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California CAST · High School · Science

California High School CAST Science Practice Test

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

High School CAST Science practice sets

This California High School 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, physical science, Earth and space science, environmental systems, engineering design, data analysis, and scientific reasoning.

Science skills covered

  • Population dynamics, ecosystems, mutations, meiosis, natural selection, photosynthesis, decomposers, speciation, alleles, and homeostasis
  • Particle motion, reaction energy, reaction rates, conservation of atoms, circuits, graphs, gravity, waves, and catalysts
  • Mantle convection, plate tectonics, greenhouse gases, stars, redshift, tides, carbon cycling, ice cores, solar energy, and radioactive dating
  • Food webs, wetlands, eutrophication, fisheries, biodiversity, stormwater, climate feedbacks, conservation, ocean chemistry, and data scales
  • Engineering optimization, repeated trials, extrapolation, controlled variables, model revision, correlation, uncertainty, unexpected results, constraints, and outliers

How to use this page

Complete one 10-question set at a time. Identify the evidence, explain the mechanism, and review every solution 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.

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

2. Test

California High School CAST Science Practice Questions

A 10-question California High School CAST Science practice set on high school physical science 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

What happens to the kinetic energy of particles when the temperature of a substance increases?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is The average kinetic energy increases..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life, physical, Earth and space, environmental, or engineering science.
  2. Use the evidence: Temperature is related to the average kinetic energy of particles.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the mechanism, pattern, or evidence rather than only repeating a detail.

Temperature is related to the average kinetic energy of particles.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

A reaction releases heat to 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 life, physical, Earth and space, environmental, or engineering science.
  2. Use the evidence: An exothermic reaction transfers energy as heat to the surroundings.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the mechanism, pattern, or evidence rather than only repeating a detail.

An exothermic reaction transfers energy as heat to the surroundings.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

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

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

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

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life, physical, Earth and space, environmental, or engineering science.
  2. Use the evidence: Greater surface area can increase the frequency of collisions between reactant particles.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the mechanism, pattern, or evidence rather than only repeating a detail.

Greater surface area can increase the frequency of collisions between reactant particles.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

What is conserved when atoms are rearranged during a chemical reaction?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is The total number of each type of atom..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life, physical, Earth and space, environmental, or engineering science.
  2. Use the evidence: Chemical reactions rearrange atoms but do not create or destroy atoms.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the mechanism, pattern, or evidence rather than only repeating a detail.

Chemical reactions rearrange atoms but do not create or destroy atoms.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

A circuit has a voltage of 12 volts and a resistance of 4 ohms. What current flows through the circuit?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is 3 amperes.

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life, physical, Earth and space, environmental, or engineering science.
  2. Use the evidence: Ohm’s law gives current as voltage divided by resistance: 12 ÷ 4 = 3 amperes.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the mechanism, pattern, or evidence rather than only repeating a detail.

Ohm’s law gives current as voltage divided by resistance: 12 ÷ 4 = 3 amperes.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

What does a steeper slope on a position-time graph represent?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is A greater velocity..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life, physical, Earth and space, environmental, or engineering science.
  2. Use the evidence: The slope of a position-time graph represents velocity.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the mechanism, pattern, or evidence rather than only repeating a detail.

The slope of a position-time graph represents velocity.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

Why does a satellite remain in orbit around Earth?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Its forward motion and Earth’s gravitational pull combine to create curved motion..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life, physical, Earth and space, environmental, or engineering science.
  2. Use the evidence: Inertia carries the satellite forward while gravity continually changes its direction.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the mechanism, pattern, or evidence rather than only repeating a detail.

Inertia carries the satellite forward while gravity continually changes its direction.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

Which change would increase the gravitational potential energy of an object near Earth?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Moving it to a greater height..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life, physical, Earth and space, environmental, or engineering science.
  2. Use the evidence: Near Earth, gravitational potential energy increases with height and mass.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the mechanism, pattern, or evidence rather than only repeating a detail.

Near Earth, gravitational potential energy increases with height and mass.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

What is the main difference between a transverse wave and a longitudinal wave?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is The direction of particle motion relative to wave travel..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life, physical, Earth and space, environmental, or engineering science.
  2. Use the evidence: Particles move perpendicular to travel in a transverse wave and parallel to travel in a longitudinal wave.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the mechanism, pattern, or evidence rather than only repeating a detail.

Particles move perpendicular to travel in a transverse wave and parallel to travel in a longitudinal wave.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Why can a catalyst increase reaction rate without being used up?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is It provides an alternate pathway with lower activation energy..

  1. Identify the science idea: Determine whether the task focuses on life, physical, Earth and space, environmental, or engineering science.
  2. Use the evidence: A catalyst changes the pathway and lowers the energy barrier while remaining chemically available.
  3. Check the choice: Make sure the answer explains the mechanism, pattern, or evidence rather than only repeating a detail.

A catalyst changes the pathway and lowers the energy barrier while remaining chemically available.

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Frequently asked questions about California High School CAST Science Practice Test

Which Science skills are covered?

The page covers high school life science, physical science, Earth and space science, environmental systems, engineering practices, data analysis, and scientific reasoning.

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.