Hello! So, I have taken both subtests two times already, failed, and can't seem to understand what I am doing wrong. I was just told I shouldn't take both on the same sitting. So, that was my first mistake. I feel like I need to try a new study method. None of the books online have been helping. There's questions on there I have NO idea where I would even find the answers for them. I was wondering if anyone would like to start a study group? Or give me any advice on better ways to study. I heard YouTube videos might help. I am on a deadline to pass the CSET, and am even on hold in my credential program because of this. I am seriously stressing over it! Please help! Thank you
Hello, would you be able to get together and help me study? I can't seem to pass and am freaking out!! I will pay you to tutor me! I take my test in sept. Please message me! Thanks so much
Ashwee, I feel your pain and frustration. I passed on my first go round, but I am convinced that I lucked out on drawing just the right grader for my written responses. Teachergroupie recommends, and I concur, to read the report for clues to where you are weak. I can only repeat what I stated before: Annotated Mona Lisa, dig through Google for valuation, aesthetics, etc... Use the suggestions for constructed response: it's not an essay, bullet points work. I used unusual work for breadth: charcoal drawing, cartoon/commercial art and theatrical set construction, (this one worried me, however I selected a set that was more sculpture like and abstract, rather than conventional.) My breadth was painting, I showed a progression from famous artist inspired pieces to original work. Oils through to acrylic. I went into depth on what inspired me to copy styles, what period hallmarks I was attempting to emulate, etc.. my 3rd and final was original, but I remarked that I was channeling my inner Fauvism and cubism...which I was. I would like to help you more than this, but not sure what you need to improve upon. Your score report will give you hints...
What areas are you struggling in? I just took the test earlier this year and passed. I found that for all essay portions, knowing elements and principles down cold was most important. For practice, I did all the essay questions on the practice exam and tried to incorporate vocabulary words used in the glossary of 'need to know words'. I read quite a bit: annotated Mona lisa, art teachers book of lists, how to look at modern art, short guide to writing about art...
Hi there, I'm scheduled to take the CSET in Art (both subtests on the same day) in December. I feel somewhat confident in my knowledge of art history (I have a Masters in Theater, and a lot of the history aligns, as evidenced by my doing quite well on several practice tests). I am still studying, of course, so far with several of the books recommended here (thank you, folks). Where I'm not so confident is in the elements and principles area. Many on this forum have suggested having those down, which I understand. All sources seem to agree on the Elements of Art, so that's easy. But even in my cursory research, I have already discovered three vastly different lists for Principles. They all include Rhythm, Balance, and Movement (and two of the three include Contrast). But one list I found also includes Proportion, Gradation, Harmony, and Variety. Another focuses instead on Unity and Pattern, but doesn't include Contrast (or Proportion, Gradation, Harmony, and Variety). Should I just pick a list, or is one more "correct" than the others? Thanks for any guidance.
Let me give you a utilitarian answer: You're taking CSET Art, so start with the list of principles in the subject matter requirements/subtest descriptions. I cribbed this from the Subtest I subtest description: The boldfacing is mine. That "e.g." in point 1 indicates that other design principles are possible, and as a teacher you may find you want to add some from the list or swap some out. But the scorers are looking less for a specific set of design principles than for evidence that the test takers understand what the concept "design principle" refers to and why it matters. That is, two different test takers presented with the same artwork could perfectly easily focus on different design principles and come up with two answers that, on the face of it, wouldn't look similar - and, as long as each of them can justify her choices with evidence based on the elements in each artwork, the scorers will be happy. You might also want to have a look at the state visual and performing arts framework, which spells out the content standards on which CSET Art is based; you can download it for free at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/cf/allfwks.asp. Look for references to the design principles there.
Thank you for the thoughtful answer. Your second paragraph explains very well what I had hoped/suspected might be the case. I'm going with the set of posters an art teacher in my district uses in his classroom: Unity, Contrast, Rhythm, Movement, Pattern, Balance, and Emphasis. These make sense to me, and I'm confident I can use them in my answers. Thanks again!
You're welcome. Spend a little time thinking about how the state's list maps onto your list: that way, if a state term that isn't on your list shows up in a multiple-choice question, you'll know what to do with it.
I am in need of some good advice! I have passed CSET 1 but I have taken CSET subtest 2 - two times and did not pass. The first time I missed by 12 points, the second time by 8 points. I have been following the thread and cannot figure out where I can find the information needed. I was weak the first time on my constructed responce because I ran out of time. I practiced for weeks to improve and felt confident when leaving. Teacher groupie (and friends) can you look at my scores and help me figure out where to go to study? First try at subtest 2: Creative expression: +++ Connections: ++ History and theory: ++++ Constructed responce 1 (p, k) 2 ( p) 3 (passed) 4 (p, k) Second try subtest 2: Creative expression: ++ Connections: +++ History and theories: ++++ Constructive responses : 1, 2, 3, passed 4 (k) I guess my question is, how is it that I improved by passing 3 out of 4 constructive responce and still not pass? I am frustrated however that both #4 responce were about dance and I thought I had answered all of the questions. Where would you recommend I study?
