CSET Multiple Subjects Subtest II 2026/2027 (Mathematics &
Science) – Complete Questions & Answers with Rationales
PART I — SCIENCE
A. Scientific Investigation & Physical Science
Question 1
A student investigates whether fertilizer affects the height of bean plants. The
student uses identical pots, the same soil, equal amounts of water, and different
amounts of fertilizer.
What is the independent variable?
A. Plant height
B. Amount of fertilizer
C. Amount of water
D. Type of soil
Answer: B. Amount of fertilizer
Rationale: The independent variable is the factor deliberately changed by the
investigator. Plant height is the dependent variable because it is measured in
response to the fertilizer.
Question 2
Which characteristic makes a scientific hypothesis especially useful?
A. It cannot be tested.
B. It is always proven correct.
C. It makes a testable prediction.
D. It is based entirely on opinion.
Answer: C. It makes a testable prediction.
Rationale: A useful hypothesis proposes an explanation or prediction that can be
investigated using evidence.
,Question 3
A balance gives measurements of 48.1 g, 48.2 g, 48.1 g, and 48.2 g. The accepted
mass is 52.0 g.
The measurements are:
A. accurate but imprecise
B. precise but inaccurate
C. both accurate and precise
D. neither accurate nor precise
Answer: B. precise but inaccurate
Rationale: The measurements are close to one another, so they are precise.
However, they are far from the accepted value, so they lack accuracy.
Question 4
Which observation provides the strongest evidence of a chemical change?
A. Ice melts.
B. Water freezes.
C. A gas forms when two substances are mixed.
D. A piece of paper is cut.
Answer: C. A gas forms when two substances are mixed.
Rationale: Gas production during mixing can indicate formation of a new
substance. Melting, freezing, and cutting are physical changes.
Question 5
Which subatomic particle has a positive charge?
A. Electron
B. Neutron
,C. Proton
D. Photon
Answer: C. Proton
Rationale: Protons carry positive charge, electrons carry negative charge, and
neutrons have no electrical charge.
Question 6
The atomic number of an element is equal to its number of:
A. neutrons
B. protons
C. electrons plus neutrons
D. energy levels
Answer: B. protons
Rationale: Atomic number is defined by the number of protons in an atom's
nucleus.
Question 7
Which statement correctly describes density?
A. Density equals volume divided by mass.
B. Density equals mass divided by volume.
C. Density equals mass plus volume.
D. Density is independent of mass.
Answer: B. Density equals mass divided by volume.
Rationale: Density is calculated as D=m/VD=m/V. For a fixed mass, reducing
volume increases density.
Question 8
, Two objects have equal volumes. Object A has twice the mass of Object B.
Which statement is correct?
A. Object A has half the density.
B. Object A has twice the density.
C. Both have the same density.
D. Density cannot be compared.
Answer: B. Object A has twice the density.
Rationale: With equal volumes, density is directly proportional to mass.
Question 9
Which example represents kinetic energy?
A. A compressed spring
B. Water stored behind a dam
C. A moving car
D. A stretched rubber band
Answer: C. A moving car
Rationale: Kinetic energy is energy associated with motion. The other examples
involve stored potential energy.
Question 10
A book rests on a table. Which force balances the downward force of gravity?
A. Magnetic force
B. Normal force
C. Frictional force
D. Buoyant force
Answer: B. Normal force
Rationale: The table exerts an upward normal force that balances the book's
weight when the book is at rest.
Science) – Complete Questions & Answers with Rationales
PART I — SCIENCE
A. Scientific Investigation & Physical Science
Question 1
A student investigates whether fertilizer affects the height of bean plants. The
student uses identical pots, the same soil, equal amounts of water, and different
amounts of fertilizer.
What is the independent variable?
A. Plant height
B. Amount of fertilizer
C. Amount of water
D. Type of soil
Answer: B. Amount of fertilizer
Rationale: The independent variable is the factor deliberately changed by the
investigator. Plant height is the dependent variable because it is measured in
response to the fertilizer.
Question 2
Which characteristic makes a scientific hypothesis especially useful?
A. It cannot be tested.
B. It is always proven correct.
C. It makes a testable prediction.
D. It is based entirely on opinion.
Answer: C. It makes a testable prediction.
Rationale: A useful hypothesis proposes an explanation or prediction that can be
investigated using evidence.
,Question 3
A balance gives measurements of 48.1 g, 48.2 g, 48.1 g, and 48.2 g. The accepted
mass is 52.0 g.
The measurements are:
A. accurate but imprecise
B. precise but inaccurate
C. both accurate and precise
D. neither accurate nor precise
Answer: B. precise but inaccurate
Rationale: The measurements are close to one another, so they are precise.
However, they are far from the accepted value, so they lack accuracy.
Question 4
Which observation provides the strongest evidence of a chemical change?
A. Ice melts.
B. Water freezes.
C. A gas forms when two substances are mixed.
D. A piece of paper is cut.
Answer: C. A gas forms when two substances are mixed.
Rationale: Gas production during mixing can indicate formation of a new
substance. Melting, freezing, and cutting are physical changes.
Question 5
Which subatomic particle has a positive charge?
A. Electron
B. Neutron
,C. Proton
D. Photon
Answer: C. Proton
Rationale: Protons carry positive charge, electrons carry negative charge, and
neutrons have no electrical charge.
Question 6
The atomic number of an element is equal to its number of:
A. neutrons
B. protons
C. electrons plus neutrons
D. energy levels
Answer: B. protons
Rationale: Atomic number is defined by the number of protons in an atom's
nucleus.
Question 7
Which statement correctly describes density?
A. Density equals volume divided by mass.
B. Density equals mass divided by volume.
C. Density equals mass plus volume.
D. Density is independent of mass.
Answer: B. Density equals mass divided by volume.
Rationale: Density is calculated as D=m/VD=m/V. For a fixed mass, reducing
volume increases density.
Question 8
, Two objects have equal volumes. Object A has twice the mass of Object B.
Which statement is correct?
A. Object A has half the density.
B. Object A has twice the density.
C. Both have the same density.
D. Density cannot be compared.
Answer: B. Object A has twice the density.
Rationale: With equal volumes, density is directly proportional to mass.
Question 9
Which example represents kinetic energy?
A. A compressed spring
B. Water stored behind a dam
C. A moving car
D. A stretched rubber band
Answer: C. A moving car
Rationale: Kinetic energy is energy associated with motion. The other examples
involve stored potential energy.
Question 10
A book rests on a table. Which force balances the downward force of gravity?
A. Magnetic force
B. Normal force
C. Frictional force
D. Buoyant force
Answer: B. Normal force
Rationale: The table exerts an upward normal force that balances the book's
weight when the book is at rest.
