• 60 questions

CSET Home Economics Study Guide

Unofficial practice for CSET: Home Economics (181, 182, 183): family and child development, foods, textiles, housing and consumer education.

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About how long does a human pregnancy last, counted from the last menstrual period?

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing or Pearson. Bank checked October 14, 2026.

Study guide: the 15 competencies made to print

CSET Home Economics: what to study

The competencies of the three subtests, test codes 181, 182 and 183, in the order of the subject matter requirements, each summed up in our own words. Unofficial; read the subtest descriptions themselves before you test.

Subtest I: personal, family and child development (40 multiple-choice questions)

  • 0001 Personal, Interpersonal, and Family Relationships Values, goals and self-concept; friends, partners and spouses; relationship skills and stress management; kinds of family and the roles within them; the family life cycle and where families find support.
  • 0002 Parenting Deciding to become a parent; family planning; pregnancy and prenatal health; parenting theories and guiding a child's behavior; children's illnesses and health care; safety and first aid; abuse, neglect and the legal duty to protect a child.
  • 0003 Child Development and Education Stages from infancy through adolescence; the theories of Piaget, Erikson and Kohlberg; observation methods; activities that fit each age; careers with children.

Subtest II: nutrition, foods and hospitality (40 multiple-choice questions)

  • 0001 Food and Nutritional Science Chemical and physical changes in food; nutrients and how the body uses them; dietary guidelines and needs across life; labels and diet plans; food technology; diet-related disease; culture, income and diet.
  • 0002 Food Preparation and Hospitality Food safety and sanitation; kitchen layout, equipment and hazards; the agencies that regulate food; meal management; measuring, substituting and converting recipes; table service and customs; careers in food and hospitality.

Subtest III: fashion and textiles (12 multiple-choice questions)

  • 0001 Fashion Influences and Wardrobe Management History of fashion and textiles; color; design elements and principles; planning a wardrobe; careers.
  • 0002 Fibers, Fabrics, and Finishes Natural and manufactured fibers and their names; choosing fabrics and finishes; care symbols, laundering, stain removal and storage.
  • 0003 Apparel Construction Sewing equipment; techniques and terms for making, altering and repairing; judging quality; the cost of buying set against making.

Subtest III: housing and interior design (12 multiple-choice questions)

  • 0004 Housing Choosing housing and interiors; building materials; architectural history; housing laws, programs and codes.
  • 0005 Interior Design Elements and principles of design; color schemes; floor plans and design for every stage of life; careers.
  • 0006 Furnishings Furniture styles old and new; choosing furnishings and equipment; coverings for walls and floors, textiles, lighting and window treatments.

Subtest III: consumer education (16 multiple-choice questions)

  • 0007 Personal and Family Resources Needs, wants, goals and values; what sways a purchase; comparing goods; fraud and where to report it; balancing home and work.
  • 0008 Consumer Rights and Responsibilities Consumer protection law on advertising, credit, safety and warranties; settling problems with sellers; the agencies that protect consumers; conservation.
  • 0009 Economic Systems How the U.S. economy works and what government does in it; growth, employment and inflation; supply and demand.
  • 0010 Personal Finances Budgets, banking, credit, loans, taxes and insurance; major purchases; finding and paying for housing; careers in consumer services.

The three subtests

  • Subtest I (test code 181): 40 multiple-choice questions and 1 extended constructed-response question. 1 hour and 30 minutes.
  • Subtest II (test code 182): 40 multiple-choice questions and 2 short constructed-response questions. 1 hour and 30 minutes.
  • Subtest III (test code 183): 40 multiple-choice questions and 4 short constructed-response questions. 2 hours.
  • In each subtest multiple-choice questions are 70% of the score and the constructed-response part 30%. Passing score: 220 per subtest. Computer-based test only.

Source: Subtest descriptions https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/content/docs/CSET_Prep/CS_181subtestdescription.pdf, CS_182subtestdescription.pdf and CS_183subtestdescription.pdf, test structure https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/Content/StudyGuide/CA_SG_obj_181.htm and test page https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/CA_CSET181_TestPage.html of the California Educator Credentialing Assessments, read 2026-10-14. Checked October 14, 2026.

Constructed-response prompts to print 7 lines, made to print

Home economics constructed-response practice

Name ____ Date ____

Answer on the lines. The real Subtest I sets one extended constructed-response question, Subtest II two short ones and Subtest III four short ones. Unofficial practice prompts; none is from the real test.

Subtest I: extended response

  • A family with two school-age children takes in a grandparent who needs daily care. Using what you know of family structures, roles and the family life cycle, describe the changes the family may face and the resources that could support it.