Hugs, Art lover. Your scaled score on the second try improved by four points, you improved from ++ to +++ in multiple choice Connections, and you improved in all four constructed responses. On the other hand, your multiple choice performance in Creative Expression dropped from +++ to ++: if that domain accounts for very many of the multiple choice questions, it could account for you not amassing quite enough points to pass. I should add that a checkmark on a given constructed response doesn't mean that the test taker aced the question but rather that the test taker's performance in purpose, knowledge, and support (and, where appropriate, depth) was adequate. It is possible to earn a checkmark without picking up all three or four available raw points on a response. Have you worked through the state content standards and framework in visual and performing arts (www.cde.ca.gov/ci/vp/cf/index.asp)?
I found the content standards pdf in a response you had given to someone else. It is the one that has an illustrated purple cover? 294 pages? I posted this in the wrong thread but it wont let me delete it just edit sorry if it doesn't make sense here.
There are two docs. The content standards doc is, yes, the large pdf with the purple cover: it lays out what it is that students in a given grade are expected to know and be able to do about art. The state is still using that 2001 edition, though I believe a revision is in the works. The frameworks doc is a larger pdf with a person wielding a paintbrush on the cover. The publication date is 2004. As I noted in the other thread, the frameworks doc puts some flesh on the relatively bare skeleton that is the content standards.
Hi guys, I'm taking both tests in Dec. I'm pretty nervous, but I've been studying (largely based on what I've read here!). Forgive me if this is obvious, but do both subtests have multiple choice questions and written responses, or is that just subtest 1, and subtest 2 is specifically responses about the portfolio?
Each subtest has 50 multiple choice questions and four constructed responses. The General Information doc for CSET Art, which is the first item on the preparation-materials page and easily the most frequently not-noticed, lays out the subtest's structures: Subtest I's domains - Aesthetic valuing: 20 multiple choice questions, 1 extended (longer) response - Historical and cultural context of the visual arts: 15 multiple choice questions, 1 short response - Artistic perception: 15 multiple choice questions, 1 focused response (written), 1 short response (drawing-based) Subtest II's domains - Creative Expression: 30 multiple choice questions, 1 extended response on portfolio concentration, 1 short response on portfolio breadth, one short answer (drawing-based) - Connections, Relationships, and Applications: 10 multiple choice questions, 1 short response - History and Theories of Learning in Art: 10 multiple choice questions, no constructed response
I passed both tests! Thank you TeacherGroupie, and everyone else that posted helpful advice in this thread! I am so happy, and so relieved!
Just passed CSET Art Subtest 1! Phew!! I'm planning to use Fluid Acrylic Painting as my concentration, and BW Photography, Pencil Drawing, Pastel Drawing for my Breadth requirement. Any thoughts? Thanks so much for your help!
Pencil and pastel are both types of drawing. Use one, or use both as drawing, but I think you'll find it difficult to sell the idea that they're different enough to count as distinct areas for breadth. Have you got anything that doesn't involve pushing fluids or solids around a two-dimensional surface?
glassgirl maybe you can answer my question since you took the test very recently(or if anyone else knows that would be very helpful) the form that is submitted with the portfolio asks for an ID number that is also supposed to be written on the back of the photos- where do we get that? My test is Friday and I haven't been able to figure that out or get through to the help number from the test website.
It's probably your test taker ID number. If you got an email confirming your enrollment/registration, it's likely to be in that.
I went back and looked at my CBEST there is an ID # there that is also in my registration for the CSET referred to as an ID # I think that is what it must be. In the sample form there is a number with dashes in it and the number I have has none so it worried me that I didn't know what my number was but I am pretty sure it is the only number I have been given anywhere referred to as my ID #
I don't know if its the same number for the CBEST, so I'd look around and see if you can confirm its the same number attached to the CSET somewhere- either in an e-mail or in your account on the site. Sorry I can't be more specific, I remember worrying about the same thing, and I just checked everything.
I've been lurking this thread for a week or so now and I have a few questions. so I'm taking the test in March, I'm not sure what I should be studying. I bought the Annotated Mona Lisa and I've been following the Art Subject Matter Requirements from the CSET website. I am not too worried about the portfolio. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should be studying? I've heard that the study guide is of no help. I'm not completely sure if I'm studying the right material. Also, if you have any tips that would really help.
Pearson returned my email and confirmed the ID. It is the same ID number on my CBEST and emailed with the CSET registration info. Once you are in the system it seems like the ID remains attached to you. Thank you for responding!
