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100+ Free DeSSA Science Biology Practice Questions

Prepare for the Delaware System of Student Assessments (DeSSA) Science — High School Biology exam with instant access — no signup required.

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Key Facts: DeSSA Science Biology Exam

HS Biology

Course-based DeSSA Science summative for high school biology

education.delaware.gov Science Assessments

~120 min

Secondary design time for online fixed-form Biology assessment

DDOE / DeSSA design guidance

~35 items

About 35 operational items on the Biology form (blueprint guidance)

DeSSA Science Biology blueprint

4 levels

HS Biology cuts: L1 300–574, L2 575–599, L3 600–636, L4 637–900

DDOE cut scores chart

Free

State-funded assessment; no family exam fee for standard administration

Statewide DeSSA program

NGSS LS focus

Life science-focused with limited ESS, PS, and ETS integration

Biology blueprint point ranges

Pearson/WestEd

Content providers for DeSSA Science

DDOE Science Assessments page

Cambium

Online test delivery platform for DeSSA

DDOE Science Assessments page

DeSSA Science Biology is Delaware’s free course-based high school biology NGSS summative (DDOE; Pearson/WestEd content; Cambium delivery), ~120 min design, four achievement levels.

Sample DeSSA Science Biology Practice Questions

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

1Which structure regulates which substances enter and leave a eukaryotic cell?
A.Cell wall cellulose matrix only
B.Plasma membrane
C.Nucleolus alone
D.Central vacuole only
Explanation: The plasma (cell) membrane is selectively permeable and controls exchange of materials with the environment. Cell walls provide support in plants/fungi but do not replace membrane control.
2What is the primary role of DNA in a cell?
A.Store genetic information that guides protein production
B.Catalyze all chemical reactions as enzymes
C.Provide the main short-term energy currency as ATP
D.Form the structural fibers of the cytoskeleton
Explanation: DNA stores hereditary information in nucleotide sequences that are transcribed and translated into proteins, which carry out most cellular work.
3During aerobic cellular respiration, most ATP is produced by which process?
A.Glycolysis alone in the cytoplasm
B.Lactic acid fermentation
C.Oxidative phosphorylation on the inner mitochondrial membrane
D.DNA replication in the nucleus
Explanation: Electron transport and chemiosmosis (oxidative phosphorylation) on the inner mitochondrial membrane generate the majority of ATP from complete glucose oxidation.
4Which reactants are required for photosynthesis in green plants?
A.Glucose and oxygen only
B.Carbon dioxide, water, and light energy
C.Nitrogen gas and methane only
D.ATP and protein only
Explanation: Photosynthesis uses CO₂ and H₂O with light energy to build sugars and release O₂. The overall process stores light energy in chemical bonds of carbohydrates.
5How do enzymes increase the rate of a biochemical reaction?
A.By permanently changing into the product molecules
B.By raising the activation energy barrier
C.By lowering the activation energy of the reaction
D.By converting all substrate into heat energy only
Explanation: Enzymes are biological catalysts that lower activation energy, allowing reactions to proceed faster at cellular temperatures without being consumed.
6In protein synthesis, which molecule carries amino acids to the ribosome?
A.mRNA only
B.tRNA
C.rRNA polymerase exclusively
D.DNA ligase
Explanation: Transfer RNA (tRNA) matches codons on mRNA with the corresponding amino acids during translation at the ribosome.
7Which process moves water across a membrane from higher water potential (more dilute) to lower water potential (more concentrated solute)?
A.Active transport requiring ATP for each water molecule
B.Osmosis
C.Phagocytosis of entire cells only
D.Facilitated diffusion of DNA
Explanation: Osmosis is the net diffusion of water through a selectively permeable membrane down its free-energy (water potential) gradient.
8A negative feedback loop in homeostasis typically does which of the following?
A.Amplifies a change until the system collapses
B.Counteracts a change to return a variable toward a set point
C.Prevents all communication between body systems
D.Always increases hormone levels without bound
Explanation: Negative feedback detects deviation from a set point and triggers responses that reverse the change, stabilizing internal conditions (e.g., blood glucose regulation).
9Which statement best compares mitosis and meiosis in animals?
A.Mitosis produces four haploid gametes; meiosis produces two diploid body cells
B.Mitosis produces genetically identical diploid somatic cells; meiosis produces haploid gametes with genetic variation
C.Both processes always produce identical diploid offspring cells
D.Meiosis occurs only in plant leaf cells during photosynthesis
Explanation: Mitosis maintains chromosome number and creates nearly identical somatic cells. Meiosis halves chromosome number and generates genetic diversity for sexual reproduction.
10Carbon dioxide produced by cellular respiration leaves animal cells primarily because it
A.Is actively pumped against its gradient using DNA energy
B.Diffuses down its concentration gradient across membranes
C.Is converted entirely into solid carbon inside the cell
D.Binds permanently to cellulose in the cytoplasm
Explanation: CO₂ is a small molecule that moves by diffusion from higher concentration inside respiring cells toward lower concentration in blood and air.

