California Basic Educational Skills Test 2023 Exam Questions

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21.

Karen sells hamburgers for $2.50 and hot dogs for $1.00. In the month of July, Karen sold 300 hamburgers and 300 hot dogs. Karen uses the following expression to calculate July's revenue:

($2.50 * 300) + ($1.00 * 300)

Which of the following expressions could Karen have also used?

  • 300 * ($2.50 + $1.00)

  • (600 * $2.50) + $1.00

  • 600 * $3.50

  • (300 + 300) * ($2.50 + $1.00)

  • 600 / ($2.50 + $1.00)

Correct answer: 300 * ($2.50 + $1.00)

If you solve the expression given to you, you have $750.00 + $300.00 = $1,050.00. Therefore, the correct answer needs to produce a value of $1,050.00.

The expression 300 * ($2.50 + $1.00) = $1,050.00. This yields the same value as the given expression, so it is the correct answer.

22.

Each of the 10 meeting attendees is asked to select one and only one seat. There are 5 seats available in the front row and 5 seats available in the second row. As of 1:05 p.m., 8 of the seats had been selected. 

Which of the following facts can be determined from the information given above?

  • The total number of seats that have not yet been selected

  • The number of individuals that have chosen a seat in the front row

  • The number of males who selected a seat in the back row

  • The total number of seats that were selected by 1:00 p.m.

  • The ratio of males to females asked to select a seat

Correct answer: The total number of seats that have not yet been selected

You will want to eliminate the answer choices you know are wrong and focus on the information you are given. You know that 8 of the seats have been chosen, and that there are a total of 10 chairs available and 10 individuals selecting a seat. Therefore, you can determine how many seats have not yet been selected.

23.

View the supporting details to answer the following question.

What percent of all the votes did Abbie receive in the Class President election?

  • 30%

  • 20%

  • 15%

  • 25%

Correct answer: 30%

In order to get the percentage of votes Abbie received, you need to find the total number of votes. The four numbers sum to 320.

Abbie received 96 of 320 (90/320), or 30%.

24.

Dividing a number by 10 is the same as multiplying that number by:

  • 1/10

  • 1/5

  • 5

  • 10

  • 0.5

Correct answer: 1/10

If you select the number 20 and divide it by 10, the result is 2.

If you multiply the number 20 by 1/10, the result is 2.

1/10 means 1 divided by 10.

25.

Dividing a number by 20 is the same as multiplying that number by:

  • 1/20

  • 1/10

  • 1/2

  • 20

  • 0.5

Correct answer: 1/20

If you select the number 20 and divide it by 20, the result is 1.

If you multiply the number 20 by 1/20, the result is 1.

1/20 means 1 divided by 20.

26.

Multiplying a number by 1/8 is the same as dividing that number by:

  • 8

  • 16

  • 1/16

  • 0.125

  • 0.16

Correct answer: 8

If you select the number 16 and multiply it by 1/8, the result is 2.

If you divide the number 16 by 8, the result is 2.

1/8 means 1 divided by 8.

27.

View the supporting details to answer the following question.

Which type of beverage saw the largest percent increase in sales from 2011 to 2012?

  • Diet Soda

  • Grape

  • Ginger Ale

  • Orange

Correct answer: Diet Soda

First, eliminate any answer choice that does not increase. Grape did not see an increase.

Next, calculate the percent increase using the percent change formula (difference / original). The total for Diet Soda in 2011 was $30,000 and in 2012 was $34,000.

The percent change fraction is $4,000/$30,000, which equals the largest percent increase at 13.33%.

28.

If 6z = 9 + 3z, what is the value of 6z?

  • 18

  • 15

  • 12

  • 21

  • 3

Correct answer: 18

First, subtract 3z from each side of the equation: 3z = 9

Now, divide each side of the equation by 3: z = 3

The question asks you to find the value of 6z: 6 * 3 = 18

29.

Brandon's math average is based on five tests. Brandon's test scores were 75, 83, 94, 85, and 98. What is Brandon's math average for the five tests?

  • 87

  • 77

  • 80

  • 85

  • 90

Correct answer: 87

To find the average, take the sum of the scores and divide it by the number of tests.

435 / 5 = 87

30.

If 7x - 14 = 14, what is three times the value of x?

  • 12

  • 4

  • 6

  • 8

  • 10

Correct answer: 12

The question asks for three times the value of the variable x. First, solve for x:

7x - 14 = 14

7x = 28

x = 4

Now, multiply to find three times the value of x: 4 * 3 = 12.

31.

Read the passage, then answer the following question.

