FCAT 2.0 practice Science Test 5th and 8th grade | FCAT 2.0 science test prep 2013-2014 Printable PDF | Use the FCAT 2.0 Science Practice Test for 5th and 8th grade science test practice. Below are many test samples to help 5th and 8th grade students pass the FCAT 2.0 Science assessment.
The FCAT 2.0 assessments is a comprehensive reading and math test that students must pass to go on to the next grade in the State of Florida. High stakes testing is not going away, it is just becoming more rigorous with the implementation of the Common Core State Standards. Please use these FCAT 2.0 reading test to help you and your students practice for the FCAT 2.0 2013-2014 testing window.
Sample STAAR Science Test Grade 5 and 8 plus EOC Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness is a standardized test used in Texas primary and secondary schools to assess students' attainment of reading, writing, math, science, and social studies skills required under Texas education standards. It is developed and scored by Pearson Educational Measurement with close supervision by the Texas Education Agency.
Extra Practice Test From Other States
California Science Test
Grade 5 science
Grade 8 science
Grade 10 science
Biology
Chemistry
Earth science
Physics
NY Archived Biology Regents Exams
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Physical Setting/Earth Science Examination
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chemical change In a chemical change, bonds are broken and formed between different atoms, forming a new compound/substance. Photosynthesis results in a chemical change in which carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) are changed into sugars by plants.
convex lens A convex lens has one or more surfaces curving out or bulging outward. A convex lens takes a beam of light and focuses it on a point. My magnifying glass has a convex lens.
ecosystem An environment consisting of all the organisms living there, as well as the air, soil, water and sunlight conditions. Tucson is located in a desert ecosystem.
adaptations Something which has been changed to fit new conditions. "When Anna moved to the United States with her parents and sisters, she could speak only Hungarian. Now she can speak English fluently. Anna has adapted to English; learning English was her adaptation."
series circuit An electrical circuit with only one path where a current can flow. "Christmas tree lights in the 1950's were on series circuits; all the lights went out when only one bulb blew out."
threatened In danger of becoming extinct. "Some birds are threatened by the existence of wind farms, when the birds fly into the spinning blades and die."
thriving To grow well, or to be successful. "Cotton is a thriving crop in Arizona as long as irrigation water is available."
traits characteristics Defining features that make somebody or something recognizable.
"She could easily recognize the characteristics of Samuel's voice; the traits were so much like his father's voice."
The FCAT 2.0 assessments is a comprehensive reading and math test that students must pass to go on to the next grade in the State of Florida. High stakes testing is not going away, it is just becoming more rigorous with the implementation of the Common Core State Standards. Please use these FCAT 2.0 reading test to help you and your students practice for the FCAT 2.0 2013-2014 testing window.
Grade 5
Test Book (PDF, 809KB)
Answer Key Book (PDF, 251KB)
Grade 8
Test Book (PDF, 295KB)
Answer Key Book (PDF, 235
Grade 5
Test Book (PDF, 809KB)
Answer Key Book (PDF, 251KB)
Grade 8
Test Book (PDF, 295KB)
Answer Key Book (PDF, 235
Science
- Grade 5 FCAT 2.0 Science Test Item Specifications, Version 2
- Grade 8 FCAT 2.0 Science Test Item Specifications, Version 2
Sample STAAR Science Test Grade 5 and 8 plus EOC Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness is a standardized test used in Texas primary and secondary schools to assess students' attainment of reading, writing, math, science, and social studies skills required under Texas education standards. It is developed and scored by Pearson Educational Measurement with close supervision by the Texas Education Agency.
