

CBEST Writing Guide
The writing section of the CBEST Basic Educational Skills Test requires you to compose short essay responses to two essay questions. For one of the essay questions, you will be asked to write about a remembered experience. For the other essay question, you will be asked to write an expository prose to display your analytic thinking. You will be scored based on the following criteria:
- Clarity: Is the response easy to comprehend?
- Focused: Is the response organized in a way that keeps the reader on track?
- Development: Is the response well-supported and developed?
- Conventions: Does the writer have a command of standard written English?
- Relevance: Does the writer maintain the overall focus throughout the response, without non-sequiturs, internal contradictions, unwarranted conclusions, and/or confusion of facts and opinions?
There are two types of questions that will appear on every writing section of the CBEST assessment, and they will not appear in any particular order.
- Expressive Aim: This question will ask you to write an expressive essay in which you reveal and support your own personal opinion on a subject.
- Referential Aim: This question will ask you to write an expository essay in which you demonstrate your analytical writing skills.
As you know, you will have 4 hours to complete all sections CBEST Basic Educational Skills Test (reading, mathematics, and writing) including 15 minutes for introduction and administrative tasks. When the time begins, it will be up to you to decide how to allocate those four hours among the 3 sections. Here is our recommendation for how you should try to allocate your time:
- Reading: 1 hour, 15 minutes
- Mathematics: 1 hour, 10 minutes
- Writing: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Following this timetable will give you 40 minutes for each essay question. Here is how you should spend the 40 minutes you have allocated for each essay:
- 5 Minutes — Read Question Prompt
- 5 Minutes — Outline your Essay
- 25 Minutes — Write your Essay
- 5 Minutes — Read and Edit your Essay
If you spend a full 10 minutes analyzing the prompt and planning your essay, then it will be easy to write 5 paragraphs in 25 minutes. To best prepare, you will need to familiarize yourself with both types of essay questions and practice writing at least one of each type in order to gain the experience you need to succeed on Test Day.
Type 1 Question Response vs. Type 2 Question Response
Since both types of questions are scored using the same rubric, following this guide will prepare you for both. However, it’s important to note that responding to the different questions does require you to adjust your writing a little.
CBEST Type 1 Essay Question: Strategies & Sample
To ensure you complete your essays, it’s important that you allocate enough time to fully plan out what you will write about before you start writing. The scorer will be looking for focused and clear writing, so the time you spend planning will pay off in the end. The organization of our CBEST Type 1 Essay will (ideally) have four or five paragraphs and follow this format:
- Paragraph 1 — Beginning of story
- Paragraph 2 — 1 st example that furthers story
- Paragraph 3 — 2 nd example that furthers story
- Paragraph 4 — 3 rd example that furthers story
- Paragraph 5 — Conclusion that drives home the point of the story
As you outline your response, remember that you must:
- Address the question in the introductory paragraph
- use topic sentences with transition words and phrases to begin each new paragraph
- end your essay with a succinct conclusion that brings the story together to make a larger point
Paragraph 1 — Beginning of the story
Since this question will ask you about an experience you have had, it’s hard for us to work off of a template. However, here is a sample version of an introduction to a Type 1 essay question that you can use to see what the scorers are looking for:
In this sample opening paragraph, the writer accomplishes three goals:
- Immediately responds to the question
- Leaves the reader wanting to know more
- Displays the writer’s strong writing style with no errors in grammar or mechanics
Remember, the purpose of your response to a Type 1 question is to tell a story that responds to the questions, remains focused, and displays your strong writing abilities. Try to avoid giving any concrete examples or plot points in the first paragraph. This will give you more to write about in later paragraphs as well as keep the reader in suspense. If the scorers want to keep reading, they will likely give you a strong score.
Paragraphs 2, 3, 4 — Supporting Examples
Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 provide the specific plot points of your story. You can structure these paragraphs so that they are different examples that tell the same story, or so that they each take you through a detailed telling of one plot point. The way you structure your writing should depend on the memory or memories you are using to respond to the question. Here is an example of a supporting paragraph that continues the example response from above:
This would most likely be an example of a 2 nd paragraph. We can tell by the transition “now” at the beginning of the paragraph, and by the fact that the writer is introducing the mother. Just like the 1 st paragraph, this 2 nd paragraph accomplishes three goals:
- Provides an example that supports what the writer introduced in the 1 st
- Builds tension and suspense to make the reader want to read more.
- Displays the writer’s style
Paragraph 5 — Conclusion
Finally, you will conclude your story and solidify your story’s connection to the essay question. Here is an example of a sample conclusion, answering the same essay question as the samples above:
With this Conclusion paragraph template, we accomplish three goals:
- Conclude the story in a satisfying way
- Relate the story back to the essay question
- Display the writer’s style
CBEST Type 2 Essay Question: Strategies & Sample
- Paragraph 1 — Introduction
- Paragraph 2 — 1 st example
- Paragraph 3 — 2 nd example
- Paragraph 4 — 3 rd example
- Paragraph 5 — Conclusion
- Address the question in the introductory paragraph with a clear thesis.
- use topic sentences with transition words and phrases to begin each new paragraph.
- end your essay with a succinct conclusion that summarizes your main points, restates your thesis, and if possible, connects your argument to a larger issue.
Paragraph 1 — Introduction
While Type 2 essay questions will ask you to draw on personal experiences, you are not focusing your entire response on a memory, like in Type 1. Instead you are expressing your opinion and supporting it with a logical argument. For this reason, it would be difficult for you to work off of a template, but here is a sample version of an introduction to a Type 2 essay question that you can use to see what the scorers are looking for:
- Introduces the topic
- Provides a thesis that responds to the question
Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 provide examples that support your opinion. The type of examples you provide will depend upon the essay questions that is asked. Here is an example of a supporting paragraph that continues the example response from above:
In this paragraph, the writer provides a specific example from her life that illustrates the quote provided in the essay question. This paragraph accomplishes three goals:
- Provides an example that supports the thesis from the introduction
- Explores the example thoroughly enough to make her point
Finally, you will conclude your argument. Here is an example of a sample conclusion, answering the same essay question as the samples above:
With this sample Conclusion paragraph, we accomplish three goals:
- Re-state the thesis in a meaningful way
- Summarize the examples provided earlier in the prompt
- Connect the argument to a larger purpose.
CBEST Essay Practice
Now you’re ready to write two practice essays: CBEST Practice Essay Questions .

