★
C ★
University of California
EP · TESC
California Subject Examinations for Teachers
EST. 1868
F I AT L U X · L E T T H E R E B E L I G H T
CSET: Physical Education
C A L I FO R N I A S U BJ E CT E X A M I N AT I O N S FO R T E AC H E RS — ST U DY G U I D E
INSTITUTION University of California EXAM CODE CSET Physical Education
PROGRAM Teacher Credentialing — Physical ACADEMIC YEAR
Education
EXAM TITLE CSET: Physical Education TOTAL QUESTIONS 85 Questions
SUBJECT AREA Movement Skills, Motor FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Development, Fitness & Pedagogy Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Locomotor, nonlocomotor, and manipulative skills, movement concepts, fitness components, motor
learning principles, and anatomy are all testable content.
▸ CSET-specific competencies including kinesiology, exercise physiology, and pedagogical approaches are
emphasized.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for comprehensive exam
preparation.
▸ All content aligns with California CTC CSET Physical Education subject matter requirements.
, SECTION I — CSET PHYSICAL EDUCATION:
Questions 1 – 85
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
1. The self-actualization approach to physical education emphasizes:
A. Learning PE to participate successfully with groups in the future
B. Matching the curriculum to the interests and motivation of students
C. Establishing strong interpersonal relationships and learning to work together
D. Improving cardiovascular performance through endurance training
CORRECT ANSWER B — Matching the curriculum to the interests and motivation of students
RATIONALE The self-actualization approach to physical education emphasizes matching the
curriculum to the interests and motivation of individual students. Rooted in
humanistic psychology (Maslow's hierarchy of needs), this approach recognizes
that students learn best when they are personally invested in the content. Self-
actualizing PE programs offer choice, encourage personal goal-setting, and help
students find activities that resonate with their individual interests — promoting
lifelong physical activity. The ecological integration approach emphasizes
participation in groups; the social responsibility approach emphasizes
interpersonal relationships and teamwork. Understanding these pedagogical
approaches is essential for CSET candidates to demonstrate knowledge of diverse
instructional philosophies.
,2. Cardiovascular endurance improves with what type of exercise?
A. Anaerobic exercise, such as sprinting
B. Aerobic exercise, such as running, which uses oxygen in the blood
C. Static stretching
D. Weight training with heavy resistance
CORRECT ANSWER B — Aerobic exercise, such as running, which uses oxygen in the blood
RATIONALE Cardiovascular endurance — the ability of the respiratory and circulatory systems
to supply oxygen to the body through the bloodstream during prolonged exercise
— improves specifically through aerobic exercise. Aerobic activities (running,
swimming, cycling, sustained dancing) use oxygen as the primary energy source
and require continuous, rhythmic movement of large muscle groups. A person
must typically reach and hold a threshold of training for about 20 minutes, a
minimum of 3 times per week, to maintain and improve fitness. Anaerobic
exercise (sprinting, weight lifting) develops different fitness components — power
and strength — and relies on energy systems that do not primarily use oxygen.
Static stretching improves flexibility, not cardiovascular endurance.
, 3. Motor development addresses:
A. How motor performance is affected by attention, interest, feedback, and practice
B. What motor skills look like and the age or developmental stage at which a child is ready
for particular motor activities
C. The relationship between the nervous system and muscular control
D. How the body's muscles move the skeleton
CORRECT ANSWER B — What motor skills look like and the age or developmental stage at
which a child is ready for particular motor activities
RATIONALE Motor development is the study of how motor skills emerge and change across
the lifespan — it describes what motor skills look like at different ages and
formulates the age or developmental stage at which a child is ready for particular
motor activities. This knowledge enables PE teachers to design developmentally
appropriate activities. Motor learning (Choice A) addresses how feedback and
practice affect skill acquisition; motor control (Choice C) addresses the
neuromuscular relationship and cognitive aspects of movement; kinesiology
(Choice D) addresses musculoskeletal mechanics. These four related but distinct
fields — motor development, motor learning, motor control, and kinesiology —
form the scientific foundation of physical education and are tested on the CSET.
