CSET Multiple Subjects Subtest II 2026/2027 | Mathematics &
Science – Complete Questions & Answers with Rationales
PART I — SCIENCE
Question 1
A student investigates whether the amount of sunlight affects the growth of bean
plants. The student uses four identical plants and gives each plant a different
amount of sunlight while keeping soil, water, and pot size constant.
What is the independent variable?
A. Plant height
B. Amount of sunlight
C. Amount of water
D. Type of soil
Answer: B. Amount of sunlight
Rationale: The independent variable is the factor deliberately changed by the
investigator. Here, the student changes the amount of sunlight while measuring
plant growth.
Question 2
Which statement best describes a scientific hypothesis?
A. A proven scientific law
B. A testable explanation or prediction
C. A collection of experimental observations
D. A measurement obtained from an experiment
Answer: B. A testable explanation or prediction
Rationale: A hypothesis is a proposed explanation or prediction that can be
tested through observation or experimentation. It is not automatically proven
simply because it is plausible.
,Question 3
A student measures the mass of an object several times and obtains 25.1 g, 25.0
g, 25.1 g, and 25.0 g. The accepted value is 30.0 g.
The measurements demonstrate:
A. high accuracy and low precision
B. low accuracy and high precision
C. high accuracy and high precision
D. low accuracy and low precision
Answer: B. low accuracy and high precision
Rationale: The measurements are close to one another, indicating high precision,
but they are far from the accepted value, indicating low accuracy.
Question 4
Which observation provides the strongest evidence that a chemical reaction has
occurred?
A. Ice melts
B. Water evaporates
C. A precipitate forms when two solutions are mixed
D. A solid is cut into smaller pieces
Answer: C. A precipitate forms when two solutions are mixed
Rationale: Formation of a new solid precipitate can indicate that new substances
formed during a chemical reaction. Melting, evaporation, and cutting are physical
changes.
Question 5
Which particle determines the identity of an element?
, A. Neutron
B. Electron
C. Proton
D. Isotope
Answer: C. Proton
Rationale: The number of protons, called the atomic number, uniquely identifies
an element. Changing the number of neutrons creates an isotope, while changing
electrons creates an ion.
Question 6
Which statement about matter is correct?
A. Matter has no mass if it is a gas.
B. Matter occupies space and has mass.
C. Only solids are considered matter.
D. Matter can never change form.
Answer: B. Matter occupies space and has mass.
Rationale: Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. Solids, liquids,
gases, and plasma are forms of matter.
Question 7
A ball is pushed across a level floor and eventually stops.
Which force primarily causes the ball to slow down?
A. Gravity
B. Friction
C. Buoyancy
D. Magnetism
Answer: B. Friction
Science – Complete Questions & Answers with Rationales
PART I — SCIENCE
Question 1
A student investigates whether the amount of sunlight affects the growth of bean
plants. The student uses four identical plants and gives each plant a different
amount of sunlight while keeping soil, water, and pot size constant.
What is the independent variable?
A. Plant height
B. Amount of sunlight
C. Amount of water
D. Type of soil
Answer: B. Amount of sunlight
Rationale: The independent variable is the factor deliberately changed by the
investigator. Here, the student changes the amount of sunlight while measuring
plant growth.
Question 2
Which statement best describes a scientific hypothesis?
A. A proven scientific law
B. A testable explanation or prediction
C. A collection of experimental observations
D. A measurement obtained from an experiment
Answer: B. A testable explanation or prediction
Rationale: A hypothesis is a proposed explanation or prediction that can be
tested through observation or experimentation. It is not automatically proven
simply because it is plausible.
,Question 3
A student measures the mass of an object several times and obtains 25.1 g, 25.0
g, 25.1 g, and 25.0 g. The accepted value is 30.0 g.
The measurements demonstrate:
A. high accuracy and low precision
B. low accuracy and high precision
C. high accuracy and high precision
D. low accuracy and low precision
Answer: B. low accuracy and high precision
Rationale: The measurements are close to one another, indicating high precision,
but they are far from the accepted value, indicating low accuracy.
Question 4
Which observation provides the strongest evidence that a chemical reaction has
occurred?
A. Ice melts
B. Water evaporates
C. A precipitate forms when two solutions are mixed
D. A solid is cut into smaller pieces
Answer: C. A precipitate forms when two solutions are mixed
Rationale: Formation of a new solid precipitate can indicate that new substances
formed during a chemical reaction. Melting, evaporation, and cutting are physical
changes.
Question 5
Which particle determines the identity of an element?
, A. Neutron
B. Electron
C. Proton
D. Isotope
Answer: C. Proton
Rationale: The number of protons, called the atomic number, uniquely identifies
an element. Changing the number of neutrons creates an isotope, while changing
electrons creates an ion.
Question 6
Which statement about matter is correct?
A. Matter has no mass if it is a gas.
B. Matter occupies space and has mass.
C. Only solids are considered matter.
D. Matter can never change form.
Answer: B. Matter occupies space and has mass.
Rationale: Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. Solids, liquids,
gases, and plasma are forms of matter.
Question 7
A ball is pushed across a level floor and eventually stops.
Which force primarily causes the ball to slow down?
A. Gravity
B. Friction
C. Buoyancy
D. Magnetism
Answer: B. Friction
