1. CSET Orientation Webinar Multiple Subjects

2. Welcome! Kaelan Connella
Title: Associate, Onboarding & Experience Design
Undergrad: UC Berkeley; English major
A little about me: this is my 4th year on staff; previously worked for Communities In Schools of LA and 3 Sylvan Learning Centers.
This is a picture of me. I work as the associate of onboarding and experience design for the Los Angeles regional team, which basically means I help onboard our Los Angeles corps members. I majored in English at UC Berkeley, and am in the middle of my 4th year on staff. My role is very similar to those in our other California regions so If you’re a San Diego corps member, you’re working with Lauren, if you’re in Sacramento you’re working with Lydia and Omar, and if you’re in Los Angeles you’re working with me and Kathryn Anderson.

3. CSET Basics
The CSET is the subject-specific content area exam required for all new teachers in the state of California
How many subtests are in the CSET?
The Multiple Subjects CSET is comprised of 3 subtests. When registering for the exam, make sure you sign for all 3 subtests.
Where do I take the test?
The Multiple Subjects CSET is a computer based test that is offered at Pearson Vue Testing Centers around the country.
Why so much focus on the CSET?
The CSET is the most rigorous exam that new teachers must take.
What is the CSET exactly. The CSET is the content-area aligned exam to demonstrate subject matter competency. For the Multiple Subjects CSET, there are 3 subtests, so make sure you sign up for ALL 3, which means you must pass all 3 subtests in order to pass the exam as a whole. The CSET is the most rigorous exam that teachers must take.

4. Why is the CSET Important?

5. CSET = your pathway to students
This will ultimately lead you to your kids, which is why you joined in the first place! So there’s a pretty tangible goal at the end of this path so it’s important to keep in mind, as well as the reasons why you are excited to be apart of this movement and why you joined Teach For America in the first place.
Ultimately, successful passage of these tests will allow you to enter the classroom and make transformational change for your future students.

6. Why is the CSET Important?
Importance of the CSET
Passing the CSET is a requirement for all California teachers.
Your credential will not be filed and you will not be a highly qualified teacher without the CSET.
To get there, you have to meet state requirements. The CSET is a state requirement, which means that you cannot legally teach in the state of California and your credential will not be filed if you do not pass. In the eyes of the state, passing these tests makes you a highly qualified teacher, so we obviously want to help you meet these qualifications.

7. We have a deep belief in your ability to pass the CSET.
You Can Do It
We have a deep belief in your ability to pass the CSET.
While it is true that the CSET is very rigorous and nuanced, we know that that you can pass by putting in the necessary study time; in fact, study time logged is the biggest predictor of passage.
While these exams are highly rigorous, we have a deep belief in your ability to pass the CSET. If you prioritize testing and really dedicate time studying for this test, we do believe that you will pass. I can also share a little bit about what the test is not. It is not a predictor of your success as a teacher or your ability to make an impact with your kids. It is a requirement that all beginning teachers in California must fulfill and is the first step on your journey to the classroom.

8. You Can Do It
The hardest part was, of course, starting to study! I went to a Starbucks and ordered a big frappuccino and opened the practice exam. I knew it would stress me out, but I also knew that starting later would stress me out even more. Although I got many problems wrong at first, I enjoyed being able to correct my mistakes, and I knew that if I started early enough, learning new material would not be too daunting. – Jose Limon (LA ’15)
“Spend an hour during your lunch or breaks once a day, that way you don't crunch all the information in on a weekend. Make sure to cover all areas that you scored low on in the Test Prep practice exams.” –Jennifer Espinoza (LA ‘16)
“Study! Do not underestimate the rigor of the CSET. Studying at least 60 hours really helps to accustom your brain to the material to be evaluated, and it will feel more natural at the time of taking the test.” –Alexis Carrero (LA ‘16)
Every year we ask LA corps members to offer feedback on the experience of studying and taking the exam and ONE important piece of advice for incoming corps members that they would like to have heard at this point during their own onboarding experience. Since these are folks who’ve successfully completed the onboarding process and were once in the position you’re in now, I feel like it can be even more helpful hearing from them. Some common themes you might see in the advice listed here, is to start studying as soon as possible, to break studying into chunks if you can and to really try to make it apart of your routine. I highly recommend visiting these slides again as you create your study plan.
“Make studying part of your daily routine. It can be the first thing you do when you come back from work or school, but you need to devote time everyday and practice what you learn whenever possible...”—David Palacios (LA ‘16)

