CBEST
This page provides access to all the key info you need as a CBEST test-taker, including 2025 exam dates, testing center locations, fees, registration info and prep resources.
You can view our free CBEST Study Guides for a concise, bullet-pointed listing of exactly which topics appear on your exam. You can also take our free CBEST Practice Tests to see your current likelihood of passing and a breakdown of your individual strengths and weaknesses.
Need help preparing? We offer live CBEST Prep Courses, one-on-one Tutoring, and self-paced Online Prep.
| CBEST Quick Facts | |
| Test Content: | Reading, Mathematics and Writing (3 separate subtests) |
| Number of questions: | 50 multiple-choice for Reading, 50 multiple-choice for Mathematics, 2 essays for Writing |
| Time to complete: | Computer-based and online-proctored test: 1 hour and 30 minutes each for Reading and Writing subtests; 2 hours for Mathematics subtest. |
| Passing score: | Total score of 123 for all three subtests (scaled scores); minimum score of 37 for each subtest. |
CBEST Overview
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.
2025 CBEST Testing Costs*
Below is an overview of the 2025 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 |
2025 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 |
|---|---|
| 6/23/25 - 6/29/25 | 7/7/25 |
| 6/30/25 - 7/6/25 | 7/11/25 |
| 7/7/25 - 7/13/25 | 7/18/25 |
| 7/14/25 - 7/20/25 | 7/25/25 |
| 7/21/25 - 7/27/25 | 8/1/25 |
| 7/28/25 - 8/3/25 | 8/8/25 |
| 8/4/25 - 8/10/25 | 8/15/25 |
| 8/11/25 - 8/17/25 | 8/22/25 |
| 8/18/25 - 8/24/25 | 8/29/25 |
| 8/25/25 - 8/31/25 | 9/5/25 |
| 9/1/25 - 9/7/25 | 9/12/25 |
| 9/8/25 - 9/14/25 | 9/19/25 |
| 9/15/25 - 9/21/25 | 9/26/25 |
| 9/22/25 - 9/28/25 | 10/3/25 |
| 9/29/25 - 10/5/25 | 10/10/25 |
| 10/6/25 - 10/12/25 | 10/17/25 |
| 10/13/25 - 10/19/25 | 10/24/25 |
| 10/20/25 - 10/26/25 | 10/31/25 |
| 10/27/25 - 11/2/25 | 11/7/25 |
| 11/3/25 - 11/9/25 | 11/14/25 |
| 11/10/25 - 11/16/25 | 11/21/25 |
| 11/17/25 - 11/23/25 | 12/1/25 |
| 11/24/25 - 11/30/25 | 12/5/25 |
| 12/1/25 - 12/7/25 | 12/12/25 |
| 12/8/25 - 12/14/25 | 12/19/25 |
| 12/15/25 - 12/21/25 | 12/29/25 |
| 12/22/25 - 12/28/25 | 1/2/26 |
| 12/29/25 - 1/4/26 | 1/9/26 |
| 1/5/26 - 1/11/26 | 1/16/26 |
| 1/12/26 - 1/18/26 | 1/23/26 |
| 1/19/26 - 1/25/26 | 1/30/26 |
| 1/26/26 - 2/1/26 | 2/6/26 |
| 2/2/26 - 2/8/26 | 2/13/26 |
| 2/9/26 - 2/15/26 | 2/20/26 |
| 2/16/26 - 2/22/26 | 2/27/26 |
| 2/23/26 - 3/1/26 | 3/6/26 |
| 3/2/26 - 3/8/26 | 3/13/26 |
| 3/9/26 - 3/15/26 | 3/20/26 |
| 3/16/26 - 3/22/26 | 3/27/26 |
| 3/23/26 - 3/29/26 | 4/3/26 |
| 3/30/26 - 4/5/26 | 4/10/26 |
| 4/6/26 - 4/12/26 | 4/17/26 |
| 4/13/26 - 4/19/26 | 4/24/26 |
| 4/20/26 - 4/26/26 | 5/1/26 |
| 4/27/26 - 5/3/26 | 5/8/26 |
| 5/4/26 - 5/10/26 | 5/15/26 |
| 5/11/26 - 5/17/26 | 5/22/26 |
| 5/18/26 - 5/24/26 | 5/29/26 |
| 5/25/26 - 5/31/26 | 6/5/26 |
| 6/1/26 - 6/7/26 | 6/12/26 |
| 6/8/26 - 6/14/26 | 6/22/26 |
| 6/15/26 - 6/21/26 | 6/26/26 |
| 6/22/26 - 6/28/26 | 7/6/26 |
| 6/29/26 - 7/5/26 | 7/10/26 |
| 7/6/26 - 7/12/26 | 7/17/26 |
| 7/13/26 - 7/19/26 | 7/24/26 |
| 7/20/26 - 7/26/26 | 7/31/26 |
| 7/27/26 - 8/2/26 | 8/7/26 |
| 8/3/26 - 8/9/26 | 8/14/26 |
| 8/10/26 - 8/16/26 | 8/21/26 |
| 8/17/26 - 8/23/26 | 8/28/26 |
| 8/24/26 - 8/30/26 | 9/4/26 |
| 8/31/26 - 9/6/26 | 9/11/26 |
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 June 23, 2025 | July 7, 2025 |
| Week of July 21, 2025 | August 1, 2025 |
| Week of August 18, 2025 | August 29, 2025 |
| Week of September 15, 2025 | September 26, 2025 |
| Week of October 13, 2025 | October 24, 2025 |
| Week of November 10, 2025 | November 21, 2025 |
| Week of December 8, 2025 | December 19, 2026 |
| Week of January 5, 2026 | January 16, 2026 |
| Week of February 2, 2026 | February 13, 2026 |
| Week of March 2, 2026 | March 13, 2026 |
| Week of March 30, 2026 | April 10, 2026 |
| Week of April 27, 2026 | May 8, 2026 |
| Week of May 25, 2026 | June 5, 2026 |
| Week of June 22, 2026 | July 6, 2026 |
| Week of July 20, 2026 | July 31, 2026 |
*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.
Free Tools to Help You Get Started
Not sure how you’ll perform on the exam? Start by viewing our free CBEST Study Guide to get a concise overview of exactly what subject matter will appear on your exam. Then take our free, full-length CBEST Practice Test with diagnostics to see your overall likelihood of passing and identify any areas in which you may need to improve.
Online Prep Programs That Guarantee You'll Pass
Our Core Plus Online Prep Programs feature:
- instructional videos that teach you the exact content you need to pass
- interactive practice tests that replicate the real exam
- virtual tutoring videos that guide you through every practice question
- advanced diagnostics that offer in-depth insights into your strengths and weaknesses
And they’re backed by the strongest guarantee available: If you don’t pass, you don’t pay.*
(*See our Guarantees page for details.)
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