The California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) is designed to assess basic mathematics, reading and writing skills for candidates planning a career in teaching. The exam is comprised of three subtests.
CBEST Mathematics includes 50 multiple-choice questions which require candidates to solve problems from three major areas: Estimation, Measurement, and Statistical Principles; Computation and Problem Solving; and Numerical and Graphic Relationships. The use of calculators is prohibited.
CBEST Reading is also comprised of 50 multiple-choice questions, and demands application of reading abilities from two major skill areas: Critical Analysis and Evaluation, and Comprehension and Research skills.
CBEST Writing requires candidates to write two short essays, one that analyzes a given situation or statement and another which asks them to write about a specific personal experience.
The CBEST exam is currently available in computer-based and online-proctored format. The computer-based exam must be taken in a testing center. The online-proctored exam can be taken remotely.

2023-24 CBEST Testing Costs*
Below is an overview of the 2023-24 CBEST testing fees. Registration fees for California educator examinations are currently being waived for eligible California residents. Visit the official testing service website to learn more.
Service |
Fees |
Computer-based test (CBT) registration |
$30 registration fee per subtest |
Online-proctored test registration |
$30 registration fee per subtest |
Change of registration |
No fee |
Additional copy of test results |
$10 per copy |
Score verification |
$50 for constructed response section of one subtest |
Fee to clear an account |
$20 |

2023-24 CBEST Test Dates*
Computer-based testing for the CBEST is available at testing centers year-round by appointment, Monday through Saturday (excluding some holidays), on a first-come, first-served basis during the testing windows listed below.
CBEST Test Dates - Computer-Based |
Results Release Date |
10/23/23 - 10/29/23 |
11/3/23 |
10/30/23 - 11/5/23 |
11/10/23 |
11/6/23 - 11/12/23 |
11/17/23 |
11/13/23 - 11/19/23 |
11/27/23 |
11/20/23 - 11/26/23 |
12/1/23 |
11/27/23 - 12/3/23 |
12/8/23 |
12/4/23 - 12/10/23 |
12/15/23 |
12/11/23 - 12/17/23 |
12/22/23 |
12/18/23 - 12/24/23 |
12/29/23 |
12/25/23 - 12/31/23 |
1/5/24 |
1/1/24 - 1/7/24 |
1/12/24 |
1/8/24 - 1/14/24 |
1/19/24 |
1/15/24 - 1/21/24 |
1/26/24 |
1/22/24 - 1/28/24 |
2/2/24 |
1/29/24 - 2/4/24 |
2/9/24 |
2/5/24 - 2/11/24 |
2/16/24 |
2/12/24 - 2/18/24 |
2/23/24 |
2/19/24 - 2/25/24 |
3/1/24 |
2/26/24 - 3/3/24 |
3/8/24 |
3/4/24 - 3/10/24 |
3/15/24 |
3/11/24 - 3/17/24 |
3/22/24 |
3/18/24 - 3/24/24 |
3/29/24 |
3/25/24 - 3/31/24 |
4/5/24 |
4/1/24 - 4/7/24 |
4/12/24 |
4/8/24 - 4/14/24 |
4/19/24 |
4/15/24 - 4/21/24 |
4/26/24 |
4/22/24 - 4/28/24 |
5/3/24 |
4/29/24 - 5/5/24 |
5/10/24 |
5/6/24 - 5/12/24 |
5/17/24 |
5/13/24 - 5/19/24 |
5/24/24 |
5/20/24 - 5/26/24 |
5/31/24 |
5/27/24 - 6/2/24 |
6/7/24 |
6/3/24 - 6/9/24 |
6/14/24 |
6/10/24 - 6/16/24 |
6/21/24 |
6/17/24 - 6/23/24 |
6/28/24 |
6/24/24 - 6/30/24 |
7/5/24 |
7/1/24 - 7/7/24 |
7/12/24 |
7/8/24 - 7/14/24 |
7/19/24 |
7/15/24 - 7/21/24 |
7/26/24 |
7/22/24 - 7/28/24 |
8/2/24 |
7/29/24 - 8/4/24 |
8/9/24 |
8/5/24 - 8/11/24 |
8/16/24 |
8/12/24 - 8/18/24 |
8/23/24 |
8/19/24 - 8/25/24 |
8/30/24 |
8/26/24 - 9/1/24 |
9/6/24 |
Online-proctored testing is available by appointment during one-week testing windows each month. Testing windows are listed below.
CBEST Test Dates - Online-Proctored |
Results Release Date |
Week of November 13, 2023 |
November 27, 2023 |
Week of December 11, 2023 |
December 22, 2023 |
Week of January 8, 2024 |
January 19, 2024 |
Week of February 5, 2024 |
February 16, 2024 |
Week of March 4, 2024 |
March 15, 2024 |
Week of April 1, 2024 |
April 12, 2024 |
Week of April 29, 2024 |
May 10, 2024 |
Week of May 27, 2024 |
June 7, 2024 |
Week of June 24, 2024 |
July 5, 2024 |
Week of July 22, 2024 |
August 2, 2024 |
*This information is subject to change. All test-takers should visit the official CBEST website at https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com to confirm fees, registration, and testing requirements before enrolling.