So you’re taking the CSET English (105-108) exam and you’re asking some of the following questions:
- Where do I find a free practice test?
- An exam breakdown?
- How do I register for the test?
Those are all great questions, and you’ve found the right place to get them answered!
My name is Deke Parsons, and at Best in Class we’ve got the answers to all of these questions about the CSET English (105-108) exam!
CSET English Video Overviews
While not specific to this particular exam, this collection of videos provides quick, easy to understand tutorials on several concepts that are likely to appear on the CSET English:
This video goes through a handful of practice questions to give you an idea of what to expect on the exam:
Overwhelmed at the amount of study material available for the CSET English? This video provides helpful explanations of the different types of resources available and what will work best for you:
First Thing to Know
CSET stands for California Subject Examinations for Teachers. Anyone who wants to teach English courses in the state of California must pass the CSET English (105-108).
The CSET English consists of four different subtests. Each subtest has a number assigned to them: Subtest I is 105; Subtest II is 106; Subtest III is 107; Subtest IV is 108. Together, these subtests make up the complete CSET English (105-108). There are many different educator exams and these numbers exist to help the state keep track of the different tests.
CSET English Exam Breakdown
The CSET English is made up of four subtests. Each subtest may be taken separately or you can take all subtests in one session. Each individual subtest must be passed in order to pass the entire CSET English (105-108). Here’s a look at the domains covered in each subtest and the type of questions you’ll see:
| Subtest | Domains | Number of Multiple-Choice Questions | Number of Constructed-Response Questions |
| I | Reading Literature and Informational Texts
Composition and Rhetoric |
40
10 |
0
0 |
| Subtest Total | 50 | 0 | |
| II | Language, Linguistics, and Literacy | 50 | 0 |
| Subtest Total | 50 | 0 | |
| III | Composition and Rhetoric; Reading Literature and Informational Texts | 0 | 2
(extended responses) |
| IV | Communications: Speech, Media, and Creative Performance | 0 | 4
(short, focused responses) |
What is a Passing Score
CSET exams use a scaled scoring system, which means that the scores are standardized to account for variations between different test forms. Your scaled score will range from 100 – 300. In order to pass the CSET, you must score at least 220 on each subtest.
How to Register for the CSET English Exam
New to Teaching?
If you’re new to teaching, you’ll need to complete an educator preparation program before registering for the CSET English. Once that’s been accomplished, it’s time to register for your exam.
- Start by creating an account on the account information page of the California Educator Credentialing Assessments website.
- After you’ve created an account and logged in, click on “register” near the top of the homepage.
- During registration, you’ll provide personal and background information, select your test, select where your scores will be sent, pay for your exam, and schedule your test appointment.
- Remember, you may take the entire exam (105-108) in one sitting or you may take the subtests individually. Make sure to check identification numbers for each subtest to ensure you are registering for the right exam.
Already Certified?
- Start by logging into your account on the California Educator Credentialing Assessments website.
- Next, click on “register” near the top of the homepage to start the registration process.
- During registration, you’ll provide personal and background information, select your test, select where your scores will be sent, pay for your exam, and schedule your test appointment.
- Remember, you may take the entire exam (105-108) in one sitting or you may take the subtests individually. Make sure to check identification numbers for each subtest to ensure you are registering for the right exam.
Once you pass the exam, then you are qualified to teach English in the state of California!
Yay!
CSET English (105-108) Free Practice Test
One of the best ways to prepare for the CSET English is to take a practice test. There are many practice tests available, but how do you know that you’ve found a high-quality, reliable source? Luckily, we’ve done that part for you! In this section, you’ll find some of the best practice tests available for the CSET English.
Best Free Practice Test
240 Tutoring’s CSET English Free Practice Tests
240 Tutoring has been helping teachers pass their exams since 2011. They provide online, completely free practice tests for Subtest I and Subtest II of the CSET English. Each practice test will give you a free score breakdown, so you can see exactly what you need to study.