How to Write the CBEST Writing Section Essays

Whatever the case may be, if you need to pass the CBEST writing section, you’ve come to the right place.
You are no doubt familiar with the rubric and the scoring criteria, so I won’t waste your time with any of that information. Instead, you and I will go straight to the meat of the matter.
I will give you step-by-step instructions on how to write each of the essays. The first essay is personal, and the second is expository, which means it is argumentative.
So, let’s dive right in and learn how to write each of these essays on a tight timeline of the CBEST test.
How to Write the CBEST Personal Essay
First, let’s quickly discuss the main difference between the personal and the expository essays on this test.
The expository (argumentative) essay is the same 5-paragraph essay that they kind of taught you how to write in school. It is also a basic college essay in which you state an argument and support it.
So, in this part of the tutorial, we’ll be writing a 5-paragraph personal story with a lesson that you learned from it. I will use my personal example as an illustration.
Our Sample CBEST Personal Essay Question
“Most people have experienced a significant challenge that changed their life in some way. This challenge is usually a loss of some kind, such as a loss of health, of a job or financial asset, or of an important relationship. In an essay to be read by an audience of educated adults, discuss one such challenge and how it changed you as a person.”
Note that any CBEST personal essay question will involve some kind of a challenge, something from your past you wish you could change, or some kind of a loss.
Does this sound familiar?
Every Hollywood movie is structured this way. You have a character who has a problem, and she overcomes that problem, but she has to change in order to do that.
In your personal essay, you are essentially doing the same. Your 5-paragraph structure becomes your 5-act movie. Let’s break it down into paragraphs.
CBEST Personal Essay Structure
Paragraph 1
In the first paragraph, you want to immediately answer the posed question. This will also mean that you are stating a problem that you had in the past. Describe the outer world problem.
Paragraph 2
Here, you reveal your inner world problem. This is something psychological about the situation. Think – there is a flat tire and there is a “story of the flat tire.” You also describe the situation in more detail, providing more context.
Paragraph 3
Describe what you did to overcome the situation. This is about what you did in the outer world and what challenges or problems you encountered.
Paragraph 4
You realize that something needs to change for you to get the result. Something in your mindset had to shift.
Paragraph 5
Describe how you finally achieved the result, what lesson or lessons you learned, and how you changed as a person.
Please note that this structure is an approximation. You are simply telling a story with a beginning, middle, and an end.
This structure gives you ideas of what to put in each paragraph. Use it as a reference when telling your story because each story is different.
And now, let’s write an essay, using this template. Notice how this sounds familiar in terms of a Hollywood movie or any good story you’ve ever heard or read.
CBEST Personal Essay Example
“One fine April evening many years ago, during an exercise routine, I made a wrong move and twisted my body in an unusual way. I heard a loud pop in my left knee and fell on the floor, writhing in pain. As it later turned out, I had torn my anterior cruciate ligament, a major stabilizing ligament in the knee. I now walked with a limp and had intense pain whenever I tried to extend my leg or when stepping onto a sidewalk. I was 30 years old, and I had a trauma that changed the way I walked.
That injury did not just affect my physical body. I also became very stressed out about the situation. Doctors told me I needed an operation. But when I looked up the procedure on the internet, I realized that it involved cutting off parts of my leg, drilling holes in my bones, and fixing things with screws. I really did not want that done to me. But it seemed I had no other options. I was very scared, despondent, and was even becoming depressed.
After months of looking for solutions, I came across a clinic in Europe where they treated joint diseases. It was located in a nice spa town, so I figured I needed a break from it all and had a chance to heal my leg at the same time if I went. So, I bought airplane tickets and packed my bags. I spent a couple of weeks in that town, all the while being treated at the clinic. But I saw no results. My hopes were being crushed. However, I met an interesting person there who suggested that I should look for an active way to achieve healing rather than trying to find someone to “do it for me.”