The Seven Steps of the Scientific
Method
1. State the problem that is
observed
2. Find out more about the problem
3. Construct a hypothesis
4. Design an experiment and test
your hypothesis
5 Review and study your data
6. Finalize your outcomes and draw
a conclusion
7. Share your results and reexamine
or redesign your hypothesis
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California Science Test
Grade 5 science
Grade 8 science
Grade 10 science
Biology
Chemistry
Earth science
Physics
NY State Science Test
2011 Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science Test
2010 Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science Test
2009 Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science Test
2008 Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science Test
2007 Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science Test
2006 Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science Test
2005 Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science Test
2004 Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science Test
2010 Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science Test
2009 Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science Test
2008 Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science Test
2007 Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science Test
2006 Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science Test
2005 Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science Test
2004 Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science Test
2011 Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
2010 Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
2009 Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
2008 Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
2007 Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
2006 Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
2005 Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
2004 Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
2003 Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
2002 Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
2001 Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
2010 Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
2009 Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
2008 Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
2007 Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
2006 Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
2005 Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
2004 Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
2003 Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
2002 Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
2001 Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
NY Archived Biology Regents Exams
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NY Science Regents Examinations: Physical Setting/Chemistry
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NY Science Regents Examinations: Physical Setting/Earth Science
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Academic Science Vocabulary: STAAR and Common Core State Standards
acids
/bases Acids can be solutions, liquids or solids.
Acid solutions have a pH less than 7 and turn blue litmus paper red. They react
with bases, taste sour and react with metals. Example:
Vinegar is a weak acid (acetic acid). Bases can be thought of as the chemical
opposite of acids. Bases react violently with acidic substances.
They are bitter in taste, have a pH greater than 7, and turn red litmus paper
blue. Example: Many
families use two bases at home: bleach for laundry such as
Chlorox©, and ammonia for washing windows,
floors, etc.
chemical change In a chemical change, bonds are broken and formed between different atoms, forming a new compound/substance. Photosynthesis results in a chemical change in which carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) are changed into sugars by plants.
chemical
properties Chemical properties are any of a material's properties that
can be seen during a chemical reaction. (Unlike material properties, chemical
properties cannot be identified by looking at the material.) One of the
chemical properties of hydrogen is that it can catch fire and
explode under the right conditions.
concave
lens A lens with
at least one inward-curving (concave) surface. Light going through a concave
lens becomes spread out. (See figure below.)
conduction The movement
of heat, electricity through a material. Aluminum,
copper, silver and gold all have very good heat conduction
properties.
conductor A material
which freely allows the flow of electricity or heat through it. Aluminum is
a very good conductor of electricity and heat.
contract/expand To
contract is to become smaller in size. To
expand is to become larger in size.
The pupils
in your eyes contract when you go into bright light, and
expand when you go into a dark room.
convection The movement
of molecules within fluids (i.e. liquids and gases). Many people
have convection ovens at home.
convex lens A convex lens has one or more surfaces curving out or bulging outward. A convex lens takes a beam of light and focuses it on a point. My magnifying glass has a convex lens.
ecosystem An environment consisting of all the organisms living there, as well as the air, soil, water and sunlight conditions. Tucson is located in a desert ecosystem.
environmental changes (human &
nature) Changes in
an area caused by nature (e,g, storms, floods, weathering, etc.) or humans
(e.g., building homes, paving the roads, or nearly all human
activities). The Tucson
area has experienced many environmental changes caused by nature
(mountain uplift) and humans (building thousands of homes).
fossils
(relative age) The
relative age of fossils refers to figuring out the age based of
the layer of the rock in which the fossil is found. (Older fossils are found in
deeper layers.)
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals, plants, and other
organisms from the remote past.
Fossils of dinosaur footprints can be seen at
Dinosaur Valley State Park near Glen Rose, Texas. The relative age
of these tracks is 115 to 105 millions years old.
inherited
traits Characteristics passed from parents to
their offspring (children) through genes. In plants, it's the passing of
characteristics from the "parent" plant to new plants through genes in
seeds.
In humans,
inherited traits you can see are hair and eye color.
insulator A material
which electricity or heat has a hard time moving through.
