CliffsTestPrep CSET: English,   ISBN:9780470139691

Customer Rating: 

The two practice exams in this book are useful, but I felt the content for Subtest II did not cover all of the bases. I created my own study guide by utilizing this book and the online sample exam from the CSET website, and was still thrown for a bit of a loop.

For Subtest IV, one question on the actual exam was *identical* to a practice exam question in this book (Practice Exam #1, Question #1), and I felt the other sample questions helped me fully prepare for this portion of the exam. Question #3 from Practice Exam #1 was also very similar to an exam question, except that the storyteller was speaking to adults and one had to come up with a vocal and physical technique to help express each character, and explain how these techniques would enhance the folk tale. Another question was identical to an online prompt--read the paragraph and suggestion a revision/state how it would enhance the paragraph. Finally, I had to write about how the media influences an aspect of the political process.

As for Subtests I and III, again, I had to create my own study guide, but found the practice exams useful.

Overall, due to the lack of decent prep materials out there for the English CSET, I think this book is worth the money. It provides some background information about each section of the exam, and the practice test questions can't hurt you.

Customer Rating: 

This book lacks relevant, detailed information of what to study for the subtests, and instead provides worthless timelines (What to do one week before the test! What to do the night before the test! Geez, we're adults, we know to set aside driving directions and pencils.) and very generalized bullet points of SOME of the material included in the tests.

However, the book's two full-length tests are fantastic. Not only do they provide answers (and explanations) for subtests I & II, the guide provides detailed, full-length responses for subtests III & IV along with the point value associated with those answers. The tests are a great prep for the actual CSET in English, though relying on this book alone will NOT be enough to pass all four subtests.

Customer Rating: 

This is the book that everyone recommended. I got it and the first thing I noticed was the abundant number of typos and errors. There were spelling errors, the answers to some of the questions were not even options for the multiple choice section (the rhyme scheme for the poem was not an option, but the answer key changed one of the options), they put the wrong letter for the wrong statement (the answer might be A, but they copy and pasted choice B and said it was A). There were some logistical errors like labeling the test sections incorrectly. I made a flash card for EVERY term and I would say maybe less than 10 of those terms were used. Overall, it's a good beginning, but take it with a grain of salt.

Customer Rating: 

I was an English major, so I felt pretty comfortable before this test (I took all 4 subtests at once), but knew I needed to brush up on a few things. This text offers a review of many important terms and gives samples questions in each section. I think the most helpful aspect were the two full length tests it came with. My advice is treating them like the actual test; do the parts you plan to take without interuption and then when correcting spend the time to analyze the ones you got wrong.

I passed all four subtests in one sitting with the help of this book and Understanding Language by Elizabeth Grace Winkler (a really interesting, easy to understand book for the linguistics section of the test).

Good luck!

Customer Rating: 

This is the only test prep I used to prepare for my English CSET and I was able to pass all four subsets. This book is excellent and concise. Really gives you a nice short summary of what you need to know and how to study for the test, as well as example tests. Helped me a LOT more than the practice tests on the CSET website because it broke down the tests and showed you helpful test taking skills too. I'll definitely use Cliffs again if I get another single subject credential