Key Points about this Essay
- This essay has 492 words.
- It is based on the 5-paragraph structured outlined above.
- It has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
- It contains a shift – from outside healing to self-healing.
- It ends with a triumph and the lesson learned.
Key Takeaways and Tips
Your personal stories are fascinating.
If you really think about any of your personal stories, you’ll find that there is always more under the surface.
Something happened, but why did it happen? What was a possible hidden cause?
As an exercise, just sit back and think of one of your stories of adversity and triumph. And by following the 5-paragraph structure, just retell that story to yourself.
You’ll find that the structure I gave you helps bring out things that perhaps you never noticed before. Your stories are dramatic and interesting.
Every good story involves an inner shift.
Rocky can only gain the respect of others if he first gains self-respect.
In my story, I had to shift from the idea of being healed by someone to the idea of taking my healing into my own hands.
The structure is only a guideline.
You can find elements from the 5-paragraph structure in any of your personal stories. So, just use those elements you can identify.
But try to find as many of them as you can:
- the loss itself
- the inner problem resulting from it or causing it
- the early ineffective solution
- the final effective solution
- the lesson(s) learned.
Any CBEST personal essay question is about adversity and triumph.
If you’re asked to describe a time you disappointed a loved one, this is a dramatic story. It’s about the disappointment, how it resolved, and what you learned in the end.
If you’re writing about a personal loss or challenge, this is a drama. You started at a low point, fought through obstacles, and triumphed. You definitely learned something.
If you have to write about something in the past that you could change, that’s a dramatic story. Why do you wish you could change it? Because it was some kind of a loss.
In other words, the 5-paragraph structure that I gave you will work for any essay prompt you get on the CBEST test.
How to Write the CBEST Expository Essay in 5 Steps
An expository essay is simply an essay in which you present an argument and then support it, using evidence. A simple, college argumentative essay is an expository essay.
Writing a CBEST expository essay is a 5-step process:
- Take a stand
- Write the thesis statement
- Write the support (body of the essay)
- Write the conclusion
- Write an introductory sentence
Our Sample CBEST Expository Essay Question
“Amit Kalantri once said that ‘great losses are great lessons.’ In an essay intended for educated adults, state whether you agree or disagree with Kalantri’s observation. Support your argument with logical reasoning and specific examples.”
I deliberately chose a prompt that is very similar to our personal essay question. You’ll see that the ways we write the personal and the expository essays are very different.
Let’s shoot for 400 words in this essay. This makes for an easy way to judge how much to write in each paragraph, as I’ll show you in a minute.
Step 1. Take a stand
This is a very simple and easy step in which we simply decide whether we agree or disagree with the statement and write it as a complete sentence.
You’ll notice that most choices whether to agree or disagree are really easy to make. They kind of “beg” for either a positive or a negative answer.
“I agree with Kalantri’s statement that great losses are great lessons.”
And we’re done with step 1.
Step 2. Write the thesis statement
The thesis statement must include not only your main point but also your supporting points. For a 5-paragraph essay, you always want to have three supporting points or ideas.
Each of these supporting ideas will correspond to a body paragraph of your essay. To find the supporting points, you must ask yourself why you agree (or disagree) with the statement in the prompt.
- Losses make people think
- Losses reveal people to themselves
- Losses usually lead to greater advantages
When coming up with these three reasons, make sure that they are different from one another.
Now that we have our reasons, let’s write out a complete thesis statement. We can simply copy and paste our main and supporting points together and make sure they flow:
Our Complete Thesis Statement
We now have a complete thesis statement that is also our outline. Note in the diagram below how we will distribute the 400 words across paragraphs.

