What is the primary goal of the CBEST reading section?

The primary goal of the CBEST reading section is to understand and analyze texts. This section is designed to assess a candidate's ability to comprehend written passages, make inferences, and evaluate arguments and ideas presented in the material. It focuses on critical reading skills, which are essential for educators who must analyze educational materials, understand diverse texts, and facilitate discussions around written content in their classrooms.

Understanding and analyzing texts involves not only recognizing vocabulary and grammar but also engaging with themes, purposes, and the author's intent. This skill set is necessary for teachers to effectively guide their students in reading comprehension and critical thinking.

While vocabulary memorization, reading speed evaluation, and skimming for information are important skills in reading, they do not encompass the full scope of what is necessary for effective teaching and comprehension as evaluated in the CBEST reading section. The emphasis is on deeper cognitive processing of texts rather than surface-level skills.