• 60 questions

CSET Social Science Practice Test

Unofficial CSET: Social Science practice across all three subtests: world and United States history, civics, economics and California history.

Which industry first used modern production methods in the Industrial Revolution?

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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 7 lines, made to print

Social Science short constructed-response practice

Name ____ Date ____

Write a short answer to each prompt on the lines, as you would for a short constructed-response question. Unofficial practice prompts; none is from the real test.

Subtest I: world history and geography

  • Explain two ways the printing press changed European society in the century after it appeared.
  • Compare how rivers shaped the growth of two early civilizations. Give one likeness and one difference.

Subtest II: U.S. history and geography

  • Describe two weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, and explain how the Constitution answered each one.
  • Explain how the building of the transcontinental railroad changed settlement and trade in the American West. Give two effects.

Subtest III: civics, economics and California history

  • Using one example, explain how checks and balances limit the power of one branch of the federal government.
  • A city council has a fixed budget and must choose between a new library and road repairs. Use the idea of opportunity cost to explain the choice.
  • Explain two ways the gold rush changed the population and the economy of California.

Source: Own prompts. Each real subtest has 3 constructed-response questions (https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/Content/StudyGuide/CA_SG_obj_114.htm); the topics follow the content specifications of the three subtests (https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/content/docs/CSET_Prep/CS_114subtestdescription.pdf, CS_115subtestdescription.pdf, CS_116subtestdescription.pdf), read 2026-10-09. Checked October 9, 2026.

Next step More history: NES HistoryAnother mixed set: NES Social Science

All 60 questions

World history and geography 20

  • About what share of Europe's population died in the Black Death of 1346 to 1353? Wikipedia, Black Death (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest I, World History 0002 Medieval and Early Modern Times.
  • After conquering Kalinga in a brutal war, which Mauryan ruler devoted himself to spreading dhamma, or righteous conduct? Wikipedia, Ashoka (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest I, World History 0001 Ancient Civilizations.
  • The Berlin Conference of 1884 to 1885 ended with an agreement regulating what? Wikipedia, Berlin Conference (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest I, World History 0003 Modern World History.
  • The Berlin Wall, a Cold War barrier around West Berlin, stood during which years? Wikipedia, Berlin Wall (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest I, World History 0003 Modern World History.
  • The Code of Hammurabi, a legal text composed about 1753 BC, comes from which civilization? Wikipedia, Code of Hammurabi (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest I, World History 0001 Ancient Civilizations.
  • Feudalism in medieval Europe structured society around which relationship? Wikipedia, Feudalism (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest I, World History 0002 Medieval and Early Modern Times.
Show all 60 questions (54 more)

World history and geography, continued

  • From the late 15th century on, what did the Columbian exchange carry between the Americas and Afro-Eurasia? Wikipedia, Columbian exchange (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest I, World History 0002 Medieval and Early Modern Times.
  • In 1215 at Runnymede, which king put his seal to Magna Carta when faced by rebellious barons? National Archives, Featured Documents: Magna Carta (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest I, World History 0002 Medieval and Early Modern Times.
  • Mansa Musa, who went on the Hajj to Mecca in 1324 with a vast supply of gold, ruled which empire? Wikipedia, Mansa Musa (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest I, World History 0002 Medieval and Early Modern Times.
  • The Ninety-five Theses of 1517 are considered to have launched which movement? Wikipedia, Ninety-five Theses (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest I, World History 0002 Medieval and Early Modern Times.
  • Under the Mandate of Heaven, what did the overthrow of a Chinese ruler show? Wikipedia, Mandate of Heaven (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest I, World History 0001 Ancient Civilizations.
  • What change marks the Neolithic Revolution? Wikipedia, Neolithic Revolution (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest I, World History 0001 Ancient Civilizations.
  • What did the most controversial provision of the Treaty of Versailles require Germany to accept? Wikipedia, Treaty of Versailles (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest I, World History 0003 Modern World History.
  • What is a monsoon, in the traditional meaning of the word? Wikipedia, Monsoon (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest I, World Geography 0005 Geographic Diversity of Natural Landscapes and Human Societies.
  • Which body set out the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen in 1789? Wikipedia, Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest I, World History 0003 Modern World History.
  • Which description fits the government of the Roman Republic? Wikipedia, Roman Republic (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest I, World History 0001 Ancient Civilizations.
  • Which idea did Montesquieu argue for in The Spirit of Law? Wikipedia, The Spirit of Law (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest I, World History 0003 Modern World History.
  • Which industry first used modern production methods in the Industrial Revolution? Wikipedia, Industrial Revolution (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest I, World History 0003 Modern World History.
  • Which lands does a Mercator world map show far larger than they really are? Wikipedia, Mercator projection (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest I, World Geography 0004 Tools and Perspectives of Geographic Study.
  • Who could take part in the democracy of ancient Athens? Wikipedia, Athenian democracy (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest I, World History 0001 Ancient Civilizations.

