City College of San Francisco
Course Outline of Record
I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION
A. Approval Date
B. Department
C. Course Number
D. Course Title
E. Course Outline Preparer(s)
March 2013
Learning Assistance
LERN 53C
Test Prep: Standardized Exams: CSET
English
Joan Wilson, Deanne Spears
F. Department Chair
Nadine Rosenthal
G. Dean
Lindy McKnight
II. COURSE SPECIFICS
A. Hours
B. Units
C. Prerequisites
Corequisites
Advisories
D. Course Justification
E. Field Trips
F. Method of Grading
G. Repeatability
Lecture: 8 total
.5
None
None
None
This brief review course is designed to
prepare students for the CSET – California
Subject Exams for Teachers: English. This
is the standardized exam that future K-12
teachers must pass prior to being hired as a
teacher for particular subjects.
No
Pass/No pass
0
III. CATALOG DESCRIPTION
This short-term course is designed to prepare students for standardized, timed tests. Each course
focuses on a single test or subtest. Specific content for each course is determined by the
particular test for which students are preparing.
IV. MAJOR LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course a student will be able to:
A. Access informational materials relevant to the CSET English Exam
B. Analyze test format and content relevant to the CSET English Exam
C. Differentiate among types of questions on the CSET English Exam and formulate
appropriate responses
D. Analyze and adopt test taking and scoring strategies relevant to the CSET English Exam
E. Adopt test-taking behavior that reduces anxiety and stress, and increases concentration.
F. Develop a plan for studying for the CSET English Exam including evaluation of materials
and recommended resources, and making informed choices based on experience with and
knowledge of the exam.
CCSF, Learning Assistance, LERN 53C, Test Prep: Standardized Exams: CSET English, March 2013, Page 1 of 3
V. CONTENTS
A. CSET English overview
1. Format
2. Scoring standards
3. Estimating the answer
B. Types of questions on the CSET English exam
1. Literature and textural analysis
2. Composition and rhetoric
3. Language, linguistics and literacy
4. Communication: speech, media, creative performance
5. Multiple choice, short constructed response, and longer constructed writing
C. General test-taking strategies for taking standardized exams
1. Study planning
a. Study schedule: long and short term plans
b. Study time
c. Study resources
2. Time management during the exam
a. Pacing
b. Order of answering
D. Test-taking anxiety and stress management
1. Knowledge of the test itself
2. Test taking strategies generally
3. Mental imaging
4. Meditation skills
5. Sleep, diet, exercise
E. Guessing
1. When to guess
2. Various types of questions
3. Process of elimination for multiple choice questions
4. Techniques to use the test itself to formulate answers
F. Practice Exams
1. Practice CSET English exams
2. Analysis of responses and comparing responses to correct answers
VI. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY
A. Assignments
1. In-class Assignments
a. Group discussions related to the CSET English exam
b. Completion of instructor-prepared handouts
c. Completion of CSET practice exams
d. Evaluation of practice exam responses and answers
e. Development of a study plan for taking the CSET English exam
2. Out-of-class Assignments
a. Completion of additional practice exams
b. Completion of teacher-prepared handouts
CCSF, Learning Assistance, LERN 53C, Test Prep: Standardized Exams: CSET English, March 2013, Page 2 of 3
c. Creation of the study plan for taking the CSET English exam
B. Evaluation
1. Active participation in group discussions
2. Completion of practice exams. (Official CSET Test Preparation books include practice
exams. Students will complete these practice exams at home, score them, and then
bring the results back to class for review.)
3. Completion of instructor-prepared handouts
4. Completion of a study plan for taking the CSET English exam
C. Textbooks and other Instructional Materials
1. Textbooks
a. David Rosen, The Best Test Preparation for the CSET-English Subtests I-IV,
Research and Education Associates, Piscataway, New Jersey, 2012
b. Sharon Wynne, CSET English 106, 107, 108 – The Difference is Clear,
XAMonline, Inc, Boston, MA 2012
VII. TITLE 5 CLASSIFICATION
CREDIT/DEGREE APPLICABLE (meets all standards of Title 5. Section 55002(a)).
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