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100+ Free Praxis Middle School Science Practice Questions

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An object has a mass of 50 grams and a volume of 10 cubic centimeters. What is its density?

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Praxis Middle School Science Exam

125

Official Selected-Response Questions

ETS Praxis Middle School Science (5442) materials

150 min

Testing Time

ETS Praxis Middle School Science (5442) materials

$130

Subject Assessment Fee

ETS Praxis Information Bulletin

14 / 30 / 30 / 26

Content Category Weighting

ETS Praxis Middle School Science (5442) materials

~152

Common State Cut Score

ETS state passing-score requirements

100

Free Practice Questions Here

OpenExamPrep practice bank

ETS lists Middle School Science (5442) as a 125 selected-response question, 150-minute Praxis Subject Assessment available at home or in a test center, with an on-screen periodic table and physical constants and no calculator. Content is weighted approximately 14% Nature and Impact of Science and Engineering, 30% Physical Science, 30% Life Science, and 26% Earth and Space Science. Passing scores are set by states or agencies rather than by ETS, and a common state cut score is around 152.

Sample Praxis Middle School Science Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Praxis Middle School 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 wants to test whether the type of liquid affects how fast a sugar cube dissolves. Which variable should be the independent variable?
A.The type of liquid used
B.The time it takes the cube to dissolve
C.The temperature of the room
D.The size of each sugar cube
Explanation: The independent variable is the factor the experimenter deliberately changes to test its effect. Here the student is manipulating the type of liquid, so that is the independent variable, while dissolving time is the dependent variable that is measured.
2Which statement best describes the difference between a scientific theory and a scientific hypothesis?
A.A theory is a guess, while a hypothesis is a proven fact
B.A theory is a well-substantiated explanation supported by extensive evidence, while a hypothesis is a testable proposed explanation
C.A theory cannot be changed, while a hypothesis is always tentative
D.A theory applies only to physics, while a hypothesis applies only to biology
Explanation: In science, a theory is a broad, well-tested explanation supported by many lines of evidence, such as the theory of evolution. A hypothesis is a narrower, testable proposed explanation that an experiment can support or refute.
3During a lab using a Bunsen burner, what is the most appropriate first response if a student's sleeve catches fire?
A.Run to the sink at the other end of the room
B.Blow on the flame to put it out
C.Stop, drop, and roll, or smother the flame with a fire blanket
D.Wait for the teacher to find a fire extinguisher
Explanation: Stop, drop, and roll smothers flames by cutting off oxygen, and a fire blanket does the same. These actions limit burn severity faster than other options and are standard lab safety practice.
4An engineer is using the engineering design process. After building and testing a prototype that fails, which step should typically come next?
A.Abandon the project because the first prototype failed
B.Skip directly to mass production to save time
C.Ignore the failure data and rebuild the same prototype
D.Redefine or refine the design and iterate based on test results
Explanation: The engineering design process is iterative. Test failures provide data used to redefine constraints or improve the design, and the cycle of designing, prototyping, and testing repeats until criteria are met.
5Which of the following is the best example of a controlled experiment?
A.Two identical plant groups receive different amounts of water while all other conditions are kept the same
B.One plant is observed in a forest over a year with no manipulation
C.Students survey classmates about their favorite plants
D.A scientist reads articles about plant growth and summarizes them
Explanation: A controlled experiment changes one variable between groups while holding all other conditions constant so the effect can be isolated. Identical plant groups differing only in water amount fits this definition.
6A teacher wants students to understand why scientific knowledge is considered durable but not absolute. Which point best conveys this idea?
A.Scientific knowledge never changes once it is published
B.Scientific explanations are based on evidence and are subject to revision when new evidence emerges
C.Scientific conclusions are based on majority opinion rather than data
D.Scientific findings are accepted only if they confirm prior beliefs
Explanation: Science is empirical and self-correcting: explanations are grounded in evidence and can be modified or replaced when better evidence appears, which makes knowledge reliable yet open to revision.
7What is the primary purpose of having a large sample size in a scientific study?
A.To guarantee the hypothesis will be supported
B.To make the experiment take longer
C.To reduce the effect of random variation and improve the reliability of conclusions
D.To eliminate the need for a control group
Explanation: Larger samples average out random fluctuations and reduce the influence of outliers, producing results that more reliably reflect the true relationship being studied.
8Which lab safety practice is most important when handling concentrated hydrochloric acid?
A.Smell the acid directly to identify its concentration
B.Add water to the acid rapidly in a closed container
C.Pipette the acid by mouth for accuracy
D.Wear chemical splash goggles, gloves, and an apron, and work in a ventilated area
Explanation: Concentrated acids are corrosive and can release irritating fumes, so personal protective equipment and ventilation are essential. When diluting, acid is added slowly to water, never the reverse.
9A graph shows that as fertilizer concentration increases, plant height increases up to a point and then decreases. What is the best interpretation?
A.There is an optimal fertilizer concentration; too little or too much both limit growth
B.Fertilizer always increases plant height without limit
C.Fertilizer has no effect on plant height
D.Plant height causes the fertilizer concentration to change
Explanation: A curve that rises then falls indicates an optimum: moderate fertilizer aids growth, but excess can harm plants through nutrient toxicity or osmotic stress, so an intermediate level maximizes height.
10Which of the following best illustrates how scientific advances and society influence each other?
A.Scientific discoveries occur completely independently of social needs or funding
B.Vaccine development reduces disease, and public health needs drive funding for new vaccine research
C.Society uses technology but never affects which research is pursued
D.Scientists ignore ethical concerns when designing studies
Explanation: Science and society are interdependent: research products like vaccines change society, while societal needs, values, and funding shape which scientific questions are investigated.