9. Multiple Subjects CSET Overview
Let’s break down the actual exam. Subtest I will test reading, language, literature, history and social science. Most people do well on reading, language and literature, but history and social science can be tougher. The test isn’t necessarily difficult content-wise, but it’s a lot to memorize.
For Subtest II, science and math could be easier or more challenging for you depending on your areas of strength. If you feel more confident about reading and literature, I would focus more of your study time on this section. You’ll also want to note that there’s an equal number of questions dedicated to each of these sections, 26, so you’ll want to be prepared for each area heading into the exam.
For subtest III there are some music notation questions, phys ed questions and human development question. Here you’ll just need to spend time memorizing. If this is completely new to you or if it’s been a while since you’ve taken a course in one of these areas, I recommend spending some more time here.
Everyone is going to have an area of strength and area of growth, so I can’t really say which area is the most difficult, but I would also be sure to use your diagnostic to get a sense of what you need to focus on by looking at your answers that weren’t correct. I would also use flashcards, especially for Subtest III, and take advantage of online resources like Wikipedia, Khan Academy, Study.com, Chegg or Crashcourse World History, which have been helpful for corps members in the past.

10. Your Pathway to Success
Steps
More Info
Register for the exam
Registering well before the registration deadline will allow you to secure a testing spot at your preferred location.
Get to know the test
Visit the CSET website to download each subtest guide. These guides will detail the content that you will need to know on the exam
Take the diagnostic
Most incoming corps members will take a diagnostic to gauge areas of strength and weakness through Teachers Test Prep
Gather resources
Review the resources that are recommended by your region. Know that CSET prep books vary in quality. Some of the best resources will be found online.
Make a study plan setting aside 10 hours a week to study
Use your diagnostic results to create a detailed study plan. Block off specific times you are going to study and set objectives for each study block. Best practice – tackle the most challenging material first.
Go back to your plan/diagnostic
After studying for 3 weeks, go back to your plan and reassess. Where should you shift focus?
Keep calm and carry on…
The week before the exam, get plenty of rest, drink lots of water, and stay healthy.
Having worked with and onboarded hundreds of corps members, following these steps has proven over and over to be the most successful pathway for corps members to get to the classroom. This is a rough guideline of the steps you’ll need to take to ensure you have a successful onboarding experience. Your first step will be to register for the exam by the deadline and know where or to whom you are sending your test confirmation . Registering early will also ensure you get a good testing date and time. Second, you’ll want to visit the CSET website to download each subtest guide, which goes into the questions you’ll see on the test. Some regions work directly with teachers test prep, and some don’t, but most incoming corps members will take some kind of diagnostic to gauge where you’re areas of strength are and where are the areas that you really need to focus on. Everyone going in needs to brush up on some topics and is likely really strong in others.
We highly recommend using this diagnostic to inform your study plan. Focus on the areas that you’re less familiar with and don’t spend too much time on the areas you’ve already mastered. We recommend making a detailed study plan to block off specific times when you will study and commit to it as if it was a class or a job. So if you have a few hours every Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons between classes, schedule in some study time in your planner, Google calendar or wherever you keep track of your to-do’s. Importantly, after studying for about 3 weeks, revisit your plan and see if it’s working for you. Ask yourself if you need to change it up. Perhaps you realize that Friday night after work or classes or picking up your kids you just don’t have the level of focus and energy to study so you take some time on Sunday instead.
The week prior to the exam, I really encourage you to take care of yourself and get lots of rest and stay healthy. This is also important during study time as well. We know you have multiple commitments, whether it’s going to school, working, supporting a family, and taking time just for yourself to rejuvenate is important. Cramming information right before the exam has proven ineffective and won’t help you retain more information.

