CSET Multiple Subjects Subtest III: Human
Development Exam Prep [Latest 2025/2026
Edition] | Complete Test Bank with Verified
Questions and Correct Answers | Study Guide,
Practice Exams, and Detailed Rationales for
California Teacher Credentialing Success
Question 1
A teacher observes that a 5-year-old child can sort blocks by color and shape. This skill
primarily demonstrates the child's development in which area?
A) Cognitive Development
B) Physical Development
C) Social Development
D) Emotional Development
Rationale: Sorting blocks by color and shape reflects cognitive development,
particularly in organizing and categorizing information.
Question 2
During a class discussion, a 9-year-old student expresses frustration when a peer
disagrees with her opinion. This reaction is an example of which developmental aspect?
A) Emotional Development
B) Physical Development
C) Cognitive Development
D) Social Development
Rationale: This situation illustrates emotional development, specifically the child's
ability to recognize and express feelings like frustration.
Question 3
In which stage of Piaget's cognitive development do children begin to think logically
about concrete events?
A) Sensorimotor
B) Concrete Operational
C) Preoperational
D) Formal Operational
Rationale: The Concrete Operational stage, occurring approximately from ages 7 to 11,
is characterized by logical thinking about concrete events.
,Question 4
A teacher uses cooperative learning groups in the classroom. This approach primarily
supports which aspect of development?
A) Cognitive Development
B) Social Development
C) Emotional Development
D) Physical Development
Rationale: Cooperative learning fosters social development by encouraging interaction,
communication, and teamwork among students.
Question 5
A 3-year-old child begins to engage in parallel play, playing alongside other children but
not directly with them. This type of play is typical in which developmental stage?
A) Preschool Age
B) Infancy
C) Early Adolescence
D) School Age
Rationale: Parallel play is common in preschool-aged children, indicating their
emerging social skills while still focusing on individual play.
Question 6
According to Erikson, what is the primary challenge faced by children during the
"initiative vs. guilt" stage?
A) Identity vs. Role Confusion
B) Initiative vs. Guilt
C) Trust vs. Mistrust
D) Industry vs. Inferiority
Rationale: The "initiative vs. guilt" stage occurs in early childhood and involves the
child’s exploration and desire to take initiative, balanced with feelings of guilt when
overstepping boundaries.
Question 7
A teacher notices that a student is highly sensitive to criticism and often avoids
participating in class. This behavior may indicate which emotional development issue?
A) Lack of Motivation
B) Low Self-Esteem
,C) Anxiety
D) Aggression
Rationale: Sensitivity to criticism and avoidance of participation can be signs of low
self-esteem, affecting the child's willingness to engage.
Question 8
At what age do children typically start to develop a theory of mind, allowing them to
understand that others have different thoughts and feelings?
A) Around 4 years
B) 2 years
C) 6 years
D) 8 years
Rationale: Children usually begin to develop a theory of mind around age 4, enabling
them to comprehend that others can have perspectives different from their own.
Question 9
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of adolescent development according to
Erikson?
A) Increased independence
B) Developing trust
C) Identity exploration
D) Peer influence
Rationale: "Developing trust" is characteristic of early childhood, while adolescents
focus on identity and independence.
Question 10
A teacher is implementing activities that promote fine motor skills, such as cutting with
scissors and drawing. This supports which area of development?
A) Emotional Development
B) Social Development
C) Physical Development
D) Cognitive Development
Rationale: Activities like cutting and drawing enhance physical development,
specifically fine motor skills.
, Question 11
What is the main focus of Vygotsky's theory of cognitive development?
A) Stages of development
B) Social interaction and cultural context
C) Individual learning styles
D) Biological maturation
Rationale: Vygotsky emphasized the importance of social interaction and cultural
context in cognitive development, particularly through the concept of the Zone of
Proximal Development (ZPD).
Question 12
A teacher observes that a student can perform tasks independently but struggles with
tasks that require collaboration. This behavior may indicate which developmental
aspect?
A) Physical Development
B) Social Development
C) Emotional Development
D) Cognitive Development
Rationale: The student's ability to work independently but struggle with collaboration
suggests a need for further social development skills.
Question 13
Children begin to develop a sense of empathy around which age?
A) 1-2 years
B) 3-4 years
C) 5-6 years
D) 7-8 years
Rationale: Children typically start to show signs of empathy around ages 3 to 4, as they
begin to understand others' feelings.
Question 14
A student in middle school is starting to question their identity and explore different
social groups. This behavior is characteristic of which developmental stage?
