Customer Reviews

Kaplan CBEST: California Basic Educational Skills Test

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I found the questions on the CBEST easier than the practice tests in this book. The math section offers easy to understand problems and solutions. I would say it is a must for practicing for the math section of the CBEST. If you can do what is in this book you will pass the math section of the CBEST. It explains the Algebra and Geometry perfectly. The reading comprehension section was a bit frustrating as the questions are harder than the actual test but I felt very prepared after studying with the book.

This was an excellent preparation for the CBEST. Why? Because it overprepared me!

If you can get 50% of these questions right (from this book), you'll pass the CBEST!!!

I bought this book along with the Cliffs CBEST prep, primarily to focus on the math section of the test. I am absolutely horrible at math and I thought that having two resources would be beneficial. After three months of pouring over the incredibly intricate math review in this book, I took the test and to my shock and disgust, the math section on the actual test is MUCH EASIER than everything presented in this book! I had wasted SO MUCH time memorizing equations and other complex math principles (and yes, there is NO geometry on the test!) This book causes much unnecessary stress and the practice tests for the math section are NOTHING like the real test -- again, they are MUCH harder in the book.

If you want to pass the math section in particular, the Cliffs CBEST prep is excellent to give you a quick, clear, and concise review of all the formulas and math concepts that you've forgotten over the years. The practice tests are much more like the ones on the actual test. You should couple this resource with the math practice tests on the CBEST website, which are closest to what is really on the test. I passed the CBEST the first time focusing on these two resources only days before the test because I had become so frustrated with Kaplan's confusing math review. I hope this helps all of my fellow aspiring teachers out there, good luck!

I used this book as well as the Learning Express CBEST. I thought this one was difficult to delve into. Typeset and page color was annoying. It was not laid out as well as the Learning Express one. But worst of all, it caused me much undue stress because the problems in this book were much more difficult than the CBEST. I was so worried and stressed out that I couldn't sleep the night before the test. I was very overprepared which was a huge waste of time. The CBEST is very easy. The questions in this book are for an old version of the CBEST which has much harder math. (Apparently there was a lawsuit, so they have dumbed down the math on the CBEST.) Don't waste your time studying from this book because it is stuff you will not need for the test!!

I hadn't taken a math course in over 5 years...math is certainly not my forte and I was really concerned about the math portion of the cbest exam. Luckily, I was smart enough to invest in this book. I completely agree with the other reviewers...this book definitely "over-prepares" you for the test, which in my opinion is truly wonderful because you're getting your money's worth!!! I actually scored highest on the math portion (which was my biggest weakness/concern) than I did on the other two portions of the exam. Thanks Kaplan!!! It was quite the a little miracle. Haha. Additionally, the reading comprehension portion of the exam is a bit dull and is fraught with sneaky little trick questions, you have to read them very carefully. CBEST gives you one right answer, and one even better and more correct answer so BEWARE. Kaplan prepared me very well for that too. This book was truly a wonderful investment...I passed with flying colors!!! I very highly recommend it!!!!!! :) I definitely got my money's worth and passed, and for that I can't complain!!!

The Reading section of this book was not just harder than the actual test, it was ridiculously incomprehensible, and not indicative of the level of questions asked. I was freaking out because I could not pass the Reading section in this book, so I did a practice test from the website. I scored 97% on that and then got a perfect score on the actual Reading section of the CBEST, the next day. This book caused me so much undue stress, I would not recommend it at all.

I bought four books to help me pass the CSET out of all the books, this one was the best one. It really prepared me for the test. It actually over prepared me to the point that I thought the CSET was easy!!! I kept telling myself as I was doing the test "ok any minute now I'm going to hit a brick wall" it did not happen out of all 56 question on the math/science part I was not sure about 4 which is pretty good....I'm still waiting for my results but I'm 100% sure I passed it.

Two things made this guide very helpful for me. #1. I got a very clear picture of what kind of material I would be tested over and the kind of questions I would be asked. #2. Full length practice tests helped me prepare for the real exam. I passed with flying colors.