CSET Test Preparation Advice

The key to effective CSET Test Preparation is to begin early. This typically means several months prior to your planned test date.

Preparing involves three basic steps: Self Evaluation, Designing an Effective CSET Preparation Program for You, and Being Ready on Test Day.

Self Evaluation

Before you begin to study, or enroll in any CSET Prep Course, you should first assess your major areas of strength and weakness. This will not only help you target the areas you need to focus on, but will also help you decide how much time you should allot for CSET preparation. We recommend taking a number of practice exams so that you will get a sense of the areas in which you are consistently strong or weak. After all, anyone can get lucky, or unlucky, when answering any one specific question.

One source we recommend for CSET practice tests as you begin your CSET test preparation is the NES website, located at www.cset.nes.com. NES is the company that administers the actual CSET exam, and they offer practice tests on their website that can be taken online or downloaded as a PDF and printed. (Please consider taking their test online to avoid printing and help the environment!)

The other source we recommend for self evaluation as you undertake your CSET Test Preparation program is our complete online CSET Practice Test. This interactive CSET Practice Test will not only give you your scores in each subtest area, but also allows us to give a you a complete breakdown of your individual strengths and weaknesses, which is extremely valuable as you begin to prepare. This CSET test preparation service is absolutely free!

Designing an Effective CSET Preparation Program for You

For many students, this is as simple as taking one of our CSET Prep Courses covering the specific area, or areas, in which they need review. As a general rule of CSET test preparation, we suggest taking a CSET Prep Course in any subtest area in which you score “borderline” or below on your practice exam.

If you find that you need to take a prep class in all subtests areas, don’t worry, you’re not alone– this is a very challenging test for most teaching candidates, and we offer a discounted rate for students wishing to take two or more of our CSET test prep courses.  However, if you discover that you only need a CSET Prep Course in one subtest area, we also allow you to enroll in just the classes you need.

If you find that you are weak in only one specific area of a subtest, you may wish to consider Private Tutoring to focus on that that specific area.

Something to remember during your CSET test preparation, is that we all have a different learning style and pace. Our CSET Prep Courses cover all the key subject matter you need to pass, so this can often be a great deal of info! You should be prepared to take good notes, and allow time to review these notes daily for at least a week prior to the test.  And during your class, if you are unclear on any concept, you should ask your instructor for additional help. That’s what we’re here for, and we’re more than happy to assist you!

Being Ready on Test Day

This doesn’t just mean doing your homework ahead of time. It also means being well rested, energized and early on the day of your test.

Do not stay up late cramming the night before your test! This will only result in you being tired and stressed out on test day. Get a good night’s sleep, then eat a light, but nutritious breakfast– the kind of meal that you might eat before going hiking. Taking the CSET can be just as stressful on your mind, and body, as exercising, so an important aspect of CSET test preparation is making sure you’re well-rested and well-fueled so you won’t crash halfway through the test.

We also recommend arriving at your test site at least an hour early. This will lower your stress level and also give you some extra time to review your notes just before the test. Going over key points one last time right before the exam is an excellent way to have these concepts fresh in your mind.

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We hope you have found this CSET Test Preparation advice helpful.

Further prep tips, as well as great strategies for taking the actual exam, are included in every CSET Prep Course!