And we’re ready for the next step.
Just so you know, I wrote a detailed tutorial on how to write a thesis statement , in case you want to master this skill.
Step 3. Write the Support (Body of the Essay)
Each paragraph must proceed from general to specific. The first sentence in a body paragraph is called a lead sentence (or a topic sentence). It is the most general sentence in the paragraph.
The next most general part of a paragraph is some kind of an explanation why we believe this statement is true.
And finally, the most specific part of a body paragraph is an example.
Here’s what an overall structure of a body paragraph looks like:

Losses make people think, and great losses make them think a lot. Comfort tends to relax people, and when people are relaxed, they simply do not need to think. But as soon as a loss has occurred, the person’s significance, security, or even livelihood may be threatened. To quote Tony Robbins, “When people succeed, they tend to party. When they fail, they tend to ponder.” I remember when I lost 80% of my income in the crash of 2008. That loss made me think and look for ways to compensate and establish better financial security in the future.
Losses reveal people to themselves, and personal revelations are the greatest lessons. It is a well known phenomenon in psychology that a crisis is a very powerful way to make a person see something in her life that was hidden theretofore. This is illustrated very well in the Wizard of Oz. Each of the characters who accompanied Dorothy to Emerald City thought he lacked a quality. But by dealing with a crisis, they eventually realized that they actually had the courage, the brain, and the heart. I know that this happens in real life because it was not until I faced a financial crisis that I found out that I had the strength and courage to start again in the face of difficulties.
And we’re done with the body. Please note:
- Each paragraph is about 100 words long.
- Each one starts with a lead sentence, proceeds to an explanation, and provides an example.
It’s time for the next step.
Step 4. Write the conclusion
Writing the conclusion for the CBEST expository essay is really easy. All you need to do is simply restate what you already said – in different words. That’s all.
Use the same structure as the thesis statement. But use synonyms and paraphrase so that your conclusion doesn’t sound like a copy of the thesis statement.
Just use your thesis statement as reference. Let’s do it.
This conclusion is 58 words long, which is perfect for our overall word count. And it does what it should do – it restates the main and the supporting points using different words and phrases.
By the way, I wrote a detailed tutorial on how to write conclusions , if you want to dig a bit deeper into this skill.

