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100+ Free CSET Health Science Practice Questions

Pass your CSET California Subject Examinations for Teachers: Health Science (178, 179, 180) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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The Health Framework for California Public Schools organizes health education around several content areas and skills. Which of the following best reflects its overall instructional emphasis?

A
B
C
D
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ArticleFREE CSET Exam Guide 2026: California Teacher Subject Prep6 min read
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CSET Health Science Exam

3 subtests

178, 179, and 180, Each Scored Separately

Official CSET Health Science test structure

9 domains

Content Domains Across the Three Subtests

Official CSET Health Science test guide

40 MC

Multiple-Choice Questions Per Subtest

Official CSET Health Science subtest description

220

Scaled Passing Score Per Subtest

Official CSET score-report guidance

$99 / $247

Subtest / Combined Fee

Official CSET fee table

30%

Constructed-Response Share of Each Subtest Score

Official CSET Health Science test guide

4h 45m

Combined Testing Time for All Three Subtests

Official CSET Health Science test page

2003

Health Framework for CA Public Schools the Exam Aligns To

CTC Health Science subject-matter requirements

For 2026 planning, the official CSET: Health Science structure is three separately scored subtests covering nine domains. Subtest I (178) has 40 multiple-choice questions plus 2 constructed-response items (Foundations, Human Growth and Development, Disease). Subtest II (179) has 40 multiple-choice plus 2 constructed-response items (Nutrition and Fitness, Mental and Emotional Health, Drugs). Subtest III (180) has 40 multiple-choice plus 1 constructed-response item (Family Life, Consumer and Community Health, Environmental Health). Each subtest needs a 220 scaled passing score and costs $99 ($247 combined). Constructed responses are roughly 30% of each subtest score. California also allows alternative subject-matter pathways in some credential routes, so verify whether you need CSET before registering.

Sample CSET Health Science Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CSET Health Science exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1According to health education best practice, which approach is most effective for producing lasting behavior change in adolescents?
A.Providing skills practice, building self-efficacy, and addressing social norms over multiple lessons
B.Delivering a single fear-based assembly about the dangers of risky behavior
C.Distributing fact sheets that list statistics about disease and injury
D.Requiring students to memorize the names of body systems and nutrients
Explanation: Skills-based health education that builds self-efficacy, practices refusal and decision-making skills, and corrects misperceived social norms over time is far more effective than one-time information delivery. This reflects social cognitive theory, a core behavior-change model in the CSET framework.
2In the transtheoretical (stages of change) model, a student who acknowledges a problem and intends to act within the next six months but has not yet started is in which stage?
A.Contemplation
B.Precontemplation
C.Action
D.Maintenance
Explanation: Contemplation is the stage where a person is aware a problem exists and intends to change within six months but has not committed to action. Recognizing each stage helps a health educator tailor interventions appropriately.
3A California health teacher learns that a 14-year-old student disclosed ongoing physical abuse at home. What is the teacher's primary legal obligation?
A.Report the suspected abuse to a child protective agency as a mandated reporter
B.Investigate the family situation before deciding whether to report
C.Keep the disclosure confidential because it was shared in a counseling context
D.Wait until the student repeats the disclosure to a second adult
Explanation: Under California law, teachers are mandated reporters and must report reasonable suspicion of child abuse to a child protective agency promptly. They are not required to investigate or confirm abuse first. This is a core legal responsibility tested in the Foundations domain.
4Which structure of the human heart pumps oxygenated blood to the entire body through the aorta?
A.Left ventricle
B.Right ventricle
C.Right atrium
D.Left atrium
Explanation: The left ventricle has the thickest myocardium and pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta for systemic circulation. Understanding cardiovascular anatomy is part of the human anatomy and physiology competency.
5Which part of the respiratory system is the primary site of gas exchange between air and blood?
A.Alveoli
B.Bronchi
C.Trachea
D.Pharynx
Explanation: The alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs where oxygen diffuses into the blood and carbon dioxide diffuses out. Their thin walls and huge surface area make them the primary gas-exchange site.
6A health educator wants students to evaluate the reliability of online health information. Which dimension of health literacy does this skill most directly develop?
A.Accessing and analyzing valid health information
B.Practicing interpersonal communication skills
C.Setting personal fitness goals
D.Demonstrating proper hand-washing technique
Explanation: Evaluating the validity of health information and its sources is the National Health Education Standard for accessing valid information. It is a core literacy skill that protects students from misinformation and health fraud.
7According to Erik Erikson, the central psychosocial conflict of adolescence is best described as which of the following?
A.Identity versus role confusion
B.Trust versus mistrust
C.Industry versus inferiority
D.Integrity versus despair
Explanation: Erikson placed identity versus role confusion in adolescence, when individuals explore and consolidate a personal sense of self. Knowing developmental stages supports the Human Growth and Development domain.
8Which hormone, secreted by the pituitary gland, primarily stimulates the growth of long bones during childhood and adolescence?
A.Growth hormone (somatotropin)
B.Insulin
C.Adrenaline (epinephrine)
D.Melatonin
Explanation: Growth hormone from the anterior pituitary stimulates the lengthening of long bones at the epiphyseal plates during growth. This links endocrine physiology to physical development.
9A teacher observes that early-maturing students may face different social pressures than late-maturing peers. This observation reflects which influence on adolescent development?
A.Variation in the timing and tempo of puberty among individuals
B.A universal, fixed sequence that makes all adolescents identical
C.Purely genetic determination unaffected by environment
D.A guarantee that early maturers have better long-term outcomes
Explanation: Puberty follows a typical sequence but its timing and tempo vary widely among individuals, and that variation shapes social and emotional experiences. Recognizing individual differences is central to the development domain.
10Which of the following is classified as a communicable disease?
A.Influenza
B.Type 2 diabetes
C.Coronary artery disease
D.Osteoarthritis
Explanation: Influenza is caused by a virus that spreads from person to person, making it communicable (infectious). The other options are chronic, noncommunicable conditions. Distinguishing the two categories is fundamental to the disease domain.

