• 54 questions

CSET Health Science Practice Test

Unofficial practice for CSET: Health Science, test codes 178, 179 and 180, in the published shares of its nine domains.

Which of these is a trace mineral, needed only in small amounts?

Pick an answer, then press Check answer. Then you see Correct or Not quite, with the reason. Keys: A to D pick, Enter checks.

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Exam mode: 40 questions, no time limit.

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing or Pearson. Bank checked October 9, 2026.

Constructed-response prompts to print 5 lines, made to print

Health Science constructed-response practice

Name ____ Date ____

Write a focused answer to each prompt on the lines. Unofficial practice prompts; none is from the real test.

Subtest I

  • Describe the role of a health teacher in promoting a healthy school environment, and explain how the teacher could work with two other parts of the school toward one health goal.
  • Explain the difference between primary, secondary and tertiary prevention, with one example of each for a chronic disease.

Subtest II

  • A student wants to plan a week of physical activity. Describe a plan that meets the national guideline for youth, and how the student could assess progress.
  • Describe three factors that contribute to drug misuse among adolescents, and one school-based prevention strategy that answers each.

Subtest III

  • Describe two techniques for resolving a conflict between friends, and explain why each helps.

Source: Own prompts. The real test sets 1 extended and 1 short constructed-response question in each of Subtests I and II and 1 short one in Subtest III (https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/Content/StudyGuide/CA_SG_obj_178.htm); the topics follow the content specifications (https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/content/docs/CSET_Prep/CS_178subtestdescription.pdf, CS_179 and CS_180), read 2026-10-09. Checked October 9, 2026.

How the subtests are scored 8 lines, made to print

How the sections count

What the program publishes about scoring, in our words. Unofficial; not a scoring guide of the real test.

The score

  • Two sections, one score Multiple-choice questions carry 70% of the Subtest I score and 80% of the Subtest II and III scores; constructed responses carry the other 30% or 20%.
  • The scale Raw scores are converted to a 100 to 300 scale, and 220 is the minimum passing score.
  • One sitting A passing score has to be earned at a single administration; sections cannot be combined across sittings.

What scorers look at in a written answer

  • Purpose How far the answer does what the assignment asks.
  • Subject matter knowledge Whether the subject knowledge is accurate and is applied to the task.
  • Support Whether the supporting evidence is fitting and of good quality.
  • Depth and breadth of understanding A fourth characteristic, named for some assignments only.
  • Each written answer is scored by two or more qualified California educators.

Source: Test Results Report Information (https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/content/docs/CS_ScoreReport_Insert.pdf) and the test structure (https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/Content/StudyGuide/CA_SG_obj_178.htm), both read 2026-10-09. Checked October 9, 2026.

Next step Another teacher health test: FTCE Health K–12More health topics: DSST Health and Human Development

All 54 questions

Subtest I: Foundations of health education 5

  • A student says, "I am going to start exercising within the next month, and I have bought running shoes." Which stage of change is this? Wikipedia, Transtheoretical model (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest I 0002 Scientific and Behavioral Foundations (SMR 1.2).
  • A teacher suspects that a student is being abused at home. What does a mandated reporter law require of the teacher? Wikipedia, Mandated reporter (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest I 0003 Legal Responsibilities (SMR 1.3).
  • Healthy People sets nationwide goals for promoting health and preventing disease. Which body sets them? Wikipedia, Healthy People program (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest I 0001 Professional Foundations (SMR 1.1).
  • Which body system acts through chemical messengers called hormones that influence growth, development and metabolism? National Cancer Institute, SEER Training Modules, Introduction to the Endocrine System (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest I 0002 Scientific and Behavioral Foundations (SMR 1.2).
  • Which national survey, run every two years by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tracks behaviors such as smoking, diet and physical activity among high school students? Wikipedia, Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest I 0001 Professional Foundations (SMR 1.1).
Show all 54 questions (49 more)

