Key Takeaways
- This guide is anchored to WEST-B, the Reading, Writing, and Mathematics basic-skills test inside the broader WEST program
- Official structure is 60 Reading questions, 50 Writing questions plus 2 essays, and 60 Mathematics questions
- Current CBT timing is 5 hours for all three subtests together, or 2 hours Reading, 3 hours Writing, and 2 hours Mathematics separately
- The current fee is $32 per subtest or $96 for all three CBT subtests
- Washington requires candidates to take WEST-B or another approved basic-skills assessment, but the state no longer requires a passing WEST-B score
WEST Washington Educator Skills Tests (WEST-B)
Quick answer: For most broad Washington basic-skills prep, the useful anchor is WEST-B. The official structure is 60 Reading questions, 50 Writing questions plus 2 essays, and 60 Mathematics questions. The current fee is $32 per subtest or $96 for all three CBT subtests.
The Washington Educator Skills Tests (WEST) program includes multiple exams, but the single exam family that makes sense for broad cross-field prep is WEST-B, the basic-skills assessment covering Reading (095), Writing (096), and Mathematics (097).
Current Exam Snapshot
| Detail | Current Information |
|---|---|
| Program | WEST Washington Educator Skills Tests |
| Anchor exam for this guide | WEST-B Reading, Writing, and Mathematics |
| Format | Computer-based or online-proctored subtests |
| Official structure | 60 Reading, 50 Writing + 2 essays, 60 Mathematics |
| Time | 5 hours for all 3 CBT subtests together, or separate subtest times |
| Fee | $32 per subtest or $96 for all 3 CBT subtests |
| Score report benchmark | 240 on each subtest still appears as the benchmark reference |
| Washington policy | Candidates generally must take WEST-B or another approved basic-skills assessment; the state does not require passing WEST-B |
2026 Washington Context
As of March 7, 2026, I did not find an official WEST-B blueprint redesign, fee change, or new Washington rule changing the current basic-skills policy. The main live 2026 items on official WEST resources are administrative rather than structural:
- posted 2025-2026 score report dates
- continued online proctoring availability
- the same longstanding Washington rule that candidates may satisfy the basic-skills requirement through WEST-B or approved alternatives
That matters because many older prep resources still talk about WEST-B as if a passing score were always required for Washington certification. Current state guidance is more nuanced than that.
Which statement best reflects current Washington WEST-B policy?
What is the official WEST-B item structure used for this guide?