A bag holds 3 red, 5 blue and 2 green markers. One marker is drawn without looking. What is the probability that it is blue?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Estimation, Measurement, and Statistical Principles; skill: basic probability and likely outcomes. Favorable outcomes over possible outcomes: D. Lane, Online Statistics Education, Basic Concepts of Probability
A box of classroom supplies weighs 4 pounds 10 ounces. How many ounces is that?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Estimation, Measurement, and Statistical Principles; skill: U.S. units of length, temperature, weight and capacity. Units: NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C
A field trip bus leaves at 8:40 a.m. The ride takes 1 hour 35 minutes. When does the bus arrive?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Estimation, Measurement, and Statistical Principles; skill: estimating time to plan work
Show all 50 questions (47 more)
Estimation, measurement and statistics, continued
A piece of yarn 5 feet long is cut into pieces 8 inches long. How many whole pieces can be cut, and how much is left over?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Estimation, Measurement, and Statistical Principles; skill: measuring length and perimeter. Inches in a foot: NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C
A recipe for class play dough needs 3 quarts of water. How many cups is that?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Estimation, Measurement, and Statistical Principles; skill: U.S. units of length, temperature, weight and capacity. Units: NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C
A rectangular bulletin board is 6 feet long and 4 feet high. How much border trim goes all the way around it?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Estimation, Measurement, and Statistical Principles; skill: measuring length and perimeter. Perimeter as the sum of the sides: Wiktionary, perimeter
A ribbon is 7 feet 6 inches long. How many inches is that?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Estimation, Measurement, and Statistical Principles; skill: U.S. units of length, temperature, weight and capacity. Units: NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C
A school has 19 classrooms with about 31 students in each. Which is the best estimate of the number of students?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Estimation, Measurement, and Statistical Principles; skill: estimating a result before computing it
A score report gives a student a stanine of 5 in mathematics. How did the student do compared with the norm group?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Estimation, Measurement, and Statistical Principles; skill: what a standardized score means: stanines. Stanine, a nine-point scale with a mean of five: Wikipedia, Stanine
A spinner has 8 equal sections, and 2 of them are labeled "free choice." In 200 spins, about how many would you expect to land on "free choice"?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Estimation, Measurement, and Statistical Principles; skill: basic probability and likely outcomes. Favorable outcomes over possible outcomes: D. Lane, Online Statistics Education, Basic Concepts of Probability
A student's five quiz scores are 82, 90, 76, 88 and 94. What is the mean score?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Estimation, Measurement, and Statistical Principles; skill: arithmetic with test-score data: averages. Mean and median: D. Lane, Online Statistics Education, Measures of Central Tendency
A teacher has 30 essays to grade, and each takes about 6 minutes. She starts at 3:15 p.m. and takes no breaks. About when will she finish?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Estimation, Measurement, and Statistical Principles; skill: estimating time to plan work
A teacher orders 28 boxes of pencils at $3.95 a box. Which is the best estimate of the total cost?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Estimation, Measurement, and Statistical Principles; skill: estimating a result before computing it
In a class of 28 students, 12 are boys. What is the ratio of girls to boys, in simplest form?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Estimation, Measurement, and Statistical Principles; skill: arithmetic with test-score data: ratios, proportions and percents
On a standardized reading test, Dana's score is at the 70th percentile. What does that mean?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Estimation, Measurement, and Statistical Principles; skill: what a standardized score means: percentiles. Percentile: D. Lane, Online Statistics Education, Percentiles
Computation and problem solving 17
A $48 classroom rug is on sale for 25 percent off. What is the sale price?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Computation and Problem Solving; skill: arithmetic with fractions, decimals and percents
A class sold tickets to its play for $4 each. To find how much ticket money the class collected, which other fact is needed?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Computation and Problem Solving; skill: telling whether enough information is given
A copier prints 45 pages a minute. How long does it take to print 540 pages?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Computation and Problem Solving; skill: choosing the operations for a practical problem
A number is doubled and then decreased by 9. The result is 25. What is the number?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Computation and Problem Solving; skill: simple algebra with one unknown
A problem states: "Lena read 45 pages on Monday and 30 pages on Tuesday. Her book has 300 pages. Her brother read 20 pages." Which fact is not needed to find how many pages Lena has left?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Computation and Problem Solving; skill: telling whether enough information is given
A school buys 36 desks at $25 each. Which is another way to find the total cost?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Computation and Problem Solving; skill: recognizing another method for the same problem
A school has 162 students going on a trip. Each van seats 12 students. What is the smallest number of vans needed?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Computation and Problem Solving; skill: whole-number arithmetic
A school orders 24 cartons of paper. Each carton holds 10 reams, and each ream has 500 sheets. How many sheets are ordered?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Computation and Problem Solving; skill: whole-number arithmetic
A student buys a notebook for $2.35 and a pen for $1.80 and pays with a $10 bill. How much change is due?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Computation and Problem Solving; skill: arithmetic with fractions, decimals and percents