A) Adolescence
B) Early Childhood
C) Late Childhood
D) Adulthood
Development Exam Prep [Latest 2025/2026
Edition] | Complete Test Bank with Verified
Questions and Correct Answers | Study Guide,
Practice Exams, and Detailed Rationales for
California Teacher Credentialing Success
Question 1
A teacher observes that a 5-year-old child can sort blocks by color and shape. This skill
primarily demonstrates the child's development in which area?
A) Cognitive Development
B) Physical Development
C) Social Development
D) Emotional Development
Rationale: Sorting blocks by color and shape reflects cognitive development,
particularly in organizing and categorizing information.
Question 2
During a class discussion, a 9-year-old student expresses frustration when a peer
disagrees with her opinion. This reaction is an example of which developmental aspect?
A) Emotional Development
B) Physical Development
C) Cognitive Development
D) Social Development
Rationale: This situation illustrates emotional development, specifically the child's
ability to recognize and express feelings like frustration.
Question 3
In which stage of Piaget's cognitive development do children begin to think logically
about concrete events?
A) Sensorimotor
B) Concrete Operational
C) Preoperational
D) Formal Operational
Rationale: The Concrete Operational stage, occurring approximately from ages 7 to 11,
is characterized by logical thinking about concrete events.
,Question 4
A teacher uses cooperative learning groups in the classroom. This approach primarily
supports which aspect of development?
A) Cognitive Development
B) Social Development
C) Emotional Development
D) Physical Development
Rationale: Cooperative learning fosters social development by encouraging interaction,
communication, and teamwork among students.
Question 5
A 3-year-old child begins to engage in parallel play, playing alongside other children but
not directly with them. This type of play is typical in which developmental stage?
A) Preschool Age
B) Infancy
C) Early Adolescence
D) School Age
Rationale: Parallel play is common in preschool-aged children, indicating their
emerging social skills while still focusing on individual play.
Question 6
According to Erikson, what is the primary challenge faced by children during the
"initiative vs. guilt" stage?
A) Identity vs. Role Confusion
B) Initiative vs. Guilt
C) Trust vs. Mistrust
D) Industry vs. Inferiority
Rationale: The "initiative vs. guilt" stage occurs in early childhood and involves the
child’s exploration and desire to take initiative, balanced with feelings of guilt when
overstepping boundaries.
Question 7
A teacher notices that a student is highly sensitive to criticism and often avoids
participating in class. This behavior may indicate which emotional development issue?
A) Lack of Motivation
B) Low Self-Esteem
,C) Anxiety
D) Aggression
Rationale: Sensitivity to criticism and avoidance of participation can be signs of low
self-esteem, affecting the child's willingness to engage.
Question 8
At what age do children typically start to develop a theory of mind, allowing them to
understand that others have different thoughts and feelings?
A) Around 4 years
B) 2 years
C) 6 years
D) 8 years
Rationale: Children usually begin to develop a theory of mind around age 4, enabling
them to comprehend that others can have perspectives different from their own.
Question 9
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of adolescent development according to
Erikson?
A) Increased independence
B) Developing trust
C) Identity exploration
D) Peer influence
Rationale: "Developing trust" is characteristic of early childhood, while adolescents
focus on identity and independence.
Question 10
A teacher is implementing activities that promote fine motor skills, such as cutting with
scissors and drawing. This supports which area of development?
A) Emotional Development
B) Social Development
C) Physical Development
D) Cognitive Development
Rationale: Activities like cutting and drawing enhance physical development,
specifically fine motor skills.
, Question 11
What is the main focus of Vygotsky's theory of cognitive development?
A) Stages of development
B) Social interaction and cultural context
C) Individual learning styles
D) Biological maturation
Rationale: Vygotsky emphasized the importance of social interaction and cultural
context in cognitive development, particularly through the concept of the Zone of
Proximal Development (ZPD).
Question 12
A teacher observes that a student can perform tasks independently but struggles with
tasks that require collaboration. This behavior may indicate which developmental
aspect?
A) Physical Development
B) Social Development
C) Emotional Development
D) Cognitive Development
Rationale: The student's ability to work independently but struggle with collaboration
suggests a need for further social development skills.
Question 13
Children begin to develop a sense of empathy around which age?
A) 1-2 years
B) 3-4 years
C) 5-6 years
D) 7-8 years
Rationale: Children typically start to show signs of empathy around ages 3 to 4, as they
begin to understand others' feelings.
Question 14
A student in middle school is starting to question their identity and explore different
social groups. This behavior is characteristic of which developmental stage?
A) Adolescence
B) Early Childhood
C) Late Childhood
D) Adulthood
