Science practice tests (grades 3–8, NGSS-aligned)
Free science practice tests for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade and middle school physical, life and Earth science, aligned to NGSS.
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The tests
About these tests
Free science practice tests aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) performance expectations. There is one test each for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade, and three middle school tests: physical science, life science, and Earth and space science.
Every question has a short explanation, and each test picks new questions from a larger bank when you try again. The questions are our own; they are not taken from any state test. Many states use the NGSS or standards based on them, so check your state’s own science standards too.
Key facts
- On the NGSS website, elementary standards are listed separately for each grade from kindergarten to grade 5, while middle school is treated as one grade band (grades 6–8). Source: NGSS: Standards by Disciplinary Core Idea (DCI) arrangement
- Disciplinary core ideas (DCIs) are the fundamental ideas needed to understand a science discipline, and they can be taught over several grades at increasing depth. Source: NGSS: Standards by Disciplinary Core Idea (DCI) arrangement
- For performance expectation 5-PS1-2 (conservation of matter), the assessment boundary says that assessment does not include distinguishing mass and weight. Source: NGSS 5-PS1 Matter and Its Interactions
How to use these tests
- Choose Practice to see the answer and explanation after each question, or Test to see them all at the end.
- Use Try again for a new set of questions from the bank.
- Each question is tagged with an NGSS performance expectation code, such as 5-PS1-1.
How we wrote these tests
Answers are checked by computer programs, and every test is reviewed by an independent AI checker that didn't write it. Spot a mistake? Use the Report button.
Plan the teaching
Use these tests for review at home or in class. Plan lessons with the free Lesson Plan Maker.
Suggest a test – or, after a test, use “Report a problem with this question” on the answers screen.
Official sources
Classfern practice material. Not an official test and not affiliated with or endorsed by WestEd, NGSS Lead States, or any state department of education.
Aligned to NGSS performance expectations (NGSS Lead States, 2013; copyright National Academies Press). Next Generation Science Standards is a registered trademark of WestEd. Neither WestEd nor the lead states and partners that developed the NGSS were involved in producing this practice test, and they do not endorse it.