Subtest II: short response

  • Explain how cross-contamination happens in a kitchen, and describe two ways to prevent it.
  • A recipe that serves 6 must serve 15. Explain how to convert the amounts, and name one step that needs extra care when a recipe is scaled up.

Subtest III: short response

  • Compare one natural fiber and one manufactured fiber for a child's school clothes: comfort, care and cost.
  • Describe three features of universal design in a home, and say whom each one helps.
  • Explain how a consumer can compare two loans, and what the annual percentage rate shows.
  • A consumer buys a product that does not work as advertised. Describe the steps to seek redress, and name one agency that can help.

Source: Own prompts. Constructed-response counts from the test structure (https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/Content/StudyGuide/CA_SG_obj_181.htm); the topics follow the subject matter requirements (https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/content/docs/CSET_Prep/CS_181subtestdescription.pdf and the descriptions of Subtests II and III), all read 2026-10-14. Checked October 14, 2026.

Next step Another teacher test: GACE Family and Consumer Sciences

All 60 questions with answers

Subtest I: family relationships and parenting 12

  • A parent praises a child each time the toys are put away, and the child tidies up more often. Which principle is at work? Answer: Positive reinforcement. Source: Wikipedia, Reinforcement (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest I 0002 Parenting (SMR 1.2).
  • A teacher has reason to suspect that a child is being abused. What does the law require of a "mandated reporter"? Answer: To report the suspicion to the authorities. Source: Wikipedia, Mandated reporter (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest I 0002 Parenting (SMR 1.2).
  • About how long does a human pregnancy last, counted from the last menstrual period? Answer: About 40 weeks. Source: Wikipedia, Pregnancy (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest I 0002 Parenting (SMR 1.2).
  • During a family disagreement, which statement is an "I-message"? Answer: "I feel worried when the chores are left undone.". Source: Wikipedia, I-message (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest I 0001 Personal, Interpersonal, and Family Relationships (SMR 1.1).
Show all 60 questions (56 more)

Subtest I: family relationships and parenting, continued

  • How does a vaccine protect a child against a particular infectious disease? Answer: It trains the immune system to recognize a disease agent. Source: Wikipedia, Vaccine (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest I 0002 Parenting (SMR 1.2).
  • In Baumrind's parenting styles, which style pairs high warmth with firm, clear expectations? Answer: Authoritative. Source: Wikipedia, Parenting styles (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest I 0002 Parenting (SMR 1.2).
  • In Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which needs sit at the base and come first? Answer: Physiological needs such as food and sleep. Source: Wikipedia, Maslow's hierarchy of needs (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest I 0001 Personal, Interpersonal, and Family Relationships (SMR 1.1).
  • In the family life cycle, what marks the "empty nest" stage? Answer: The children have grown and left home. Source: Wikipedia, Empty nest syndrome (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest I 0001 Personal, Interpersonal, and Family Relationships (SMR 1.1).
  • Two adults marry, and one brings children from an earlier relationship. Which term fits the new household? Answer: A stepfamily. Source: Wikipedia, Stepfamily (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest I 0001 Personal, Interpersonal, and Family Relationships (SMR 1.1).
  • What is a "time-out" as a way of guiding a young child's behavior? Answer: Briefly removing the child from where the behavior happened. Source: Wikipedia, Time-out (parenting) (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest I 0002 Parenting (SMR 1.2).
  • Which family structure is made up of parents and their children living in one household? Answer: A nuclear family. Source: Wikipedia, Nuclear family (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest I 0001 Personal, Interpersonal, and Family Relationships (SMR 1.1).
  • Which federal program gives healthy foods and nutrition education to pregnant women, infants and children until they turn 5? Answer: WIC. Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, WIC (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest I 0001 Personal, Interpersonal, and Family Relationships (SMR 1.1).