A pot holder
makes a good insulator and can keep you from burning your hand on
a hot handle.
kinetic
energy The energy
of a moving object. If you catch
a baseball hit by strong player, your hand will sting because the kinetic
energy of the ball has been transferred to your hand.
light
reflection The bouncing
of light off a surface. A mirror
works because of light reflection.
magnetic
field A magnetic
field is a force field that can attract or repel certain materials (e.g., iron)
or charged particles like electrons. 1) A permanent magnet produces its
own magnetic field. 2) The earth has a magnetic
field.
mass In everyday
usage, "mass" is often used to mean weight, but in physics,
mass is the ratio of weight to the acceleration of gravity. On the earth,
mass is the weight in pounds or kilograms divided by the acceleration of
gravity, or weight in pounds /
32.2 ft/sec². Wherever you
go in the universe, your mass is the same, but your weight will
change as the force of gravity changes.
metamorphosis (complete &
incomplete) All insects
undergo a visible change in form, texture and physical appearance or
metamorphosis, from immature to adult. Some insects undergo an
incomplete or partial metamorphosis, and the young of these
insects look very much like the adults. Other insects undergo a complete
metamorphosis, and the young of these insects look very different from
the adults (e.g., caterpillar to butterfly). The Monarch
Butterfly goes through a complete metamorphosis, and changes from
a caterpillar to a butterfly. A grasshopper goes through an incomplete
metamorphosis, and the young nymphs look very much like the
adults.
potential
energy The energy
stored in an object or system due to its position in a force field (like
gravity). A back pack
has a lot of potential energy if it is placed on a table where it
can fall on the floor.
radiation Particles of
energy (e.g., electrons, alpha particles, neutrons, etc.) or waves (e.g. light
or radio waves) that travel through a material or space. Human beings
can live on the earth because of the sun's radiation.
revolution The movement
of one body/planet completely around another. It takes the
earth 365 days to make one revolution around the sun.
species In biology,
a species is one of the basic groups in classification organisms (plants,
animals, insects, etc.). The commonly used names for plants and animals are
sometimes the same as the species' name: for example, "lion," "walrus," and
"Camphor tree" each refer to a species. In other cases common names do not: for
example, "deer" refers to a family of 34 species.
Human beings
(Homo sapiens) are a species in the Mammalia
class.
states of
matter The
three states of
matter that you normally deal with are: solids,
liquids, and gases. A fourth state of matter is
plasma (an ionized state of matter similar to a gas) which is used
in flat screen, plasma TV sets. A fifth state of matter is a
Bose-Einstein condensate, which you need not worry about until you
go into advanced college physics.
We commonly see all
three states of matter for water every day: ice (solid), water
(liquid), and gas adaptations Something which has been changed to fit new conditions. "When Anna moved to the United States with her parents and sisters, she could speak only Hungarian. Now she can speak English fluently. Anna has adapted to English; learning English was her adaptation."
amphibians A
land animal that breeds in water. It
grows to an adult in water, then lives on land.
"Hector's
assignment was to bring some amphibians to class. Hector brought in tadpoles in a jar of pond
water."
cell
(wall, membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus) The
cell is the basic unit of living things.
A wall (or membrane) surrounds the
nucleus and
cytoplasm inside the cell. "In
science class Rhonda made a model of a cell using a balloon for
the wall (or membrane), and water and a ping pong
ball inside the balloon to represent the
cytoplasm and nucleus."
condensation Droplets
of water that form when warm, moist air comes in contact with cold air or a cold
surface. "It
was a humid day, and condensation was forming on the outside of
Robbie's glass of iced
lemonade."
earth's
layers (crust, mantle, core) In
geology the earth's layers are named crust,
mantle, and core. "The
core is the center of the earth, made of molten iron and nickel; the crust is the solid outside
layer; the mantle is the layer between the core and the
crust."
edible
( parts of plants) Parts
of plants that can be eaten by people without harm. "David's
science report told the class that not all mushrooms are edible;
some are very poisonous."
endangered Something
or someone that is at risk, or in danger. "The
dodo bird was once endangered, and now it is extinct. The last dodo died in the 17th century."
erosion The
gradual wearing away of rock or soil. "Erosion
can happen by wearing away with wind, water, ice, or chemical solution;
water erosion weakened the river bank and made it crumble into the
river."
evaporation When
a liquid is changed to a vapor without actually boiling. "Mr.
