Math CSETs are the antithesis of good mathematics

I think many math teachers and prospective math teachers cringe at the thought of the required three math CSETs now required to earn a single subject math credential in California.  They are arduous for sure.  The concept seems reasonable - make sure that our math instructors are completely proficient in the subject they teach.  The implementation, however, leaves a lot to be desired.  Let's break that down:

The obvious - Pearson makes money every time you fail and have to retake it.  That's just a fact of life there.  Their goal then might not be to make the test realistic to what you need to know.  Enough said.

More deeply though, we now know that good mathematics is not about speed and memorization.  You can choose your favorite researcher to get the news on this, but a common reference is Jo Boaler's work.  We now understand that developing excellent math thinking involves verbal/communication skills, creative thinking, slow and deep thinking about a problem, seeing multiple methods to problem solve, concepts over algorithms, etc.

The CSETs cover a massive amount of mathematical ground in a timed setting.  The first test covers all of algebra plus more for example (number theory, etc), second focusing on geometry, probability and statistics, and the third calculus.  Those are really broad topics, meaning any one subtopic gets maybe a question or two.  If good mathematics involves deep analysis and concepts rather than memorization of formulae and procedures, why are we then testing our teachers on rapid recall and the fastest possible procedures to get the correct answer?  Even our response questions depend on quick recall of the steps of a particular proof or using a formula because there simply isn't enough time there to think out a problem creatively during the exam.  

And let's not even consider that factual knowledge doesn't necessarily lead to a good teacher.  At least that should be somewhat addressed in student teaching, observations and the TPA process.  But, as an admitted newer teacher, that math CSET could use a looking at if we want to put our actions where our theory is.  ;)