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Exam Review

Key Facts: Alaska Science Grade 8 Exam

Alaska Science Assessment is required in grades 5, 8, and 10.

Standards basis: K–12 Science Standards for Alaska, adopted 2019.

Grade 8 reporting categories: Life Science, Physical Science, and Earth and Space Science.

The grade 8 form has 40 items worth 40 total points across three parts.

Each of the three parts is estimated at about 40 minutes (120 minutes total).

Achievement levels: Needs Support, Approaching Proficient, Proficient, Advanced.

No family testing fee for eligible public school students.

Alaska Science Grade 8 is the statewide spring science summative (40 items worth 40 points across three parts, ~40 min each) covering Life Science, Physical Science, and Earth and Space Science at roughly 30–35% each, scored Needs Support to Advanced.

Sample Alaska Science Grade 8 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Alaska Science Grade 8 exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In a sealed jar, baking soda and vinegar react to form new substances. The total mass of the jar and its contents is measured before and after the reaction. What should the measurement show?
A.The total mass doubles because two substances react.
B.The total mass stays the same because atoms are rearranged, not created or destroyed.
C.The total mass increases because gas is produced.
D.The total mass decreases because the solid baking soda disappears.
Explanation: The law of conservation of mass states that matter is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. In a sealed jar, no matter enters or leaves, so the total mass remains the same even though new substances form.
2Which observation is the BEST evidence that a chemical reaction has occurred?
A.Salt dissolves completely in water.
B.A new solid forms when two clear liquids are mixed and the temperature rises.
C.Ice melts into liquid water in a warm room.
D.A metal rod is bent into a new shape.
Explanation: Forming a new solid (precipitate) and a temperature change are classic signs that new substances with different properties have formed. That is evidence of a chemical reaction.
3A student models atoms of element X as one type of sphere and atoms of element Y as another type. Which diagram BEST represents a molecule of a compound made from X and Y?
A.Three X spheres not bonded to anything.
B.A pile of X and Y spheres mixed but not bonded.
C.Only Y spheres bonded to each other.
D.Two X spheres bonded to one Y sphere.
Explanation: A compound consists of atoms of two or more different elements chemically bonded in a fixed ratio. Two X bonded to one Y is a molecule of a compound of X and Y.
4During a chemical reaction, atoms rearrange. Which statement is ALWAYS true?
A.The number of each type of atom is the same before and after the reaction.
B.The number of molecules is always the same before and after the reaction.
C.All products must be solids.
D.Energy can never be released or absorbed.
Explanation: Atoms are conserved: each type of atom present in the reactants is still present in the products, just rearranged. Molecule counts can change, products can be many phases, and energy often is released or absorbed.
5A student balances the reaction: 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O. Why must two water molecules appear on the product side?
A.So oxygen atoms are destroyed to make water.
B.So the molecules stay the same size.
C.So the number of hydrogen and oxygen atoms matches on both sides.
D.So the reaction produces more mass than it starts with.
Explanation: A balanced equation conserves atoms. Two H2 provide four H atoms and one O2 provides two O atoms, which form two H2O molecules (four H and two O).
6A ball is rolled across a rough carpet and slows down. Which force is mainly responsible for the decrease in speed?
A.A magnetic force from Earth
B.Buoyancy from the air
C.Friction between the ball and the carpet
D.Gravity pulling the ball upward
Explanation: Friction opposes sliding motion between surfaces. On a rough carpet, friction does work against the ball’s motion and reduces its kinetic energy and speed.
7Two students push a box with equal forces in opposite directions. The box does not move. What is true about the forces?
A.The forces are balanced, so the net force is zero.
B.The forces are unbalanced, so the box must accelerate.
C.Only one force is acting on the box.
D.Gravity cancels both pushes completely.
Explanation: Equal forces in opposite directions are balanced. The net force is zero, so the box’s motion does not change (it stays at rest).
8A 2 kg object accelerates at 3 m/s² when a net force is applied. What is the net force on the object? (Use F = ma.)
A.5 N
B.0 N
C.6 N
D.1.5 N
Explanation: Newton’s second law: F = ma = 2 kg × 3 m/s² = 6 N. The net force equals mass times acceleration.
9A skateboarder pushes off and then coasts up a gentle ramp, slowing to a stop before rolling back down. Which energy change BEST describes the coasting motion up the ramp?
A.Kinetic energy transforms into gravitational potential energy.
B.Chemical energy is created from kinetic energy.
C.Thermal energy transforms completely into sound energy only.
D.Gravitational potential energy transforms into chemical energy.
Explanation: As the skateboarder rises, speed decreases and height increases, so kinetic energy converts into gravitational potential energy (with some energy also lost to friction as thermal energy).
10Which statement BEST explains why a metal spoon in hot soup becomes hot at the handle?
A.The spoon produces its own heat by chemical reaction.
B.Heat travels only by radiation through empty space inside the metal.
C.Cold energy moves from the handle into the soup.
D.Thermal energy transfers through the spoon by conduction.
Explanation: In solids, thermal energy transfers mainly by conduction as particles collide and transfer kinetic energy along the spoon from the hot end toward the handle.