About the Praxis Middle School Science Exam

Praxis Middle School Science (5442) is the ETS subject assessment many states use for middle-grades science teacher licensure. The exam is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards framework and covers the nature and impact of science and engineering, physical science, life science, and Earth and space science, with about 40% of questions integrating science and engineering practices and roughly 30% framed as teaching scenarios.

Assessment

125 selected-response (official ETS); this practice bank is 100 selected-response items

Time Limit

150 minutes

Passing Score

Varies by state (common ~152)

Exam Fee

$130 (ETS (Educational Testing Service))

Praxis Middle School Science Exam Content Outline

14%

Nature and Impact of Science and Engineering

Scientific inquiry, experimental design, the engineering design process, science and society, data analysis, measurement, and laboratory safety.

30%

Physical Science

Matter and its properties, atomic structure, the periodic table, chemical reactions and bonding, energy, motion and forces, waves, and electricity and magnetism.

30%

Life Science

Cell structure and function, genetics and heredity, evolution and natural selection, ecosystems and energy flow, human body systems, and classification.

26%

Earth and Space Science

Earth's structure and plate tectonics, the rock and water cycles, weather and climate, astronomy, the solar system, and Earth-Moon-Sun relationships.

How to Pass the Praxis Middle School Science Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Varies by state (common ~152)
  • Assessment: 125 selected-response (official ETS); this practice bank is 100 selected-response items
  • Time limit: 150 minutes
  • Exam fee: $130

Keys to Passing

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

Praxis Middle School Science Study Tips from Top Performers

1Weight your study time by the blueprint: Physical Science and Life Science are each about 30%, so give them the largest share, with substantial Earth and space science review.
2Treat teaching-scenario items as science-first questions: verify the underlying science before judging the instructional choice.
3Practice experimental design vocabulary such as independent, dependent, and controlled variables, plus accuracy versus precision and correlation versus causation.
4Use the provided periodic table and physical constants during practice so you are fluent with the on-screen reference instead of memorizing data.
5Sort missed questions by content category and by error type, such as misread data, formula error, or misconception, and re-study the weakest category first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on Praxis Middle School Science (5442)?

ETS lists the official Praxis Middle School Science (5442) test as 125 selected-response questions completed in 150 minutes. This free practice bank provides 100 selected-response items distributed across the same four content categories so you can build readiness before test day.

What passing score do I need on Praxis 5442?

ETS does not set a single national passing score for Praxis 5442. States and licensing agencies set their own qualifying scores, and a commonly used cut score is around 152. Confirm the exact requirement for your state or educator-preparation pathway before registering.

What content is covered on the Praxis 5442 exam?

The exam is weighted approximately 14% Nature and Impact of Science and Engineering, 30% Physical Science, 30% Life Science, and 26% Earth and Space Science. It is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards framework, so expect questions that integrate science and engineering practices, not just recall.

Can I use a calculator on Praxis Middle School Science?

No calculator is permitted on Praxis 5442. However, an on-screen periodic table and a list of physical constants are provided during the test, so you do not need to memorize element data or constant values.

How much does Praxis 5442 cost?

ETS lists the Praxis Middle School Science (5442) Subject Assessment fee at $130. Your final checkout total may vary slightly with optional services, so confirm the amount inside your ETS account before payment.

Are there teaching-scenario questions on Praxis 5442?

Yes. Roughly 30% of questions are framed as teaching scenarios, and about 40% integrate science and engineering practices. Many items ask you to analyze a classroom situation, interpret student work or data, or choose the strongest instructional or investigative next step grounded in correct science.