U.S. history and geography 19

  • According to the Declaration of Independence, why are governments instituted among men? National Archives, America's Founding Documents: Declaration of Independence, a transcription (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest II, U.S. History 0001 Pre-Revolutionary Era and the War for Independence.
  • Besides citizenship, what does the 14th Amendment forbid a state to deny to any person within its jurisdiction? National Archives, Milestone Documents: 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Civil Rights (1868) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest II, U.S. History 0004 Civil War and Reconstruction.
  • Besides old-age benefits for workers, which of these did the Social Security Act of 1935 establish? National Archives, Milestone Documents: Social Security Act (1935) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest II, U.S. History 0008 The Great Depression and the New Deal.
  • By the Monroe Doctrine, what would the United States not tolerate in the Western Hemisphere? National Archives, Milestone Documents: Monroe Doctrine (1823) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest II, U.S. History 0003 The Emergence of a New Nation.
  • The Dust Bowl of the 1930s came from severe drought combined with which human cause? Wikipedia, Dust Bowl (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest II, U.S. Geography 0015 Culture and the Physical Environment.
  • How did the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 change the size of the United States? National Archives, Milestone Documents: Louisiana Purchase Treaty (1803) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest II, U.S. History 0003 The Emergence of a New Nation.
  • How did the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 treat slavery in the Northwest Territory? National Archives, Milestone Documents: Northwest Ordinance (1787) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest II, U.S. History 0002 The Development of the Constitution and the Early Republic.
  • In the 1947 message known as the Truman Doctrine, the president asked Congress for $400 million in aid for which two countries? National Archives, Milestone Documents: Truman Doctrine (1947) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest II, U.S. History 0011 Post-World War II U.S. Foreign Policy.
  • The Missouri Compromise admitted Missouri as a slave state at the same time as which non-slave state? National Archives, Milestone Documents: Missouri Compromise (1820) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest II, U.S. History 0003 The Emergence of a New Nation.
  • The Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890 was the first federal act to outlaw what? National Archives, Milestone Documents: Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest II, U.S. History 0005 The "Gilded Age".
  • Supporters of the Kansas-Nebraska Act argued for popular sovereignty. What did that idea mean? National Archives, Milestone Documents: Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest II, U.S. History 0004 Civil War and Reconstruction.
  • Under the Articles of Confederation the central government could not tax. Who kept considerable power? National Archives, Milestone Documents: Articles of Confederation (1777) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest II, U.S. History 0002 The Development of the Constitution and the Early Republic.
  • Under the Lend-Lease Act of 1941, which nations could be lent or leased American war supplies? National Archives, Milestone Documents: Lend-Lease Act (1941) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest II, U.S. History 0009 World War II.
  • The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed as an act to enforce which amendment? National Archives, Milestone Documents: Voting Rights Act (1965) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest II, U.S. History 0012 Civil Rights Movement.
  • What did the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 provide? National Archives, Milestone Documents: Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest II, U.S. History 0005 The "Gilded Age".
  • What did the Dawes Act of 1887 set out to do? National Archives, Milestone Documents: Dawes Act (1887) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest II, U.S. History 0005 The "Gilded Age".
  • What does the Continental Divide of the Americas separate? Wikipedia, Continental Divide of the Americas (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest II, U.S. Geography 0014 Geographic Diversity of Natural Landscapes and Human Societies.
  • Where did the Emancipation Proclamation leave slavery untouched? National Archives, Milestone Documents: Emancipation Proclamation (1863) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest II, U.S. History 0004 Civil War and Reconstruction.
  • The Zimmermann Telegram of 1917 was a coded German message proposing a military alliance against the United States. To which country was it sent? National Archives, Milestone Documents: Zimmermann Telegram (1917) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest II, U.S. History 0006 The U.S. as a World Power.

