• 62 questions

CSET Industrial and Technology Education Practice Test

Unofficial practice for CSET: Industrial and Technology Education, test codes 184 and 185: design, energy, communication and product development.

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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 6 lines, made to print

Industrial and Technology Education 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: nature of technology

  • A student group must design a device that lets a person with a weak grip open jars. Describe the engineering design process you would lead the group through, step by step, and what is decided at each step.
  • Choose one stationary power tool in a school shop. Name three safety rules you would post beside it and explain the hazard behind each.
  • Explain the difference between a patent and a copyright, with one classroom example of each.

Subtest II: power, communication and product development

  • A 24-volt supply feeds two 12-ohm resistors in series. Find the current in the circuit and the power it uses, showing each formula.
  • A school banner is to be printed three meters wide. Compare raster and vector artwork for the job and say which you would choose and why.
  • A class will produce 50 wooden boxes. Describe how you would inspect the run: what is measured, when, and what happens to a part that is out of tolerance.

Source: Own prompts. The real test sets 2 short and 1 extended constructed-response questions in Subtest I and 3 short ones in Subtest II (https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/Content/StudyGuide/CA_SG_obj_184.htm); the topics follow the content specifications (https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/content/docs/CSET_Prep/CS_184subtestdescription.pdf and CS_185subtestdescription.pdf), 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 On each subtest the multiple-choice questions carry 70% of the score and the 3 constructed responses carry 30%.
  • 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_184.htm), both read 2026-10-09. Checked October 9, 2026.

Next step More shop safety: OSHA 10 practiceAnother teacher test: FTCE Engineering and Technology

All 62 questions

Subtest I: Nature of technology 23

  • A 20-kilogram cart accelerates at 3 meters per second squared. By Newton's second law, what net force acts on it? Worked twice. Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest I, Nature of Technology 0006 Integration with Other Academic Disciplines (SMR 1.6).
  • A company creates a new, original and ornamental shape for a desk lamp. Which kind of U.S. patent covers the look of the lamp, and for how long? U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Patent essentials (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest I, Nature of Technology 0004 Society and Globalization (SMR 1.4).
  • A designer reshapes a drill handle so that it fits the hand and causes less strain. Which factor of design function is being addressed? Wikipedia, Ergonomics (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest I, Nature of Technology 0001 Innovation and Design (SMR 1.1).
Show all 62 questions (59 more)

