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🎓 CTC / Evaluation SystemsCalifornia OnlyMultiple & Single Subject CredentialsPass: 220 per Subtest

CSET® Practice Tests

Complete preparation for every California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) exam — Multiple Subjects, English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Art, Music, PE, Business, World Languages, and more. Score scale 100–300. Pass: 220 per subtest. Developed by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). Administered by Evaluation Systems group of Pearson.

30+Exams Covered
10,000+Practice Questions
94%Pass Rate
220Passing Score
CA OnlyState Required
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Browse All CSET ExamsScores & Registration

All CSET Exams

Browse all CSET assessments by credential area. Register at ctcexams.nesinc.com. All subtests scored 100–300; passing score is 220 per subtest. Scores valid for 10 years from the passing test date.

CSET: Multiple Subjects3 subtests

Required for the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential (K–8 generalist). Three subtests that may be taken together (5 hrs total) or separately. Passing all three subtests plus CSET Writing Skills also satisfies California’s basic skills requirement. Most widely taken CSET exam series.

CSET: English4 subtests

Required for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in English. Four subtests. Subtests I and II are multiple-choice; Subtests III and IV are constructed-response only. All four must be passed.

CSET: Mathematics3 subtests

Required for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Mathematics. Subtests I and II satisfy the Foundational-Level Mathematics credential requirement. All three are needed for the full Mathematics credential.

CSET: Science5 subtests

Required for Single Subject Teaching Credentials in Science. Subtest I (215) is required by all science credential candidates. Subtest II varies by specialization: Life Sciences (217), Chemistry (218), Earth and Space Sciences (219), or Physics (220). Foundational-Level General Science candidates need only Subtest I.

CSET: Social Science3 subtests

Required for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Social Science. Three subtests covering World History, U.S. History, Government, Civics, Geography, Economics, and related fields.

CSET: Art2 subtests

Required for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Art. Two subtests covering artistic perception, historical and cultural context, creative expression, aesthetic valuing, and art theory.

CSET: Music3 subtests

Required for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Music. Three subtests covering music literacy, music history and cultural context, music concepts and creative skills, and music connections and applications.

CSET: Dance2 subtests

Required for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Dance. Two subtests covering creating, performing, responding, and connecting in dance.

CSET: Theater2 subtests

Required for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Theater. Two subtests covering acting and performance, script analysis, directing, production, theater history, and connections to other disciplines.

CSET: Physical Education3 subtests

Required for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Physical Education. Three subtests covering movement skills, exercise physiology, personal health, and physical education theory and practice.

CSET: Health Science3 subtests

Required for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Health Science. Three subtests covering personal health, community health, mental and emotional health, family life, environmental health, and consumer health.

CSET: Home Economics3 subtests

Required for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Home Economics. Three subtests covering personal and family development, nutrition, foods, hospitality, fashion, textiles, housing, and consumer education.

CSET: Agriculture3 subtests

Required for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Agriculture. Three subtests covering plant science, animal science, environmental management, agricultural business, and agricultural technology.

CSET: Business3 subtests

Required for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Business. Three subtests covering business management, marketing, accounting, finance, economics, information technology, and business communication.

CSET: Industrial and Technology Education2 subtests

Required for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Industrial and Technology Education. Covers the nature of technology, power and energy, information and communication, and project development.

CSET: World Languages — Spanish3 subtests

Required for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Spanish. Three subtests assessing listening, reading, writing, speaking, grammar, linguistics, and cultural knowledge. Also includes a World Languages Pedagogy component.

CSET: Writing Skills & Educational Technology3 subtests

CSET Writing Skills (142) satisfies the basic skills requirement when taken alongside Multiple Subjects. Preliminary Educational Technology (133 and 134) is taken only by candidates who completed a teacher preparation program outside California to meet the educational technology requirement.

About the Exam

What Is the CSET®?

The California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) is a set of subject matter competency exams developed by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and administered by the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson. The CSET is taken by prospective California public school teachers as one method of satisfying the subject matter competency requirement for their teaching credential.

The CSET is not a single test — it is a program of multiple subject-specific exams. Candidates take only the exam(s) corresponding to their intended credential area: a Multiple Subjects credential requires passing all three Multiple Subjects subtests (101, 214, 225); Single Subject credentials each require passing the subtests specific to that subject. Each subtest is scored independently on a scale of 100 to 300, with a minimum passing score of 220 per subtest.

All CSET exams are criterion-referenced and aligned to the California K–12 Student Academic Content Standards and California curriculum frameworks. Register and verify requirements at ctcexams.nesinc.com.

📋 CSET Quick Facts
Full nameCalifornia Subject Examinations for Teachers
Developed byCalifornia Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)
Administered byEvaluation Systems group of Pearson
Required inCalifornia (public schools)
Score scale100 – 300 per subtest
Passing score220 per subtest
Score validity10 years from passing test date
Fee range~$99/subtest; ~$297 for multiple together
Retake wait45 calendar days
Score release~5–7 weeks after test date
Aligned toCA K–12 Academic Content Standards
Register atctcexams.nesinc.com
Registration Guide

How to Register for a CSET Exam

Four steps to register through the official California Educator Credentialing Examinations portal.