A teacher buys 4 packs of markers at $3.25 a pack and has a coupon for $2 off the total. How much does she pay?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Computation and Problem Solving; skill: choosing the operations for a practical problem
A test has 40 questions. A student answers 85 percent of them correctly. How many questions is that?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Computation and Problem Solving; skill: arithmetic with fractions, decimals and percents
Add: 3/4 + 5/8.CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Computation and Problem Solving; skill: arithmetic with fractions, decimals and percents
An order lists 6 staplers at $7.50 each and 10 boxes of staples at $1.20 each. What is the total cost?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Computation and Problem Solving; skill: choosing the operations for a practical problem
At 6 a.m. the temperature was −4°F. By noon it had risen 19 degrees. What was the temperature at noon?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Computation and Problem Solving; skill: adding and subtracting positive and negative numbers
If 3x + 7 = 31, what is x?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Computation and Problem Solving; skill: simple algebra with one unknown
Of the 30 students in a class, 2/5 walk to school. How many students walk?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Computation and Problem Solving; skill: arithmetic with fractions, decimals and percents
What is −8 − (−3)?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Computation and Problem Solving; skill: adding and subtracting positive and negative numbers
Numerical and graphic relationships 18
A circle graph of a $2,000 classroom budget shows books at 40 percent, supplies at 35 percent and field trips at 25 percent. How much is budgeted for supplies?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Numerical and Graphic Relationships; skill: using numbers from tables, spreadsheets and graphs
A class needs at least 25 signed forms for a trip. If f is the number of forms, which statement shows this?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Numerical and Graphic Relationships; skill: less than, greater than and equal to, and their symbols
A line graph shows a plant's height: week 1, 3 inches; week 2, 5 inches; week 3, 9 inches; week 4, 10 inches. Between which two weeks did the plant grow the most?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Numerical and Graphic Relationships; skill: using numbers from tables, spreadsheets and graphs
A school's enrollment rose from 400 students to 460 students. What was the percent increase?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Numerical and Graphic Relationships; skill: relationships in numerical data, such as percent change
A supply table lists paper at $36, pens at $18 and folders with the amount left blank. The total is $75. What is the missing amount?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Numerical and Graphic Relationships; skill: finding a missing entry in a table
A table shows books read in one month: Room A, 42; Room B, 35; Room C, 53. How many more books did Room C read than Room B?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Numerical and Graphic Relationships; skill: using numbers from tables, spreadsheets and graphs
A total comes to $47.368. What is it rounded to the nearest cent?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Numerical and Graphic Relationships; skill: rounding
All students in Room 4 have a library card. Jo is a student in Room 4. Which conclusion must be true?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Numerical and Graphic Relationships; skill: logical connectives and quantifiers
An attendance sheet shows Monday 26, Tuesday 24, Wednesday 27, Thursday blank and Friday 25. The total for the week is 127. How many attended on Thursday?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Numerical and Graphic Relationships; skill: finding a missing entry in a table
If it rains, recess is held in the gym. Today recess was held outside. What can be concluded?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Numerical and Graphic Relationships; skill: logical connectives and quantifiers
The number of books a class read in four months was 12, 15, 18 and 21. If the pattern continues, how many will it read in the fifth month?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Numerical and Graphic Relationships; skill: relationships in numerical data, such as percent change
Round 6,482 to the nearest hundred.CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Numerical and Graphic Relationships; skill: rounding
Some of the fifth graders are in the chess club. Which statement must be true?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Numerical and Graphic Relationships; skill: logical connectives and quantifiers
Which expression is equal to 4 × (10 + 3)?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Numerical and Graphic Relationships; skill: equivalent numbers and expressions
Which fraction is between 1/2 and 3/4?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Numerical and Graphic Relationships; skill: the position of numbers in relation to each other
Which list is in order from least to greatest?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Numerical and Graphic Relationships; skill: the position of numbers in relation to each other
Which of these is equal to 3/8?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Numerical and Graphic Relationships; skill: equivalent numbers and expressions
Which statement is true?CBEST Test Specifications, Mathematics: Numerical and Graphic Relationships; skill: less than, greater than and equal to, and their symbols
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the Mathematics part of the CBEST Test Specifications of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/content/docs/CBESTUpdatedTestSpecs.pdf, read 2026-10-06), whose three skill areas are named on the exam's CBEST page (https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/CA_CBEST_TestPage.html, read 2026-10-06) with their shares: estimation, measurement and statistical principles about 30%, computation and problem solving about 35%, numerical and graphic relationships about 35%; 50 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours, no calculator. The bank holds 15, 17 and 18. Every numeric answer was worked out a second time from the numbers the question prints; 7 questions are reasoning items with no arithmetic. Units were read on 2026-10-06 in NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C; mean, median, probability and percentile in D. Lane, Online Statistics Education (onlinestatbook.com); stanine in Wikipedia, Stanine; perimeter in Wiktionary. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.