Subtest I: child development 8

  • A child cannot yet tie shoelaces alone but manages with an adult's step-by-step help. In Vygotsky's terms, where does the task lie for this child? Answer: In the zone of proximal development. Source: Wikipedia, Zone of proximal development (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest I 0003 Child Development and Education (SMR 1.3).
  • A seven-year-old now sees that water poured into a taller, thinner glass is still the same amount. Which idea has the child grasped? Answer: Conservation. Source: Wikipedia, Piaget's theory of cognitive development (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest I 0003 Child Development and Education (SMR 1.3).
  • Hope is the virtue Erikson ties to his first stage, in infancy. Which conflict defines that stage? Answer: Trust versus mistrust. Source: Wikipedia, Erikson's stages of psychosocial development (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest I 0003 Child Development and Education (SMR 1.3).
  • In Piaget's theory, during which stage does an infant come to understand that a hidden toy still exists? Answer: Sensorimotor. Source: Wikipedia, Piaget's theory of cognitive development (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest I 0003 Child Development and Education (SMR 1.3).
  • Kohlberg's first level of moral development begins with a stage whose guiding question is "How can I avoid punishment?" What is that level called? Answer: Pre-conventional. Source: Wikipedia, Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest I 0003 Child Development and Education (SMR 1.3).
  • Two toddlers sit side by side, each stacking their own blocks without trying to join the other. What is this called? Answer: Parallel play. Source: Wikipedia, Parallel play (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest I 0003 Child Development and Education (SMR 1.3).
  • Which activity mainly builds a preschooler's fine motor skills? Answer: Stringing beads. Source: Wikipedia, Fine motor skill (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest I 0003 Child Development and Education (SMR 1.3).
  • Which of Erikson's stages is tied to adolescence? Answer: Identity versus role confusion. Source: Wikipedia, Erikson's stages of psychosocial development (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest I 0003 Child Development and Education (SMR 1.3).

Subtest II: food and nutritional science 10

  • A serving of trail mix has 12 g of fat, 15 g of carbohydrate and 6 g of protein. About how many kilocalories is that? Answer: 192. Source: Wikipedia, Food energy (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest II 0001 Food and Nutritional Science (SMR 2.1).
  • Baking powder leavens a batter even when the recipe has no acidic ingredient. Why? Answer: It already contains a weak acid with the bicarbonate. Source: Wikipedia, Baking powder (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest II 0001 Food and Nutritional Science (SMR 2.1).
  • How often are the Dietary Guidelines for Americans published? Answer: Every five years. Source: Wikipedia, Dietary Guidelines for Americans (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest II 0001 Food and Nutritional Science (SMR 2.1).
  • Humans need 13 vitamins. How are they divided between fat-soluble and water-soluble? Answer: 4 fat-soluble (A, D, E, K) and 9 water-soluble. Source: Wikipedia, Vitamin (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest II 0001 Food and Nutritional Science (SMR 2.1).
  • In which organ does most absorption of nutrients from food take place? Answer: The small intestine. Source: Wikipedia, Small intestine (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest II 0001 Food and Nutritional Science (SMR 2.1).
  • Mayonnaise holds oil and a water-based liquid together without separating. What kind of mixture is it? Answer: An emulsion. Source: Wikipedia, Emulsion (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest II 0001 Food and Nutritional Science (SMR 2.1).
  • Scurvy results from a lack of which vitamin? Answer: Vitamin C. Source: Wikipedia, Scurvy (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest II 0001 Food and Nutritional Science (SMR 2.1).
  • What does gluten do in a wheat bread dough? Answer: It gives the dough elasticity and helps it rise. Source: Wikipedia, Gluten (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest II 0001 Food and Nutritional Science (SMR 2.1).
  • What makes a food a "complete protein"? Answer: It supplies all nine essential amino acids. Source: Wikipedia, Complete protein (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest II 0001 Food and Nutritional Science (SMR 2.1).
  • Which reaction between amino acids and sugars gives seared meat and bread crust their brown color and flavor? Answer: The Maillard reaction. Source: Wikipedia, Maillard reaction (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest II 0001 Food and Nutritional Science (SMR 2.1).

Subtest II: food preparation and hospitality 10

  • A recipe calls for 1/4 cup of oil, and only a tablespoon measure is clean. How many level tablespoons are needed? Answer: 4. Source: Wikipedia, Cup (unit) (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest II 0002 Food Preparation and Hospitality (SMR 2.2).
  • A soup recipe serves 6 and uses 1 1/2 quarts of stock. How much stock is needed to serve 15? Answer: 3 3/4 quarts. Source: Arithmetic worked from the numbers in the question. Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest II 0002 Food Preparation and Hospitality (SMR 2.2).
  • By the FDA's safe food handling chart, to what internal temperature should poultry be cooked? Answer: 165°F. Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Safe Food Handling (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest II 0002 Food Preparation and Hospitality (SMR 2.2).
  • By the FDA's safe food handling guidance, at or below what temperature should a home refrigerator be kept? Answer: 40°F. Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Safe Food Handling (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest II 0002 Food Preparation and Hospitality (SMR 2.2).
  • The FDA sums up safe food handling at home in four steps. Which set is it? Answer: Clean, separate, cook, chill. Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Safe Food Handling (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest II 0002 Food Preparation and Hospitality (SMR 2.2).
  • In a Western table setting, which of these are generally placed to the right of the dinner plate? Answer: Knives and spoons. Source: Wikipedia, Table setting (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest II 0002 Food Preparation and Hospitality (SMR 2.2).
  • In kitchen design, which three work areas form the "work triangle"? Answer: The sink, the refrigerator and the stove. Source: Wikipedia, Kitchen work triangle (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest II 0002 Food Preparation and Hospitality (SMR 2.2).
  • What does the kitchen term "mise en place" mean? Answer: Having everything set up before cooking begins. Source: Wikipedia, Mise en place (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest II 0002 Food Preparation and Hospitality (SMR 2.2).
  • Which cooking method browns food first and then simmers it, covered, in a small amount of liquid? Answer: Braising. Source: Wikipedia, Braising (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest II 0002 Food Preparation and Hospitality (SMR 2.2).
  • Which federal agency sees to the safety of meat, poultry and egg products sold commercially? Answer: USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service. Source: Wikipedia, Food Safety and Inspection Service (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest II 0002 Food Preparation and Hospitality (SMR 2.2).

