Test Information

GRE | GMAT | CBEST | LSAT | SAT | CSET

GRE

Computer Section-Level Adaptive Test

Visit the official GRE website at www.gre.org for updated information.
Resources: The textbook used in all BTPS classes is Cliffs Notes GRE General Test (2011) with CD/ROM
Additional practice: The Official Guide to the GRE published by ETS

The GRE General Test is a standardized exam that is administered as part of the graduate school admissions process. Colleges and universities use GRE scores to evaluate a student’s readiness for graduate-level course work.  The GRE assesses critical thinking and reasoning skills that help to determine the probability for successful academic performance. Other factors, such as undergraduate grades, interviews, and letters of recommendation also contribute to the admissions application portfolio.

The GRE requires that you analyze, evaluate, problem solve, and think critically and apply these skills in a multiple-choice and written format on three sections:

Section-Level Adaptive Testing

Multiple-choice questions are presented randomly for the verbal and quantitative sections. The first twenty questions of each section will determine the level of difficulty for the second section of twenty questions. The computer will adjust questions so that all questions contribute equally to the final score. Your final score is based upon the number of questions you answer correctly. Keep in mind that if you are faced with a question that requires multiple answers such as “select one or more answers,” you must select all of the correct answers to receive full credit a correct response.

The multiple-choice sections (verbal and quantitative) each compute a raw score based on the number of questions answered correctly. The raw score is equated and converted into a scaled score from 130-170 for each measure, with 1-point increments. The mean score is 150 on each measure. There is no penalty for guessing.

The computerized test allows you to go forward and backward from question to question within a section. Students now have the ability to skip and return to questions within a section to change previous answers. Students can also mark a question with a check mark as a reminder to answer the question later.

A simple four-function on-screen calculator is available for the quantitative section to help with computations.

Question Types for Verbal and Quantitative Measures

Verbal Reasoning Question Types:

There are three different verbal reasoning question types: reading comprehension, text completion and sentence equivalence.  

Quantitative Reasoning Question Types:

There are four different quantitative reasoning question types and six different math content style topics. The focus of each question type is one of the six content style topics.

GMAT

The GMAT (computer-adaptive test) measures the skills you have developed over a long period of time for quantitative, verbal and analytical writing assessment. This exam helps graduate business schools evaluate the probability for success in advanced study in an MBA program or other graduate program.

The GMAT lasts approximately 3 ½ hours and is composed of two 30-minute essays, 37 quantitative multiple-choice questions (75 minutes), and 41 verbal ability multiple-choice questions (75 minutes). The test includes:

1. Analytical Writing Assessment - You will type two essays (responses) on topics provided. One response will be an analysis of an issue, and the other will be an analysis of an argument.
2. Quantitative- Data Sufficiency and Problem Solving questions are intermingled.
   • Data Sufficiency – For each item you will decide how much of the mathematical data you are given is sufficient for answering a question.
   • Problem Solving – You will solve general math and word-type problems.
3. Verbal - Sentence Correction, Reading Comprehension, and Critical Reasoning are intermingled.
   
4. Sentence Correction – You will demonstrate your knowledge of correct and effective English expression.
5. Reading Comprehension – You will answer questions about reading passages from a variety of subjects.
6. Critical Reasoning – You will derive logical conclusions and relationships form a variety of situations and passages.

For information and test administration application contact:
Graduate Management Admission Council
1600 Tysons Blvd., Suite 1400
McLean, VA 22102
General Inquires: (800) 717-4628 or www.mba.com

CBEST

The CBEST measures proficiencies in three general areas: reading comprehension, mathematics and essay writing. This test was developed to meet requirements related to credentialing and employment. It is based upon the theory that teachers should be able to use the same skills taught to students – skills essential to students both in the classroom and outside school. All questions (except the essay in the Writing Section) are multiple choice with five answer choices for each question. Each of the three sections receives a score ranging from 20 to 80. The passing score for each section is 41; the total
passing score for the CBEST is 123. If you score below the passing mark on one section (or even on two sections) but your total score is 123 or higher, you can still pass the exam but only if your score in each section is 37 or above. This test is paper based or computer administered.

