100+ Free FTCE Middle Grades Science 5-9 (004) Practice Questions

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Which quantity is a vector because it includes both magnitude and direction?

Mass

Velocity

Speed

Distance

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Key Facts: FTCE Middle Grades Science 5-9 (004) Exam

Approximate Questions

FTCE Test Information Guide (2026)

Competencies

FTCE Test Information Guide

200

Passing Scaled Score

Florida DOE

2h 30m

Testing Time

Pearson FTCE (2026)

$150

Exam Fee

Pearson VUE (2026)

14%

Top Competency Weight (Matter and Life)

FTCE Test Information Guide

004

Subject Area Test Code

Florida DOE / Pearson

5-9

Target Grade Levels

Florida DOE

Sample FTCE Middle Grades Science 5-9 (004) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your FTCE Middle Grades Science 5-9 (004) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which subatomic particle determines the identity of a chemical element?

A.The number of protons

B.The number of neutrons

C.The number of electrons

D.The total number of nucleons

Explanation: The atomic number, equal to the number of protons in the nucleus, uniquely identifies an element. Changing the proton count changes the element itself. Neutron count produces isotopes, and electron count produces ions, but neither changes the element's identity.

2When a solid changes directly into a gas without passing through the liquid state, the process is called:

A.Condensation

B.Sublimation

C.Deposition

D.Vaporization

Explanation: Sublimation is the phase change in which a solid converts directly to a gas without first becoming a liquid. Dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) sublimating at room temperature is a common example. The reverse process, gas to solid, is called deposition.

3According to Boyle's law, if the temperature of a fixed amount of gas is held constant and its volume is reduced by half, the pressure will:

A.Decrease by half

B.Remain unchanged

C.Double

D.Quadruple

Explanation: Boyle's law states that pressure and volume are inversely proportional at constant temperature (P times V is constant). Halving the volume doubles the pressure. This relationship explains why a gas pushes back harder when compressed into a smaller space.

4Which of the following is a pure substance rather than a mixture?

A.Air

B.Salt water

C.Carbon dioxide

D.Bronze

Explanation: Carbon dioxide is a compound with a fixed chemical formula (CO2) and is therefore a pure substance. Air, salt water, and bronze are all mixtures whose components can vary in proportion and be separated by physical means.

5As you move from left to right across a period of the periodic table, atomic radius generally:

A.Increases due to added electron shells

B.Decreases due to increasing nuclear charge

C.Stays the same

D.Increases then decreases

Explanation: Across a period, protons are added to the nucleus while electrons fill the same energy level. The increasing positive nuclear charge pulls electrons inward more strongly, so atomic radius decreases. Radius increases down a group because new electron shells are added.

6Which type of chemical bond forms when electrons are transferred from a metal atom to a nonmetal atom?

A.Covalent bond

B.Ionic bond

C.Metallic bond

D.Hydrogen bond

Explanation: An ionic bond forms when a metal transfers one or more electrons to a nonmetal, creating oppositely charged ions that attract each other. Sodium chloride is a classic example. Covalent bonds involve sharing electrons, typically between nonmetals.

7A chemical equation must be balanced primarily to satisfy which scientific principle?

A.The law of conservation of mass

B.The law of definite proportions

C.Avogadro's hypothesis

D.The ideal gas law

Explanation: Balancing a chemical equation ensures that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides, reflecting the law of conservation of mass: matter is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. The same atoms are merely rearranged.

8On the pH scale, a solution with a pH of 3 is best described as:

A.Strongly basic

B.Neutral

C.Acidic

D.Saturated

Explanation: The pH scale runs from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Values below 7 indicate an acidic solution, and a pH of 3 is moderately strong acid. Each whole-number decrease represents a tenfold increase in hydrogen ion concentration.

9Which observation is the strongest evidence that a chemical change, rather than a physical change, has occurred?