Reading: all 50 questions
Critical analysis and evaluation 20
For years the school garden was watered by hand, and each summer half the beds dried out. Two years ago, parents installed a drip line on a timer. Since then the beds have stayed green through August; however, the timer runs on batteries that last about ten weeks. This summer no one has been assigned to change them. Question: If nothing changes, what is most likely to happen this summer?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Critical Analysis and Evaluation; skill: predicting an outcome from the text
The new attendance software arrived with a forty-page manual and a promise that it would "save teachers time." After three weeks, most of us have a different view. Taking roll, once a ten-second glance around the room, now takes six clicks per student. The company's trainers are polite and the screens are handsome. But a tool that slows the work it was bought to speed up is a strange kind of help. Question: Which detail supports the claim that the software slows teachers down?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Critical Analysis and Evaluation; skill: finding the details that support the main idea
The new attendance software arrived with a forty-page manual and a promise that it would "save teachers time." After three weeks, most of us have a different view. Taking roll, once a ten-second glance around the room, now takes six clicks per student. The company's trainers are polite and the screens are handsome. But a tool that slows the work it was bought to speed up is a strange kind of help. Question: Which word best describes the author's attitude toward the software?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Critical Analysis and Evaluation; skill: recognizing the author's attitude or viewpoint
Show all 50 questions (47 more)
Critical analysis and evaluation, continued
The new attendance software arrived with a forty-page manual and a promise that it would "save teachers time." After three weeks, most of us have a different view. Taking roll, once a ten-second glance around the room, now takes six clicks per student. The company's trainers are polite and the screens are handsome. But a tool that slows the work it was bought to speed up is a strange kind of help. Question: Why does the author mention that the trainers are polite and the screens are handsome?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Critical Analysis and Evaluation; skill: recognizing persuasive techniques
Results of a survey of 80 families about a later school start time. Strongly in favor: 28. Somewhat in favor: 20. No opinion: 8. Somewhat opposed: 14. Strongly opposed: 10. Question: A reader claims the survey proves that students would sleep more with a later start. What is the best challenge to that claim?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Critical Analysis and Evaluation; skill: challenging a statement in the text
Results of a survey of 80 families about a later school start time. Strongly in favor: 28. Somewhat in favor: 20. No opinion: 8. Somewhat opposed: 14. Strongly opposed: 10. Question: Which fact would be most relevant to judging whether the survey reflects the whole school?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Critical Analysis and Evaluation; skill: judging whether a fact is relevant to an argument
To all staff: Beginning Monday, the east parking lot will be closed for repaving for two weeks. Please park in the north lot or on Fern Street. The side door near the gym will stay unlocked from 7:00 to 8:15 a.m. so that no one has to walk around the building. Thank you for your patience. P.S. Whoever keeps taking my stapler, knock it off! Question: Which part of the memo does not fit the tone of the rest?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Critical Analysis and Evaluation; skill: recognizing language whose tone does not fit
To all staff: Beginning Monday, the east parking lot will be closed for repaving for two weeks. Please park in the north lot or on Fern Street. The side door near the gym will stay unlocked from 7:00 to 8:15 a.m. so that no one has to walk around the building. Thank you for your patience. P.S. Whoever keeps taking my stapler, knock it off! Question: Who is the intended audience of the memo?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Critical Analysis and Evaluation; skill: recognizing the audience a text addresses
To the editor: The district plans to close school libraries at 3 p.m. to save on staffing. This is a mistake. Last spring one middle school library logged 60 student visits a day between 3 and 5 p.m. Those students were reading, finishing homework and using computers that many do not have at home. A district that says it values reading should not lock the one room built for it. Question: The writer's argument assumes thatCBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Critical Analysis and Evaluation; skill: finding the assumption behind an argument
To the editor: The district plans to close school libraries at 3 p.m. to save on staffing. This is a mistake. Last spring one middle school library logged 60 student visits a day between 3 and 5 p.m. Those students were reading, finishing homework and using computers that many do not have at home. A district that says it values reading should not lock the one room built for it. Question: Which detail does the writer give to support the claim that closing early is a mistake?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Critical Analysis and Evaluation; skill: finding the details that support the main idea
