CBST Practice Test

Key Takeaways

• The CBST (Criteria Basic Skills Test) is a critical assessment for prospective teachers in the United States.
• The CBST evaluates core academic skills, including reading comprehension, mathematics, and writing proficiency.
• Passing the CBST is a key requirement for teacher certification and licensure in many states.
• Understanding the CBST format and content is essential for effective preparation and success.
• Developing targeted strategies for CBST preparation can significantly improve performance on the test.

CBST Exam at a Glance

Facts verified Nov 9, 2026 against Criteria Corp. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.

Free Criteria Basic Skills Test Study Tools

Interactive Criteria Basic Skills Test resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:

• CBST Grammar and Punctuation 1 — 7 questions with answer explanations
• Criteria Basic Skills Test flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
• Criteria Basic Skills Test study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
• Criteria Basic Skills Test cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review

According to Criteria Corp, “The CBST is a 20-minute, 40-item test that measures basic grammar, spelling, math, and language skills.”^[1]

CBST content outline and where to practise each area

The content areas below are copied from the official CBST content outline published by Criteria Corp. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.

Worked examples: how to reason through CBST questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: Choose the sentence that uses the correct pronoun case.

1. Between you and I, the project needs more work.
2. Between you and me, the project needs more work.
3. Between you and myself, the project needs more work.
4. Between I and you, the project needs more work.

Answer: B. Between you and me, the project needs more work.

Explanation:

Option B is correct. The word 'between' is a preposition, and a preposition takes the objective case, so the pronoun must be 'me'. Option A uses 'I', which is the subject form and is a common slip when a second person is named alongside the pronoun. Option C uses 'myself', a reflexive pronoun that is only correct when it refers back to the subject of the sentence, which is not the case here. Option D puts 'I' after 'between' as well, so it has the same case error and also sounds awkward.

Rule to remember: after any preposition, use me, him, her, us or them. If you are unsure, remove the other person from the phrase and see which pronoun sounds right on its own.

Example 2

Question: A gear with 20 teeth meshes with a gear with 10 teeth. If the smaller gear rotates at 60 RPM, how fast does the larger gear rotate?

1. 30 RPM
2. 60 RPM
3. 120 RPM
4. 90 RPM

Answer: A. 30 RPM

Explanation:

Option A, 30 RPM, is correct. Meshed gears move their teeth past each other at the same rate, so the gear with more teeth turns more slowly. The larger gear has 20 teeth and the smaller has 10, so it turns at 60 x (10/20) = 30 RPM. Option B, 60 RPM, ignores the difference in teeth and treats the gears as if they were the same size. Option C, 120 RPM, applies the ratio in the wrong direction, which would only be right if the larger gear were the one driving the smaller. Option D, 90 RPM, does not follow from any ratio of these teeth counts.

Rule to remember: speed and tooth count are inversely related, so more teeth means fewer rotations.

Example 3

Question: What factor is least likely to affect a candidate’s test score on the Criteria Basic Skills Test?

1. The candidate's preparation and practice
2. The test-taker’s physical or emotional state during the test
3. The specific test items and questions included in the exam
4. The time of day when the test is taken

Answer: D. The time of day when the test is taken

Explanation:

Option D is correct. Of the listed factors, the time of day is the least likely to have a consistent effect on a score. Option A is wrong because preparation and practice change how familiar the question types feel and how quickly you work. Option B is wrong because your physical or emotional state, such as tiredness or anxiety, can affect concentration in a short timed test. Option C is wrong because the specific items you receive can differ in difficulty and topic, which affects your result.

Rule to remember: with 'least likely' questions, test each option against the question and eliminate the factors that clearly matter. What remains is the answer. Read the qualifier in the question stem twice before choosing.

How to use these practice tests

Start by reading the official Criteria candidate FAQs and the CBST page so you know the format: 40 questions in 20 minutes, covering grammar, spelling, math, and language skills. Then take the CBST Math Skills and CBST Verbal Skills sets untimed, and write down every question you miss along with the reason.

Next, work on weak spots with the narrower sets. Use CBST Grammar and Punctuation for pronoun case, agreement and punctuation, and CBST Reading Comprehension for questions based on short passages. The CBST Scoring and Evaluation and CBST Administration and Logistics sets help you understand how the test is run and reported.

In the last days before the test, switch to timed practice. Set a 20-minute timer, mix math and verbal questions, and practise skipping a slow question and returning to it. Review your errors again rather than taking many new sets. On test day, check your internet connection and browser settings beforehand, and find a quiet place to sit the test.

What is the CBST?

