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100+ Free NYS Grade 5 Science Practice Questions

Pass your New York State Grade 5 Elementary-Level Science Test exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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A scientist places a thermometer in sunlight and another in shade. The one in sunlight reads higher. What is the most likely reason?

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Key Facts: NYS Grade 5 Science Exam

The NYS Grade 5 Elementary-Level Science Test is New York's free, computer-based state assessment that measures fifth-grade mastery of the NGSS-aligned P-12 Science Learning Standards across physical, life, and earth and space science, reported in four performance levels where Level 3 is proficient.

Sample NYS Grade 5 Science Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NYS Grade 5 Science exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A student dissolves sugar in a glass of warm water until it disappears. Even though the sugar can no longer be seen, the water tastes sweet. What is the best evidence this provides about matter?
A.Matter is made of tiny particles that are too small to be seen
B.The sugar was destroyed and turned into water
C.Sweet liquids weigh less than plain water
D.Warm water can create new substances on its own
Explanation: Although the sugar is no longer visible, the sweet taste shows the sugar particles are still present, just spread evenly and too small to see. This is evidence that matter is made of particles too small to be seen, a key idea in NGSS standard 5-PS1-1.
2Two identical toy cars start at the same line. One is pushed gently and the other is pushed hard. What will most likely happen?
A.The car pushed hard will move faster and farther
B.Both cars will move exactly the same distance
C.The car pushed gently will move faster
D.Neither car will move because they are identical
Explanation: A larger force gives an object more energy of motion, so the car pushed harder speeds up more and travels farther. This shows the relationship between the strength of a force and the motion and energy of an object (NGSS 4-PS3-1).
3A ball is dropped from a table and falls straight down to the floor. Which force causes the ball to fall toward the ground?
A.Gravity, which pulls objects toward Earth's center
B.Magnetism, which pulls metal objects down
C.Friction, which slows the ball as it moves
D.Air pressure, which pushes the ball upward
Explanation: Gravity is a force that pulls objects toward the center of Earth, which is why dropped objects fall straight down. This is the idea tested in NGSS standard 5-PS2-1 about the effect of gravity on objects.
4In a meadow ecosystem, grass uses sunlight to make its own food. What role does the grass play in this ecosystem?
A.Producer
B.Consumer
C.Decomposer
D.Predator
Explanation: Producers, such as plants, use energy from the Sun to make their own food through photosynthesis. Grass is a producer because it captures sunlight to make food, which begins the flow of energy through the ecosystem (NGSS 5-PS3-1, 5-LS1-1).
5A food chain shows: grass to grasshopper to frog to snake. If the grass were removed, what would most likely happen first?
A.The grasshopper population would decrease because it loses its food
B.The snake population would increase because there is more space
C.The frog would begin to make its own food from sunlight
D.Nothing would change because animals do not need plants
Explanation: Energy in a food chain flows from one organism to the next. Grasshoppers eat grass, so removing the grass takes away their food first, causing their numbers to drop. This shows how energy moves through living things in an ecosystem (NGSS 5-LS2-1).
6The Sun appears to rise in the east, move across the sky, and set in the west each day. What actually causes this apparent motion of the Sun?
A.Earth spinning, or rotating, on its axis
B.The Sun orbiting around the Earth each day
C.The Moon pushing the Sun across the sky
D.Clouds moving the Sun from east to west
Explanation: Earth rotates on its axis once about every 24 hours, which makes the Sun appear to move across the sky from east to west. The Sun is not actually moving around Earth; this daily pattern is caused by Earth's rotation (NGSS 5-ESS1-2).
7Most of the water on Earth's surface is found in which location?
A.Oceans
B.Rivers and streams
C.Clouds in the atmosphere
D.Lakes and ponds
Explanation: About 97 percent of Earth's water is salty ocean water, making oceans by far the largest reservoir of water. Only a small fraction is fresh water in lakes, rivers, glaciers, and the air (NGSS 5-ESS2-2).
8When water in a puddle disappears on a sunny day, the liquid water has changed into water vapor. What is this process called?
A.Evaporation
B.Condensation
C.Precipitation
D.Erosion
Explanation: Evaporation is the process in which liquid water gains energy from the Sun and changes into water vapor, a gas. This is one step in the water cycle that moves water from Earth's surface into the air.
9A magnet can pick up paper clips made of iron but not a pencil eraser. What does this observation show?
A.Magnets attract some materials but not others
B.Magnets attract every object they touch
C.Erasers are heavier than paper clips
D.Paper clips are made of plastic
Explanation: Magnets attract certain materials, especially those containing iron, but not materials like rubber, plastic, or wood. The magnet picking up the clips but not the eraser shows that magnetic attraction depends on the material (NGSS 3-PS2-3).
10A scientist wants to identify an unknown white powder. Which property would be most useful for telling it apart from other white powders?
A.Whether it dissolves in water
B.Whether it is white in color
C.Whether it is a solid
D.Whether it can be poured
Explanation: Properties such as solubility (whether a material dissolves in water) help identify a material because different powders behave differently. Color, state, and pourability are shared by many white powders and do not help tell them apart (NGSS 5-PS1-3).