About the CSET Health Science Exam

CSET Health Science is the California subject-matter exam for the Single Subject Health Science teaching credential. Its blueprint spans nine content domains across three separately scored subtests, aligned to the Health Framework for California Public Schools: foundations of health education, human growth and development, disease, nutrition and fitness, mental and emotional health, alcohol/tobacco/other drugs, family life, consumer and community health, and environmental health.

Questions

120 scored questions

Time Limit

4h 45m combined (1h 45m / 1h 45m / 1h 15m by subtest)

Passing Score

220 scaled on each subtest

Exam Fee

$99 per subtest or $247 combined (California Commission on Teacher Credentialing / Pearson Evaluation Systems)

CSET Health Science Exam Content Outline

Subtest 178

Foundations of Health Education

Behavior-change theories, health literacy and the National Health Education Standards, human anatomy and physiology, the California Health Framework, and legal responsibilities including mandated reporting and student safety.

Subtest 178

Human Growth and Development

Physical and psychosocial development from infancy through adulthood, puberty, endocrine influences on growth, and developmentally appropriate health instruction.

Subtest 178

Chronic and Communicable Diseases

Pathogens and transmission, immunity and vaccination, modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors, and prevention of conditions such as asthma, diabetes, cancer, hepatitis, and HIV.

Subtest 179

Nutrition and Fitness

Macronutrients and micronutrients, Nutrition Facts labels and dietary guidelines, eating disorders and body image, the FITT and overload principles, fitness components, and recovery.

Subtest 179

Mental and Emotional Health

Stress and coping, the fight-or-flight response, recognizing depression and anxiety, suicide-prevention response, grief and anger management, self-esteem, and positive youth development.

Subtest 179

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs

Drug classification, physical effects of use and misuse, tolerance and dependence, prescription and over-the-counter medication safety, and evidence-based prevention including refusal skills.

Subtest 180

Family Life and Interpersonal Relationships

Diverse family structures, healthy versus abusive relationships, conflict resolution and consent, puberty and the reproductive system, and STI and pregnancy prevention.

Subtest 180

Consumer and Community Health

Evaluating health information and recognizing health fraud, community and public health resources, first aid and CPR, injury prevention and safety, and emergency preparedness.

Subtest 180

Environmental Health

Human-environment interactions, air and water quality, toxins such as lead and UV radiation, waste management, and individual and community pollution-reduction efforts.

How to Pass the CSET Health Science Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 220 scaled on each subtest
  • Exam length: 120 questions
  • Time limit: 4h 45m combined (1h 45m / 1h 45m / 1h 15m by subtest)
  • Exam fee: $99 per subtest or $247 combined

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CSET Health Science Study Tips from Top Performers

1Study by subtest: map the nine domains onto Subtests 178, 179, and 180 and rotate through them
2Do not ignore constructed responses; they account for about 30% of each subtest score
3Master human body systems early, since anatomy and physiology underpin the disease and fitness domains
4Know your legal duties cold, especially mandated reporting of suspected child abuse and student-safety responsibilities
5Learn evidence-based pedagogy: skills-based instruction, refusal skills, and normative education beat one-time scare tactics
6Review current first aid, CPR, and emergency-preparedness guidance, which appear in the consumer and community health domain

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CSET Health Science exam?

CSET Health Science is the California subject-matter exam used to qualify for a Single Subject Health Science teaching credential. It is divided into three separately scored subtests (178, 179, and 180) that together cover nine content domains aligned to the Health Framework for California Public Schools.

How many questions are on CSET Health Science?

Each of the three subtests has 40 multiple-choice questions plus constructed-response items. Subtests I (178) and II (179) each include 2 constructed responses, and Subtest III (180) includes 1, for 120 multiple-choice questions and 5 written responses in total.

What passing score do I need for CSET Health Science?

The official passing standard is a scaled score of 220 on each subtest. Because the subtests are scored separately, you must reach 220 on all three (178, 179, and 180) to satisfy the subject-matter requirement.

How much does CSET Health Science cost in 2026 planning?

The current fee is $99 for each individual subtest or $247 if you register for all three Health Science subtests in a single session. Always confirm the fee in your registration cart before checkout.

How is the CSET Health Science exam structured by subtest?

Subtest 178 covers Foundations, Human Growth and Development, and Disease; Subtest 179 covers Nutrition and Fitness, Mental and Emotional Health, and Drugs; and Subtest 180 covers Family Life, Consumer and Community Health, and Environmental Health. Constructed responses make up about 30% of each subtest score.

Do I still need CSET Health Science in 2026 to show subject-matter competence?

Not always. California Commission on Teacher Credentialing guidance continues alternative pathways that can satisfy subject-matter competence through coursework or an approved subject-matter program in some cases. Verify your specific credential route before paying for the exam.