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100+ Free NYSTCE Agriculture CST Practice Questions

Pass your NYSTCE Agriculture Content Specialty Test (CST) (068) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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When the supply of a farm commodity increases sharply while demand stays constant, the most likely effect on market price is that it will:

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B
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to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NYSTCE Agriculture CST Exam

90 + 1

Selected-Response + Constructed Response Items

NYSTCE Agriculture CST (068) test page

520

Scaled Passing Score

NYSTCE Agriculture CST (068) test page

$122

Current Exam Fee

NYSTCE Agriculture CST (068) test page

3h 15m

Total Testing Time (195 minutes)

NYSTCE Field 068 test design

80% / 20%

Selected-Response vs Constructed-Response Score Weight

NYSTCE Field 068 test design

8

Selected-Response Content Competencies (about 10% each)

NYSTCE Field 068 framework

1917

Smith-Hughes Act Funded Secondary Vocational Agriculture

History of agricultural education

Grades 7-12

New York Agriculture Certification Title Covered

NYSED certification requirements

The official NYSTCE Agriculture CST (068) test page lists 90 selected-response items and 1 constructed-response item, a 3 hour 15 minute testing time inside a 3 hour 30 minute appointment, a 520 scaled passing score, and a $122 fee. The selected-response items count for 80% of the score and the constructed-response item for 20%. The framework spreads selected-response items evenly (about 10% each) across eight content competencies, while the constructed-response item measures pedagogical content knowledge by asking candidates to describe and justify an instructional strategy.

Sample NYSTCE Agriculture CST Practice Questions

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

1In the three-circle model of agricultural education, which component refers to a student's hands-on, work-based learning project conducted outside of regular class time?
A.Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE)
B.Career Development Event (CDE)
C.Program of Activities (POA)
D.Classroom and laboratory instruction
Explanation: The Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) is the work-based, experiential learning component students plan and carry out beyond classroom time. With classroom/laboratory instruction and FFA, it forms the three-circle agricultural education model.
2Which organization is the intracurricular student leadership component of the agricultural education model in the United States?
A.The National FFA Organization
B.4-H Cooperative Extension
C.The National Young Farmers Coalition
D.The American Farm Bureau Federation
Explanation: The National FFA Organization (formerly Future Farmers of America) is the intracurricular student organization integrated into agricultural education. It develops leadership, personal growth, and career success alongside classroom instruction and SAEs.
3Which set of parliamentary procedure steps correctly orders how a main motion is handled in an FFA business meeting?
A.A member makes a motion, another seconds it, the chair states the motion, members debate, then the chair calls for a vote
B.The chair makes a motion, members vote, then a member seconds it
C.A member makes a motion, the chair immediately votes, then debate occurs
D.Members debate first, then a motion is made and seconded
Explanation: Under parliamentary procedure, a member moves, another seconds, the chair states the question, debate follows, and then the chair puts the question to a vote. This order keeps meetings orderly and ensures every action has support before discussion.
4A student raises and sells market lambs at home, keeping records of income, expenses, and profit. This best illustrates which type of SAE?
A.Entrepreneurship SAE
B.Placement/internship SAE
C.Research SAE
D.Exploratory SAE
Explanation: An entrepreneurship SAE has the student own and operate a business, assuming financial risk and keeping records of income and expenses. Raising and selling market lambs for profit is a classic entrepreneurship SAE.
5Which body advises a local agricultural education program by connecting it with community and industry partners and helping guide curriculum and resources?
A.The program advisory board (committee)
B.The FFA alumni chapter executive committee
C.The state FFA officer team
D.The school board of education
Explanation: A local advisory board (committee) of agricultural leaders, employers, and community members helps develop, support, and sustain the total agricultural education program. It links the program to industry needs and resources.
6Before students operate a table saw in an agricultural mechanics laboratory, the most appropriate safety practice is to require that they:
A.Pass a documented safety test and demonstrate proper use before being authorized
B.Watch other students use the equipment for one class period
C.Sign an attendance sheet acknowledging the class met
D.Operate the saw only when the teacher is out of the room
Explanation: Best practice and liability protection require that students pass a documented safety examination and demonstrate competence before being authorized to operate power equipment. This ensures they understand hazards and proper procedures.
7An FFA chapter's written plan outlining its goals and activities for the year across student, chapter, and community divisions is called the:
A.Program of Activities (POA)
B.Supervised Agricultural Experience plan
C.Career Development Event roster
D.Articles of incorporation
Explanation: The Program of Activities (POA) is the FFA chapter's annual plan of goals and activities, often organized around growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture. The advisor helps students develop and execute it.
8Which historical federal law first provided funding for vocational agriculture instruction in U.S. public secondary schools?
A.The Smith-Hughes Act of 1917
B.The Morrill Act of 1862
C.The Hatch Act of 1887
D.The Smith-Lever Act of 1914
Explanation: The Smith-Hughes Act of 1917 provided federal funding for vocational education, including agriculture, in secondary schools, establishing the foundation of agricultural education. It directly supported the rise of high school ag programs.
9An agriculture teacher wants students to use mathematics authentically. Which activity best integrates math into agricultural content?
A.Calculating the fertilizer needed per acre from a soil test recommendation
B.Memorizing the parts of a flower from a diagram
C.Reading a chapter about FFA history
D.Listing the breeds of dairy cattle
Explanation: Calculating fertilizer rates per acre from a soil-test recommendation applies ratios, area, and unit conversions in an authentic agricultural context. Integrating math into real ag problems supports state and national standards.
10Which of the following is the highest degree of FFA membership a student can earn?
A.American FFA Degree
B.Greenhand FFA Degree
C.Chapter FFA Degree
D.State FFA Degree
Explanation: The American FFA Degree is the highest degree, awarded by the National FFA Organization to members who meet rigorous SAE, participation, and academic requirements. The progression is Discovery, Greenhand, Chapter, State, then American.

