NumicornNumicornLearn, solve, progress

California CAST · Grade 8 · Science

California Grade 8 CAST Science Practice Test

Build Grade 8 California CAST Science readiness with five focused 10-question practice sets covering life science, physical science, Earth and space science, engineering, and environmental data.

Grade 8 CAST Science practice sets

This California Grade 8 CAST Science Practice Test page provides five short practice sets with 10 original multiple-choice questions each. The sets support supplemental review across life science systems, heredity, physical science, Earth and space processes, engineering practices, environmental systems, and data analysis.

Science skills covered

  • Cell transport, cell division, heredity, natural selection, genes and proteins, ecosystems, reproduction, mutations, common ancestry, and adaptation
  • Conservation of matter, gas particles, motion, energy, thermal transfer, circuits, physical and chemical change, forces, friction, and waves
  • Earthquakes, plate boundaries, rocks, ocean currents, Moon motion, paleoclimate, water cycle, seasons, and glaciers
  • Controlled variables, models and limitations, engineering trade-offs, reaction data, reliable measurement, prototypes, and scientific explanations
  • Drought, urban heat, pollution, invasive species, recycling, groundwater, populations, biodiversity, carbon emissions, and seasonal data

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.

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.

Select a test

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

2. Test

California Grade 8 CAST Science Practice Questions

A 10-question California Grade 8 CAST Science practice set on physical science matter, forces, and energy, 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

A chemical reaction has the same number of each type of atom before and after the reaction. What principle does this show?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Conservation of matter.

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life, physical, Earth and space, engineering, or systems science.
  2. Use the evidence: Chemical reactions rearrange atoms, so the total amount of matter is conserved.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the mechanism, pattern, or evidence rather than only repeating a detail.

Chemical reactions rearrange atoms, so the total amount of matter is conserved.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

What happens to the particles of a gas when its temperature increases in a sealed container?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is They move faster and collide with the container more often or forcefully..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life, physical, Earth and space, engineering, or systems science.
  2. Use the evidence: Higher temperature means greater average particle motion, which can increase pressure in a fixed volume.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the mechanism, pattern, or evidence rather than only repeating a detail.

Higher temperature means greater average particle motion, which can increase pressure in a fixed volume.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

A car accelerates from rest. Which statement about its motion is correct?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Its velocity changes over time..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life, physical, Earth and space, engineering, or systems science.
  2. Use the evidence: Acceleration is a change in velocity, and the car’s speed changes as it accelerates.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the mechanism, pattern, or evidence rather than only repeating a detail.

Acceleration is a change in velocity, and the car’s speed changes as it accelerates.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

A ball is lifted from the ground onto a shelf. What happens to its gravitational potential energy?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is It increases..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life, physical, Earth and space, engineering, or systems science.
  2. Use the evidence: The ball’s position increases relative to Earth, so its gravitational potential energy increases.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the mechanism, pattern, or evidence rather than only repeating a detail.

The ball’s position increases relative to Earth, so its gravitational potential energy increases.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

Why does a metal spoon become warm when left in hot soup?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Thermal energy transfers from the soup to the spoon..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life, physical, Earth and space, engineering, or systems science.
  2. Use the evidence: Thermal energy moves from the warmer soup into the cooler spoon.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the mechanism, pattern, or evidence rather than only repeating a detail.

Thermal energy moves from the warmer soup into the cooler spoon.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

Two identical bulbs are connected in parallel. If one bulb burns out, what will most likely happen?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is The other bulb can remain lit on its separate branch..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life, physical, Earth and space, engineering, or systems science.
  2. Use the evidence: Parallel circuits provide separate paths, so one open branch does not necessarily stop the other.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the mechanism, pattern, or evidence rather than only repeating a detail.

Parallel circuits provide separate paths, so one open branch does not necessarily stop the other.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

Which statement describes a physical change?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is A solid dissolves in water without forming a new substance..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life, physical, Earth and space, engineering, or systems science.
  2. Use the evidence: Dissolving changes the arrangement of particles but does not necessarily create a new substance.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the mechanism, pattern, or evidence rather than only repeating a detail.

Dissolving changes the arrangement of particles but does not necessarily create a new substance.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

A force of 10 newtons acts on a 2-kilogram object. What is the object’s acceleration if no other forces act?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is 5 meters per second squared.

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life, physical, Earth and space, engineering, or systems science.
  2. Use the evidence: Using force equals mass times acceleration, acceleration is 10 ÷ 2 = 5 meters per second squared.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the mechanism, pattern, or evidence rather than only repeating a detail.

Using force equals mass times acceleration, acceleration is 10 ÷ 2 = 5 meters per second squared.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

Why does a rough surface usually create more friction than a smooth surface?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Its irregularities resist sliding between the surfaces..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life, physical, Earth and space, engineering, or systems science.
  2. Use the evidence: Surface irregularities can oppose motion and increase friction.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the mechanism, pattern, or evidence rather than only repeating a detail.

Surface irregularities can oppose motion and increase friction.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

A wave has a higher frequency but travels through the same medium at the same speed. What happens to its wavelength?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is It decreases..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life, physical, Earth and space, engineering, or systems science.
  2. Use the evidence: Because speed equals frequency times wavelength, a higher frequency at fixed speed requires a shorter wavelength.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the mechanism, pattern, or evidence rather than only repeating a detail.

Because speed equals frequency times wavelength, a higher frequency at fixed speed requires a shorter wavelength.

Previous testNext test

Choose your next study path

Elementary School Tests

Build foundational reading, math, science, and social studies skills for Grades 1–5.

Middle School Tests

Review grade-level ELA, math, science, and social studies skills for Grades 6–8.

High School Tests

Explore course and assessment preparation for Grades 9–12.

Pomodoro Timer

Use focused study intervals to work through your next practice set.

Frequently asked questions about California Grade 8 CAST Science Practice Test

Which Science skills are covered?

The page covers Grade 8 life science, physical science, Earth and space science, engineering practices, environmental systems, and data analysis.

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.