Subtest I: Human growth and development 4

  • According to MedlinePlus, how does the usual timing of puberty differ between girls and boys? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Puberty (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest I 0004 Physical Growth and Development (SMR 2.1).
  • How much sleep a day is recommended for teens aged 13 to 18? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, How Much Sleep Is Enough? (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest I 0004 Physical Growth and Development (SMR 2.1).
  • In Erikson's theory, the conflict of intimacy vs. isolation belongs to which period of life? Wikipedia, Erikson's stages of psychosocial development (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest I 0005 Psychosocial Growth and Development (SMR 2.2).
  • When washing hands to keep germs from spreading, how long should they be scrubbed? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Germs and Hygiene (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest I 0004 Physical Growth and Development (SMR 2.1).

Subtest I: Chronic and communicable diseases 9

  • A health program offers cancer screenings to find disease before any symptoms appear. Which level of prevention is this? Wikipedia, Preventive healthcare (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest I 0006 Chronic Diseases (SMR 3.1).
  • A student has a cold, which is caused by a virus. Why would an antibiotic not help? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Antibiotics (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest I 0007 Communicable Diseases (SMR 3.2).
  • According to MedlinePlus, which disease causes more deaths in the United States than any other? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Heart Diseases (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest I 0006 Chronic Diseases (SMR 3.1).
  • Asthma is a chronic disease of which part of the body? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Asthma (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest I 0006 Chronic Diseases (SMR 3.1).
  • How does HIV harm the body? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), HIV (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest I 0007 Communicable Diseases (SMR 3.2).
  • How does tuberculosis spread from person to person? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Tuberculosis (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest I 0007 Communicable Diseases (SMR 3.2).
  • What goes wrong in type 1 diabetes? National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, What Is Diabetes? (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest I 0006 Chronic Diseases (SMR 3.1).
  • Which disease did the World Health Organization declare eradicated in 1980, after years of worldwide immunization and surveillance? World Health Organization, Smallpox (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest I 0007 Communicable Diseases (SMR 3.2).
  • Which type of viral hepatitis usually spreads through food or water contaminated with an infected person's stool? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Hepatitis (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest I 0007 Communicable Diseases (SMR 3.2).

Subtest II: Nutrition and fitness 7

  • A cereal box shows 4% of the Daily Value for added sugars in one serving. By the FDA's general guide to % Daily Value, what does that figure mean? U.S. Food and Drug Administration, How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label (read 2026-10-09); the arithmetic was worked twice. Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest II 0001 Nutritional Bases of Human Health (SMR 4.1).
  • A granola bar lists 7 grams of fat, 23 grams of carbohydrate and 3 grams of protein. About how many calories come from these three? USDA National Agricultural Library, Food and Nutrition Information Center (read 2026-10-09); the arithmetic was worked twice. Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest II 0001 Nutritional Bases of Human Health (SMR 4.1).
  • The body breaks carbohydrates down into which substance, its main source of energy for cells? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Carbohydrates (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest II 0001 Nutritional Bases of Human Health (SMR 4.1).
  • How much moderate-to-vigorous physical activity do youth aged 6 through 17 need each day? Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Physical Activity Guidelines: top 10 things to know (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest II 0002 Physical Fitness and Health (SMR 4.2).
  • In the MedlinePlus chart for adults, at which body mass index does the overweight category begin? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Body mass index (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest II 0001 Nutritional Bases of Human Health (SMR 4.1).
  • Which of these is a trace mineral, needed only in small amounts? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Minerals (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest II 0001 Nutritional Bases of Human Health (SMR 4.1).
  • Which vitamins are water-soluble and are not stored in the body? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Vitamins (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest II 0001 Nutritional Bases of Human Health (SMR 4.1).

