCTC-approved subject matter examination, currently the CSET: Single Subjects.

Individuals who are seeking enrollment in or who are currently enrolled in Multiple Subject and/or Single Subject Teaching Credential programs are encouraged to discuss the NCLB subject matter requirement with the credential analyst at their institution. Individuals currently holding Multiple Subject or Single Subject Teaching Credentials may contact their employer concerning NCLB subject matter compliance issues. For the most up-to-date information regarding the implementation of the federal NCLB teacher requirements for California, see the California Department of Education’s Web site at www.cde.ca.gov.

resource from: http://www.cset.nesinc.com/CS11_certrequirements.asp

A passing score on a CSET subtest must be achieved at a single CSET administration; performance on sections of subtests cannot be combined across administrations. Once you pass a subtest, you do not have to take that subtest again as long as you use the score to earn certification within five years of the test date on which it was achieved.

Examinees registered for CSET: Art Subtest II are required to submit photographs of their artwork at the test site when they sign in to take the test. The CCTC requires that examinees submit six photographs in order for CSET: Art Subtest II to be scored. If one or more of your photographs do not meet the requirements specified in the CSET: Art Subtest II Portfolio Procedures Manual, you will receive a rating of "Unscorable" on the portfolio component written assignment(s). If your written assignment(s) are rated as "Unscorable," you may not receive a passing score on the subtest and may need to retake it. Furthermore, if you do not submit six photographs at the administration (as described in the CSET: Art Subtest II Portfolio Procedures Manual), you will not have satisfied the CSET: Art Subtest II testing requirements; you will not pass the subtest; and you will need to retake the entire subtest. For more information about the examination, refer to the Art test information table in "Test Selection."

Examinees registered for CSET: Music Subtest II are required to submit videotaped materials at the test site when they sign in to take the multiple-choice section of the test. The CCTC requires that examinees submit two videotapes in order for CSET: Music Subtest II to be scored. You are required to submit two videotapes of yourself performing the assigned selections designated for the test date. If one or both of your submitted videos do not meet the requirements specified in the CSET: Music Subtest II Video Performance Procedures Manual, you will receive a rating of "Unscorable" on the assignment(s). If your videos are rated as "Unscorable," you may not receive a passing score on the subtest and may need to retake it. Furthermore, if you do not submit two videotapes at the administration, or if one or both of your submitted videotapes do not contain audio and video within the first three minutes, you will not have satisfied the CSET: Music Subtest II testing requirements; you will not pass the subtest; and you will need to retake the entire subtest. For more information about the examination, refer to the Music test information table in "Test Selection."

Retaking the CSET

If you do not pass one or more subtests, you may register for and retake the subtests that you have not passed. There is no limit to the number of times you may take any subtest that you have not passed. Each time you retake one or more subtests, however, you must complete the registration process again.

September 15, 2007
November 3, 2007
January 12, 2008
March 15, 2008
May 17, 2008
July 19, 2008

For detail info, please visit official TEST DATE at CSET web site.