About the Alaska Science Grade 8 Exam

The Alaska Science Assessment Grade 8 is the state's required spring science summative for grade 8, aligned to the K–12 Science Standards for Alaska (2019). Reporting categories are Life Science, Physical Science, and Earth and Space Science. The test emphasizes three-dimensional learning: science and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas, and crosscutting concepts. OpenExamPrep provides free English multiple-choice study questions on concepts, evidence, and data reasoning; it does not replace investigations, modeling, or the official multi-part assessment.

Exam sponsor: Alaska DEED; delivered via DRC INSIGHT. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

40 questions

Time Limit

Three parts at about 40 minutes each (~120 minutes total estimated); the assessment is untimed.

Passing Score

Reported in four achievement levels: Needs Support, Approaching Proficient, Proficient, and Advanced (Alaska DEED AK STAR / Science score reports).

Exam / Certification Fees

Free for eligible Alaska public school students; AK STAR and the Alaska Science Assessment are state-required summative assessments administered by districts at no cost to families.

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

~33%

Life Science

Structure/function, ecosystems, and life cycles/traits.

~33%

Physical Science

Matter, forces/interactions, energy and waves.

~33%

Earth and Space Science

Earth systems, weather/climate, space systems.

Preparing for the Alaska Science Grade 8 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Reported in four achievement levels: Needs Support, Approaching Proficient, Proficient, and Advanced (Alaska DEED AK STAR / Science score reports).
  • Exam length: 40 questions
  • Time limit: Three parts at about 40 minutes each (~120 minutes total estimated); the assessment is untimed.
  • Exam / certification fees: Free for eligible Alaska public school students; AK STAR and the Alaska Science Assessment are state-required summative assessments administered by districts at no cost to families. Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Alaska Science Grade 8: Suggested Study Strategy

1Practice claims-evidence-reasoning with short phenomena and data tables.
2Connect vocabulary (force, energy, ecosystem, scale) to models and examples, not definitions alone.
3Review grade-band core ideas in life, physical, and (for grades 5/8) Earth/space science.
4Use DEED Online Tools Training to learn the official platform item types.
5When reading graphs, check axes, units, and what question is actually asked before choosing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who takes Alaska Science Grade 8?

Alaska students in grade 8 take the statewide Alaska Science Assessment in the spring window.

What content is assessed?

Reporting categories are Life Science, Physical Science, and Earth and Space Science, based on the K–12 Science Standards for Alaska.

How is the test structured?

Three parts, computer-based (DRC INSIGHT), with mixed item types; calculators are available throughout.

How long does it take?

About 40 minutes per part, roughly 120 minutes total estimated, though the assessment is untimed.

How are scores reported?

Four achievement levels: Needs Support, Approaching Proficient, Proficient, and Advanced, with reporting-category performance.

Is there a fee?

No family fee for eligible Alaska public school students.