1
Identify Your Required Exams
Determine which CSET exam(s) you need based on your intended credential. Multiple Subject candidates need subtests 101, 214, and 225. Single Subject candidates need the subtests for their specific subject. Verify at ctc.ca.gov.
2
Create an Account & Register
Create your account at ctcexams.nesinc.com. Select your test(s) and complete payment. You may register for multiple subtests together or separately. Fees vary by exam — check the official site for current pricing.
3
Schedule Your Appointment
After payment, schedule your test appointment online — available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day on a first-come, first-served basis. Choose in-person at a Pearson VUE test center or remote online proctoring (available for select CSET tests).
4
Take the Test & Receive Scores
Arrive at the test center with valid government-issued photo ID. Official scaled scores are released 5–7 weeks after the test date. Each subtest scored 100–300; passing score is 220. Scores valid for 10 years.

CSET Passing Scores & Score Scale

All CSET subtests are scored on a 100–300 scaled score range. The passing score is 220 on each subtest, established by the CTC based on recommendations from California teachers and teacher educators. Each subtest is scored independently — you must pass each subtest separately. Register and verify at ctcexams.nesinc.com.

CSET Score Scale — 100 to 300 (per subtest)
Did Not Pass100 – 219
Below Minimum Passing Score — Subtest Must Be Retaken
Passing220 – 300
Meets or Exceeds the Minimum Passing Score for This Subtest

CSET scores are reported on a 100–300 scaled score range. The passing score of 220 was established by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) based on recommendations from committees of California educators and teacher educators. Each subtest is scored separately — a passing score must be achieved at a single administration (sections cannot be combined across different test dates). CSET passing scores are valid for 10 years from the passing test date. The 10-year limit does not apply to scores previously used for certification purposes. Retake wait: 45 calendar days.

Registration, Test Day & Scheduling

Everything you need to know about registering for and taking a CSET exam.

Registration

Registration portalctcexams.nesinc.com
Developed byCalifornia CTC
Administered byEvaluation Systems / Pearson
Schedule availability7 days/week, 24 hrs/day
Fee range~$99/subtest (~$297 for bundle)

Testing Formats

Computer-based (CBT)Year-round at Pearson VUE centers
Online proctoredAvailable for select CSET tests
SchedulingFirst-come, first-served
ID requiredValid government-issued photo ID

Scores

Score scale100–300 (scaled) per subtest
Passing score220 per subtest
Score release~5–7 weeks after test date
Score validity10 years from passing date
Scores sent toCTC automatically

Retakes

Waiting period45 calendar days
Retake limitUnlimited attempts
Must pass each subtestIn a single administration
Partial creditSections cannot be combined across dates

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything California teacher candidates need to know about the CSET program.

What is the CSET and who needs to take it?+
The California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) is a set of subject matter competency exams developed by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and administered by the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson. It is required by prospective California public school teachers as one method of satisfying the subject matter competency requirement for a Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or Education Specialist Instruction Credential. Register at ctcexams.nesinc.com.
What is the CSET passing score?+
The CSET uses a scaled score range of 100 to 300. The minimum passing score for each subtest is 220, established by the CTC based on recommendations from California educators. Each subtest is scored independently — a passing score must be achieved in a single administration. Passing scores are valid for certification purposes for 10 years from the passing test date.
How much does the CSET cost?+
CSET fees vary by exam. Single-subject subtests typically cost approximately $99 each. When all subtests of a single-subject exam are taken together, the combined fee is typically around $297. Fees are subject to change — always verify current fees at ctcexams.nesinc.com before registering.
Which CSET exam do I need to take?+
The CSET exam(s) you need depend on your intended credential: Multiple Subject Teaching Credential (K–8 generalist) — pass all three Multiple Subjects subtests (101, 214, 225). Single Subject Teaching Credential (secondary, specific subject) — pass the subtests for your specific subject (e.g., English: 105/106/107/108; Mathematics: 211/212/213; Science: 215 + specialization). Education Specialist Instruction Credential — pass the appropriate exam(s). Verify your specific requirements at ctc.ca.gov.
Can the CSET satisfy California’s basic skills requirement?+
Yes. Candidates who pass all three subtests of CSET: Multiple Subjects (101, 214/102, 225/103) AND the CSET: Writing Skills (142) have met California’s state basic skills requirement and are not required to take the CBEST. This combination satisfies both the subject matter requirement (for Multiple Subject credential) and the basic skills requirement simultaneously.
How long are CSET scores valid?+
CSET passing scores are valid for 10 years from the passing test date when used for certification purposes. The 10-year limit does not apply to scores that have already been used for certification purposes — once a score has been applied to an issued credential, the 10-year validity limit no longer applies to that score.
How long do I have to wait to retake a CSET exam?+
You must wait 45 calendar days from the day you took your test or subtest before retaking it. There is no limit on the number of retake attempts. Scores from different testing dates cannot be combined — you must pass each subtest at a single administration.
When will I receive my CSET scores?+
Official CSET score results are typically available approximately 5 to 7 weeks after the test date. Each exam may have a slightly different score release timeline. Scores are automatically reported to the CTC and to the institution you indicated at registration. You can also view results in your account at ctcexams.nesinc.com.

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Adaptive practice questions for every CSET exam — Multiple Subjects, Single Subject, and Specialist credentials. Subject-level analytics so you know exactly where to focus before test day.

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Sources: California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) — ctc.ca.gov; California Educator Credentialing Examinations — ctcexams.nesinc.com; Evaluation Systems group of Pearson (CSET test developer and administrator); Pearson VUE — pearsonvue.com/us/en/cset; CTC Credential Leaflet CL-674S — Verifying Subject-Matter Competence by Examination; CTC Chart of Exams and Subject Matter Domains — ctc.ca.gov; CSET Test Guide (ctcexams.nesinc.com). CSET® and California Subject Examinations for Teachers® are registered trademarks of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by CTC or Pearson/Evaluation Systems. Always verify current requirements and fees at ctcexams.nesinc.com.