To the editor: The district plans to close school libraries at 3 p.m. to save on staffing. This is a mistake. Last spring one middle school library logged 60 student visits a day between 3 and 5 p.m. Those students were reading, finishing homework and using computers that many do not have at home. A district that says it values reading should not lock the one room built for it. Question: Which sentence from the letter states an opinion?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Critical Analysis and Evaluation; skill: telling fact from opinion
To the editor: The district plans to close school libraries at 3 p.m. to save on staffing. This is a mistake. Last spring one middle school library logged 60 student visits a day between 3 and 5 p.m. Those students were reading, finishing homework and using computers that many do not have at home. A district that says it values reading should not lock the one room built for it. Question: Which statement, if true, would most weaken the writer's argument?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Critical Analysis and Evaluation; skill: recognizing what strengthens or weakens an argument
The tutoring club should move from the cafeteria to the library. The cafeteria echoes, and students at the far tables cannot hear their tutors. Last month, eight of the club's twenty students said noise was the main reason they skipped a session. The library is carpeted and quiet, and it sits empty after 3:30. A quieter room would bring those students back. Question: The last sentence assumes that the students who skipped sessionsCBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Critical Analysis and Evaluation; skill: finding the assumption behind an argument
The tutoring club should move from the cafeteria to the library. The cafeteria echoes, and students at the far tables cannot hear their tutors. Last month, eight of the club's twenty students said noise was the main reason they skipped a session. The library is carpeted and quiet, and it sits empty after 3:30. A quieter room would bring those students back. Question: Which statement from the passage could be checked as a fact?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Critical Analysis and Evaluation; skill: telling fact from opinion
The tutoring club should move from the cafeteria to the library. The cafeteria echoes, and students at the far tables cannot hear their tutors. Last month, eight of the club's twenty students said noise was the main reason they skipped a session. The library is carpeted and quiet, and it sits empty after 3:30. A quieter room would bring those students back. Question: Which statement, if true, would most strengthen the argument?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Critical Analysis and Evaluation; skill: recognizing what strengthens or weakens an argument
Two parents wrote to the school newsletter about homework. Mr. Oduya wrote that nightly homework builds habits students will need later, and that thirty minutes is little to ask. Ms. Lindqvist wrote that her children already spend seven hours at school, and that evenings should belong to family, play and sleep. Both agreed on one thing: reading together at night is worth the time. Question: How would Ms. Lindqvist most likely respond to a plan to double nightly homework?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Critical Analysis and Evaluation; skill: predicting an outcome from the text
Two parents wrote to the school newsletter about homework. Mr. Oduya wrote that nightly homework builds habits students will need later, and that thirty minutes is little to ask. Ms. Lindqvist wrote that her children already spend seven hours at school, and that evenings should belong to family, play and sleep. Both agreed on one thing: reading together at night is worth the time. Question: On which point do the two parents agree?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Critical Analysis and Evaluation; skill: comparing ideas from different parts of a text or different sources
Two parents wrote to the school newsletter about homework. Mr. Oduya wrote that nightly homework builds habits students will need later, and that thirty minutes is little to ask. Ms. Lindqvist wrote that her children already spend seven hours at school, and that evenings should belong to family, play and sleep. Both agreed on one thing: reading together at night is worth the time. Question: What is the main difference between the two parents' views?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Critical Analysis and Evaluation; skill: finding differences in points of view
Two parents wrote to the school newsletter about homework. Mr. Oduya wrote that nightly homework builds habits students will need later, and that thirty minutes is little to ask. Ms. Lindqvist wrote that her children already spend seven hours at school, and that evenings should belong to family, play and sleep. Both agreed on one thing: reading together at night is worth the time. Question: Which fact would be most relevant to Mr. Oduya's argument?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Critical Analysis and Evaluation; skill: judging whether a fact is relevant to an argument
When the principal said the field trip was "still on the table," some teachers heard good news: the trip had not been cancelled. Others heard a warning: no decision had been made, and the trip could still be cut. The same four words left half the room relieved and the other half worried. Question: How did the two groups of teachers differ?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Critical Analysis and Evaluation; skill: finding differences in points of view