11. Harnessing Testing Anxiety
Page 2 of Harnessing Testing Anxiety – a Guide
We know taking timed, rigorous tests can be stressful! Keep in mind…
All of the steps to CSET success will help boost your confidence and alleviate stress
In addition, LA has partnered with its LA Corps mental health consultant to provide a testing anxiety guide! your region for more information and to access the guide.
We also know that testing anxiety is real and that it can be nerve-racking studying for and taking a challenging exam. This can unfortunately make it easier sometimes to avoid; however, getting an early start, breaking it up and taking advantage of resources provided can significantly reduce your stress, boost your confidence and ultimately increase your chances of passing. In LA, we’ve actually partnered with a mental health consultant who has put together a testing anxiety guide specifically for corps members. It provides some science behind anxiety as you can see from this excerpt from page 2 of the guide that shows you what’s happening in the brain, and also provides helpful tips and tricks for overcoming anxiety and feeling confident about the exam. Even if you’re not teaching in LA, your region also has access to this guide, so reach out to your region directly for more information and access to the guide.

12. Advice From Corps Members
“Write yourself handwritten outlines and have someone go through the information with you. For formulas or short facts that you have to memorize, use quizlet. PRACTICE doing the math questions.”—Hannah Jacobsen (LA ‘16)
Take as many practice tests as you can!! The questions are very similar on the test, they only change specific information (numbers and subject of the question), but the questions ask essentially the same thing.—Jazmin Rodriguez (LA ‘16)
“I didn't spend enough time reviewing the math, [e.g.] graphing”
--Molly Carmody-Vigdor (LA ‘16)
“Set your test dates a soon a possible. It really forces you to sit down and study.”—Cecy Arias (LA ‘16)
This next slide offers some feedback from LA corps members about how they studied for the exam or what it was like taking the exam itself, as well as some tips they feel helped them pass. As you can see, taking advantage of online resources, taking practice tests studying early were helpful study strategies for helpful for these current corps members. Take about 15 seconds to read these snippets of advice.

13. Advice From Corps Members
“Don't underestimate Subtest 3. It ended up being the trickiest for me. Also spend a lot of time on California History, especially if you're not from California!”—Lisa Gerstley (LA’16)
“Don't study a week before the exam. I know I am really busy and you might be too, but make time to study at least three hours a week. It'll come a long way.”—Amanda Tapia (LA ‘16)
“Spend an hour during your lunch or breaks once a day, that way you don't crunch all the information in on a weekend. Make sure to cover all areas that you scored low on in the Test Prep practice exams. Practice free response essays sooner than later!”—Jennifer Espinoza (LA ‘16)
“Be creative about studying: Don't just read and try to retain, draw pictures, graphs, timelines, etc. Meet up with people that excel in a subject area and talk through the questions with them -Develop an understanding of how the test is set up, time limits, amount of questions in each section, etc. Spend entire days on one section - Start early so you can work through the (very dense) material at a slow pace.”—Annah Pritchett (LA ‘16)
This next slide also offers advice from current corps members so take about 30 seconds to read these over.

14. CSET Testing Resources + Support
California Capital Valley:
Contact:
Los Angeles Incoming Corps Members:
Contact:
Website:
San Diego Incoming Corps Members:
Contact:
Website:
Above you will find your regional contact, and really encourage you to reach out if you have questions or concerns about testing. Again, we know this test is tough but also know you can do it. While you are the leader of your onboarding and teaching experience, staff is here to work in partnership with you to ensure you have a successful, impactful experience.

15. CSET = your pathway to students
So that was a lot of information, but keep in mind that passing this exam will bring you that much closer to realizing your vision of making a difference in kids’ lives. You may remember these ladies from the very beginning of this powerpoint, so remember to keep in mind that there’s a very real, tangible goal at the end of this path.
Ultimately, successful passage of these tests will allow you to enter the classroom in the fall and make transformational change for your future students.

16. CSET Webinar Reflections Survey: http://alturl.com/d8tz6
In order for us to gain an understanding of how you’re feeling about the exam and how
we can best support you, please take the survey below!
CSET Webinar Reflections Survey:
To close out, on behalf of all of these regions thank you for engaging in this Powerpoint! In order for us to gain an understanding of how you’re feeling about the exam and how we can best support you please take the short survey above.
Thanks and happy studying!

17. One day, all children in this nation will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.