The author’s main point of the passage is:

  • It is important to wear your seat belt

  • Parents should listen to their children

  • Individuals die in vehicle accidents

  • Vehicle accidents cause spinal cord injuries

  • Wearing your seat belt is the law

Correct answer: It is important to wear your seat belt

The author uses statistical facts to prove that it is important to wear your seat belt. 

The other answer choices are all true, but are not central to the overall theme of the passage.

32.

Read the passage, then answer the following question. 

The author feels the primary reason writers create how-to books is to:

  • Make money

  • Provide valuable information

  • Become famous

  • Get their ideas heard

  • Help others

Correct answer: Make money

The author of the passage states that he feels that how-to books are written as a moneymaking scheme; thus, he feels that they are only written to make money.

33.

View the supporting details to answer the following question.

Susan was viewing a graph about Facebook likes. Which of the following can be concluded from the graph?

  • The total number of Facebook "Likes" from January to June

  • The number of females that "Liked" the Facebook page

  • The number of males that "Liked" the Facebook page

  • The number of possible Facebook "Likes" from January to June

  • The year that this information represents

Correct answer: The total number of Facebook "Likes" from January to June

From the information given, you could conclude the total number of Facebook "Likes" from January to June. You would achieve this by adding up the total number of "Likes" for each of the months.

34.

Shanna is making a blanket that requires 540 inches of binding. How many yards of binding does Shanna need to purchase?

  • 15

  • 9

  • 12

  • 21

  • 45

Correct answer: 15

First, you will need to convert 540 inches to feet: 540 inches / (12 inches / 1 foot) = 45 feet.

Then, you will need to convert feet to yards: 45 feet / (3 feet / 1 yard) = 15 yards.

35.

When the sum of 19.123 and 13.584 is rounded to the nearest hundredth, the result is:

  • 32.71

  • 32.70

  • 32.7

  • 32.6

  • 32.72

Correct answer: 32.71

First, the answer must be rounded to the nearest hundredth, so eliminate answer choices 32.7 and 32.6.

Next, add the two values together. Do not round yet. You are looking to round the sum, not the individual numbers.The equation: 19.123 + 13.584 yields a result of 32.707.

Now, you can round to the nearest hundredth. The digit in the thousandth place is a 7, which indicates to round up. The correct answer is 32.71.

If you had rounded each number initially, the values would be 19.12 and 13.58, and the sum would be 32.70.

36.

When the sum of 3.218 and 6.839 is rounded to the nearest tenth, the result is:

  • 10.1

  • 10.06

  • 10.0

  • 10.05

  • 10.2

Correct answer: 10.1

First, the answer must be rounded to the nearest tenth, so eliminate answer choices 10.06 and 10.05.

Next, add the two values together, but do not round yet. You are looking to round the sum, not the individual numbers.

The equation: 3.218 + 6.839 yields a result of 10.057. Now, you can round to the nearest tenth; the 5 digit in the hundredths place indicates that you need to round up. The correct answer is 10.1.

If you had rounded each number initially, the values would be 3.2 + 6.8, and the sum would be 10.0.

37.

What is the difference between 1.6 and 0.154?

  • 1.446

  • 0.06

  • 1.584

  • 1.754

  • 1.06

Correct answer: 1.446

When subtracting decimals, be sure to align the decimals vertically:

   1.600
- 0.154
= 1.446

  


 

38.

Read the passage, then answer the following question.

The author’s use of the word “derived” is best defined as:

  • Originated

  • Deduced

  • Inferred

  • Sustained

  • Formed

Correct answer: Originated

The benefits of red wine originated from both the alcohol in it and the properties of grape skins.

39.

Brandy feeds her horse 10 cups of grain every day. She gives the horse 30% of the grain at 7 a.m., 30% at 1 p.m., and the remainder of the grain at 8 p.m. How much grain does Brandy's horse receive at 8 p.m.?

  • 4 cups

  • 2 cups

  • 6 cups

  • 8 cups

  • 5 cups

Correct answer: 4 cups

First, you need to determine what percentage of grain the horse receives at 8 p.m.: 100% - 30% - 30% = 40%.

Then, you need to calculate the percentage: 40/100 x 10 = 4.

40.

If 4n + m - x = t - z, what is the value of t when n = 1/2, m = 3, x = 1, and z = 2?

  • 6

  • 2

  • 4

  • 10

  • 12

Correct answer: 6

Here is the equation you are given: 4n + m - x = t - z. Now, substitute the values you are given for n, m, x, and z: 

4(1/2) + 3 - 1 = t - 2

2 + 3 - 1 = t - 2

4 = t - 2

6 = t