Entrance Exams

Applicants are required to take and pass either the CBEST or PPST (unless they hold a current Oregon teaching license). The test should be taken early enough to receive the results by February; this usually requires tests to be taken by November or December.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to register for the exam and make sure the scores are provided to the Department of Special Education. Registration materials are available in the Graduate School of Education in room 204. Portland State University Testing Services has additional test information at 503-725-4428.

If you take CBEST exam please be aware that you will need to provide an official score report, which will returned to you, of the test results you receive even if you request scores to be sent to Portland State University. The testing agency sends a list of scores to the university but no information to our department. We must have a copy of your scores in order to process your application.

Study materials for the entrance exams are available at the Portland State University Bookstore and from the testing organizations themselves. The Department of Continuing Education offers a test preparation course titled “Learning Plus Basic Skills for Educators.” Applicants who do not pass the PPST or the CBEST after the first attempt have the option to complete portions of the Learning Plus series instead of taking the CBEST exam. Applicants may take the computer-based courses in any of the three areas (reading, writing, and/or math) earning a “B” or better and submit the transcript with their application. Information regarding this course is available from Continuing Education at 503-725-4670.