A few art teachers at one of the schools where I am working told me the most important thing is the Elements of Art and Principles of Design that you can apply that in all the constructed response questions. I am taking it tomorrow. I have searched through this forum over the last several months and there are lots of tips on what to study. If you go to youtube and search the phrase:cset art preparation. there are some good playlists on there. I have just been searching any materials,mediums, art history I am not familiar with from the practice test plus anything else I can find. I will have to let you know after tomorrow how useful it all was Teacher Groupie in this forum has also given helpful links and tips if you search the handle + cset art you should get a lot of useful info.
Hi everyone! What a great thread this is. I am taking the test in March and I am looking at the portfolio requirements now. I am thinking oil paint for my concentration and then photography (Does this need to be highly edited or would some documentary style photos work?), drawing and printmaking (either drypoint or woodcut - possibly mixed media). Is that varied enough?
Welcome to A to Z, Mcoit. You ask a good question. My cautious guess is that I *think* you'd be fine - but that it would be a very good idea to imagine that someone friendly but determined is challenging you on how different these really are and to spend some time mulling over how you could respond.
I used macro photography for my breadth and I am also using oil painting for the concentration. The manual gives an example of sufficient breadth where oil painting is the concentration and ceramics, digital photography and drawing are the breadth. I would imagine woodcut is comparable to a drawing. If you have anything 3 dimensional that might round it out a bit more. I just took it yesterday so I can't say much for how they scored me.
also as far as editing I edit my nature photography very minimally-cropping and minor contrast editing but did describe how I did it in lightroom and the rationale behind the editing choices I made
there is a series from PBS on youtube called Art Assignment. It was very useful to brush up on a variety of things from land art, installation art, a little art history etc It helped me on the test. Do everything in the practice test it is a good model for what is expected. Know art periods and the social circumstances around them, study any art mediums you may not know about, memorize the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. Look into theorists on art education. Pretty sure there could be any era of art everyone's experience will be different to because our areas of interest in art history may be different. My favorites are surrealism, pre-Raphaelite, Dutch Masters, Renaissance, book illustration so if the questions were those I could do quite well but not so much if it is abstract expressionism, formalism, performance art etc my knowledge is surface level and only includes the most famous works in those areas. I would think of it as knowing the art movements through out history and what motivated them then you can make an educated guess if someone is mentioned you don't know. It tells you in the prep materials to know about indigenous art, that would be worth looking into. Really you could get asked about any artist from anywhere in the world I am assuming everyone's test questions are not identical some may come down to luck as far as if you know who they are or not. I think best advice is study the underlying concepts in different genres/eras and you will be able to apply it to any art you're shown and select the best answer. I just did it yesterday and really found subtest II more manageable it was more to do with making art and that is the area I am more interested in process, materials describing my own work. Take the questions on the portfolio and attempt to at least make a list of what you will say about your work so you are not entirely improvising on the spot(unless that brings out your best writing but for me I do better having made a list and thought it out). Okay before I write a novel I will wrap this up. I hope that this helps you the studying process made me feel very lost and nervous.
Hugs, Liz. I tend to be cautious about this sort of thing, but from your description of your process and your responses I'm optimistic on your behalf. CSET scorers tend to look kindly on what we could rather flippantly call "intelligent BS", by which I mean the answer that one doesn't actually know but that one supports using the terminology and principles and processes of the field. The test taker who's faced with, say, a mask from Senegal can get pretty far by analyzing it in terms of design principles, the elements of visual art, and the interplay of two-dimensional vs. three-dimensional processes and products.
Does it really take until the release date, for me that would be 6 weeks, or is it possible I will find out earlier if I passed? I saw something mentioned about finding out before receiving official results. It is going to be so hard to wait until March to find out.
Hi TeacherGroupie, I've been following this post since I began studying for my CSETs. I passed the Subtest 1 with high scores, and I'm taking the Subtest II in February. After reading this thread, I'm worried that my choice of media may not be considered broad enough. For my concentration I'm submitting 3 abstract watercolors from a body of work that evolved over time. For my breadth, I was planning to submit one assemblage/sculpture piece, one ink and crayon drawing, and one collage. The collage is mostly cut paper from magazine imagery, but I did draw a teeny bit onto it with pencil. Is this enough to make them disqualify it as a drawing? Should I submit a digital color photograph instead?
BTW, Thank you for sharing your experience, here, it has been very supportive and helpful along the way!
Bear in mind first that I am not associated with Pearson or with grading CSET Art: what you get here is my educated guesses. With that said, ProcessGirl, I think your breadth and depth choices are fine. Just think about how your sculpture/assemblage makes different demands in approach and process than does your collage (the bit of line drawing might actually help), and make sure that some sense of those differences leaks into your constructed response.
