Basic Skills Requirement FAQ
Can courses completed with “Pass” or “Credit” be used toward meeting this requirement?
Yes, courses in which “Pass” or “Credit” was earned in lieu of a letter grade may be used toward meeting the Basic Skills Requirement.
Can I use courses taken in my teaching credential program to meet the basic skills requirement?
Courses where credits do not apply toward the requirements for an Associate degree, Baccalaureate degree, or higher degree cannot be used to meet the basic skills requirement.
Can a candidate use the same course to meet both the Reading and Writing requirements?
Yes. To qualify, the individual will need to get a letter from the registrar or the relevant department academic chair where the course was completed confirming that the course includes the study of reading and writing as outlined in the criteria. Most likely, the department chair letter would come from the English Department, as that subject generally includes content in both reading and writing.
I completed a course that is less than three semester units, can I combine two courses to meet the unit requirement? For example, what if I completed a four-quarter unit course, which equates to 2.67 semester units?
Yes. If a course was less than three semester units then you can still meet the requirement by completing a second course to make up for the missing units
What is the minimum acceptable score for each subtest of the CBEST if I want to use two CBEST scores to mix and match with coursework?
The minimum score for a subtest that will be used to mix and match BSR requirements is 41. The option to satisfy BSR with a subtest score as low as 37 is only available when candidates have taken all three CBEST subtests to meet the BSR and the total CBEST score for all three subtests combined is a minimum of 123.
I was admitted into the credential program without the BSR, will the Credential Office check my transcripts to see if I meet the requirement under this new option?
Yes, the new option will apply to all applications regardless of when they were admitted. A Credential Advisor will evaluate your transcripts and determine if you meet the requirement an updated Credential Progress Report will be sent to you via email with the evaluation results.
Can a candidate who took courses at a college or university outside of the United States use those courses to meet the Basic Skills Requirement?
Yes, as long as the candidate has obtained an evaluation from a Commission approved foreign transcript evaluating agency showing that the coursework is equivalent to courses taken at a regionally-accredited college or university in the United States. Additionally, courses covering the reading and writing components must demonstrate proficiency in the English language.