Becoming a teacher in California requires you to pass the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET). To obtain a mathematics teaching credential, you must take three CSET Mathematics subtests (211, 212, and 213).
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Exam Outline Review
Each of the three CSET Mathematics subtests contains a mix of multiple-choice questions and constructed-response questions, and the time limit varies for each subtest.
Subtest I (211)
The first subtest contains 35 multiple-choice questions and 3 constructed-response questions, and you will be given a time limit of 2.5 hours.
The questions are grouped into two domains:
1. Number and Quantity
- Real and complex number systems
- Number theory
2. Algebra
- Algebraic structures
- Polynomial equations and inequalities
- Functions
- Linear algebra
Subtest II (212)
The second subtest contains 35 multiple-choice questions and 3 constructed-response questions, and you will be given a time limit of 2.5 hours.
The questions are grouped into two domains:
1. Geometry
- Plane Euclidean geometry
- Coordinate geometry
- Three-dimensional geometry
- Transformational geometry
2. Probability and Statistics
- Probability
- Statistics
Subtest III (213)
The third subtest contains 30 multiple-choice questions and 2 constructed-response questions, and you will be given a time limit of 2 hours.
The questions in this subtest fall under the domain of calculus:
- Trigonometry
- Limits and continuity
- Derivatives and applications
- Integrals and applications
- Sequences and series
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Registration
To register for the exam, you must create an online NES account via their website. Once your account has been created, you can use it to register for the CSET Mathematics exam and schedule an exam date. When you register, you will need to pay the $99 examination fee per subtest (or $297 for all three subtests taken together).
Test Day
On exam day, you should arrive at the testing center about 30 minutes early to allow time for the check-in process. Upon arrival, you will be asked to sign in and provide at least one form of valid photo ID.
After the check-in process is complete, you will be asked to leave all personal items (cell phone, wallet, keys, accessories, etc.) in a locker outside the testing area.
Once you enter the testing room, you will be given a brief tutorial on the testing system before the exam begins.
How the Exam is Scored
Your CSET Mathematics test results are reported as scaled scores based on your total raw score points from both the multiple-choice section and the constructed-response section. Your raw scores are converted to a scale of 100 to 300, with the scaled score of 220 being the minimum passing score on each subtest. All three subtests must be passed in order to pass the full exam.
Generally, it takes around two to three weeks after the last day of the examination period before you receive your test results.
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FAQs
Q
How many questions are on the CSET Mathematics exam?
A
There are 108 questions on the exam.
Q
How long is the CSET Mathematics exam?
A
The overall time limit for the exam is 7 hours.
Q
What is the passing score for the CSET Mathematics exam?
A
To pass the exam, you must achieve a scaled score of at least 220 on each subtest, and you must pass all three subtests to pass the full exam.
Q
How much does the CSET Mathematics exam cost?
A
The examination fee is $99 per subtest.
