{"id":26267,"date":"2016-10-14T15:13:57","date_gmt":"2016-10-14T15:13:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=26267"},"modified":"2026-03-16T13:01:24","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T18:01:24","slug":"science","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/cset\/science\/","title":{"rendered":"CSET Science Practice Test"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Becoming a teacher in California requires you to pass the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET). The CSET Science exam is designed to measure your command of general science, life science, chemistry, physics, and earth\/space sciences.<\/p>\n<p>Click \u201cStart Test\u201d above to take a free CSET Science practice test, and check out our premium-quality CSET test prep resources by clicking the links below!<\/p>\n<div class=\"buttonlinks\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/studyguides\/cset\/science.htm\" class=\"class_names\" style=\"color:black;\" onclick=\"_paq.push(['trackEvent', 'Guide Button', 'Guide Click', 'CSETScience Guide Click']);\">CSET Study Guide<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flashcardsecrets.com\/cset\/science.htm\" class=\"class_names\" style=\"color:black;\" onclick=\"_paq.push(['trackEvent', 'Flashcard Button', 'Flashcard Button Click', 'CSETScience Flashcard Click']);\">CSET Flashcards<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/cset\/\">CSET Test<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"CSET_Science_Exam_Outline\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>CSET Science Exam Outline<\/h2>\n<p>The CSET for Science is designed to measure a potential teacher\u2019s subject matter competence in general and integrated sciences, as well as a chosen area of competence. To achieve this, the exam is split into two subtests, both of which must be passed in order to pass the full exam.<\/p>\n<p>The first subtest is the same for every candidate, while the second subtest will be different depending on which specific area of science you have chosen as your area of concentration. For example, candidates seeking to teach Chemistry will take Subtest I and Subtest II for Chemistry, while a candidate seeking to teach Life Sciences will take Subtest I and Subtest II for Life Sciences.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/CSET-Science-Exam-Outline-01.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-179492\" role=\"img\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/CSET-Science-Outline-01.svg\" alt=\"exam outline for the CSET Science exam, which contains 157 questions and has a time limit of 6 hours\" width=\"672.75\" height=\"379.5\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Subtest_I_General_Science_(215)\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Subtest I: General Science (215)<\/h3>\n<p>The General Science subtest contains 100 multiple-choice questions and four constructed-response questions, and you will be given a time limit of four hours.<\/p>\n<p>This subtest is split into four domains:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Scientific Practices, Engineering Design and Applications, and Crosscutting Concepts (34 questions)<\/li>\n<li>Physical Sciences (24 questions)<\/li>\n<li>Life Sciences (23 questions)<\/li>\n<li>Earth and Space Sciences (23 questions)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"Subtest_II_(217%E2%80%93220)\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Subtest II (217\u2013220)<\/h3>\n<p>As mentioned previously, there are four versions of this subtest. The version you take will match the specific scientific area you are pursuing. Regardless of which version you take, you will be given two hours to answer 50 multiple-choice questions and three constructed-response questions.<\/p>\n<details class=\"togglelist\">\n<summary style=\"margin-top: -0.5em;\">Life Sciences (217)<\/summary>\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0.5em;\">\n<li>From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes<\/li>\n<li>Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics<\/li>\n<li>Inheritance and Variation of Traits<\/li>\n<li>Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n<details class=\"togglelist\">\n<summary>Chemistry (218)<\/summary>\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0.5em;\">\n<li>Structures and Properties of Matter<\/li>\n<li>Chemical Reactions and Chemical Bonding<\/li>\n<li>Energy<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n<details class=\"togglelist\">\n<summary>Earth and Space Sciences (219)<\/summary>\n<ol style=\"margin-top: 0.5em;\">\n<li>Earth&#8217;s Place in the Universe<\/li>\n<li>Earth&#8217;s Systems<\/li>\n<li>Earth and Human Activity<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n<details class=\"togglelist\">\n<summary style=\"margin-bottom: 1em;\">Physics (220)<\/summary>\n<ol style=\"margin-top: -0.5em;\">\n<li>Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions<\/li>\n<li>Energy<\/li>\n<li>Waves and their Applications<\/li>\n<li>Modern Physics<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sg-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sg-box-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"sg-box-title\">Check Out Mometrix's CSET Science Study Guide<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Get practice questions, video tutorials, and detailed study lessons<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"sg-box-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/studyguides\/cset\/science.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Get Your Study Guide<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/studyguides\/cset\/science.htm\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"184\" height=\"238\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/csetscience.jpg\" alt=\" Study Guide\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"Exam_Registration\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Exam Registration<\/h2>\n<p>This exam is available to take year-round, Monday through Sunday, excluding certain holidays. You must first register to take the CSET on the CTC examination website. You may set an appointment through the affiliated Pearson website, after which you will be able to see the available testing times and locations.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Test_Fee\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Test Fee<\/h3>\n<p>The fee is $267 if you plan to take both subtests in one sitting. All registration fees must be paid with a credit, debit, or check card via the CTC examination website\u2019s online payment platform.