Single Subject Testing Information

Subject Matter Competence
Only STEP teacher candidates who have demonstrated satisfactory subject matter competence may assume daily classroom student teaching and/or internship responsibility. You must demonstrate subject matter competence in one of the following two ways:

1. CSET (California Subject Examinations for Teachers): The CSET is the primary way to verify your subject knowledge. Applications will be reviewed if candidates have not taken the exams or have not received their results by the application deadline. However, in order to begin the program in June, candidates must pass a minimum of half the CSET subtests in their intended teaching subject. Candidates must ultimately pass all subtests to begin independent student teaching and to be credentialed upon completion of the program.
   
   For information on test requirements for English, Mathematics, Science, History/Social Science, and World Languages (French, Spanish, German, Japanese) as well as up-to-date registration information, test preparation materials, and services that enable you to register and obtain your unofficial test results online visit the CSET website.
   
   If you have previously passed any of the exams, include a score report with your application.
   
   CSET Stanford reporting code : 582
   SSAT Stanford reporting code : 582
   Praxis Stanford reporting code : RA4704
   
   
2. Subject Matter Program: Certain California institutions have been approved by the CCTC to offer subject matter programs (essentially, specialized majors) that meet state requirements for subject matter competence, in lieu of the approved exams . This program verifies that you have completed the course work (undergraduate or graduate level) that that university feels is critical to a solid subject matter understanding. If you are completing/have completed one of these approved subject matter programs, contact the teacher education department at your institution for an evaluation of your course work.

   For those who attended an out of state institution, if you majored in the subject you intend to teach this may be an option for you. Contact the teacher education department at a California institution.

   Note: Stanford does not provide transcript evaluations.

CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test)
California residents must take the CBEST by the application deadline and receive passing scores prior to the start of the program in June. Out-of-state candidates will need to pass either a basic skills examination from another state or the CBEST no later than the end of their first quarter. All STEP students must satisfy the basic skills requirement before they can assume daily teaching responsibility in their placements.

If you have previously passed the exam, include a score report with your application.

Visit the CBEST website for test dates and registration information.

Stanford reporting code: 327

GRE (Graduate Record Examinations)
All applicants to departmental graduate programs at Stanford must take the GRE. The School of Education (SUSE) only requires the general GRE and not the subject GRE. FAQs related the GRE.