For information about test administration and
application contact:

CBEST Program

National Evaluation Systems, Inc.
P.O. Box 340880
Sacramento, CA 95834-0880
(916) 928-4001
(800) 262-5080 (automated information)
www.cbest.nesinc.com

For Questions about CBEST or CSET policies contact:
California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC)
(916) 445-7254
http://www.ctc.ca.gov

LSAT

The LSAT is designed to measure a range of your reading and reasoning abilities related to the study of law. The questions on the test evaluate reading comprehension (including comparative reading), logical reasoning, and analytical reasoning, and draw from a variety of verbal and analytical material. The LSAT, unlike many other standardized exams, is not content oriented, but is reasoning oriented. Therefore, it is critical to understand the thinking processes involved to obtain the correct, credited response. Your success on the LSAT demonstrates your ability to read with an understanding and to reason clearly under time pressure; surely these strengths are important to both the study and practice of law, as well as the ability to write well, measured by the LSAT Writing Sample.

The LSAT consists of five 35-minute multiple-choice sections. Four sections count toward your LSAT score; one experimental section is a repeat of the other sections and does not count toward your score. An unscored essay is also included. The types of questions are: Reading Comprehension (one section), Analytical Reasoning (one section), and Logical Reasoning (two sections). There are a total of 96 to 104 questions that are scaled to a scoring range of 120 to 180 with an average score of about 150-151. Approximately 60 percent correct is necessary to obtain an average score. There is no penalty for guessing on the LSAT, so never leave a question without at least taking an educated quess.

For information about test administration and application contact:
Law School Admission Council
661 Penn Street

Box 2000
Newtown, PA 18940-0998
www.LSAC.org
(215) 968-1001

SAT

The SAT Reasoning Test is used along with your high school records and other information to assess your competence for college work. The test consists Mathematics, Critical Reasoning and a Writing section. The test lasts three hours and 45 minutes and consists of mostly multiple-choice type questions, with some grid-in questions and an essay. The critical reading sections test your ability to ready critically, to comprehend what you read, and to understand words in context. The math sections test your ability to solve problems using mathematical reasoning and your skills in arithmetic, algebra I and II, and geometry. The writing ability sections test your ability to write a clear, precise essay and to find grammar and usage errors, to correct sentence errors, and to improve paragraphs.

The order in which the sections appear and the number of questions may vary, and there may be many forms of the test. Only three of the critical reasoning sections(two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section) and three of the math sections (two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section) and the writing essay (25 minutes) and multiple-choice sections (one 25-minute section and one 10-minute section) actually count toward your SAT score. Each section of the SAT is scored on a scale of 200-800, with two writing subscores for multiple-choice and the essay. One 25-minute section is
experimental and does not count toward your score. It can appear anywhere on your exam.

For information about test administration and application contact:
College Board
SAT Program
P.O. Box 6200

Princeton, NJ 08541-6200
(866) 756-7346
www.collegeboard.com

CSET: Multiple Subjects

The CSET: Multiple Subjects examination is designed to evaluate subject-matter competence and higher-order thinking skills of prospective elementary school teachers. Your success on the CSET: Multiple Subjects exam depends upon your measured knowledge and skill in the subject matter taught in California classrooms. The exam is based upon the California classroom framework, curriculum and instructional materials. This test is a broad-range exam that includes these sections: Reading, Language, and Literature; History and Social Science; Science and Mathematics; and Physical Education, Human Development and Visual and Performing Arts.

The test consists of 143 multiple-choice questions (mc), and 11 short constructed-response questions (SCR). There are three subtests: Subtest I – Reading, Language, and Literature (26 mc questions and 2 SCR questions); History and Social Science (26 mc questions and 2 SCR questions) – Subtest II – Science (26 mc questions and 2 SCR questions); Math (26 mc questions and SCR questions) – Subtest III – Physical Education (13 mc questions and 1 SCR question); Human Development (13 mc questions and 1 SCR question); Visual and Performing Arts (13 mc questions and 1 SCR question), and scores range from 100-300 for each subtest. In each subtest, the multiple-choice section is worth 70% and the short constructed-response section is worth 30%. To pass each subtest, you need about 65-70% correct on the multiple-choice questions and an average score of about “2” on each short constructed- response question. There is no penalty for guessing, so never leave an answer blank. Always attempt a response on the short constructed-response questions since you may get at least partial credit for attempting an answer. You are provided with a calculator during the test. You may register for 1, 2 or all 3 subtests and have 5 hours to complete the test(s) regardless of how many subtests you are taking.

For information about test administration and application contact:
National Evaluation Systems
P.O. Box 340789
Sacramento, CA 95834-0789
www.cset.nesinc.com
(916) 928-4003