Taylor said that the evaporation rate was very high; it was
SO humid."
friction The
resistance of one object moving against another object. "James
rubbed sandpaper across the shelf until his hand became hot; the heat was caused by the friction between the sandpaper
and the shelf."
gravity The
pull that the earth has on an object on the earth's surface. "Elizabeth
weighs 73 pounds; This 73 pounds
is the force of gravity on Elizabeth, the pull that keeps her from
drifting off into space."
heredity The
passing on of genetic characteristics, like hair color or flower fragrance, from
one generation of living beings to the next. "Her
hair color came to her by heredity: Sally's great-grandfather had red hair, her
grandfather has red hair, her mother has red hair, and Sally has red hair
."
lunar Relating
to a moon around a planet, especially the moon around the Earth. "Isaac
and his father focused the telescope on the moon; tonight was a special night to watch the
shadow of the lunar eclipse."
mammals A
class of warm-blooded animals that feeds its young with milk. "Did you know that the class of
mammals includes humans, apes, dogs, whales, dolphins, and
bats?"
mixture/solution Mixture
is two or more substances combined without any chemical change taking place; the
original substances are still present without forming new
substances. Solution
is a mixture where one of the original substances is a liquid. "Stirring
together chocolate Quik and milk forms a solution or
mixture; stirring together
sugar and flour forms a mixture; stirring together an acid and a
metal is not a mixture or a solution because a chemical change occurs and
a new substance is formed."
moon
phases (correct sequence) The
changing of shapes of the moon as seen from Earth in the sequence: first quarter, full moon, last quarter, and
new moon. The
moon phases repeat in the same order each month, and
are caused by the Earth's shadow as it blocks the sun's light to the
moon.
parallel
circuit A
circuit is a route or path for electricity in which current can flow. In a parallel circuit there is more than one
path for the current to travel; in a series circuit there is only one
path.
"Grandfather
told us that long ago all the Christmas tree lights would go out when one light
blew out - Those lights were not
on parallel circuits." (Today
we have parallel circuits in the electrical cords of
our Christmas tree lights, and one bad bulb doesn't shut off the current paths
to the rest of the lights.)
pitch To
set a musical instrument to a particular key. "Mario's
saxophone didn't sound right when he played songs with the band; he was
off-pitch."
precipitation Formation
of an insoluble substance in a particular solution. "Look!"
said Rita, as a precipitation of solid particles sank to the
bottom of her lemonade."
renewable
/ non-renewable Being
able to be begun or created again -- or not able to be created
again. "Corn
and wheat are renewable resources as long as we have seeds to
plant and soil and good weather for growing the seeds." "Coal
is a non-renewable resource because once all the coal is found and
used up, it cannot be created again."
reptiles Air-breathing
cold-blooded egg-laying vertebrates. "Examples
of reptiles are crocodiles, tortoises, snakes, and
lizards."
series circuit An electrical circuit with only one path where a current can flow. "Christmas tree lights in the 1950's were on series circuits; all the lights went out when only one bulb blew out."
simple
machines A
simple unpowered device where resistance at one point is overcome by applying
force at another point "Examples
of a simple machine are a lever, pulley, and
inclined plane -- such as found in a shovel or crowbar, or a cord on Venetian
blinds, or a wedge doorstop."
solar
energy Energy
that is created by the heat of the sun. "Solar
energy generates energy in solar panels when sunshine heats up the
fluid inside the panels."
threatened In danger of becoming extinct. "Some birds are threatened by the existence of wind farms, when the birds fly into the spinning blades and die."
thriving To grow well, or to be successful. "Cotton is a thriving crop in Arizona as long as irrigation water is available."
traits characteristics Defining features that make somebody or something recognizable.
