How Do I Choose the Best CBEST® Tutor?

The California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST®) is a proficiency exam that must be taken by individuals prior to their first year of teaching in public schools in the state of California. The exam is divided into three sections: reading, writing, and math. A CBEST® tutor is an educator who helps individuals who are preparing to take the exam to earn higher scores. To choose the best CBEST® tutor, it can first be helpful to find out if you could benefit from an overview of the exam or if you need to work on only one section. It can also be helpful to consider the qualifications of a tutor, the cost, and the ease of access.

Many aspiring teachers who are seeking a CBEST® tutor find that they can most benefit from an overview of the exam. In these cases, they may want to find a tutor who is qualified to assist them in improving their knowledge and skills in the areas of reading, writing, and math. While it may be possible to get a different tutor for each section, keep in mind that this can be a costly method.

Other individuals find they only need to work on one section of the test. In this case, it can be a good idea to find a CBEST® tutor who is accomplished in the relevant section. For example, an educator who has worked for years as an English teacher might be a great choice for a tutor to help you in the writing or reading portions.

How good of a choice a CBEST® tutor is can be impacted by his or her qualifications. An individual who has no credentials illustrating his or her proficiency in math might not be an ideal choice for a math tutor. Before agreeing to hire a tutor, it might be a good idea to ask for a resume or curriculum vitae that describes a professional's education, skills, and professional experience.

It is also a good idea to make sure that your CBEST® tutor is familiar with the exam. A writing tutor might be an exceptional instructor, but if he or she is not familiar with material on the CBEST®, then you might not learn specific material that can help you to score well. Scorers of this exam are often looking for specific factors when they assign grades. A good tutor might have some insight into the scoring process.

Being able to afford a tutor can be important. The best CBEST® tutor might be one whom you can afford to pay without having to work overtime or make sacrifices. These behaviors can cause stress that can have a negative impact on your score. Likewise, make sure that your tutor is easy to access. Long distance commutes and tight schedules can also cause stress.