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Create AccountThe CSET Writing Skills Exam meets a basic skills requirement for prospective teachers in the state of California. Passing this CSET test shows that test takers can write effectively enough to meet the basic skills needed to pursue teacher certification. In addition to this test, candidates are also required to pass the subtests of the CSET Multiple Subject, which are broken down into three subtests (and a variety of domains):
The CSET Multiple Subject contains both multiple choice and constructed response questions, while the CSET Writing Skills exam is solely constructed-response questions.
| Test Name | CSET Writing Skills |
| Test Cost | $63 |
| Number of Questions | 2 constructed-response questions |
| Time Allotted | 1 hour and 30 minutes |
| Test Sections | 1. Expository Writing 2. Expressive Writing |
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Create AccountIn order to register for the CSET Writing exam, test takers will need to create an account on the CTC exams website or sign in if they have already created an account in the past.
The CSET Writing Skills exam has a registration fee of $63.00. Payment for the CSET registration can be made with a debit, credit, or check card. Examinees will need to submit the fee before they can choose a test date. Once paid, test takers have one year from the payment date to complete the exam. After which, the payment will no longer be valid and test takers will not be issued a refund.
Examinees have the ability to register to take the test at home with an online proctor, or they can still choose to register for an in-person computer-based test at a testing location. Registration for CSET is available 24/7 online.
The exam length is 1 hour and 30 minutes. Test-takers will also be given a separate 15 minutes to complete a tutorial and nondisclosure agreement before the official exam begins. In-person test-takers are allowed to take a break for the restroom if needed, but this will count as exam time. There are no scheduled break times. Online-proctored exams taken remotely do not allow breaks.
Online-proctored exams do require some necessary equipment in order to be able to take the CSET Writing Test at home. Remote test takers will need a laptop or desktop computer - touch screens such as tablets or smartphones cannot be used. Remote test takers are allowed to have one monitor; any other monitors must be removed from the room or unplugged.
It is recommended to use a personal computer, as work or school computers may have additional security blocks that would prohibit candidates from taking the CSET test. Test takers should have a strong internet connection in order to avoid any sort of connection interruption during the exam and a quiet space where they are the only person in the room.
In-person computer-based test takers will be given pens and paper for notes, outlines, or any other preparation needed for essay responses. Test centers have rules that require strict compliance, including forbidding tobacco products or smoking, visitors, and weapons of any kind. Test takers cannot bring any sort of jewelry (including watches), purses, or wallets into the testing room. However, there are storage lockers available outside of the testing room where test takers can store items while taking the CSET Writing Skills exam. Additionally, test takers are prohibited to have any of the following in the test room:
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The scoring for the CSET Writing is holistic. A scorer will be reading and grading using a 4-point scale to determine a candidate's score, with 1 being the lowest score, and a 4 the highest. These scores are based on the candidate's writing ability demonstrated by their answers to the prompts they have been assigned. Scores convert to raw scoring of 100-300. The CSET passing score that must be reached by test takers is 220.
Refer to the table below to understand the CSET Writing Skills Score.
| Score | Description |
|---|---|
| 4 | A "4" is a very well-formed essay response that conveys a whole message to the intended audience. This score represents an essay that meets the six writing skills characteristics with excellence. |
| 3 | A "3" is an adequately formed essay response that conveys a message to the intended audience. This score represents an essay that adequately meets the six writing skills characteristics. |
| 2 | A "2" is a somewhat formed essay response that struggles to convey a message to the intended audience. This score represents an essay that struggles to meet the qualifications for the six writing skills characteristics. |
| 1 | A "1" is a meager formed essay response that fails to convey a message to the intended audience. This score represents an essay that fails to meet the qualifications for the six writing skills characteristics. |
| U | The essay response was unscorable due to insufficient length, topic, readability or other. |
| B | The essay response was left blank. |
The scorers for the CSET Writing Skills Exam use six characteristics that drive their holistic scoring approach. The list below will provide a more in depth understanding of these characteristics.
CSET scores will be available within five weeks of taking the CSET Writing Skills Exam. To see if they received a passing score on their exam, candidates will need to log in to their online account on the test release day. There will be a calendar available for test release days based on the CSET schedule. Scores will be released at 10 pm PST on that day.
The CSET format for the Writing Skills exam consists of two constructed response essays. One of the essays will require expository writing skills, and the other will require expressive writing skills. Each essay must be between 300-600 words.
For the expository essay, test takers will be given a question or statement to analyze. For the expressive essay, test takers will be prompted to write about a specific personal experience.
Candidates are advised to practice responding to example essay questions under a time constraint in order to get a real feel for how the test day will go. After constructing responses to the practice questions, examinees can ask themselves what they are doing well and what can be improved. They may review the scoring sections of this article and analyze their answered practice questions in comparison to the six writing skills characteristics that the holistic scorers will be using.
The CSET Writing skills exam has a duration of 130 minutes. If test takers would like equal time to work on each essay, they should allot 65 minutes for each essay--this includes outlining, writing, and editing.
The CSET Writing Skills Exam essays are graded holistically based off of a 1 - 4 point scale. Scores covert to raw scoring of 100-300. A score of 220 is needed to pass the exam.
The CSET is no longer a requirement for aspiring teachers pursuing teacher certification in California, as long as they have completed other approved coursework in its stead.
The CSET is no longer a requirement for aspiring teachers pursuing teacher certification in California, as long as they have completed other approved coursework in its stead.