Comprehension and research skills 30
Before the first day, set up the classroom reading corner in this order. First, sort the books into bins by topic. Next, label each bin with a picture and a word. Then place the bins on the low shelf, where children can reach them. Finally, post the checkout sheet by the door and show the class how to sign it. Question: According to the directions, why do the bins go on the low shelf?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: finding facts and details
Before the first day, set up the classroom reading corner in this order. First, sort the books into bins by topic. Next, label each bin with a picture and a word. Then place the bins on the low shelf, where children can reach them. Finally, post the checkout sheet by the door and show the class how to sign it. Question: What does the word "Finally" tell the reader?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: understanding transition words
Before the first day, set up the classroom reading corner in this order. First, sort the books into bins by topic. Next, label each bin with a picture and a word. Then place the bins on the low shelf, where children can reach them. Finally, post the checkout sheet by the door and show the class how to sign it. Question: What is done right after the books are sorted into bins?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: following the order of events or steps
Books checked out of a school library, by month. Grade 3: September 120, October 150, November 135. Grade 4: September 90, October 110, November 140. Grade 5: September 100, October 95, November 80. Question: In which month did Grade 3 check out the most books?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: drawing a conclusion from a table or graph
Books checked out of a school library, by month. Grade 3: September 120, October 150, November 135. Grade 4: September 90, October 110, November 140. Grade 5: September 100, October 95, November 80. Question: Which conclusion does the table support?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: drawing a conclusion from a table or graph
Books checked out of a school library, by month. Grade 3: September 120, October 150, November 135. Grade 4: September 90, October 110, November 140. Grade 5: September 100, October 95, November 80. Question: Which grade checked out fewer books each month than the month before?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: drawing a conclusion from a table or graph
Classroom jobs teach more than tidiness. A line leader learns to set a steady pace for others. A plant waterer learns that some tasks cannot be skipped, even on busy days. A class librarian learns to keep a system in order so that classmates can find what they need. In each case, a small duty gives a child practice at being counted on. Question: According to the passage, what does a plant waterer learn?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: finding facts and details
Classroom jobs teach more than tidiness. A line leader learns to set a steady pace for others. A plant waterer learns that some tasks cannot be skipped, even on busy days. A class librarian learns to keep a system in order so that classmates can find what they need. In each case, a small duty gives a child practice at being counted on. Question: How does the first sentence relate to the three sentences that follow it?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: relating general and specific ideas
Classroom jobs teach more than tidiness. A line leader learns to set a steady pace for others. A plant waterer learns that some tasks cannot be skipped, even on busy days. A class librarian learns to keep a system in order so that classmates can find what they need. In each case, a small duty gives a child practice at being counted on. Question: In an outline of the passage, which would be the main heading?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: arranging ideas into an outline
Classroom jobs teach more than tidiness. A line leader learns to set a steady pace for others. A plant waterer learns that some tasks cannot be skipped, even on busy days. A class librarian learns to keep a system in order so that classmates can find what they need. In each case, a small duty gives a child practice at being counted on. Question: Which sentence best summarizes the passage?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: choosing an accurate paraphrase or summary
For years the school garden was watered by hand, and each summer half the beds dried out. Two years ago, parents installed a drip line on a timer. Since then the beds have stayed green through August; however, the timer runs on batteries that last about ten weeks. This summer no one has been assigned to change them. Question: What does the word "however" signal in the passage?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: understanding transition words
For years the school garden was watered by hand, and each summer half the beds dried out. Two years ago, parents installed a drip line on a timer. Since then the beds have stayed green through August; however, the timer runs on batteries that last about ten weeks. This summer no one has been assigned to change them. Question: What relationship between the drip line and the green beds does the passage imply?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: recognizing an implied relationship