"She could easily recognize the characteristics of Samuel's voice; the traits were so much like his father's voice."
atmosphere The layer of gases
that surround the earth. The earth's atmosphere contains mainly nitrogen and
oxygen.
conservation In biology, the protection and management of living things. (Conservation has many meanings, depending upon that you are trying to protect.) If you leave desert plants and animals alone, and only take pictures, you are practicing conservation.
energy The ability of one object to do work on another. 1) Batteries provide the energy to move a Toyota Prius. 2)Windmills change wind energy into electrical energy.
extinct Plants, animals, insects (organisms) that no longer live on earth. The Dodo bird is extinct.
Dodo Bird
force A push or pull that causes an object to change its speed, direction, or shape (e.g., the force of gravity). The force of gravity between the earth and sun causes the earth to revolve around the sun.
geological features What the earth looks like -- mountains, flat areas (plains), valleys, continents, islands, etc. The geological features of the Tucson area include a fairly flat land (plain), surrounded by several mountain ranges.
life cycle In biology, the total lifespan of a living thing, from conception to death. In astronomy, the total lifespan of a star, galaxy, etc., from "birth" to death. Nine months of the life cycle of a human being are spent in the womb where we receive oxygen and food from our mothers.
magnetic attraction A property of materials that causes them to move toward one another.
Iron has more magnetic attraction that most other materials.
matter Matter is a general term for the material that makes up all physical objects. Some astronomers think there is a lot of dark matter in the universe. ("Stuff" that's out there that we can't see.)
moon phases (basic four) The lighted portion of the moon seen from earth. The basic four phases are new, waxing, full and waning moon. The Chinese astronomers have observed and written down the moon phases for thousands of years.
natural resources The materials (plants, animals, water, minerals, gases, etc.) that were present when the earth was formed or that developed as the earth aged, without the help of human beings.
One of Arizona's most important natural resources is copper.
observe To watch or to see. People who observe and study the universe are called astronomers.
offspring In biology, a new animal (organism) produced by one or more parents. A "cub" is the offspring of bears; a child is the offspring of humans.
orbit The curved path of an object around a point in space. The earth's orbit around the sun is an ellipse.
organism Animals, fungi, plants or micro-organisms capable of reacting to stimuli (touch, heat, cold, etc.) Rio Vista gives a tee shirt to each organism (student) who attends the school.
photosynthesis A chemical process used by plants, algae, and some bacteria that uses energy from sunlight to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into mainly sugar. The "waste" product is oxygen (O2).
physical change A change in texture, shape, color, volume, weight or density of an object or substance, that does not change its chemical nature. Making a baseball bat out of wood changes the shape of the wood and is a physical change.
physical properties Physical properties can of an object or substance are properties that can be measured. Physical properties include color, flexibility, location, melting point, strength and many others.
pollution Contaminants in the environment that harm the environment or living things. There are many kinds of pollution, but the one we hear most about is air pollution.
predator An animal, plant or any organism that hunts and eats its food; a hunter. The coyote is one predator which lives around Tucson.
prey The animal (an organism) which is hunted for food by a predator. Pack rats are a favorite prey of Bobcats.
rotation A circular movement of an object around a center or point. The earth takes 24 hours to complete one rotation on its axis.
scientific method The group of actions for investigating, getting new knowledge, or correcting previous knowledge. It consists of observation, measurement, and experiment, and the the formulation , testing, and the modification of hypothesis. As 4th grade students, you will be expected to use the scientific method for your science project.
solar system The sun and the planets, moons, asteroids, comets, etc., that orbit the sun.
