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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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4. Test

California CAST Science Practice Questions

A 10-question California CAST Science practice set on engineering and scientific practices, 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 student tests three insulation materials by measuring heat loss from identical containers. Why should the containers be identical?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is To control variables other than the insulation material..

  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: Keeping containers identical helps isolate the effect of the material being tested.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observed pattern, mechanism, or evidence rather than merely repeating a detail.

Keeping containers identical helps isolate the effect of the material being tested.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

An engineer compares four bridge designs using strength, cost, and material use. Why is a scoring matrix useful?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is It makes trade-offs among several design criteria visible..

  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 matrix helps compare how each design meets multiple criteria and constraints.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observed pattern, mechanism, or evidence rather than merely repeating a detail.

A matrix helps compare how each design meets multiple criteria and constraints.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

A graph of experimental data has one point far from the other results. What should researchers do first?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Check the measurement and procedure before deciding whether it is an outlier..

  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 point may reflect an error or real variation, so it should be investigated before removal.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observed pattern, mechanism, or evidence rather than merely repeating a detail.

The point may reflect an error or real variation, so it should be investigated before removal.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

Why are repeated trials important in an investigation?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is They help reveal variation and make results more reliable..

  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: Repeated trials help distinguish a consistent pattern from random variation.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observed pattern, mechanism, or evidence rather than merely repeating a detail.

Repeated trials help distinguish a consistent pattern from random variation.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

A model predicts that a material will expand when heated, but the measurements show no expansion. What is the best next step?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Revise or test the model using additional evidence and possible sources of error..

  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: Models should be evaluated and revised when evidence does not support their predictions.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observed pattern, mechanism, or evidence rather than merely repeating a detail.

Models should be evaluated and revised when evidence does not support their predictions.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

Which measurement is most appropriate for comparing the efficiency of two solar panels?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Electrical energy produced per unit of sunlight received..

  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: Efficiency requires comparing useful output with the energy input.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observed pattern, mechanism, or evidence rather than merely repeating a detail.

Efficiency requires comparing useful output with the energy input.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

A student wants to know whether fertilizer affects plant height. Which control is most appropriate?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Plants grown without the fertilizer but under the same other conditions..

  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 control without fertilizer provides a comparison while other conditions remain similar.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observed pattern, mechanism, or evidence rather than merely repeating a detail.

A control without fertilizer provides a comparison while other conditions remain similar.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

An engineering design meets a strength requirement but exceeds the allowed cost. What does this show?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is The design meets one criterion but violates a constraint..

  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: Engineering solutions must satisfy the stated criteria and constraints, including cost limits.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observed pattern, mechanism, or evidence rather than merely repeating a detail.

Engineering solutions must satisfy the stated criteria and constraints, including cost limits.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

A scatter plot shows a relationship between fertilizer amount and plant height. What additional evidence is needed before claiming fertilizer causes the height change?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is A controlled experiment that changes fertilizer while controlling other factors..

  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: Causation requires an experimental design that controls alternative explanations.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observed pattern, mechanism, or evidence rather than merely repeating a detail.

Causation requires an experimental design that controls alternative explanations.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Why should a scientific explanation include a claim, evidence, and reasoning?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The reasoning connects the evidence to the claim instead of leaving the data unexplained..

  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: Reasoning explains why the evidence supports the claim and makes the explanation logical.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the observed pattern, mechanism, or evidence rather than merely repeating a detail.

Reasoning explains why the evidence supports the claim and makes the explanation logical.

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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.