Civics 9

  • "A Law repugnant to the Constitution is void." With these words in Marbury v. Madison, what did the Supreme Court do for the first time? National Archives, Milestone Documents: Marbury v. Madison (1803) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest III, Civics 0004 Landmark U.S. Supreme Court Cases.
  • A state law conflicts with a valid federal law. Which part of the Constitution settles which one prevails? National Archives, America's Founding Documents: The Constitution, Article VI (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest III, Civics 0006 Powers and Procedures of the National, State, Local and Tribal Governments.
  • Brown v. Board of Education overruled the "separate but equal" principle set forth in which earlier case? National Archives, Milestone Documents: Brown v. Board of Education (1954) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest III, Civics 0004 Landmark U.S. Supreme Court Cases.
  • By the Tenth Amendment, what happens to powers not delegated to the United States and not prohibited to the states? National Archives, America's Founding Documents: The Bill of Rights, Amendment X (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest III, Civics 0006 Powers and Procedures of the National, State, Local and Tribal Governments.
  • Congress proposes a constitutional amendment. What share of the states must ratify it? National Archives, America's Founding Documents: The Constitution, Article V (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest III, Civics 0001 Principles of American Democracy.
  • The House has impeached a cabinet officer and the Senate holds the trial. How many Senators must agree in order to convict? National Archives, America's Founding Documents: The Constitution, Article I, Sections 2 and 3 (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest III, Civics 0003 The Three Branches of Government.
  • How many presidential electors does the Constitution give each state? National Archives, America's Founding Documents: The Constitution, Article II, Section 1 (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest III, Civics 0005 Issues Regarding Campaigns for National, State, and Local Elective Offices.
  • In McCulloch v. Maryland, what did the Supreme Court decide about Maryland's tax on the national bank? National Archives, Milestone Documents: McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest III, Civics 0004 Landmark U.S. Supreme Court Cases.
  • The President returns a bill with objections. What vote makes it law anyway? National Archives, America's Founding Documents: The Constitution, Article I, Section 7 (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest III, Civics 0003 The Three Branches of Government.

Economics 8

  • An economist wants one figure for the value of the final goods and services produced in the United States. Which measure is it? U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Gross Domestic Product (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest III, Economics 0014 Aggregate Economic Behavior of the American Economy.
  • By the law of demand, all else being equal, what happens when the price of a good rises? Wikipedia, Law of demand (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest III, Economics 0011 Elements of America's Market Economy in a Global Setting.
  • Congress cuts taxes and raises spending to lift a weak economy. What kind of policy is this? Wikipedia, Fiscal policy (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest III, Economics 0012 The Relationship between Politics and Economics.
  • The Federal Reserve's "dual mandate" for monetary policy is commonly taken to mean which two goals? Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Monetary Policy: What Are Its Goals? How Does It Work? (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest III, Economics 0012 The Relationship between Politics and Economics.
  • In economics, what is inflation? Wikipedia, Inflation (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest III, Economics 0014 Aggregate Economic Behavior of the American Economy.
  • Maya has one free evening. She goes to a concert, and her next best choice was a paid tutoring shift. What is the opportunity cost of the concert? Wikipedia, Opportunity cost (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest III, Economics 0010 Economic Terms and Concepts and Economic Reasoning.
  • When a government puts a tariff on a good, who pays the duty as the good enters the country? Wikipedia, Tariff (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest III, Economics 0015 International Trade and the American Economy.
  • Which principle explains why countries can gain from trade even when one of them is more productive at making every good? Wikipedia, Comparative advantage (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest III, Economics 0015 International Trade and the American Economy.