The earth is the third plant from the sun in our solar system.
water cycle The water cycle describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the earth. Rain is part of the water cycle.
weathering The breaking down of rocks, soils, minerals and man-made materials by contact with the earth's atmosphere, waters, plants and animal life. In Arizona, the sun is responsible for most weathering.
conservation In biology, the protection and management of living things. (Conservation has many meanings, depending upon that you are trying to protect.) If you leave desert plants and animals alone, and only take pictures, you are practicing conservation.
energy The ability of one object to do work on another. 1) Batteries provide the energy to move a Toyota Prius. 2)Windmills change wind energy into electrical energy.
extinct Plants, animals, insects (organisms) that no longer live on earth. The Dodo bird is extinct.
Dodo Bird
force A push or pull that causes an object to change its speed, direction, or shape (e.g., the force of gravity). The force of gravity between the earth and sun causes the earth to revolve around the sun.
geological features What the earth looks like -- mountains, flat areas (plains), valleys, continents, islands, etc. The geological features of the Tucson area include a fairly flat land (plain), surrounded by several mountain ranges.
life cycle In biology, the total lifespan of a living thing, from conception to death. In astronomy, the total lifespan of a star, galaxy, etc., from "birth" to death. Nine months of the life cycle of a human being are spent in the womb where we receive oxygen and food from our mothers.
magnetic attraction A property of materials that causes them to move toward one another.
Iron has more magnetic attraction that most other materials.
matter Matter is a general term for the material that makes up all physical objects. Some astronomers think there is a lot of dark matter in the universe. ("Stuff" that's out there that we can't see.)
moon phases (basic four) The lighted portion of the moon seen from earth. The basic four phases are new, waxing, full and waning moon. The Chinese astronomers have observed and written down the moon phases for thousands of years.
natural resources The materials (plants, animals, water, minerals, gases, etc.) that were present when the earth was formed or that developed as the earth aged, without the help of human beings.
One of Arizona's most important natural resources is copper.
observe To watch or to see. People who observe and study the universe are called astronomers.
offspring In biology, a new animal (organism) produced by one or more parents. A "cub" is the offspring of bears; a child is the offspring of humans.
orbit The curved path of an object around a point in space. The earth's orbit around the sun is an ellipse.
organism Animals, fungi, plants or micro-organisms capable of reacting to stimuli (touch, heat, cold, etc.) Rio Vista gives a tee shirt to each organism (student) who attends the school.
photosynthesis A chemical process used by plants, algae, and some bacteria that uses energy from sunlight to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into mainly sugar. The "waste" product is oxygen (O2).
physical change A change in texture, shape, color, volume, weight or density of an object or substance, that does not change its chemical nature. Making a baseball bat out of wood changes the shape of the wood and is a physical change.
physical properties Physical properties can of an object or substance are properties that can be measured. Physical properties include color, flexibility, location, melting point, strength and many others.
pollution Contaminants in the environment that harm the environment or living things. There are many kinds of pollution, but the one we hear most about is air pollution.
predator An animal, plant or any organism that hunts and eats its food; a hunter. The coyote is one predator which lives around Tucson.
prey The animal (an organism) which is hunted for food by a predator. Pack rats are a favorite prey of Bobcats.
rotation A circular movement of an object around a center or point. The earth takes 24 hours to complete one rotation on its axis.
scientific method The group of actions for investigating, getting new knowledge, or correcting previous knowledge. It consists of observation, measurement, and experiment, and the the formulation , testing, and the modification of hypothesis. As 4th grade students, you will be expected to use the scientific method for your science project.
solar system The sun and the planets, moons, asteroids, comets, etc., that orbit the sun.
The earth is the third plant from the sun in our solar system.
water cycle The water cycle describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the earth. Rain is part of the water cycle.
weathering The breaking down of rocks, soils, minerals and man-made materials by contact with the earth's atmosphere, waters, plants and animal life. In Arizona, the sun is responsible for most weathering.
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