Subtest I: Nature of technology, continued

  • A furnace controller compares the room temperature it measures with the set point and switches the burner to close the gap. Which element of a system does the measured temperature supply? Wikipedia, Control system (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest I, Nature of Technology 0005 Independent and Integrated System Model (SMR 1.5).
  • A guy wire runs from the top of an 8-foot pole to a stake in level ground 6 feet from the base of the pole. How long is the wire? Worked twice. Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest I, Nature of Technology 0006 Integration with Other Academic Disciplines (SMR 1.6).
  • A new solvent arrives in the lab. Which document lists its hazards and safe handling in 16 standard sections? Wikipedia, Safety data sheet (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest I, Nature of Technology 0003 Safety and the Environment (SMR 1.3).
  • A student writes an original program and saves it to a disk. Under U.S. law, when does copyright protection begin? U.S. Copyright Office, What is Copyright? (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest I, Nature of Technology 0004 Society and Globalization (SMR 1.4).
  • A teacher has to raise her voice to be heard by a student 3 feet away while the planer runs. What does OSHA's noise guidance say this suggests? OSHA, Occupational Noise Exposure (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest I, Nature of Technology 0003 Safety and the Environment (SMR 1.3).
  • A team tests its bridge model, sees it sag, and goes back to rewrite the load requirement before redesigning. What does this show about the engineering design process? Wikipedia, Engineering design process (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest I, Nature of Technology 0001 Innovation and Design (SMR 1.1).
  • Air sealed in a cylinder is squeezed to half its volume while its temperature stays the same. By the ideal gas law, what happens to its absolute pressure? Worked twice. Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest I, Nature of Technology 0006 Integration with Other Academic Disciplines (SMR 1.6).
  • Around 1440 a machine appeared in Europe that transformed how written works were produced and spread. Which was it? Wikipedia, Printing press (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest I, Nature of Technology 0004 Society and Globalization (SMR 1.4).
  • Before a technician clears a jam in a powered press, the machine is shut off, its energy source is isolated and locked, and a tag names the worker. What is this procedure called? Wikipedia, Lockout–tagout (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest I, Nature of Technology 0003 Safety and the Environment (SMR 1.3).
  • In a flowchart, which shape usually stands for a decision? Wikipedia, Flowchart (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest I, Nature of Technology 0006 Integration with Other Academic Disciplines (SMR 1.6).
  • In the critical path method, what is the critical path? Wikipedia, Critical path method (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest I, Nature of Technology 0005 Independent and Integrated System Model (SMR 1.5).
  • In the United States fire classification, a fire in energized electrical equipment belongs to which class? Wikipedia, Fire classification (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest I, Nature of Technology 0003 Safety and the Environment (SMR 1.3).
  • In the usual four-phase model of a product's sales life cycle, which phase comes after maturity? Wikipedia, Product life-cycle management (marketing) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest I, Nature of Technology 0001 Innovation and Design (SMR 1.1).
  • Nanotechnology works with matter that has at least one dimension in which size range? Wikipedia, Nanotechnology (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest I, Nature of Technology 0001 Innovation and Design (SMR 1.1).
  • On a screen, a red light and a green light overlap. Which color appears where they meet? Wikipedia, Additive color (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest I, Nature of Technology 0001 Innovation and Design (SMR 1.1).
  • SkillsUSA and the Technology Student Association are examples of what? Wikipedia, SkillsUSA and Technology Student Association (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest I, Nature of Technology 0002 Careers and Employability Skills (SMR 1.2).
  • What is a prototype built for? Wikipedia, Prototype (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest I, Nature of Technology 0001 Innovation and Design (SMR 1.1).
  • Which agency of the U.S. Department of Labor, set up under a 1970 act, has the power to inspect workplaces? Wikipedia, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest I, Nature of Technology 0003 Safety and the Environment (SMR 1.3).
  • Which device, invented in 1947, amplifies or switches electrical signals and is a basic building block of modern electronics? Wikipedia, Transistor (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest I, Nature of Technology 0004 Society and Globalization (SMR 1.4).
  • Which period, starting in Great Britain around 1760, moved the economy toward more efficient, stable and widespread manufacturing? Wikipedia, Industrial Revolution (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest I, Nature of Technology 0004 Society and Globalization (SMR 1.4).

Subtest II: Power and energy 13

  • A 12-tooth gear drives a 36-tooth gear. Ignoring friction, how does the driven gear turn compared with the driver? Wikipedia, Gear train (read 2026-10-09); the arithmetic was worked twice. Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Power and Energy 0002 Systems (SMR 2.2).
  • A heating element draws 5 amperes from a 120-volt supply. What is its resistance? Worked twice. Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Power and Energy 0001 Processes (SMR 2.1).
  • A hoist raises a 500-newton load 6 meters in 10 seconds. What power does it deliver to the load? Worked twice. Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Power and Energy 0001 Processes (SMR 2.1).
  • A machine takes in 2,000 joules of energy and delivers 1,500 joules of useful work. What is its efficiency? Worked twice. Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Power and Energy 0001 Processes (SMR 2.1).
  • A pumped-storage plant uses surplus off-peak electricity to pump water to a higher reservoir. In what form is the energy stored? Wikipedia, Pumped-storage hydroelectricity (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Power and Energy 0001 Processes (SMR 2.1).
  • How does a circuit breaker differ from a fuse? Wikipedia, Circuit breaker (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Power and Energy 0002 Systems (SMR 2.2).
  • In a hydraulic jack, a 50-newton force pushes on a piston of 2 square centimeters. The output piston has an area of 40 square centimeters. Ignoring losses, what force does it give? Wikipedia, Pascal's law (read 2026-10-09); the arithmetic was worked twice. Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Power and Energy 0001 Processes (SMR 2.1).
  • In a nuclear power plant, how does heat from the reactor become electricity? Wikipedia, Nuclear power plant (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Power and Energy 0001 Processes (SMR 2.1).
  • Two 6-ohm resistors are wired in parallel. What is their combined resistance? Worked twice. Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Power and Energy 0002 Systems (SMR 2.2).
  • Which device turns the chemical energy of a fuel such as hydrogen, and an oxidizing agent, into electricity through redox reactions? Wikipedia, Fuel cell (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Power and Energy 0001 Processes (SMR 2.1).
  • Which instrument measures the torque and rotational speed of an engine at the same time, so that its power can be calculated? Wikipedia, Dynamometer (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Power and Energy 0003 Resources (SMR 2.3).
  • Which is the order of the strokes in a four-stroke engine? Wikipedia, Four-stroke engine (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Power and Energy 0002 Systems (SMR 2.2).
  • Which of these does the U.S. Energy Information Administration list as a nonrenewable energy source? U.S. Energy Information Administration, Sources of energy (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Power and Energy 0003 Resources (SMR 2.3).