A.A substance changes from solid to liquid

B.A new gas with a distinct odor is produced

C.A liquid is divided into two beakers

D.A solid is crushed into powder

Explanation: Production of a new substance, such as a gas with a distinct odor, signals a chemical change because the composition of the matter has changed. Melting, dividing, and crushing are physical changes that alter form or state but not chemical identity.

10An atom of carbon-14 and an atom of carbon-12 are isotopes because they have the same number of:

A.Neutrons but different protons

B.Protons but different neutrons

C.Electrons but different protons

D.Nucleons but different protons

Explanation: Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. Carbon-12 and carbon-14 both have 6 protons but have 6 and 8 neutrons respectively, giving different mass numbers while remaining the same element.

About the FTCE Middle Grades Science 5-9 (004) Exam

The FTCE Middle Grades General Science 5-9 (004) is the Florida subject area exam for teaching science in grades 5 through 9. It contains about 80 multiple-choice questions across nine competencies spanning physical, earth and space, and life science, plus scientific inquiry and the science learning environment.

Questions

80 scored questions

Time Limit

2 hours 30 minutes

Passing Score

200 scaled score

Exam Fee

$150 per attempt (Florida DOE / Pearson VUE)

FTCE Middle Grades Science 5-9 (004) Exam Content Outline

14%

Structure and Behavior of Matter

Properties and states of matter, atomic theory, periodic table, gas laws, bonding, reactions, and conservation of mass

13%

Forces and Motion

Newton's laws, motion, friction, simple machines, waves, sound, light, electricity, and magnetism

12%

Energy and Its Effects

Energy forms and transformations, heat transfer, electromagnetic spectrum, circuits, and nuclear energy

13%

Earth and Its Processes

Plate tectonics, rock cycle, geologic dating, water cycle, weather, climate, and Florida geology

Space Science

Earth's motions, seasons, eclipses, the solar system, stars, the Sun, and space exploration

14%

Life Processes

Cell structure, photosynthesis, respiration, genetics, evolution, classification, and body systems

10%

Environmental Factors

Food chains, energy flow, biogeochemical cycles, ecosystems, biomes, and natural resources

Science Learning Environment

Laboratory safety, material handling and disposal, and effective science teaching strategies

13%

Scientific Inquiry and Process Skills

Scientific method, experimental design, variables, measurement, data analysis, and nature of science

How to Pass the FTCE Middle Grades Science 5-9 (004) Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 200 scaled score
Exam length: 80 questions
Time limit: 2 hours 30 minutes
Exam fee: $150 per attempt

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

FTCE Middle Grades Science 5-9 (004) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Prioritize the physical science competencies (matter, forces, energy), which together make up about 39% of the exam

2Master cell biology, genetics, and evolution, since life processes is one of the highest-weighted competencies at 14%

3Review Florida-specific topics such as sinkhole formation in limestone and invasive species in the Everglades

4Practice interpreting graphs, tables, and data sets, which appear throughout the scientific inquiry questions

5Know laboratory safety procedures and equipment, including eyewash stations and proper chemical disposal

6Memorize core formulas and units such as F=ma, density, speed, and SI base units for the quantitative items

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the FTCE Middle Grades General Science 5-9 (004)?

The exam has approximately 80 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 2 hours and 30 minutes of testing time.

What is the passing score for the FTCE 004 exam?

You need a scaled score of at least 200 to pass the FTCE Middle Grades General Science 5-9 (004) exam.

How much does the FTCE 004 exam cost?

The Middle Grades General Science 5-9 (004) exam costs about $150 per attempt, paid to Pearson when you register.

What competencies does the FTCE 004 cover?

Nine competencies: matter, forces and motion, energy, Earth processes, space science, life processes, environmental factors, the science learning environment, and scientific inquiry.

Do I also need to pass the FTCE General Knowledge test?

Yes. The General Knowledge test is required for all Florida educator certificates, in addition to the Middle Grades General Science subject area exam.

Is the FTCE 004 exam all multiple choice?

Yes. The current FTCE Middle Grades General Science 5-9 (004) consists entirely of multiple-choice questions with no essay or constructed-response section.