About the NYSTCE Agriculture CST Exam

The NYSTCE Agriculture Content Specialty Test (CST) (068) is the New York subject-knowledge exam for candidates seeking certification to teach agriculture in grades 7-12. It measures content across agribusiness; animal, plant, and soil science; food systems and safety; genetics and biotechnology; agricultural technology and mechanics; environmental science and natural resource management; and the foundations of agricultural education, plus pedagogical content knowledge through one constructed-response item.

Questions

91 scored questions

Time Limit

3h 30m appointment (3h 15m testing)

Passing Score

520 (scaled)

Exam Fee

$122 (New York State Education Department / Pearson Evaluation Systems)

NYSTCE Agriculture CST Exam Content Outline

10% selected-response

Foundations of Agricultural Education

The three-circle ag-ed model (classroom, SAE, FFA), history of agriculture and CTE, classroom and lab safety, SAE types, FFA structure and degrees, parliamentary procedure, career pathways, and total program development.

10% selected-response

Agricultural Business

Business management and ownership, business plans, financial and risk management, economic principles, factors of production, marketing agricultural products, recordkeeping technology, and ag laws and policies.

10% selected-response

Animal Science

Animal classification, selection and evaluation, anatomy and physiology, behavior and handling, reproduction and breeding, nutrition and rations, health and disease, waste management, and welfare issues.

10% selected-response

Plant Science

Plant classification, anatomy and physiology, sexual and asexual propagation, nutrition and fertilizers, diseases, pests and IPM, soil constituents and properties, soil conservation, and crop production systems.

10% selected-response

Food Systems, Science, and Safety

Food composition and nutrition, grading and evaluation, contaminants and food safety, GAP and HACCP, harvesting, processing and preservation, food production methods, and food regulations.

10% selected-response

Genetics and Biotechnology

Cell division (meiosis and mitosis), DNA, RNA and genes, Mendelian inheritance, natural and artificial selection, biotechnology methods such as gel electrophoresis and PCR, GMO applications, and ethical issues.

10% selected-response

Agricultural Technology and Mechanics

Mechanical and technological principles, small engines and power systems, equipment maintenance and safety, design and fabrication, construction, electrical, plumbing and hydraulic systems, and precision agriculture and biofuels.

10% selected-response

Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management

Ecosystems and ecological principles, nutrient and energy cycling, urban ecosystems, land and forest management, point and nonpoint pollution, renewable and nonrenewable resources, sustainable agriculture, and environmental agencies and laws.

20% constructed-response

Pedagogical Content Knowledge

One scenario-based written response: set a developmentally appropriate learning goal, describe and justify an effective instructional strategy or intervention, and incorporate the total agricultural program model (classroom, FFA, SAE).

How to Pass the NYSTCE Agriculture CST Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 520 (scaled)
  • Exam length: 91 questions
  • Time limit: 3h 30m appointment (3h 15m testing)
  • Exam fee: $122

Keys to Passing

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

NYSTCE Agriculture CST Study Tips from Top Performers

1Spread your studying evenly across the eight content competencies, since each contributes roughly 10% of the selected-response score
2Anchor the agricultural education model: know the three circles (classroom, SAE, FFA), SAE types, FFA degrees, and parliamentary procedure cold
3For science items, focus on applied understanding of soils, plant and animal nutrition, genetics ratios, and ecological cycles rather than isolated definitions
4Practice agricultural math in context, such as fertilizer rates, ration balancing, Punnett square ratios, and energy-cost calculations
5Memorize key agencies and laws: USDA FSIS, NRCS, EPA, HACCP and GAP, and the Smith-Hughes Act of 1917
6For the constructed response, rehearse writing a clear learning goal, an instructional strategy, a rationale, and an explicit tie to the total program model

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the NYSTCE Agriculture CST (068) exam?

The current NYSTCE Agriculture CST (068) test page lists 90 selected-response items and 1 constructed-response item. The selected-response items count for 80% of your total score and the constructed-response item counts for 20%.

What passing score do I need for the NYSTCE Agriculture 068 exam?

You need a scaled score of 520 to pass the NYSTCE Agriculture CST (068). Aim for consistent performance across all eight content competencies plus the pedagogical constructed-response item rather than estimating a raw-score cutoff.

How much does the NYSTCE Agriculture CST (068) cost?

The current NYSTCE fee for the Agriculture CST (068) is $122. Always verify the fee in your NYSTCE account at registration in case the testing program updates pricing.

How long is the NYSTCE Agriculture 068 exam?

Total testing time is 3 hours and 15 minutes (195 minutes) inside a 3 hour 30 minute appointment. The framework expects up to 135 minutes for selected-response items and up to 60 minutes for the constructed-response item, though you set your own pace.

Which content areas are on the NYSTCE Agriculture CST (068)?

Selected-response items are spread evenly (about 10% each) across Foundations of Agricultural Education, Agricultural Business, Animal Science, Plant Science, Food Systems, Genetics and Biotechnology, Agricultural Technology and Mechanics, and Environmental Science. A constructed-response item covers pedagogical content knowledge.

What does the NYSTCE Agriculture 068 constructed-response item require?

The scenario-based item asks you to describe an instructional strategy or intervention to help students reach a learning goal or address a difficulty, and to justify it. Strong responses set a clear learning goal and integrate the total agricultural program model of classroom, FFA, and SAE.