Subtest III: fashion and textiles 6

  • An outfit combines blue, blue-green and green. Which color scheme is this? Answer: Analogous. Source: Wikipedia, Analogous colors (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest III 0001 Fashion Influences and Wardrobe Management (SMR 3.1).
  • In garment construction, what is a dart for? Answer: Shaping flat fabric to the curves of the body. Source: Wikipedia, Dart (sewing) (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest III 0003 Apparel Construction (SMR 3.3).
  • In the Federal Trade Commission's list of generic fiber names, which is "a manufactured fiber composed of regenerated cellulose"? Answer: Rayon. Source: Federal Trade Commission, Textile Fiber Products Identification Act rules, 16 CFR 303.7 (eCFR) (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest III 0002 Fibers, Fabrics, and Finishes (SMR 3.2).
  • Under the Federal Trade Commission's Care Labeling Rule, what must the care label on a garment state? Answer: What regular care the garment needs. Source: Federal Trade Commission, Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423.6 (eCFR) (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest III 0002 Fibers, Fabrics, and Finishes (SMR 3.2).
  • What is the selvage of a woven fabric? Answer: The self-finished edge that keeps fabric from fraying. Source: Wikipedia, Selvage (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest III 0003 Apparel Construction (SMR 3.3).
  • Whitney's cotton gin of 1794 was the first to clean which kind of cotton, the kind that then became a profitable crop? Answer: Short-staple cotton. Source: National Archives, Milestone Documents, Patent for Cotton Gin (1794) (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest III 0001 Fashion Influences and Wardrobe Management (SMR 3.1).

Subtest III: housing and interior design 6

  • A designer pairs blue walls with orange accents for strong contrast. In the traditional color model, what is such a pair of colors called? Answer: Complementary. Source: Wikipedia, Complementary colors (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest III 0005 Interior Design (SMR 4.2).
  • A kitchen is planned with lever handles, wide doorways and counters at varied heights so that people of any age or ability can use it. Which approach is this? Answer: Universal design. Source: Section508.gov, U.S. General Services Administration, Universal Design and Accessibility (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest III 0005 Interior Design (SMR 4.2).
  • A lamp is placed to light a desk for reading and homework. Which type of lighting is this? Answer: Task lighting. Source: Wikipedia, Task lighting (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest III 0006 Furnishings (SMR 4.3).
  • What does the federal Fair Housing Act protect people from? Answer: Discrimination when renting or buying a home. Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Housing Act Overview (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest III 0004 Housing (SMR 4.1).
  • What does the federal Section 8 housing program do? Answer: Helps low-income households afford private rentals. Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Housing Choice Voucher Tenants (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest III 0004 Housing (SMR 4.1).
  • Which drawing shows, to scale, how the rooms on one level of a house lie in relation to one another? Answer: A floor plan. Source: Wikipedia, Floor plan (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest III 0005 Interior Design (SMR 4.2).