For years the school garden was watered by hand, and each summer half the beds dried out. Two years ago, parents installed a drip line on a timer. Since then the beds have stayed green through August; however, the timer runs on batteries that last about ten weeks. This summer no one has been assigned to change them. Question: Where in the passage would a reader find how the garden was watered before the drip line?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: locating where in a text information is found
From the index of a teaching handbook: Assessment, 88–104; formative, 90–95; rubrics, 96–99. Classroom rules, 12–19. Family conferences, 140–147. Grouping students, 52–60. Homework policies, 120–126. Rubrics, see Assessment. Question: A reader wants advice on meeting with parents. Which pages are the best place to look?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: using a table of contents or an index to locate information
From the index of a teaching handbook: Assessment, 88–104; formative, 90–95; rubrics, 96–99. Classroom rules, 12–19. Family conferences, 140–147. Grouping students, 52–60. Homework policies, 120–126. Rubrics, see Assessment. Question: On which pages should a reader look for information about rubrics?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: using a table of contents or an index to locate information
From the index of a teaching handbook: Assessment, 88–104; formative, 90–95; rubrics, 96–99. Classroom rules, 12–19. Family conferences, 140–147. Grouping students, 52–60. Homework policies, 120–126. Rubrics, see Assessment. Question: What does the entry "Rubrics, see Assessment" tell the reader?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: using a table of contents or an index to locate information
Mara had expected the old gymnasium to be dreary. Instead, the volunteers had made it almost festive: paper lanterns hung from the rafters, and long tables were covered in bright cloth. Even the scuffed floor seemed to shine. She set down her box of donated coats and, for the first time that week, felt her shoulders loosen. Question: As used in the passage, what does "dreary" most nearly mean?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: using context and word parts for an unknown word
Mara had expected the old gymnasium to be dreary. Instead, the volunteers had made it almost festive: paper lanterns hung from the rafters, and long tables were covered in bright cloth. Even the scuffed floor seemed to shine. She set down her box of donated coats and, for the first time that week, felt her shoulders loosen. Question: What can be inferred about Mara's week?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: making an inference
Mara had expected the old gymnasium to be dreary. Instead, the volunteers had made it almost festive: paper lanterns hung from the rafters, and long tables were covered in bright cloth. Even the scuffed floor seemed to shine. She set down her box of donated coats and, for the first time that week, felt her shoulders loosen. Question: What does "felt her shoulders loosen" suggest about Mara?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: reading figurative or colloquial language
The new attendance software arrived with a forty-page manual and a promise that it would "save teachers time." After three weeks, most of us have a different view. Taking roll, once a ten-second glance around the room, now takes six clicks per student. The company's trainers are polite and the screens are handsome. But a tool that slows the work it was bought to speed up is a strange kind of help. Question: What does the author mean by calling the software "a strange kind of help"?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: reading figurative or colloquial language
Results of a survey of 80 families about a later school start time. Strongly in favor: 28. Somewhat in favor: 20. No opinion: 8. Somewhat opposed: 14. Strongly opposed: 10. Question: How many families were opposed to some degree?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: drawing a conclusion from a table or graph
Results of a survey of 80 families about a later school start time. Strongly in favor: 28. Somewhat in favor: 20. No opinion: 8. Somewhat opposed: 14. Strongly opposed: 10. Question: Which conclusion do the results support?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: drawing a conclusion from a table or graph
Table of contents of a guide for new substitute teachers. Chapter 1, Before You Arrive, page 1. Chapter 2, Reading the Lesson Plan, page 9. Chapter 3, Taking Attendance, page 17. Chapter 4, Managing Transitions, page 24. Chapter 5, When There Is No Plan, page 33. Chapter 6, Leaving Notes for the Teacher, page 41. Question: A substitute finds no lesson plan on the desk. Which chapter should she turn to?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: using a table of contents or an index to locate information
Table of contents of a guide for new substitute teachers. Chapter 1, Before You Arrive, page 1. Chapter 2, Reading the Lesson Plan, page 9. Chapter 3, Taking Attendance, page 17. Chapter 4, Managing Transitions, page 24. Chapter 5, When There Is No Plan, page 33. Chapter 6, Leaving Notes for the Teacher, page 41. Question: How is the guide organized?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: understanding how a text is organized
Table of contents of a guide for new substitute teachers. Chapter 1, Before You Arrive, page 1. Chapter 2, Reading the Lesson Plan, page 9. Chapter 3, Taking Attendance, page 17. Chapter 4, Managing Transitions, page 24. Chapter 5, When There Is No Plan, page 33. Chapter 6, Leaving Notes for the Teacher, page 41. Question: On which page does the chapter about attendance begin?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: using a table of contents or an index to locate information