Subtest II: Mental and emotional health 4

  • For a diagnosis of depression, how long must symptoms have occurred most of the day, nearly every day? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Depression (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest II 0004 Stress, Depression, and Suicide (SMR 5.2).
  • In the Kübler-Ross model, which list gives the five stages of grief? Wikipedia, Five stages of grief (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest II 0003 Foundations of Mental and Emotional Health (SMR 5.1).
  • In the United States, which number reaches the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by call or text? National Institute of Mental Health, Suicide Prevention (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest II 0004 Stress, Depression, and Suicide (SMR 5.2).
  • What does the body do first when it meets stress? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Stress and your health (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest II 0004 Stress, Depression, and Suicide (SMR 5.2).

Subtest II: Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs 7

  • A teen takes a pain medicine that was prescribed for a relative. What is this an example of? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Prescription Drug Misuse (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest II 0006 Drug Use, Misuse, Abuse, and Addiction (SMR 6.2).
  • According to the FDA, which describes a prescription drug, as opposed to an over-the-counter drug? U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Prescription Drugs and Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs: Questions and Answers (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest II 0005 Drug Classifications and Effects on the Body (SMR 6.1).
  • For a typical adult male, binge drinking as NIAAA defines it corresponds to how many drinks in about two hours? National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Understanding Binge Drinking (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest II 0006 Drug Use, Misuse, Abuse, and Addiction (SMR 6.2).
  • How is alcohol classified by its effect on the central nervous system? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Alcohol (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest II 0005 Drug Classifications and Effects on the Body (SMR 6.1).
  • What does the medicine naloxone do? National Institute on Drug Abuse, Naloxone DrugFacts (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest II 0007 Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment of Substance Abuse (SMR 6.3).
  • What is the federal minimum age for the sale of tobacco products? U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Tobacco 21 (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest II 0006 Drug Use, Misuse, Abuse, and Addiction (SMR 6.2).
  • Which pour of spirits at 40% alcohol holds the same amount of pure alcohol as a 12-ounce can of beer at 5%? National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, What Is a Standard Drink? (read 2026-10-09); the arithmetic was worked twice. Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest II 0006 Drug Use, Misuse, Abuse, and Addiction (SMR 6.2).

Subtest III: Family life and relationships 7

  • A household is made up of two parents, their children, a grandmother and an uncle. What kind of family is this? Wikipedia, Extended family (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest III 0001 Family Structures and Family Life (SMR 7.1).
  • According to MedlinePlus, what is the surest way to protect yourself against sexually transmitted infections? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Sexually Transmitted Infections (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest III 0003 Human Sexuality and Reproductive Health (SMR 7.3).
  • How much alcohol is known to be safe to drink during pregnancy? National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Understanding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest III 0003 Human Sexuality and Reproductive Health (SMR 7.3).
  • Pressed to skip class, a student answers calmly and firmly, "No, I am not doing that," without insulting anyone. Which style of communication is this? Wikipedia, Assertiveness (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest III 0002 Interpersonal Relationships (SMR 7.2).
  • Two adults who each have a child from an earlier relationship marry and form one household. What is this family structure called? Wikipedia, Stepfamily (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest III 0001 Family Structures and Family Life (SMR 7.1).
  • What is menarche? Wikipedia, Menarche (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest III 0003 Human Sexuality and Reproductive Health (SMR 7.3).
  • Which of these is an "I" message? Wikipedia, I-message (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest III 0002 Interpersonal Relationships (SMR 7.2).

Subtest III: Consumer and community health 7

  • A family's health plan pays only for doctors who work for or contract with the plan, unless there is an emergency. Which type of plan is it? HealthCare.gov glossary, Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest III 0004 Consumer Health (SMR 8.1).
  • A student has a deep cut on the forearm that is bleeding. What is the most important first aid step? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Bleeding (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest III 0006 Intentional and Unintentional Injury (SMR 8.3).
  • A website sells a "miracle" pill said to cure many unrelated diseases, with no proof that it is safe or works. What does the FDA call this? U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Health Fraud Scams (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest III 0004 Consumer Health (SMR 8.1).
  • According to MedlinePlus, what does bullying always involve? MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine), Bullying and Cyberbullying (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest III 0006 Intentional and Unintentional Injury (SMR 8.3).
  • An advertisement says, "Everyone at your school is switching to this sports drink." Which persuasive technique is it using? Wikipedia, Bandwagon effect (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest III 0004 Consumer Health (SMR 8.1).
  • What is Medi-Cal? Wikipedia, Medi-Cal (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest III 0004 Consumer Health (SMR 8.1).
  • Which federal agency protects the public from unreasonable risks of injury from consumer products such as toys and appliances? USA.gov, Consumer Product Safety Commission (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest III 0004 Consumer Health (SMR 8.1).