CSET English (105-108) Paid Practice Test
Best Paid Practice Test
240 Tutoring’s CSET: English Subtest 1 Study Guide & Practice Test
240 Tutoring’s CSET: English Subtest 2 Study Guide & Practice Test
240 Tutoring also offers full study guides and practice tests for the CSET English Subtest I and Subtest II. The CSET English Subtest I Study Guide has 425 questions and 64 pages of content. The Subtest II Study guide has 250 questions and 30 pages of content. The questions have been developed by professionals with years of experience in the classroom.
By combining the practice tests with the study guides, you’ll be able to create a study plan that focuses on the areas you need to work on the most.
The study guides also come with a money-back guarantee that you will pass the test.
240 Tutoring is a month-to-month subscription. This means you get all of the CSET study guides — including the CSET English Subtests I and II — for a monthly price of $39.99. So subscribing to one study guide gives you access to all study guides.
Runner-Up for Practice Test
REA
REA publishes a comprehensive study guide for the CSET English (105-108). This 432-page book covers each of the four subtests. Links to online tests and diagnostic tools come with the book. This is a good option for a CSET English practice test. However, some reviews have noted that it doesn’t cover recent authors that may be on the test, so supplementing your study with a review of contemporary and multicultural authors is the best move.
CSET English Subtests I-IV Book + Online
Honorable Mention
Exam Edge
Exam Edge offers practice tests for sale that focus on the CSET English. You can buy a bundle of 10 practice tests. That’s a lot of good practice, although it is not the most affordable option: the full price is over $200, and even the sale price is nearly $80. Also, there is no study guide or other material included — just the practice tests. The free practice test Exam Edge offers works well, but it only offers 10 questions.
CSET English (105-108) Free Study Guide
It’s time to start studying for your upcoming CSET English test – but where do you even begin? How do you find the best study guides out there for you? We’ve done the research and found the best free and best paid study guides for the CSET English.
Best Free Study Guide
240 Tutoring’s CSET English Ultimate Guide
This free study guide is a great resource. It is clear and well-organized and provides an overview of each of the domains that are included in the CSET English (105-108). Included in this overview are a handful of specifically chosen concepts from each domain with a few paragraphs of explanation. This is an excellent starting point for your studying!
CSET English (105-108) Paid Study Guide
Best Paid Study Guide
240 Tutoring’s CSET: English Subtest 1 Study Guide
240 Tutoring’s CSET: English Subtest 2 Study Guide
240 Tutoring also offers full study guides for the CSET English Subtest I and Subtest II. The CSET English Subtest I Study Guide has 425 questions and 64 pages of content. The Subtest II Study guide has 250 questions and 30 pages of content. The questions have been developed by professionals with years of experience in the classroom.
The study guides include practice tests that will help you tailor your study plan to meet your needs. Combining the practice test with the study guide will help you have the best chance at passing the exam.
These study guides also come with a money-back guarantee that you will pass the test!
240 Tutoring is a month-to-month subscription. You get all of the CSET study guides — including the CSET English Subtests I and II — for a monthly price of $39.99. So subscribing to one study guide gives you access to all study guides.
Runner-Up for Study Guide
REA
REA publishes a comprehensive study guide for the CSET English (105-108). This 432-page book covers each of the four subtests. Links to online tests and diagnostic tools come with the book. The strength of the book is its attention to each of the subtests. This is a good option for a CSET English study plan. However, some reviews have noted that it doesn’t cover recent authors that may be on the test, so supplementing your study with a review of contemporary and multicultural authors is the best move.
CSET English Subtests I-IV Book + Online
Honorable Mention
Study.com
This guide provides great content that includes study guides and interactive practice tests. However, this guide can be a little overwhelming. According to its website, it would take more than 35 hours just to go through all of the included video lessons just once! There are three separate sub-courses you have to take to prepare for the complete exam. Considering that you may want to study many of the sections more than once, using this study guide would be a major investment of your time.
CSET English Subtests I & III (105 & 107): Practice & Study Guide Course
CSET English Subtest II (106): Practice & Study Guide Course
CSET English Subtest IV (108): Practice & Study Guide Course
Dr. Deke Parsons is an award-winning author and English Ph.D. with more than 27 years of teaching, writing, and editing experience.
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