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Alaska Science Assessment · Grade 8

Alaska Grade 8 Science Assessment Practice Test

Build Grade 8 Alaska science assessment readiness with five focused 10-question practice sets covering energy, ecosystems, Earth systems, engineering, data, and Alaska applications.

Alaska Grade 8 Science Assessment practice sets

This Alaska Grade 8 Science Assessment Practice Test page provides five short practice sets with 10 original multiple-choice questions each. The sets support Grade 8 review across matter, energy, forces, cells, genetics, ecosystems, Earth systems, climate, engineering, data, and Alaska-related phenomena.

Skills covered

  • Chemical reactions, conservation of matter, density, energy, forces, waves, circuits, insulation, and magnetic fields
  • Cell functions, mitosis, alleles, food webs, carrying capacity, natural selection, homeostasis, and biodiversity
  • Plate movement, rocks, seasons, tides, weather fronts, greenhouse gases, groundwater, stars, eclipses, and Alaska earthquakes
  • Variables, correlation, control groups, models, optimization, peer review, uncertainty, fair tests, graphs, and evidence-based claims
  • Permafrost, salmon life cycles, sea ice, volcano monitoring, data interpretation, water quality, invasive species, and bridge testing

How to use this page

Complete one 10-question set at a time. Identify the evidence, connect it to the scientific model, and check whether the conclusion is supported by the data. Review each explanation after responding.

This is supplemental State Test Practice, State Assessment Practice, and Standardized Test Practice. It does not replace current Alaska Department of Education and Early Development guidance, official assessment materials, accommodations, or testing schedules.

For the broader Alaska assessment hub, visit Alaska State Assessments.

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4. Test

Alaska Grade 8 Science Assessment Practice Questions

A 10-question Alaska Grade 8 Science Assessment practice set on investigation, models, and engineering, with answers and explanations.

Read each scenario carefully, identify the evidence, choose one answer, and review the explanation after responding.

10 Questions
0/10 Questions0 %
Correct 0
Incorrect 0
Unanswered 10
1. QuestionMultiple choice

A student changes the salt concentration to see how it affects seed germination. What is the independent variable?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Salt concentration.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: The independent variable is the factor intentionally changed by the investigator.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

The independent variable is the factor intentionally changed by the investigator.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

A scatter plot shows that study time and test score increase together. What can the data show without proving causation?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The two variables are associated in the collected data.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: A correlation can show an association, but more evidence is needed to establish a cause-and-effect relationship.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

A correlation can show an association, but more evidence is needed to establish a cause-and-effect relationship.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

What is the purpose of a control group in an experiment?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is It provides a comparison without the independent variable treatment.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: A control group gives investigators a baseline for comparing the effect of the independent variable.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

A control group gives investigators a baseline for comparing the effect of the independent variable.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

What is a limitation of a scale model of the solar system?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is It cannot show both accurate distances and accurate object sizes in a small room.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: Models simplify systems, and a small physical model cannot preserve every scale relationship at once.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

Models simplify systems, and a small physical model cannot preserve every scale relationship at once.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

An engineer compares designs by strength, cost, and material use. What is the engineer doing?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Optimizing a solution using multiple criteria.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: Engineering optimization balances criteria and constraints to choose or improve a practical solution.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

Engineering optimization balances criteria and constraints to choose or improve a practical solution.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

Why is peer review useful in science?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Other scientists can evaluate methods, evidence, and reasoning.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: Peer review can identify weaknesses, improve communication, and strengthen the evaluation of scientific work.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

Peer review can identify weaknesses, improve communication, and strengthen the evaluation of scientific work.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

What does measurement uncertainty describe?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is The range within which a measured value may reasonably vary.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: Every measurement has limits related to the instrument, method, and conditions, so a value has some uncertainty.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

Every measurement has limits related to the instrument, method, and conditions, so a value has some uncertainty.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

Which procedure is a fair test of two water filters?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Use the same water source and volume, and change only the filter.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: A fair test controls relevant conditions and changes one main variable at a time.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

A fair test controls relevant conditions and changes one main variable at a time.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

Which graph is best for showing the relationship between temperature and dissolved oxygen?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is A scatter plot.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: A scatter plot displays paired numerical values and helps reveal relationships between two variables.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

A scatter plot displays paired numerical values and helps reveal relationships between two variables.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Which claim is best supported by a treatment group that grows 4 centimeters more than the control group in three repeated trials?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The treatment was associated with greater growth under the tested conditions.

  1. Identify the evidence: Read the data, model, or system described in the question.
  2. Apply the science idea: The claim should match the repeated evidence and remain limited to the conditions tested.
  3. Check the conclusion: Confirm that the answer is consistent with the evidence and the Grade 8 science relationship.

The claim should match the repeated evidence and remain limited to the conditions tested.

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Frequently asked questions about Alaska Grade 8 Science Assessment Practice Test

Which science skills are covered?

The page covers matter, energy, forces, cells, genetics, ecosystems, Earth systems, climate, engineering, data, and Alaska-related science applications.

How many questions are included?

There are five practice sets with 10 questions each, for 50 questions in total. Each set can be completed separately.

Are these official Alaska assessment questions?

No. These are original supplemental practice questions. Check the latest Alaska Department of Education and Early Development information for official assessment dates, materials, accommodations, and policies.