Step 5. Write an introductory sentence
This introductory sentence will be the very first sentence of your essay. To write it, you need to take a step away, zoom out from your main point and provide a perspective.
In other words, in this sentence you explain why what you’re about to argue is important.
As you read the paragraph, can you hear how the first sentence introduces your main point really nicely?
The first sentence is just a way to “get into the subject.” How do people usually react to great loss? They freak out. But they shouldn’t, and here’s why.
And guess what – we’re done writing our CBEST argumentative essay! It has 416 words of high quality persuasion.
I hope this was helpful!
Now practice a little and go ace that test.
How to Write a 300 Word Essay – Simple Tutorial
How to expand an essay – 4 tips to increase the word count, 10 solid essay writing tips to help you improve quickly, essay writing for beginners: 6-step guide with examples, 6 simple ways to improve sentence structure in your essays.
Tutor Phil is an e-learning professional who helps adult learners finish their degrees by teaching them academic writing skills.
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computer Cbest Writing
Discussion in ' Basic Skills Tests ' started by Calif , Sep 8, 2014 .

Calif New Member
Sep 8, 2014
What's the text size of typing essay on the computer? When to stop typing? Approximately 500 words mean how many paragraphs needs to type? I know standard paragraphs 5 . But paper I have an idea. How about computer? When I seeing cbest practice essay no way to type , just allow us to take printout then write on it! So no way to practice. But word document I tried many times. Real time in in computerized exam if any one done before how was it? reply me if anyone knows, I appreciate your time!

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TeacherGroupie Moderator
Take a look at the sample essays in the practice test on the CBEST prep materials Web page: each of the essays that earned a 3 has fewer than 300 words. The test's text window shows a running word count. It will allow you to cut, copy, and paste text, but there's neither spelling check nor grammar check. You'll have four hours, whether you take one section, two, or all three; when you pay for CBEST, you specify which of the three sections you will take on the test date you're paying for. Many test takers spread CBEST out over several test dates, so in effect they get eight to twelve hours for the three sections rather than just four hours.

Professor Chaos Rookie
That's a good question! I hope someone might know the answer....
Woah, that was weird....We posted at the same time.
*grinning* Happy to oblige, Prof!
Sep 9, 2014
Thx for your time..
Calif, try composing your essays in email. The text window of most email clients - either Web-based or not - is pretty close to the text window offered by the test software, especially if you turn off spelling and grammar checking. Am I correct in guessing that your first language isn't English?
Sep 11, 2014
You got it!!! Yeah, now I came with an conclusion, as long as typing. 500 words or 520 words per essay, time will be enough to finish it.. Thx ..

Ms.Blank Companion
I took my CBEST back in April. I forget how many words the prompt told me to use, I want to say around 300? I felt that was really short, but I kept it at just over 300 (I wanted to follow directions!). I'm sure more words would have been better (good for you, practicing with the 500!). I got a 3 on the writing portion with my ~300 word essays (there are two of them). As for the actual "score" that counts towards your 123 score (is it 123? I forget already :lol , I scored WELL over passing. You've got this! Good luck!
500 words is usually overkill, frankly.
Sep 12, 2014
Multitudinous, u might be right. Since quality is important than quantity! Remember, is"and "was" also count as a word by computer. So making 500 words are not that much killing for native English speakers.
If it's any consolation, Calif, I know of plenty of native speakers of English who struggle with writing CBEST-style essays. The point is not the word count. It's writing something that exhibits enough of the features that the scorers want to see (which it pleases the CBEST makers to name as rhetorical force, organization, support and development, usage, structure and conventions, and appropriateness) to convince the scorers that you know what an essay is and could produce a better one if you had more time. Again, have a look at the sample essays via the link I gave above.

