CBEST Preparation Guide

I took the CBEST last December 2, 2006 and i got the highest cumulative results - 185. The passing score for the CBEST is 123 and higher, and i beat it by 62 points and the ONLY book i used to study for it was this one. This book is the ONLY book you need to get, and I'll give you 4 reasons why: 1. The Math review is in-depth and very complete. It provides an intensive review of all the skills you need to beat the Math section of the test and gives all of the equations and formulas you need that you've probably already forgotten. As it teaches you the skills, it gives you examples and then gives you problems to solve and then walks you through the solution and explains exactly how it got the right answer. It also gives more than one method to solve certain problems. 2. The Reading section is in-depth and gives questions that are very similar to those in the actual exam. The writing section is even better - it provides dozens of sample writing topics that are similar to those in the actual exam, and provides examples of well-written and poorly-written essays. It ALSO teaches you how to approach the topics and teaches writing techniques like Clustering and Outlining. Aside from that, it explains how the writing section is scored and tells you what the scorers look for in the essays. 3. The book teaches you test-taking and time saving strategies. This was VERY IMPORTANT and I'm glad i learned it from the book, because the exam is very long and you need to have a plan to efficiently maximize the time you have for the test. I used the techniques i learned in the book and was a LOT more confident during the exam, since i already knew what was in store for me and had a set plan on dividing my time for the 3 sections and time for checking my answers and proofreading my essays. 4. (*this ties in with #3) The book provides FOUR full-length practice tests that are VERY similar to the CBEST. The style of the questions, the number of questions you have to answer and the time it will take are all very similar to the real thing. I used the practice exams to hone my test-taking skills, learn how to divide my time (i attacked the reading section first since it's my forte, and then worked on the math part which was the hardest section for me, and then the writing section) AND improve my score. It was through these tests that i was able to identify my weak points and work on them so that by the time i took the 4th practice test, i was confident that i would pass - and i did! If you plan on passing the CBEST, BUY THIS BOOK. One last tip - and this one is from me - give yourself 2-3 weeks to prepare for the CBEST. It's not difficult if you're well-prepared.

Very good book to use for the test. I pass two sections, not the writing part. Please, when studying, try to practice on the fractions. That is the main part of math.

Having not written anything with a pencil and paper in years, Ineeded essay practice. The 16 practice essays were very helpful. This book also had a lot of multiple choice questions.

I went to the CBEST prep course for the people who put this book together. This book is the best book out there if you want to pass the CBEST the first time. You will get your money's worth. I have tried many books and this book was right on to the CBEST test. Good Luck All!

Having taken the CBEST two days ago, and using both this book and Obrecht's book published by Barron's to prepare for the exam, I can assure you that this is the one to buy. It is concise, accurate, and specifically oriented to the test. Bobrow has done an execellent job of walking you through exactly what you need to know for the test - no more and no less.