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California CAST · Grades 5, 8 & High School · Science

California CAST Science Practice Test

Build California CAST Science readiness with five focused 10-question practice sets covering life science, physical science, Earth and space science, engineering, and data analysis for Grades 5, 8, and high school.

CAST Science practice sets

This California CAST Science Practice Test page provides five short practice sets with 10 original multiple-choice questions each. The sets offer supplemental review across life science, physical science, Earth and space science, engineering and design, scientific practices, systems, and data analysis.

Science skills covered

  • Photosynthesis, natural selection, cells, heredity, ecosystems, energy flow, mutations, evolution, and experimental variables
  • Chemical and physical change, thermal energy, circuits, atomic structure, reactions, waves, collisions, work, and ions
  • Plate tectonics, climate, Moon phases, greenhouse gases, fossils, tides, volcanic ash, renewable resources, and redshift
  • Controlled experiments, engineering criteria and constraints, models, repeated trials, efficiency, controls, and claim-evidence-reasoning
  • Associations, systems, phase changes, surface energy, biodiversity, gas relationships, conservation of matter, simulations, carrying capacity, and uncertainty

How to use this page

Complete one 10-question set at a time. Identify the evidence, describe the mechanism, and review every explanation before moving to the next set. Use the grade-specific pages when you want more focused practice for Grade 5, Grade 8, or high school.

This is supplemental State Test Practice, State Assessment Practice, and Standardized Test Practice. It does not replace current California Department of Education guidance, official CAST blueprints, accommodations, or testing schedules.

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

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5 Tests
1. Test2. Test3. Test4. Test5. Test

2. Test

California CAST Science Practice Questions

A 10-question California CAST Science practice set on physical science, with answers and explanations for Grades 5, 8, and high school review.

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

A moving cart has its speed doubled while its mass stays constant. What happens to its kinetic energy?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is It becomes four times as great..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on a life, physical, Earth and space, engineering, or data concept.
  2. Use the evidence: Kinetic energy depends on the square of speed, so doubling speed multiplies it by four.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observed pattern, mechanism, or evidence rather than merely repeating a detail.

Kinetic energy depends on the square of speed, so doubling speed multiplies it by four.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

Which statement describes a chemical change?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Iron reacts with oxygen to form rust..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on a life, physical, Earth and space, engineering, or data concept.
  2. Use the evidence: Rust formation produces a new substance with different properties.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observed pattern, mechanism, or evidence rather than merely repeating a detail.

Rust formation produces a new substance with different properties.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

A metal spoon feels colder than a wooden spoon in the same room. What is the best explanation?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Metal transfers thermal energy away from the hand more efficiently..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on a life, physical, Earth and space, engineering, or data concept.
  2. Use the evidence: Metal is a better thermal conductor, so it transfers energy from the hand more rapidly.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observed pattern, mechanism, or evidence rather than merely repeating a detail.

Metal is a better thermal conductor, so it transfers energy from the hand more rapidly.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

A circuit contains a battery, wires, and two bulbs in series. If one bulb is removed, what will most likely happen?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is The circuit opens and both bulbs go out..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on a life, physical, Earth and space, engineering, or data concept.
  2. Use the evidence: A series circuit has one path, so removing a bulb opens the path for current.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observed pattern, mechanism, or evidence rather than merely repeating a detail.

A series circuit has one path, so removing a bulb opens the path for current.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

Which particle determines the identity of an element?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Number of protons.

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on a life, physical, Earth and space, engineering, or data concept.
  2. Use the evidence: The atomic number, which equals the number of protons, identifies the element.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observed pattern, mechanism, or evidence rather than merely repeating a detail.

The atomic number, which equals the number of protons, identifies the element.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

A reaction releases heat into its surroundings. How is the reaction classified?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Exothermic.

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on a life, physical, Earth and space, engineering, or data concept.
  2. Use the evidence: An exothermic reaction transfers thermal energy to the surroundings.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observed pattern, mechanism, or evidence rather than merely repeating a detail.

An exothermic reaction transfers thermal energy to the surroundings.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

A wave has a frequency of 5 hertz and a wavelength of 2 meters. What is its speed?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is 10 meters per second.

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on a life, physical, Earth and space, engineering, or data concept.
  2. Use the evidence: Wave speed equals frequency × wavelength: 5 × 2 = 10 meters per second.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observed pattern, mechanism, or evidence rather than merely repeating a detail.

Wave speed equals frequency × wavelength: 5 × 2 = 10 meters per second.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

Why does increasing the surface area of a solid often increase its reaction rate with a liquid?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is More particles are exposed for collisions..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on a life, physical, Earth and space, engineering, or data concept.
  2. Use the evidence: Greater surface area allows more frequent effective collisions between particles.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observed pattern, mechanism, or evidence rather than merely repeating a detail.

Greater surface area allows more frequent effective collisions between particles.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

A force of 20 newtons moves an object 3 meters in the direction of the force. How much work is done?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is 60 joules.

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on a life, physical, Earth and space, engineering, or data concept.
  2. Use the evidence: Work equals force × distance when they act in the same direction: 20 × 3 = 60 joules.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observed pattern, mechanism, or evidence rather than merely repeating a detail.

Work equals force × distance when they act in the same direction: 20 × 3 = 60 joules.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

A neutral atom gains two electrons. What charge does it have?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is A charge of -2.

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on a life, physical, Earth and space, engineering, or data concept.
  2. Use the evidence: Gaining two negatively charged electrons gives the atom a net charge of -2.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observed pattern, mechanism, or evidence rather than merely repeating a detail.

Gaining two negatively charged electrons gives the atom a net charge of -2.

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Frequently asked questions about California CAST Science Practice Test

Which grades does this CAST Science practice page support?

This hub provides mixed supplemental practice for the California CAST assessment areas used in Grade 5, Grade 8, and high school. Grade-specific pages can provide more targeted review.

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 CAST questions?

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