C ★
University of California
EP · TESC
California Subject Examinations for Teachers
EST. 1868
F I AT L U X · L E T T H E R E B E L I G H T
CSET: Physical Education
C A L I FO R N I A S U BJ E CT E X A M I N AT I O N S FO R T E AC H E RS — ST U DY G U I D E
INSTITUTION University of California EXAM CODE CSET Physical Education
PROGRAM Teacher Credentialing — Physical ACADEMIC YEAR
Education
EXAM TITLE CSET: Physical Education TOTAL QUESTIONS 85 Questions
SUBJECT AREA Movement Skills, Motor FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Development, Fitness & Pedagogy Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Locomotor, nonlocomotor, and manipulative skills, movement concepts, fitness components, motor
learning principles, and anatomy are all testable content.
▸ CSET-specific competencies including kinesiology, exercise physiology, and pedagogical approaches are
emphasized.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question for comprehensive exam
preparation.
▸ All content aligns with California CTC CSET Physical Education subject matter requirements.
, SECTION I — CSET PHYSICAL EDUCATION:
Questions 1 – 85
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
1. The self-actualization approach to physical education emphasizes:
A. Learning PE to participate successfully with groups in the future
B. Matching the curriculum to the interests and motivation of students
C. Establishing strong interpersonal relationships and learning to work together
D. Improving cardiovascular performance through endurance training
CORRECT ANSWER B — Matching the curriculum to the interests and motivation of students
RATIONALE The self-actualization approach to physical education emphasizes matching the
curriculum to the interests and motivation of individual students. Rooted in
humanistic psychology (Maslow's hierarchy of needs), this approach recognizes
that students learn best when they are personally invested in the content. Self-
actualizing PE programs offer choice, encourage personal goal-setting, and help
students find activities that resonate with their individual interests — promoting
lifelong physical activity. The ecological integration approach emphasizes
participation in groups; the social responsibility approach emphasizes
interpersonal relationships and teamwork. Understanding these pedagogical
approaches is essential for CSET candidates to demonstrate knowledge of diverse
instructional philosophies.
,2. Cardiovascular endurance improves with what type of exercise?
A. Anaerobic exercise, such as sprinting
B. Aerobic exercise, such as running, which uses oxygen in the blood
C. Static stretching
D. Weight training with heavy resistance
CORRECT ANSWER B — Aerobic exercise, such as running, which uses oxygen in the blood
RATIONALE Cardiovascular endurance — the ability of the respiratory and circulatory systems
to supply oxygen to the body through the bloodstream during prolonged exercise
— improves specifically through aerobic exercise. Aerobic activities (running,
swimming, cycling, sustained dancing) use oxygen as the primary energy source
and require continuous, rhythmic movement of large muscle groups. A person
must typically reach and hold a threshold of training for about 20 minutes, a
minimum of 3 times per week, to maintain and improve fitness. Anaerobic
exercise (sprinting, weight lifting) develops different fitness components — power
and strength — and relies on energy systems that do not primarily use oxygen.
Static stretching improves flexibility, not cardiovascular endurance.
, 3. Motor development addresses:
A. How motor performance is affected by attention, interest, feedback, and practice
B. What motor skills look like and the age or developmental stage at which a child is ready
for particular motor activities
C. The relationship between the nervous system and muscular control
D. How the body's muscles move the skeleton
CORRECT ANSWER B — What motor skills look like and the age or developmental stage at
which a child is ready for particular motor activities
RATIONALE Motor development is the study of how motor skills emerge and change across
the lifespan — it describes what motor skills look like at different ages and
formulates the age or developmental stage at which a child is ready for particular
motor activities. This knowledge enables PE teachers to design developmentally
appropriate activities. Motor learning (Choice A) addresses how feedback and
practice affect skill acquisition; motor control (Choice C) addresses the
neuromuscular relationship and cognitive aspects of movement; kinesiology
(Choice D) addresses musculoskeletal mechanics. These four related but distinct
fields — motor development, motor learning, motor control, and kinesiology —
form the scientific foundation of physical education and are tested on the CSET.