About the NYS Grade 5 Science Exam

The New York State Grade 5 Elementary-Level Science Test is a state assessment that measures how well fifth graders have learned the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards, which are based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). First administered in spring 2024, it replaced the former Grade 4 science test and assesses science standards across grades 3-5. The test is given as a single, computer-based session near the end of the school year and is built around question clusters that present real-world phenomena. Each form contains about 36 to 43 questions, with roughly 60 percent multiple-choice and 40 percent constructed-response (including Technology Enhanced Items). Items integrate the three dimensions of the standards: Science and Engineering Practices, Disciplinary Core Ideas, and Crosscutting Concepts, across physical science, life science, and earth and space science. Results are reported in four performance levels, where Level 3 means proficient. The test is free to students and administered by New York public school districts.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

Given in a single session on one day; schools allocate a minimum of 90 minutes, and most students complete the test in about 120 minutes. Students may have as much time as needed within the regular school day, plus accommodations per IEPs and 504 plans.

Passing Score

Results are reported in four performance levels: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4. Level 3 indicates the student is proficient in the grade-level standards.

Exam Fee

Free for students; the assessment is funded by New York State and administered by public school districts. (New York State Education Department (NYSED), Office of State Assessment)

NYS Grade 5 Science Exam Content Outline

About one third

Physical Science

Properties of matter, particles too small to see, changes that form new substances, conservation of matter, forces and motion, gravity, magnets, and light and sound as energy (5-PS1, 5-PS2, 5-PS3, 3-PS2, 4-PS3, 4-PS4).

About one third

Life Science

Producers, consumers, and decomposers, food webs and one-way energy flow from the Sun, structure and function, life cycles, inherited traits, and environmental effects on organisms (5-LS1, 5-LS2, 3-LS, 4-LS1).

About one third

Earth and Space Science

Weather and the water cycle, water distribution, Earth's interacting spheres, weathering and erosion, conservation, the Sun and stars, gravity and orbits, and patterns such as day, night, and shadows (5-ESS1, 5-ESS2, 5-ESS3, 3-ESS2, 4-ESS1, 4-ESS2).

How to Pass the NYS Grade 5 Science Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Results are reported in four performance levels: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4. Level 3 indicates the student is proficient in the grade-level standards.
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: Given in a single session on one day; schools allocate a minimum of 90 minutes, and most students complete the test in about 120 minutes. Students may have as much time as needed within the regular school day, plus accommodations per IEPs and 504 plans.
  • Exam fee: Free for students; the assessment is funded by New York State and administered by public school districts.

Keys to Passing

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

NYS Grade 5 Science Study Tips from Top Performers

1Study all three science domains, since physical, life, and earth and space science each make up a large share of the test.
2Learn the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers, and practice tracing energy flow in one direction from the Sun through food webs.
3Review properties of matter, the idea that matter is made of tiny particles, and how to tell when a new substance has formed.
4Practice the water cycle steps, how Earth's spheres interact, and how weathering, erosion, and conservation affect Earth's systems.
5Understand why the Sun and stars appear to move, how shadows change during the day, and how gravity keeps planets in orbit.
6Get comfortable reading diagrams, data tables, and graphs, because many questions present information in models and ask you to interpret it using science practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the New York State Grade 5 Science Test?

It is New York's state science assessment for fifth graders, given near the end of the school year to measure mastery of the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards. First administered in spring 2024, it replaced the former Grade 4 science test and is a single, computer-based session.

What topics are on the NYS Grade 5 Science Test?

The test covers physical science (matter, forces, gravity, light, and sound), life science (ecosystems, food webs, structure and function, and heredity), and earth and space science (weather, the water cycle, Earth's systems, the Sun, and stars), along with science and engineering practices.

How is the NYS Grade 5 Science Test scored?

Student results are reported in one of four performance levels. Level 1 is below proficient, Level 2 is partially proficient, Level 3 is proficient, and Level 4 means the student excels in the grade-level standards.

How long is the NYS Grade 5 Science Test?

The test is given in a single session on one day. Schools allocate a minimum of 90 minutes, and most students complete it in about 120 minutes. Students may take as much time as they need within the regular school day, plus accommodations.

How many questions are on the test and what types are used?

Each form has about 36 to 43 questions arranged in 7 to 9 question clusters. Roughly 60 percent are multiple-choice and 40 percent are constructed-response questions, including Technology Enhanced Items that use tools like drag-and-drop.

Is the NYS Grade 5 Science Test free?

Yes. The test is free to students because it is funded by New York State and administered through public school districts as part of New York's required state assessments.