katfzl Rookie
Sep 14, 2014
So when I registered for the cbest I registered for all 3 parts to be taken the same day. Are you saying that I should have registered separately because I would have been given 4 hours to finish just my math had I separated the tests? (That's the area of concern).
I'll put it this way, katfzl: that's one approach. With the paper-based test, one simply takes whichever section(s) one was taking and the other(s) simply doesn't get scored. Of course, one also waits two whole months to retake. Things work a little different with the computer-based version. If you're a reasonably strong writer and taker of basic reading-comprehension tests, however, you might see if you can squeeze the reading and essay sections into two hours or less - it's quite doable, by the way - so you'll have the other two hours for the 50 math questions.
Oct 27, 2014
Is it going to be clear which essay is the analytical and which one is the personal? In the practice test, it doesn't seem clear to me.
The analytical essay is the issue that typically affects others and that can be argued yea or nay. The personal essay is the one that hits closer to home and invites a less categorical response.
So one should use "I" in the personal essay, but not the analytical?
Depends. If you yourself have apposite personal experience to cite, then "I" is fine for that experience, especially if it would make less sense if you tried not to cast it as yours. The pronoun to be chary of, except in quotations, is "you" - to be precise, the generic "you" that you-specific avoided in typing "So one should use..."
Yes, I knew not to use you. Thanks!
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CBEST Writing Examples: Test Questions, Tips, and Dates 2023
The CBEST Writing exam is a critical step in achieving your goal of becoming a teacher in California. It assesses your writing abilities and is mandatory for obtaining a teaching certificate. To give yourself the best chance of passing, it's important to start preparing now. Don't miss this opportunity to take your career to the next level, read on to learn more about the test and how to prepare for it effectively.
The page will include the following:
- What is the CBEST Writing Exam?
- CBEST Writing Examples .
How Is Your Writing Evaluated?
- CBEST Writing Tips .
- CBEST Writing Test Dates .
- How to Practice for the writing section of the CBEST?
Let’s dive in.

If you are looking for a different test, or are not sure which test is relevant for your position, please contact us , and we will do our best to ensure you get the most accurate preparation for your upcoming assessment.
What Is CBEST Writing Exam?
The CBEST writing exam consists of two sections that measure your writing ability. The first topic asks you to analyze a situation or statement. The second section asks you to describe an experience you have had.
Test Instructions
Make sure you address all of the points raised in the initial paragraph and only write about the topics presented. Use specific examples to support generalizations. Take the time to read the content of the paragraph before you start writing, and build a mental plan in your mind.
Write an original response, without copying or paraphrasing anyone else's or some other work.
The responses you provide will not require any specialized knowledge.
How Long is the CBEST Writing Test?
The length of the CBEST writing section is 1 hour and 30 minutes.
CBEST Writing Examples and Topics
To practice read the following CBEST essay writing examples and topics and choose some for practice, the test will include a time limit so give yourself about 45 minutes to write an appropriate essay.
Writing example 1: Are you in agreement or disagreement with the following statement? Dogs are man's best friends. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Writing example 2: It has been said, "The key to success is to stop talking and start doing." Compare and contrast success gained from correct planning and consulting with other people with success gained from doing the work. In your opinion, which strategy is more important? Why?
Writing example 3: "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant." Do you agree or disagree with the quotation above? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your position.
Writing example 4: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I will remember. Involve me and I learn". Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Writing example 5: Learning about the past has no value for those of us living in the present. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Writing example 6: Which habit is most important to be successful in today's world? Choose one skill and use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.
Writing example 7: What are the important characteristics of a good father or mother? Over time, have these qualities changed in your culture or remained the same? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Writing example 8: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? "In this life, we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love." Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.
Writing example 9: There are many people who prefer to work for themselves or own their own businesses. Others prefer to be employed by someone else. Is it more appealing to you to be self-employed or work for someone else? Break down your decision into specific points.
In order to determine the score for the CBEST Writing Score Scale, the following characteristics of written performance are evaluated.
Rhetorical Force: How clearly the central idea or point of view is expressed; the coherence of the writer's argument.
Organization: The author's logical flow of ideas and the clarity of his or her writing.
Support and Development: The quality, depth, and specificity of supporting information.
Usage: How carefully and precisely the words are chosen in the writing.
Structure and Conventions: A writer's ability to avoid errors in syntax, paragraph structure, sentence structure, and mechanics (e.g., spelling, punctuation, capitalization).
Appropriateness: The writer's approach to the topic and the way language and style fit the audience and purpose.
CBEST Writing Tips
The CBEST Test has a scoring system that ranks each essay from 1-4. A "4" is a well-written essay that effectively communicates a whole message to the intended audience.
To communicate your message effectively keep in mind the following tips:
- Clearly present a central idea or point of view while maintaining focus on that topic.
- Writing outline - Arrange your Ideas or points of discussion in a logical way, and state their meaning clearly.
- Make sure you don't make generalizations without supporting them with relevant, specific, and detailed arguments.
- Be precise, careful, and accurate in your use of words.
- Build coherent paragraphs by composing sentences of syntactic complexity and variety.
- Use language and style appropriate for the given audience and purpose when forming your response, and make sure it addresses the topic fully.
CBEST Writing Test Dates
You can set a date for your CBEST writing test through the following Pearson Vue link. Fill in the location closest to your home and a suitable date, and it will show you the closest test centers.
If you're interested in online proctoring here are the official dates for 2023