Subtest III: consumer education 8

  • $500 is saved at 4% interest, compounded once a year. How much is in the account after two years? Answer: $540.80. Source: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Investor.gov glossary, Compound Interest (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest III 0010 Personal Finances (SMR 5.4).
  • A family's health insurance plan has a $2,000 deductible. What does that mean? Answer: The family pays the first $2,000 of covered services. Source: HealthCare.gov glossary, Deductible (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest III 0010 Personal Finances (SMR 5.4).
  • A store advertises a television at a very low price that it does not mean to honor, then steers shoppers to a costlier model. What do the Federal Trade Commission's guides call such an offer? Answer: Bait advertising. Source: Federal Trade Commission, Guides Against Bait Advertising, 16 CFR 238.0 (eCFR) (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest III 0007 Personal and Family Resources (SMR 5.1).
  • Laundry detergent comes in a 50-ounce bottle for $8.00 and a 75-ounce bottle for $10.50. Which is the better buy by unit price? Answer: The 75-ounce bottle, at 14 cents an ounce. Source: Arithmetic worked from the numbers in the question. Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest III 0007 Personal and Family Resources (SMR 5.1).
  • What does the federal Truth in Lending Act require of lenders? Answer: To disclose the terms and cost of consumer credit. Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Regulation Z (Truth in Lending), 12 CFR 1026.1 (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest III 0008 Consumer Rights and Responsibilities (SMR 5.2).
  • What does the supply and demand model call the price at which the quantity demanded equals the quantity supplied? Answer: The market-clearing price. Source: Wikipedia, Supply and demand (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest III 0009 Economic Systems (SMR 5.3).
  • Which federal agency protects the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury from consumer products, among them products that can injure children? Answer: The Consumer Product Safety Commission. Source: USA.gov, Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest III 0008 Consumer Rights and Responsibilities (SMR 5.2).
  • Which term does the National Bureau of Economic Research use for a marked, economy-wide fall in activity lasting longer than a few months? Answer: A recession. Source: National Bureau of Economic Research, Business Cycle Dating (read 2026-10-14). Outline: CSET: Home Economics subject matter requirements, Subtest III 0009 Economic Systems (SMR 5.3).

How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the published subject matter requirements of CSET: Home Economics, read 2026-10-14 on the program site of the California Educator Credentialing Assessments (test page https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/CA_CSET181_TestPage.html; test structure https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/Content/StudyGuide/CA_SG_obj_181.htm; subtest descriptions https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/content/docs/CSET_Prep/CS_181subtestdescription.pdf, CS_182subtestdescription.pdf and CS_183subtestdescription.pdf). The structure gives each subtest 40 multiple-choice questions: Subtest I, Personal, Family, and Child Development; Subtest II, Nutrition, Foods, and Hospitality; Subtest III, Fashion and Textiles 12, Housing and Interior Design 12 and Consumer Education 16. The bank holds 60 in that balance: 20, 20, and 6, 6 and 8, spread over the fifteen competencies. Every fact was read on 2026-10-14 in the public page the question names: the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, rules of the Federal Trade Commission in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Securities and Exchange Commission, USA.gov, HealthCare.gov, Section508.gov, the National Bureau of Economic Research, the U.S. National Archives and the named Wikipedia article. Two questions are arithmetic worked from the numbers in the question. Questions on nutrition, pregnancy and vaccines state textbook facts for the exam and give no advice. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

How it works

This free CSET Home Economics study guide is a practice test: 60 questions of our own across Subtests I, II and III. Unofficial, and not affiliated with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing or Pearson.

Read the full guide

Three subtests of 40

By the test structure read October 14, 2026, each subtest has 40 multiple-choice questions. Subtest I (181) is personal, family and child development; Subtest II (182) is nutrition, foods and hospitality; Subtest III (183) gives 12 to fashion and textiles, 12 to housing and interior design and 16 to consumer education.

A study guide by competency

The 60 questions keep those shares: 20, 20, and 6, 6 and 8. Each answer names one of the fifteen competencies, and a sheet under the questions sums up all fifteen.

Where the answers come from

Food safety, housing and consumer answers were read on federal pages such as the FDA, HUD and the Federal Trade Commission's rules. Child development theory and food science come from the named Wikipedia article.

  • The test page says Subtest III includes one or more assignments you may write by hand and scan.
  • Seven written prompts of our own, in the real mix for each subtest, print from under the questions.

Questions and answers

Is there a free CSET Home Economics practice test?

Yes, this page. Its 60 questions are ours, written from the published subject matter requirements for the three subtests and checked against public sources. No real question, sample question or official practice test item was used.

What is on the CSET Home Economics test?

Family relationships, parenting and child development; nutritional science and food preparation; fibers, fabrics and apparel construction; housing, interior design and furnishings; consumer rights and personal finance. Each subtest also sets written questions: one, two and four.

How long is the CSET Home Economics test?

Subtests I and II are 1 hour and 30 minutes each and Subtest III is 2 hours, by the test page. All three in a single session take 5 hours, plus 15 minutes for a nondisclosure agreement and tutorial.

What is the passing score for CSET Home Economics?

220 on each subtest. Multiple-choice questions count for 70% of a subtest's score and the written part for 30%, so this page reports how many you got right and gives no verdict.

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