Advising Information

The CSET consists of three subtests. The first subtest is Algebra/Number Theory, and the second subtest is Geometry/Statistics; and passing these two subtests will establish subject matter competency for a "Foundational Level" mathematics credential, which authorizes the holder to teach through Algebra II. There is also a third subtest (Calculus/History of Mathematics), and passing this subtest (in addition to passing the other two) provides subject matter competency for the full mathematics credential.

The CSET is offered 6 times each year, and each subtest costs $70. In addition, the subtests can be taken one at a time, and doing it this way allows the test taker to have 5 hours for each subtest. The website for the CSET (www.cset.nesinc.com, and specifically for math at www.cset.nesinc.com/PDFs/CS_mathematics_SMR.pdf and www.cset.nesinc.com/CS_testguide_Mathopener.asp) gives detailed information about what is covered on the subtests, and gives sample questions. In addition, registration for the subtests can be done online.

A student who understands Math 35 and Math 102 should have enough background to pass subtest I; a student who understands Math 121 and Stat 1 should have enough background to pass subtest II; and a student who understands Math 30, Math 31, and Math 190 should have enough background to pass subtest III.

Students who pursue a minor in mathematics, taking Math 30, 31, 35, 102, 121, 190 should have enough background to pass all three subtests of the CSET.

UC Irvine offers a free online prep course, and some of my students have found that it is helpful. The link is: http://ocw.uci.edu/courses/

For the last four years, courses that focused on the mathematical content of subtests I and II were offered at CSUS, and these courses are scheduled to be offered again beginning in February of 2012. If you are interested in taking either of these courses, please contact me (the prerequisite for these courses is that you have a good understanding of precalculus, and a willingness to do a lot of mathematics)

A book that contains many of the topics covered on the CSET is "The Mathematics That Every Secondary School Math Teacher Needs to Know" by Sultan and Artzt

In addition, I am copying below suggestions that have been given to me from some who have successfully passed one or more of the subtests

-Download the three CSET sample exams to better understand the required areas of proficiency
-Work through the problems in "Ultimate Math Refresher" from Lighthouse Review, and the "High School Review Math I" from The Princeton Review
-Work through the problems in "Statistics for the Utterly Confused" from McGraw-Hill
-Work through the problems in the CSET study guides published by the Orange County Department of Education

Other texts that may be helpful are the following:

For Algebra/Number Theory:
Elementary Linear Algebra, by Anton
An Introduction to the Theory of Numbers, by Harold Stark
Exploring the Real Numbers, by Stevenson
Transition to Advanced Mathematics, by Smith, Eggen, ...

For Geometry/Statistics
Geometry, by Harold Jacobs
Roads to Geometry, by Wallace and West
Any introductory Statistics book

For Calculus/History of Mathematics
Any Calculus text
The History of Mathematics, by Burton