How to Practice for the Writing Section of the CBEST?
Prior to the exam, write at least three or four full practice essays. Choose writing prompts formats that are similar to the one you might receive on the CBEST, rather than just writing samples about anything you want.
There will be very specific criteria that examiners will be looking for, so even if you're an excellent writer, you should make sure you're able to write in the way they expect.
Go over the 'how is your writing evaluated' section and make sure you cover all the key parameters.
Is the CBEST writing test hard?
The difficulty of the CBEST writing test can vary for different individuals. Some may find it challenging due to poor writing skills or familiarity with the test format, while others may have an easier time with proper preparation and practice. Ultimately, it is subjective and can depend on the individual's abilities and level of preparation.
What is the average CBEST writing score?
The writing section scores range between 4 and 16, and they are scaled to provide a more accurate representation of the student's performance, with an average range of 20 to 80.
Related Teacher Prep Pages
- Full guide to the CBEST Test
- CBEST Reading Practice Test
- CBEST Math Practice Test

IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
CBEST Type 1 Essay Question: Strategies & Sample · Address the question in the introductory paragraph · use topic sentences with transition words and phrases to
CBEST WRITING PREPARATION GUIDE. HOW TO PASS CBEST WRITING. SIMPLE HAPPY LEARNING Thank you for watching this video with the Simple Happy
How to Prepare for CBEST Writing · Allocate 5-10 minutes at the beginning of each essay to read the prompt and outline the response. · Use scratch paper or the
Our body of the essay will consist of three paragraphs, about 100 words each. If you know an exact number to shoot for in each paragraph, your life becomes a
You got it!!! Yeah, now I came with an conclusion, as long as typing. 500 words or 520 words per essay, time will be enough to finish it.
The effort to complete the course was concidered enough to pass. Score Point 1. Learning takes a long time. It requires good motivation the part of the teacher
Your total CBEST score was obtained by adding your scaled scores for the Reading, Mathematics, and Writing sections. If you have retaken sections.
Tip 1: Clarify the Focus of the Writing Subtest · Your ability to express a clear position or focus · Your ability to write about your topic by using relevant
No outside knowledge is required! • Reading passages vary in length ranging from one or two sentences to 200 words. • Questions will come from
How Long is the CBEST Writing Test? The length of the CBEST writing section is 1 hour and 30 minutes. CBEST Writing Examples and Topics. To practice read