Understanding the CBST (Criteria Basic Skills Test)

The CBST, or Criteria Basic Skills Test, checks if you have the basic skills needed for teaching. It’s a key test for those wanting to become teachers. It makes sure you know your stuff in important subjects like reading comprehension, mathematics, and writing proficiency. Practice with the free Criteria Basic Skills practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (7 questions with answer explanations).

The CBST is a test you take on a computer. It looks at your skills in key subjects. It’s used by employers to screen applicants for entry-level, administrative, and customer service roles. Passing it gets you a teaching certificate or license.

Candidates preparing for frontline national will find our Frontline Education teacher test 2026 essential for mastering the exam content, format, and scoring criteria.

Why is the CBST Important?

The CBST is key in teacher training. It checks if you have the basic knowledge and skills for teaching. By showing you’re good at reading comprehension, mathematics, and writing skills, you show you’re ready to teach.

Getting through the CBST is often needed to get into teacher training programs. It’s also a step towards getting a teaching license or certification. This test helps find candidates who can do well in teaching and help their students.

Reading Comprehension Preparation

Preparing for the CBST: Key Strategies

To do well on the CBST, you need a solid plan. Focus on improving your reading, math, and writing skills. This will help you pass the test and show you’re ready to teach.

Improve your reading skills by practicing active reading. Look closely at what you read, find the main ideas, and think critically. Read different types of texts, like articles and books, to get better at understanding and thinking deeply.

Mathematics Skills Practice

The math part of the CBST checks your basic math knowledge and problem-solving. Get better by solving practice questions on topics like arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. Use online tools, study guides, and timed tests to boost your confidence and speed.

Writing Proficiency Enhancement

Show off your writing skills on the CBST by improving your grammar and how you organize your thoughts. Work on writing clear essays with strong arguments. Get feedback from others to make your writing even better.

Using these strategies, you can boost your reading comprehension, math skills, and writing proficiency. This will help you do well on the CBST and show you’re ready for a teaching career.

CBST (Criteria Basic Skills Test): Test Format and Content

The CBST (Criteria Basic Skills Test) checks if an educator has the basic skills and knowledge needed. It looks at a candidate’s skills in key areas. This makes sure they have what it takes to be a good entry-level teacher.

The CBST has three main parts:

1. Reading Comprehension: This part sees if the candidate can understand, analyze, and think about written texts. It also checks their critical thinking.
2. Mathematics: This section tests the candidate’s math skills, problem-solving, and how they think about numbers.
3. Writing: The writing part looks at how well the candidate can write clearly. It checks their grammar, spelling, and how they put words together.

Each part of the educator licensing test checks if the candidate knows the basic skills needed to teach. The test makes sure new teachers have the knowledge to teach well. It’s all about making sure they can give quality lessons.

Knowing what the prerequisite teaching exam covers helps teachers prepare. They can show they have the basic skills and knowledge needed for the CBST (Criteria Basic Skills Test).

Sample Criteria Basic Skills Test Practice Questions

Try these questions from our free Criteria Basic Skills Test practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.

1. What factor is least likely to affect a candidate’s test score on the Criteria Basic Skills Test?

   • A. The candidate's preparation and practice
   • B. The test-taker’s physical or emotional state during the test
   • C. The specific test items and questions included in the exam
   • D. The time of day when the test is taken

Answer: D. The time of day when the test is taken

While factors like preparation, emotional state, and the specific test items significantly influence a score, the time of day when the test is taken is generally least likely to have a consistent or significant impact. Standardized tests are designed to be robust against minor environmental variations, focusing instead on the candidate's inherent skills and knowledge.

Answer: B. Bringing personal electronic devices into the test area

To maintain the integrity of the Criteria Basic Skills Test and prevent cheating, bringing personal electronic devices into the test area is usually prohibited. Devices like phones, smartwatches, or unauthorized calculators could be used to access external information or communicate, compromising the fairness and validity of the examination results.

Answer: B. Multiple-choice questions involving basic arithmetic operations

The numerical reasoning section of the Criteria Basic Skills Test aims to assess foundational mathematical understanding. It commonly features multiple-choice questions that involve basic arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and percentages. This format efficiently evaluates a candidate's ability to work with numbers in practical contexts.

Answer: B. To evaluate basic cognitive and functional abilities

The Criteria Basic Skills Test (CBST) is designed to evaluate fundamental cognitive and functional abilities essential for various roles. Its primary objective is to assess foundational skills such as reading comprehension, numerical reasoning, and problem-solving, rather than specialized technical knowledge or professional experience. This helps employers gauge a candidate's readiness for training and entry-level positions.

Take the full Criteria Basic Skills Test practice test