California Subject Examinations for Teachers

On March 15th I took the multiple subject CSET in order to fast forward into my teaching credential program. I decided to take all three subsets, rather than take one at a time, just so that I could get it over with and get a feel for the exams.

The three subsets went as follows:

SUBSET 1: Reading, Language, and Literature; History and Social Science

SUBSET 2: Science; Mathematics

SUBSET 3: Physical Education, Human Development, Visual and Performing Arts

I went into the test without studying much at all. I registered for the test late because I was hoping to get in to the test so I could put my registration date onto my Cal State Teach application. Since I had to register so late, I didn't have much time at all to prepare for this exam. With that in mind, I had hoped to just pass one subset, but I wasn't feeling to good about passing any of them because of my lack of studying AND my teaching credential advisor told me a few days before the test, "I hope you have studied a lot, it is a VERY difficult test and a lot of information they test you on is stuff you didn't even learn in school!" I wasn't feeling to optimistic about passing any subset, but figured even if I don't pass any subset, at least I will get a feel for the exam and will be able to better prepare myself.

Fast forward----I took the exam and finished all 3 subsets in 3 hours (I had a 5 hour limit). When I left the exam room, I had NO clue how I did. The essays were pretty difficult. I had 4 essays to write in subset 1, 4 essays to write in subset 2 and 3 essays to write in subset 3. The multiple choice questions were OK, but really, I either knew it or I didn't and there were quite a few that I wasn't sure about; especially questions regarding California History. So, again, I was hoping and praying that I would just pass 1 subset! But still wasn't feeling good about passing any.

Fast forward again--- Today is the day I get the unofficial scores for my CSET exams! I am nervous and just hoping I pass 1! I open the first subset and check my score and it says.... "Did Not Pass" CRAP! I am thinking, oh man, I didn't pass any of them! This is going to suck! I barely missed passing this one! You have to get a 220 to pass, I got a 202! I move on from my failure and open up the second subset and it says.... "PASS"!! Woohoo!!! I did it, I pass one! I am grinning ear to ear at this point!! I didn't think I was going to pass any! I stop the celebration to open up the final subset and it says..... "PASS"!!! Oh my freaking goodness!! I passed 2 of the subsets!! I didn't think that was going to happen at all but I am VERY glad it did!

Now, I no longer have to worry about subsets 2 and 3 and now all I have to focus on is subset 1! I already registered to take it again and I will be taking it on July 19, so I have plenty of time to prepare for the exam! And now I have the ability to just focus on one subset and really put all my effort and energy into it. I feel very confident that I will pass subset 1 on round 2!