CSET Social Science

This page provides access to all the key info you need as a CSET Social Science test-taker, including 2025 exam dates, testing center locations, fees, registration info and prep resources.

You can view our free CSET Social Science Study Guides for a concise, bullet-pointed listing of exactly which topics appear on your exam. You can also take our free CSET Social Science Practice Tests to see your current likelihood of passing and a breakdown of your individual strengths and weaknesses.

Need help preparing? We offer live CSET Social Science Prep Courses and self-paced Online Prep.

  • World History; World Geography (Test Code 114)
  • US History; US Geography (Test Code 115)
  • Civics; Economics; California History (Test Code 116)
  • 39 multiple-choice and 3 constructed-responses each for Subtests 1 and 2; 40 multiple-choice and 3 constructed-responses for Subtest 3
  • 2 hours and 15 minutes each for Subtests 1 and 2; 1 hour and 45 minutes for Subtest 3; 6 hours and 15 minutes for all 3 Subtests in a single session
  • 220 per subtest (scaled score)

CSET Social Science Overview

California educators planning to teach history or social studies at the secondary school level typically must pass the CSET Social Science exam. CSET Social Science consists of three subtests. Each CSET Social Science subtest may be taken and passed separately.

Subtest 1 covers World History and Principles of Geography.

Subtest 2 covers US History and Principles of Geography.

Subtest 3 covers Principles of American Democracy, Principles of Economics and California History.

All subtests consist of both multiple-choice and constructed-response questions.

CSET Social Science Testing Costs

2025 CSET Social Science Testing Costs*

Below is an overview of the 2025 CSET Social Science testing fees for computer-based testing.

Service Fees
Registration for Subtest 1 (114) $99 test registration fee
Registration for Subtest 2 (115) $99 test registration fee
Registration for Subtest 3 (116) $99 test registration fee
Registration for all Subtests taken together $297
Change of registration No fee
Additional copy of test results  $10 per copy
Score verification for constructed-response (CR) section $50 per subtest
Fee to clear an account $20

 

CSET Social Science Test Dates

2025 CSET Social Science Test Dates*

Computer-based testing for the CSET Social Science exam is available year-round by appointment, Monday through Saturday (excluding some holidays), on a first-come, first-served basis during the testing windows listed below. Alternatively, online-proctored testing is offered remotely and is available by appointment during one-week testing windows each month.

CSET Social Science Test Dates - Computer-Based Results Release Date
10/21/24 - 11/17/24 12/6/24
11/18/24 - 12/15/24 1/3/25
12/16/24 - 1/12/25 1/31/25
1/13/25 - 2/9/25 2/28/25
2/10/25 - 3/9/25 3/28/25
3/10/25 - 4/6/25 4/25/25
4/7/25 - 5/4/25 5/23/25
5/5/25 - 6/1/25 6/20/25
6/2/25 - 6/29/25 7/18/25
6/30/25 - 7/27/25 8/15/25
7/28/25 - 8/24/25 9/12/25
8/25/25 - 9/21/25 10/10/25
9/22/25 - 10/19/25 11/7/25
10/20/25 - 11/16/25 12/5/25

 

CSET Social Science Test Dates - Online Proctored Results Release Date
Week of November 11, 2024 December 6, 2024
Week of December 9, 2024 January 3, 2025
Week of January 6, 2025 January 31, 2025
Week of February 3, 2025 February 28, 2025
Week of March 3, 2025 March 28, 2025
Week of March 31, 2025 April 25, 2025
Week of April 28, 2025 May 23, 2025
Week of May 26, 2025 June 20, 2025
Week of June 23, 2025 July 18, 2025
Week of July 21, 2025 August 15, 2025

*This information is subject to change. All test-takers should visit the official CSET website at https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com to confirm fees, registration, and testing requirements before enrolling.

Not sure how you’ll perform on the exam? Start by viewing our free CSET Social Science Study Guide to get a concise overview of exactly what subject matter will appear on your exam. Then take our free, full-length CSET Social Science Practice Test with diagnostics to see your overall likelihood of passing and identify any areas in which you may need to improve.

Our Core Plus Online Prep Programs feature: 

  • instructional videos that teach you the exact content you need to pass
  • interactive practice tests that replicate the real exam
  • virtual tutoring videos that guide you through every practice question
  • advanced diagnostics that offer in-depth insights into your strengths and weaknesses
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