Hello fellow teachers! I am writing tonight to report I finally passed CSET MS Subtest 2 after multiple tries. I am in absolute shock. It has been a long journey and extremely embarassing and demoralizing that I had to keep re-taking this test. I have my Bachelors and Masters degree and am accomplished in my career so I am not used to failing. I had a lot of other obstacles going on in my life in preparation for this test, so that didn't help either. With that said, I want to offer advice/help to anyone still struggling with this or any of the CSET tests. I am serious when I say I completely lost ALL HOPE. I had to keep pushing because I really want to teach the kids, it is my passion. So, if I can do it, you can do it definitely! I passed with +++ in both Science and Math but didn't do so hot on Constructed Response. Here's how I did it: 1) Cliff Notes CSET Multiple Subjects with CD Rom 3rd edition. Buy this book on Amazon. Trust me it's worth it. I have bought ALL of the study guides, trust me on this, and this is the best one. This should not be your only source however, but the questions in this book and on the CD-Rom are pretty much the closest you should get to the real test questions. Learn the content in the text and do the practice tests in the text. Then spend most of your time doing the practice tests on the CD- Rom as they are GOLD. The Constructed Response tests on this CD Rom don't work (they are outdated or something when I contacted Tech support) which is annoying but this book is still worth it. The 4th edition of this book is coming out in May, 2017 so for those of you waiting til late Spring or Summer to take your CSET, it might be worth waiting for the 4th edition as I understand it is better aligned with Common Core. 2) Master the CSET Practice Test on the CTC Website. The questions on this practice test are pretty good. Not as close as the Cliffs Notes are to the real thing but you should know this content definitely. 3) Hire a tutor like I did! My recommendation is Linnea Lindquist. Inbox me and I will send you the website as it is not allowing me to post it.. Linnea specifically gives workshops for the CSET in San Diego county. She knows how the tests are designed and how to beat them. She will assess what you know and what you don't know and explain concepts to you in a way you will understand and remember. She understands how the CSET test is designed. She will not give up and will support you no matter what. Even though she is in San Diego County, she can tutor anyone, anywhere online. (I am in Northern California for instance). She tutored me on a Skype-type session once, and then the rest we communicated via email. She did not give up on me and helped me more than anything. She is reasonably priced and completely worth it! 4) Register for a CSET Prep class with the Monterey COE/San Diego COE. So this class is very aligned with Common Core and is completely online. You can take a class for one Subtest or all of the Subtests. Its basically a collection of videos and content on the content for your test. However, it is WAY better than anything you will find on YouTube. There are County of Education experts who know whats on the CSET and how it is designed. The videos and content introduced are designed to help you understand and master content on the actual test. Again, this is a completely online class and absolutely worth it. The content in this class is different and more informative than YouTube Videos and reflects exactly what you will see on the test. Go for it! The combination of these 4 things is what allowed me to pass. I definitely recommend all of them and I wish I did it sooner. Unfortunately, I waited until I failed Subtest 2 multiple times to make the commitment to these 4 resources. But when I used them, they worked! Good luck! -Sabrina
Congratulations on passing! I am preparing to take all three subtests in May (taking them each on different days) and I am so nervous about passing. I have the Cliff Notes book and have been reviewing material each night. I feel confident in my abilities but I have read so many mixed reviews saying that this test is super difficult! I am already preparing myself with the idea that I may have to retake it. Does anyone know if you have to pay the same test fee to retake it? Or does it cost just as much? I paid $99 for each test. Thanks for any help and good luck to you all!
Thank you! Yes, each time you take the test you pay the same test fee. So multiole tries gets pretty expensive. I highly recommend my tutor and that online class in addition to Cliffs notes. It is worth it in the long run.
Absolutely! I want to save you the trouble I went through taking this test over and over again. I passed Subtests 1 and 3 on my first try with not a whole lot of studying. As a result, it made me "overconfident" and that was not a good thing. The amount of money I spent on repeats of Subtest 2 still makes my stomach boil. My tutor was around $90 and the class with the Monterey/San Diego COE online was like $40 but it both were such an incredible GodSend. It would have been the smarter thing to do for me to swallow these costs after the first time I did not pass it. Instead I waited until there was no other hope and my confidence was completely in the toilet. I still have to take the RICA and I decided instead of doing it my way that I am going to have my tutor prepare me for this test so I can knock it out and pass it the first time.
Wow! Congrats on passing! Im about to take cset ms subtest 2 and its way to much information to retain. I remember it and couple days later it's a blank! ugh,... Im taking the test this Saturday. Ive studied for months here and there when I can. I have a one year old and a 12 year old, so I'm pretty busy when not working. I bought the Cliff Notes and yes, they are very close to the questions on the real test but I also studied on my own. If I don't pass this time, I will need to hire a tutor and attend some sort of workshop.The price to take these are ridiculous.