Subtest II: Information and communication 13

  • A lab aide's account can open only the files the job requires. Which security principle is being applied? Wikipedia, Principle of least privilege (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Information and Communication 0007 Security and Privacy (SMR 3.4).
  • A login asks for a password and then for a code sent to the user's phone. What kind of authentication is this? Wikipedia, Multi-factor authentication (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Information and Communication 0007 Security and Privacy (SMR 3.4).
  • A logo must be enlarged from a business card to a billboard with no visible pixels. Which kind of graphic suits the job? Wikipedia, Vector graphics (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Information and Communication 0005 Systems (SMR 3.2).
  • A network links the computers inside one school building. What is it called? Wikipedia, Local area network (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Information and Communication 0006 Resources (SMR 3.3).
  • Before filming a safety video, students sketch each shot on cards and pin them up in order. What have they made? Wikipedia, Storyboard (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Information and Communication 0004 Design Processes (SMR 3.1).
  • How does an optical fiber carry a signal? Wikipedia, Optical fiber (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Information and Communication 0006 Resources (SMR 3.3).
  • In frequency modulation, which property of the carrier wave is varied to carry the message? Wikipedia, Frequency modulation (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Information and Communication 0005 Systems (SMR 3.2).
  • On an engineering drawing, how are edges that cannot be seen from the chosen view shown? Wikipedia, Engineering drawing (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Information and Communication 0004 Design Processes (SMR 3.1).
  • What does encryption do to a message? Wikipedia, Encryption (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Information and Communication 0007 Security and Privacy (SMR 3.4).
  • Which binary number equals the decimal number 13? Worked twice. Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Information and Communication 0004 Design Processes (SMR 3.1).
  • Which device passes data packets between computer networks? Wikipedia, Router (computing) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Information and Communication 0006 Resources (SMR 3.3).
  • Which electronic component conducts current primarily in one direction? Wikipedia, Diode (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Information and Communication 0006 Resources (SMR 3.3).
  • Which four inks are used in four-color process printing? Wikipedia, CMYK color model (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Information and Communication 0005 Systems (SMR 3.2).