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"Test_Day\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Test Day<\/h2>\n<p>On testing day, you should arrive at the testing center 15-30 minutes early on the day of your testing appointment. Upon arrival, you will be asked to sign in and provide at least one form of valid photo ID.<\/p>\n<p>After the check-in process is complete, you will be asked to leave all personal items (cell phone, wallet, keys, etc.) in a locker outside the testing area.<\/p>\n<p>Once you enter the testing room, you will be given a brief tutorial on the testing system before the exam begins.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"How_the_Exam_is_Scored\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>How the Exam is Scored<\/h2>\n<p>Your CSET Science test results are reported as scaled scores based on your total raw score points. Your raw scores are converted to a scale of 100 to 300, with a scaled score of 220 being the minimum passing score for each subtest.<\/p>\n<p>Generally, it takes around two to three weeks after the last day of the examination period before you receive your test results.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sg-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sg-box-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"sg-box-title\">Check Out Mometrix's CSET Science Flashcards<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Get complex  subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"sg-box-button blue-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flashcardsecrets.com\/cset\/science.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Get Your Flashcards<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flashcardsecrets.com\/cset\/science.htm\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"238\" height=\"184\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/csetscienceflash.jpg\" alt=\" Flashcards\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"FAQs\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>FAQs<\/h2>\n<div class=\"faq-list\">\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">How many questions are on the CSET Science exam?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>There are 157 questions on the exam.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">How long is the CSET Science exam?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>The time limit for the exam is 6 hours.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is the passing score for the CSET Science exam?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>To pass the exam, you must achieve a minimum scaled score of 220 for each subtest.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">How much does the CSET Science exam cost?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>The examination fee is $267 for both subtests taken together.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p><div itemscope=\"\" itemprop=\"author\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" class=\"author-bio\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" class=\"author-image\" height=\"127\" width=\"127\" alt=\"Headshot of Mometrix associate Eric Richter.\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Eric-Richter-scaled.webp\"><div class=\"author-text\"><p class=\"author-name\">By <span itemprop=\"name\">Eric Richter<\/span><\/p><div class=\"author-desc\"><p>Eric is the Product Development Manager responsible for developing and updating the Mometrix Teacher Certification and K-12 products. Eric has a bachelor\u2019s degree in Sociology and a master\u2019s of education in Teaching ESOL.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div itemscope=\"\" itemprop=\"editor\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" class=\"author-bio\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" class=\"author-image\" height=\"127\" width=\"127\" alt=\"Aaron Lanni profile pic\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image_2024-12-11_124906662.png\"><div class=\"author-text\"><p class=\"author-name\">Edited by <span itemprop=\"name\">Aaron Lanni<\/span><\/p><div class=\"author-desc\"><p>Aaron is the content manager and lead editor for Mometrix Academy. He regularly produces, updates, proofreads, and edits content to ensure it meets Mometrix\u2019s quality and accessibility standards.<\/p>\n<\/div><p class=\"alignright author-desc author-link\"><a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/editorial-guidelines\/\">Learn more about our editorial guidelines<\/a> \u2192<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n<div class=\"home-buttons\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/\">Mometrix Academy &#8211; Home<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"disclaimer\">CSET and California Subject Examinations for Teachers are trademarks of the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Pearson Education, Inc. or its affiliate(s). This page was developed by Mometrix Test Preparation. It was not developed in connection with Pearson Education, Inc., nor was it reviewed, approved or endorsed by these agencies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Becoming a teacher in California requires you to pass the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET). The CSET Science exam is designed to measure your command of general science, life science, chemistry, physics, and earth\/space sciences. Click \u201cStart Test\u201d above to take a free CSET Science practice test, and check out our premium-quality CSET test &#8230; <a title=\"CSET Science Practice Test\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/cset\/science\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about CSET Science Practice Test\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":204794,"parent":26198,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-26267","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"page_category-cset","7":"page_type-exam-overview","8":"page_domain-cset"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/26267","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26267"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/26267\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":284401,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/26267\/revisions\/284401"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/26198"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/204794"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26267"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}