CSET Art (229/230) Practice Test

Becoming a teacher in California requires you to pass the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET). To obtain an Art teaching credential, you must take two CSET Art subtests (229 and 230).

Click “Start Test” above to take a free CSET English practice test, and check out our premium-quality CSET test prep resources by clicking the links below!

CSET Art Exam Outline

Each of the CSET Art subtests contains a mix of multiple-choice questions and constructed-response questions, and the time limit for each subtest is 2.5 hours.

Subtest I (229)

The first subtest contains 40 multiple-choice questions and 3 constructed-response questions. The questions are grouped into two domains:

1. Creating

• Generating and conceptualizing artistic ideas and work
• Developing artistic investigations
• Reflecting on and refining works of art

2. Presenting

• Selecting, analyzing, and interpreting works of art for presentation
• Developing and refining techniques for presentation and exhibit
• Communicating meaning through the presentation of works of art

Subtest II (230)

The second subtest contains 40 multiple-choice questions and 2 constructed-response questions. The questions are grouped into two domains:

1. Responding

• Perceiving and analyzing works of art
• Interpreting intent and meaning in works of art
• Applying criteria to evaluate works of art

2. Connecting

• Synthesizing and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art
• Relating artistic ideas and works with cultural, professional, societal, and historical contexts to deepen understanding

CSET Art Exam Registration

To register for the exam, you must create an online NES account via their website. Once your account has been created, you can use it to register for the CSET Art (229/230) exam and schedule an exam date. When you register, you will need to pay the examination fee per subtest, which is $133 for Subtest I and $134 for Subtest II (or $267 for both subtests taken together).

Test Day

On testing day, you should arrive at the testing center about 30 minutes early to allow time for the check-in process. Upon arrival, you will be asked to sign in and provide at least one form of valid photo ID.

After the check-in process is complete, you will be asked to leave all personal items (cell phone, wallet, keys, accessories, bags, etc.) in a locker outside the testing area.

Once you enter the testing room, you will be given a brief tutorial on the testing system before the exam begins.

How the CSET Art Exam is Scored

Your CSET Art test results are reported as scaled scores based on your total raw score points from both the multiple-choice section and the constructed-response section. Your raw scores are converted to a scale of 100 to 300, with the scaled score of 220 being the minimum passing score on each subtest. Both subtests must be passed in order to pass the full exam.

Generally, it takes around two to three weeks after the last day of the examination period before you receive your test results.

FAQs