California history 4

  • How many Franciscan missions were established in what is now California between 1769 and 1833? Wikipedia, Spanish missions in California (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest III, California History 0016 Pre-Columbian Period Through the End of Mexican Rule.
  • On what terms did the Compromise of 1850 bring California into the Union? Wikipedia, Compromise of 1850 (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest III, California History 0017 From the Gold Rush to the Present.
  • Which treaty, signed on February 2, 1848, ended the war between the United States and Mexico and ceded California? National Archives, Milestone Documents: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest III, California History 0016 Pre-Columbian Period Through the End of Mexican Rule.
  • Why were the gold seekers who came to California called "forty-niners"? Wikipedia, California gold rush (read 2026-10-09). Outline: CSET: Social Science content specifications, Subtest III, California History 0017 From the Gold Rush to the Present.

How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the published content specifications of CSET: Social Science, 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_CSET114_TestPage.html; test structure https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/Content/StudyGuide/CA_SG_obj_114.htm; subtest descriptions https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/content/docs/CSET_Prep/CS_114subtestdescription.pdf, CS_115subtestdescription.pdf and CS_116subtestdescription.pdf): Subtest I, world history 35 multiple-choice questions and world geography 4; Subtest II, U.S. history 35 and U.S. geography 4; Subtest III, civics 18, economics 15 and California history 7. The bank holds 60 questions close to those proportions: 18 world history and 2 world geography, 17 U.S. history and 2 U.S. geography, 9 civics, 8 economics and 4 California history. Every fact was read on 2026-10-09 in the public page the question names: the founding documents and the Milestone Documents pages of the National Archives, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, and the Wikipedia article named for each world history, geography and economics question. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

How it works

This free CSET Social Science practice test mixes all three subtests in 60 questions of our own. It is unofficial and not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing or Pearson.

Read the full guide

What the three subtests cover

By the test structure read October 9, 2026, Subtest I, test code 114, is world history and world geography. Subtest II, 115, is U.S. history and U.S. geography. Subtest III, 116, is civics, economics and California history.

How the bank is weighted

The real subtests ask 118 multiple-choice questions between them. The 60 here stay close to their proportions: 20 on the world, 19 on the United States, 9 civics, 8 economics and 4 California history.

Where the answers come from

Each question names its source: the National Archives for founding and milestone documents, the Federal Reserve and the Bureau of Economic Analysis for two economics questions, and a named Wikipedia article for the rest.

  • Written answers are not marked on this page. Seven constructed-response prompts of our own are under the questions, made to print.
  • Taken in one session, the subtests are timed one by one, in order, and a finished subtest cannot be reopened.

Questions and answers

Is this CSET Social Science practice test the real exam?

No. All 60 questions were written for this site from the published content specifications and public sources. None repeats or rewords a real question or a sample question, and a result here is not a forecast of your score.

How many questions are on the CSET Social Science test?

Subtests I and II each have 39 multiple-choice and 3 constructed-response questions. Subtest III has 40 multiple-choice and 3 constructed-response questions. Exam mode here asks 40 mixed questions.

How long is the CSET Social Science test?

Subtests I and II are 2 hours and 15 minutes each and Subtest III is 1 hour and 45 minutes. All three in a single session take 6 hours and 15 minutes, plus 15 minutes for a nondisclosure agreement and tutorial.

What is the passing score for CSET Social Science?

The test page gives a passing score of 220 per subtest. Multiple-choice questions make up 70% of a subtest's score and constructed-response questions 30%, so this page reports the number right and gives no verdict.

Can you take the CSET Social Science test online?

Yes. The test page lists online proctoring for all three subtests as well as testing at a test center. With an online proctor each subtest is its own session, registered for separately, and no breaks are allowed.

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