I'm feeling very nervous about taking the CSET subtest 2. How did it go? I know that you got the new version of the test... What should I study for in particular? Everything is just so overwhelming...
Welcome to A to Z, megalex, and hugs. Have you taken CBEST yet? If so, how did you do in math and reading?
I have taken the CBEST and passed first time. I did okay in both math and reading. I'm just very concerned about the geometry and short response questions for the math and science
Could I please have information on regards to linnea lindquist? Trying to pass subtest 2 only have 1 more shot to pass to get admitted into student teaching..last shot.please help.
Hi, I would love to email you or get in touch with you about your experience. But it doesn't let me send you a direct message. I'm also trying to get a hold of your tutor but can't seem to find her. Any other suggestions? Looking forward to speaking with you!
I need help in constructed response subtest-2. This is the 6th time I took a test and I couldn't. I got 4, 4 stars in multiple choices but writing response I messed up. To do my summer term, and to go to the 2nd term I should clear this in next one attempt at least to get ready for the summer term.I took help from Linnea and I did pretty well in multiple.Suggestions plz Next test date is in the first week of Feb. my email id: saintlypolitics@gmail.com Thanks
Hi Everyone! I wanted to report that after many tries I passed the CSET subtest 2! I had been so discouraged by this subtest and found that Sabrina's post was the encouragement and resources that I needed. I enrolled in the recommended online class, got in contact with her tutor, and used the cliff notes book as a resource. I highly recommend using Linnea the tutor. She was very helpful and offers so many resources. I want to encourage those not to give up! I was so frustrated and upset with this test but continued to persevere. All three of these things is what helped me pass. I was also lucky to have my grandpa tutor me. Finding someone that can take the time to go over the material with you can make all the difference. I hope this helps and good luck to everyone!
Congrats! Do you have any advice on the science portion for the MS part? I struggle with the constructed response. For instance I hear you need to use certain vocabulary. Is there a site or book to help?Thanks
Chadni27, am I correct in inferring that you've taken Subtest II at least once? If so, what diagnostics are you seeing on your score report(s), and how close are you coming to a passing score?
math was good I feel better than science was. However, have the new standards made the science portion completely different? Is there any site we can use? I almost feel as though the cliff notes book isn't as updates to these new science standards. Thanks
Completely different? No. But one of the aims of the Next Generation Science Standards is to get people thinking in terms of how various systems connect and affect each other. For instance, the rock cycle and the water cycle look and operate differently in most ways, but erosion/weathering and runoff are where they meet. And an astonishing range of biological processes can best be explained in terms of physics and/or chemistry.
Hi Sabrina, It's great that you passed your exams. May I ask how was subtest 3? I've been doing a lot of review but I'm nervous about it and my retake on subtest 2. Any words of encouragement? I'm about to graduate with my B.A and I really desire to pass but its been frustrating.
Hi Everyone, I'm taking the CSET subtest 3 and retake on subtest 2. Can any of you guys describe if its easy or difficult? I've been doing my best with studying and just feeling discourage from the first try. Any words of encouragement?
I just got back my results for subset 2. The math and science multiple choice weren’t hard for me but the written response can be tricky. I just got back my results and didn’t pass by 2 points. I’m tryong to get it re-evaluated but who knows probably have to take it again.
I got **** in Math and *** in science and didn’t do so well in the written response and I didn’t pass by 2 points :-(
I am retaking my Subtest 2 and I got only + in my constructed response. Overall I done okay in multiple choice. Perla I think I would be interested in the online tutor you referred to. Thanks for your advice.
Hi Sabrina, Could you tell me more about this online class and how registration work? I just signed up for this class yesterday and now waiting for approval before making a payment? Do you know how long it typically takes for them to approve my registration and what happens next?
It usually takes a couple days but doesn’t it end June 30th? I’m waiting to sign up for the next session.
Hi could I also get that tutors information please? I’m taking subtest 2 for the second time tomorrow, but I would like to use her to prep for all the subtests as I have missed passing subtest 1 and 3 by 4 points now. Thank you so much!
Hello guys, It feels comforted knowing that i am not alone in this situation. Like many of you, I got +++ on both sections of the multiple choice and + on constructed reponse. For the constructed response, I usually get "k" for 3 boxes and a checkmark for one box. Overall scores typically is 218, 219. i have been attempting and failing subtest 2 seven times. Yes, it is correct. SEVEN times. I have been using Cliff notes, downloaded practice test from CTC website, in an online prep course from Teacherprep as well but no avail . i have come to a self-relization that if i do not CSET MS 2 after getting in touch with a tutor. I would let go... Anyway, i have been in able to get in touch with Linnea. Contact me so i can pass on her info. In the meantime, let's just keep trying guys..
I know this is an old post, but I am wondering how many plus signs you got on the constructed responses to pass? Worried about my outcome over here!
Hello All, Can someone please PM me the tutor's contact information. It would be greatly appreciated.
