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California CAA · Science · Grades 5, 8, and High School

California CAA Science Practice Test: Grades 5, 8, and High School

Build science readiness with five focused 10-question practice sets covering living systems, physical science, Earth and space, environmental resources, and scientific practices.

CAA Science practice sets

This California CAA Science Practice Test page provides five short practice sets with 10 original multiple-choice questions each. The sets offer supplemental practice for Grades 5, 8, and high school across life science, physical science, Earth and space science, environmental systems, and scientific investigation.

Science skills covered

  • Living things, food and nutrients, plant roots, cells, populations, relationships, heredity, food chains, biodiversity, and reproduction
  • States and properties of matter, friction, energy, conductors, thermal transfer, forces, chemical change, circuits, and light absorption
  • Day and night, solar energy, runoff, erosion, shadows, the Moon, volcanoes, precipitation, fossils, and planetary orbits
  • Clean water, waste reduction, fish populations, forests, renewable resources, invasive species, trees, electricity, sediment, and pollinators
  • Investigation planning, tools, controlled variables, observations, graphs, repeated measurements, variables, models, reliability, and evidence

How to use this page

Complete one 10-question set at a time. Identify the observable evidence, choose the best-supported answer, and review every explanation before moving to the next set.

This is supplemental State Test Practice, State Assessment Practice, and Standardized Test Practice. It does not replace current California Department of Education guidance, official CAA materials, accessibility supports, or testing policies.

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

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5. Test

California CAA Science Practice Questions

A 10-question California CAA Science practice set on scientific practices and evidence, with answers and explanations.

Read each science task carefully, choose one answer, and review the explanation after responding.

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

What should a student do before starting an investigation?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Ask a question and plan a procedure..

  1. Identify the science idea: Read the situation and identify the observable science concept.
  2. Use the evidence: A clear question and procedure guide a fair investigation.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that best matches the evidence in the task.

A clear question and procedure guide a fair investigation.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

Which tool measures length?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is A ruler.

  1. Identify the science idea: Read the situation and identify the observable science concept.
  2. Use the evidence: A ruler measures length or distance.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that best matches the evidence in the task.

A ruler measures length or distance.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

A student tests two soils using the same amount of water and the same type of seed. Why keep these conditions the same?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is To make the comparison fair..

  1. Identify the science idea: Read the situation and identify the observable science concept.
  2. Use the evidence: Keeping relevant conditions constant helps isolate the factor being tested.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that best matches the evidence in the task.

Keeping relevant conditions constant helps isolate the factor being tested.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

Which observation is quantitative?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is The plant is 12 centimeters tall..

  1. Identify the science idea: Read the situation and identify the observable science concept.
  2. Use the evidence: Twelve centimeters is a numerical measurement.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that best matches the evidence in the task.

Twelve centimeters is a numerical measurement.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

A graph shows that a plant grew taller each week. What conclusion is supported?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is The plant increased in height over the measured weeks..

  1. Identify the science idea: Read the situation and identify the observable science concept.
  2. Use the evidence: The upward data trend supports increased height during the measured period.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that best matches the evidence in the task.

The upward data trend supports increased height during the measured period.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

Why should scientists repeat measurements?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is To check whether the pattern is consistent..

  1. Identify the science idea: Read the situation and identify the observable science concept.
  2. Use the evidence: Repeated measurements help identify consistent results and possible variation.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that best matches the evidence in the task.

Repeated measurements help identify consistent results and possible variation.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

A student thinks sunlight affects plant growth. What is the independent variable in a test?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is The amount of sunlight..

  1. Identify the science idea: Read the situation and identify the observable science concept.
  2. Use the evidence: The independent variable is the factor the student changes: sunlight amount.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that best matches the evidence in the task.

The independent variable is the factor the student changes: sunlight amount.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

What does a model help scientists do?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Represent and study parts of a system..

  1. Identify the science idea: Read the situation and identify the observable science concept.
  2. Use the evidence: Models simplify systems so scientists can examine relationships and make predictions.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that best matches the evidence in the task.

Models simplify systems so scientists can examine relationships and make predictions.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

A thermometer gives different readings in the same room. What should the student check first?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Whether the thermometer is being used correctly and is calibrated..

  1. Identify the science idea: Read the situation and identify the observable science concept.
  2. Use the evidence: Checking technique and calibration can identify measurement problems.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that best matches the evidence in the task.

Checking technique and calibration can identify measurement problems.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

A result does not support a student’s prediction. What is the best response?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Review the evidence and revise the explanation if needed..

  1. Identify the science idea: Read the situation and identify the observable science concept.
  2. Use the evidence: Science uses evidence, including unexpected results, to improve explanations.
  3. Check the choice: Choose the answer that best matches the evidence in the task.

Science uses evidence, including unexpected results, to improve explanations.

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Frequently asked questions about California CAA Science Practice Test

Which Science skills are covered?

The page covers supplemental living systems, physical science, Earth and space science, environmental resources, and scientific investigation practice for Grades 5, 8, and high school.

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 CAA Science questions?

No. These are original supplemental practice questions. Check the latest California Department of Education information for official materials, accessibility supports, standards, and policies.