To all staff: Beginning Monday, the east parking lot will be closed for repaving for two weeks. Please park in the north lot or on Fern Street. The side door near the gym will stay unlocked from 7:00 to 8:15 a.m. so that no one has to walk around the building. Thank you for your patience. P.S. Whoever keeps taking my stapler, knock it off! Question: According to the memo, why will the side door stay unlocked in the morning?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: finding facts and details
To all staff: Beginning Monday, the east parking lot will be closed for repaving for two weeks. Please park in the north lot or on Fern Street. The side door near the gym will stay unlocked from 7:00 to 8:15 a.m. so that no one has to walk around the building. Thank you for your patience. P.S. Whoever keeps taking my stapler, knock it off! Question: What is the main purpose of the memo?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: recognizing the main idea or purpose
The tutoring club should move from the cafeteria to the library. The cafeteria echoes, and students at the far tables cannot hear their tutors. Last month, eight of the club's twenty students said noise was the main reason they skipped a session. The library is carpeted and quiet, and it sits empty after 3:30. A quieter room would bring those students back. Question: What is the main idea of the passage?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: recognizing the main idea or purpose
When the principal said the field trip was "still on the table," some teachers heard good news: the trip had not been cancelled. Others heard a warning: no decision had been made, and the trip could still be cut. The same four words left half the room relieved and the other half worried. Question: What does "still on the table" mean in the passage?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: reading figurative or colloquial language
When the principal said the field trip was "still on the table," some teachers heard good news: the trip had not been cancelled. Others heard a warning: no decision had been made, and the trip could still be cut. The same four words left half the room relieved and the other half worried. Question: What does the passage show about the principal's statement?CBEST Test Specifications, Reading: Comprehension and Research Skills; skill: recognizing different readings of the same words
How this list was compiled: Our own texts and questions, written to the Reading part of the CBEST Test Specifications of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/content/docs/CBESTUpdatedTestSpecs.pdf, read 2026-10-06), whose two skill areas are named on the exam's CBEST page (https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/CA_CBEST_TestPage.html, read 2026-10-06) with their shares: critical analysis and evaluation about 40%, comprehension and research skills about 60%; 50 multiple-choice questions in 1 hour 30 minutes. The bank holds 20 and 30, on 14 texts: passages, tables, an index and a table of contents. Every text was written for this page, names no real person, place or event, and holds the answer to its questions. The real section's selections vary in length; these are short. Licence: Questions, choices, texts and explanations are original work of this site.
How it works
This CBEST practice test follows the exam's published outline: three skill areas in mathematics and two in reading, each in its published share. It is unofficial and not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing or Pearson.
Read the full guide
How to study for the CBEST
Take a section in Exam mode: 50 questions against that section's real clock. Then drill what you missed on the CBEST math practice test and the CBEST reading practice test, which hold different questions.
The Writing section
Writing is two essays: one analyzes a given situation or statement, and one is about a personal experience. This page does not mark essays, so it asks no Writing questions.
What is different here
Our reading texts run a few sentences so they fit a phone screen, and each question has four choices; the exam's own practice test gives five. The real selections vary in difficulty and complexity.
Calculators are prohibited on the real test, so work the mathematics on paper.
No real reading question needs outside knowledge, the exam's page says. Ours are answered from the text printed with them too.
Questions and answers
Is there a CBEST practice test PDF?
Yes. Pick a section and answer a round: the score card then prints a question sheet with a name and score line, and the answer key can be printed as well. Choosing Save as PDF in the print window keeps a copy.
Are these real CBEST sample questions?
No. Every one of these CBEST test questions is our own, written to the published test specifications. This is not an official CBEST sample test: the exam's own site offers its practice test as PDFs, and none of it is copied here.
What is a passing score on the CBEST?
A total of 123 across the three sections, each scored from 20 to 80. A section passes at 41, but a 37 can be offset: 37, 43 and 43 total 123. Any section below 37 fails the whole test.
Is the CBEST still required?
Often not. The exam's own page says most teaching credentials no longer require the CBEST if you have a bachelor's degree. Read the Commission's basic skills requirement before you register.