Subtest II: Project and product development 13

  • A drawing gives a hole diameter of 0.750 inch with a tolerance of +0.003 and −0.001 inch. What is the largest acceptable diameter? Worked twice. Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Project and Product Development 0008 Engineering Principles (SMR 4.1).
  • A factory arranges for parts to arrive only as they are needed, to cut cost and waste. What is this inventory strategy called? Wikipedia, Lean manufacturing (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Project and Product Development 0010 Resources (SMR 4.3).
  • A program moves from version 2.4.1 to version 3.0.0 under the common three-part numbering scheme. Which part of the number changed? Wikipedia, Software versioning (read 2026-10-09); the arithmetic was worked twice. Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Project and Product Development 0011 Quality Assurance (SMR 4.4).
  • How are the layers of plywood arranged? Wikipedia, Plywood (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Project and Product Development 0010 Resources (SMR 4.3).
  • How many board feet are in a board 2 inches thick, 6 inches wide and 8 feet long? Wikipedia, Board foot (read 2026-10-09); the arithmetic was worked twice. Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Project and Product Development 0008 Engineering Principles (SMR 4.1).
  • In California, which law can require a public agency to produce an environmental impact report on a proposed project? Wikipedia, California Environmental Quality Act (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Project and Product Development 0009 Manufacturing and Construction Processes (SMR 4.2).
  • In total quality management, who is responsible for improving quality? Wikipedia, Total quality management (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Project and Product Development 0011 Quality Assurance (SMR 4.4).
  • In which manufacturing process is a liquid material poured into a mold and left to solidify? Wikipedia, Casting (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Project and Product Development 0009 Manufacturing and Construction Processes (SMR 4.2).
  • What does the ISO 9000 family of standards deal with? Wikipedia, ISO 9000 family (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Project and Product Development 0011 Quality Assurance (SMR 4.4).
  • Which practice means designing a product so that it is easier and cheaper to make? Wikipedia, Design for manufacturability (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Project and Product Development 0008 Engineering Principles (SMR 4.1).
  • Which process builds a part from a digital model by adding material, typically layer by layer? Wikipedia, 3D printing (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Project and Product Development 0009 Manufacturing and Construction Processes (SMR 4.2).
  • Which statement describes a thermoplastic? Wikipedia, Thermoplastic (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Project and Product Development 0010 Resources (SMR 4.3).
  • Which tool of statistical process control plots a process measure over time to show whether the process is in statistical control? Wikipedia, Control chart (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Industrial and Technology Education content specifications, Subtest II, Project and Product Development 0008 Engineering Principles (SMR 4.1).

How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the published content domains of CSET: Industrial and Technology Education, Subtest I (test code 184) and Subtest II (test code 185), 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_CSET184_TestPage.html; test structure https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/Content/StudyGuide/CA_SG_obj_184.htm; subtest descriptions https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/content/docs/CSET_Prep/CS_184subtestdescription.pdf and https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/content/docs/CSET_Prep/CS_185subtestdescription.pdf): 45 multiple-choice questions on Nature of Technology in Subtest I and 25 each on Power and Energy, Information and Communication, and Project and Product Development in Subtest II. This bank keeps that ratio: 23, 13, 13 and 13. Definitions, dates and rules were read on the page each question names: Wikipedia articles, OSHA, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Copyright Office and the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Every calculation was worked a second time. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

How it works

This free CSET Industrial and Technology Education practice test asks 62 questions of our own across both subtests. It is unofficial: the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Pearson, who give the real test, have no connection with it.

Read the full guide

Two subtests, four domains

Subtest I (184) is all Nature of Technology. Subtest II (185) gives 25 multiple-choice questions each to Power and Energy, Information and Communication, and Project and Product Development. Exam mode draws 45, the length of Subtest I.

A practice test for Subtest 1

For CSET Industrial and Technology Education Subtest 1 alone, take the Nature of technology topic: 23 questions on design, careers, safety, the history and law of technology, systems, and the mathematics and science behind them.

A study guide by domain

As a CSET Industrial and Technology Education study guide, the other three topics follow Subtest II: Ohm's and Pascal's laws, engines and gears; drawings, graphics, networks and security; tolerances, processes, materials and quality standards.

Questions and answers

Is this an official CSET practice test for industrial technology education?

No. The 62 questions were written for this page from the content specifications of Subtests I and II. The program's own sample questions and practice test were never opened, and no result here stands for a real score.

How many questions are on the CSET Industrial and Technology Education test?

Subtest I has 45 multiple-choice and 3 constructed-response questions in 2 hours and 15 minutes. Subtest II has 75 multiple-choice and 3 constructed-response questions in 2 hours and 30 minutes.

What is a passing score on CSET Industrial and Technology Education?

Each subtest is passed with a scaled score of 220; the scale runs 100 to 300. The 45 or 75 multiple-choice questions make up 70% of that score and the three constructed responses 30%.

Can I take both CSET Industrial and Technology Education subtests in one session?

Yes. The test page says you may register for one or both subtests in a single session. Together they run 4 hours and 45 minutes, one subtest at a time beginning with Subtest I, and a finished subtest cannot be reopened.

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