Competency Requirements & Prep Resources
Verification of the Basic Skills RequirementIndividuals may satisfy the basic skills requirement by mixing and matching the following methods ensuring they meet the proficiency requirement in all three areas: reading, writing, and math. Candidates should submit a Basic Skills Evaluation Request Form for review to soe@calpoly.edu.
If you plan to mix & match exams and coursework, you must complete a Basic Skills Evaluation Request Form and submit it to the Credential Office at soe@calpoly.edu for evaluation. Once approved a CP41-BSR form will be returned to you providing verification of Basic Skills completion. Evaluations will be completed in the order they come in and will take 4-6 weeks to be returned to the submitter.
Do not submit a Basic Skills Evaluation Request Form if you are using a single exam with qualifying scores (i.e. CBEST or SAT); official scores will need to be sent to Cal Poly rather than a form.
See, Basic Skills Requirement for an explanation of options to meet BSR, also see AB-130 Coded Correspondence for additional information.
Find additional clarification and answers to commonly asked questions on our Basic Skills Requirement Completion Options FAQ document.
Verification of Subject Matter CompetencyIndividuals may satisfy the subject matter competency requirement by completing one of the following methods:
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The CSU system has partnered with Study.com to provide free access to preparation materials for students completing CA teacher credential requirements (CBEST, CSET, RICA).
Study.com’s program is based on student-led learning and offers test prep in 41 subject areas of the CSET, along with reading, writing, and math for the CBEST exam. Additionally, Study.com offers comprehensive preparation and practice materials for the RICA exam. There is a practice test that mimics the official required exam. Students who have found the most success with Study.com’s program begin by taking the practice test as a diagnostic tool, as it provides their areas of strength and weakness, then links to those specific areas of weakness within the course to support improved understanding. You can also adjust the length of the course based on your unique goals/timelines.
Click here to access Cal Poly's Study.com license request form.
Once you submit the form, you will receive a link to redeem the license code and instructions to set up your Study.com account.
Note that this product has been paid for by the CSU System through July 31, 2022. Be sure to redeem and take advantage of the study materials as soon as possible!
Additional Preparation Materials:
- Pearson Exam Preparation Materials
- Study.com - Prepare for your CSET/CBEST Exams - all in one place! The STEM Teach Scholarship will reimburse you up to two months of use on Study.com. Click here to learn more about the STEM Teach Scholarship.
Check out what a student has to say about their experience using Study.com to prep for the CSET by clicking here!
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Test Prep Review - Test Prep Review contains prep material for many different CSET/CBEST tests and information on each of those tests. Below are links to practice tests.
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Teachers Test Prep - Create an online account through Teachers Test Prep to take the online practice tests and get a complete diagnostic in the areas that you need to work on.
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Union Test Prep - Union Test Prep contains practice tests, study guides, and flashcards for each section of the CBEST test
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UCI Open - The University of California Irvine has preparation materials set up in canvas study modules with practice questions.
- YouTube.com
- Amazon.com
- Quizlet.com
- edTPA - edTPA is a performance-based, subject-specific assessment to emphasize, measure, and support the skills and knowledge that all teachers need. The assessment features a common architecture focused on three tasks: Planning, Instruction, and Assessment. Candidates will prepare a portfolio of materials during their Clinical Practice and coursework.