Subtest III: Environmental health 4

  • The Air Quality Index for a town is 40. What does that value mean? AirNow, Air Quality Index (AQI) Basics (read 2026-10-09); the arithmetic was worked twice. Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest III 0007 People, Health, and the Environment (SMR 9.1).
  • How does ground-level ozone form? U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ground-level Ozone Basics (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest III 0007 People, Health, and the Environment (SMR 9.1).
  • Which gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer overall and the leading cause among people who do not smoke? U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Health Risk of Radon (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest III 0007 People, Health, and the Environment (SMR 9.1).
  • Why can carbon monoxide build up in a home without anyone noticing? U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Carbon Monoxide's Impact on Indoor Air Quality (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Health Science content specifications, Subtest III 0007 People, Health, and the Environment (SMR 9.1).

How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the published content domains of CSET: Health Science, Subtests I, II and III (test codes 178, 179 and 180), read 2026-10-09 on the program site of the California Educator Credentialing Assessments (test page https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/CA_CSET178_TestPage.html; test structure https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/Content/StudyGuide/CA_SG_obj_178.htm; subtest descriptions https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/content/docs/CSET_Prep/CS_178subtestdescription.pdf, CS_179subtestdescription.pdf and CS_180subtestdescription.pdf): 40 multiple-choice questions a subtest, split 10, 10 and 20 in Subtest I, 15, 10 and 15 in Subtest II and 15, 15 and 10 in Subtest III. This bank follows those shares: 5, 4, 9; 7, 4, 7; 7, 7, 4. Every fact was read on the public page named under its question: MedlinePlus, institutes of the National Institutes of Health, the FDA, the EPA, AirNow, HealthCare.gov, USA.gov, the USDA National Agricultural Library, the World Health Organization and Wikipedia. Four answers also rest on arithmetic or a range, each worked out a second time. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

How it works

This free CSET Health Science practice test asks 54 questions of our own across the three subtests. It is unofficial practice, with no link to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing or to Pearson.

Read the full guide

Three subtests of 40

CSET: Health Science has Subtests I, II and III (test codes 178, 179 and 180). The bank keeps the nine domains' published shares; exam mode draws 40, as many as one real subtest asks.

A study guide by subtest

As a CSET Health Science study guide: Subtest I is foundations of health education, human growth and development, and chronic and communicable diseases. Subtest II is nutrition and fitness, mental and emotional health, and alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Subtest III is family life, consumer and community health, and environmental health.

Older documents

The content specifications cite the 2003 Health Framework for California Public Schools and name Healthy People 2010. Facts here were read on current public pages.

Questions and answers

Is this the official CSET practice test for Health Science?

No. It is an unofficial set of 54 questions written for this page from the content specifications of the three subtests. The official sample questions and practice test were not opened, so none is repeated here.

How many questions are on the CSET Health Science test?

Each subtest has 40 multiple-choice questions. Subtests I and II add 2 constructed-response questions and run 1 hour and 45 minutes each. Subtest III adds 1 and runs 1 hour and 15 minutes.

What is the passing score for CSET Health Science?

220 on each subtest, on a scale of 100 to 300. Multiple-choice questions carry 70% of the Subtest I score and 80% of the Subtest II and III scores; constructed responses carry the rest.

Can I take the CSET Health Science test online?

Yes. The test page says online proctoring is available, with each subtest registered as its own session and no breaks. At a test center you may take one subtest, or all three in a single session of 4 hours and 45 minutes.

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