About the DeSSA Science Biology Exam

The DeSSA Science High School Biology assessment is Delaware’s course-based statewide science summative for students enrolled in a high school biology course. DDOE guidance indicates students in the prerequisite high school biology course should take DeSSA Science Biology; AP Biology students who already completed that prerequisite biology course are not expected to retake the assessment. The online fixed-form test is NGSS life-science focused with limited Earth/space, physical science, and engineering integration, developed with Pearson/WestEd and delivered by Cambium. OpenExamPrep free practice is an English-language four-option MCQ study adaptation aligned to public NGSS/DeSSA frameworks—not official secure items or a full cluster/technology-enhanced simulation.

Assessment

Question count not published by the exam provider

Time Limit

Not published as a student time limit. DDOE requires the test to be completed in one continuous session and directs schools to plan a session of at least 90 minutes (DeSSA Test Security and Administration Manual); administered in the spring statewide window set by DDOE.

Passing Score

Four achievement levels. HS Biology scale-score ranges: Level 1 300–574, Level 2 575–599, Level 3 600–636, Level 4 637–900 (DDOE cut scores chart). ALDs describe performance from well below standard through beyond standard.

Exam Fee

Free to students and families; DeSSA Science is state-funded and administered through Delaware public schools and charters. (Delaware Department of Education (DDOE); content via Pearson Assessments and WestEd; delivery via Cambium Assessments)

DeSSA Science Biology Exam Content Outline

16%–32% of operational points

From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes (LS1)

Cell structure and function, DNA and protein synthesis, photosynthesis and cellular respiration, matter and energy in organisms, feedback and homeostasis (NGSS HS-LS1).

20%–36% of operational points

Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics (LS2)

Carrying capacity and ecosystem dynamics, cycling of matter and energy transfer, trophic interactions, group behavior, and ecosystem resilience and biodiversity (NGSS HS-LS2).

5%–18% of operational points

Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits (LS3)

Meiosis and chromosome behavior, inheritance patterns and probability, mutation, and sources of genetic variation (NGSS HS-LS3).

13%–29% of operational points

Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity (LS4)

Evidence of common ancestry, natural selection and adaptation, speciation, genetic drift, and change in biodiversity over time (NGSS HS-LS4).

7%–15% of operational points

Earth and Space Science integration (ESS)

Limited ESS contexts connecting climate, Earth systems, resources, and human activity to organisms and ecosystems.

PS 5%–18%; ETS 0%–10% of operational points

Physical Science and Engineering (PS / ETS)

Limited physical science (energy, matter, chemical processes) and engineering design/trade-off reasoning in biological phenomena.

How to Pass the DeSSA Science Biology Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Four achievement levels. HS Biology scale-score ranges: Level 1 300–574, Level 2 575–599, Level 3 600–636, Level 4 637–900 (DDOE cut scores chart). ALDs describe performance from well below standard through beyond standard.
  • Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
  • Time limit: Not published as a student time limit. DDOE requires the test to be completed in one continuous session and directs schools to plan a session of at least 90 minutes (DeSSA Test Security and Administration Manual); administered in the spring statewide window set by DDOE.
  • Exam fee: Free to students and families; DeSSA Science is state-funded and administered through Delaware public schools and charters.

Keys to Passing

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

DeSSA Science Biology Study Tips from Top Performers

1Use the DeSSA Portal (Cambium) practice and training tools so students learn digital tools and item interactions before the spring window.
2Prioritize three-dimensional practice: claim–evidence–reasoning with models, data tables, and energy/matter diagrams—not isolated vocabulary lists.
3Weight review toward ecosystems and cell/matter-energy (largest blueprint bands), while still covering evolution, heredity, and integrated ESS/PS prompts.
4Practice explaining natural selection, common ancestry evidence, and carrying-capacity shifts with quantitative reasoning.
5Review wrong answers by domain (LS1–LS4, ESS, PS) to target classroom re-teaching.
6Use short, frequent practice across the biology course rather than cramming only in the spring window.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DeSSA Science Biology?

DeSSA Science Biology is Delaware’s statewide course-based high school biology summative assessment in the Delaware System of Student Assessments. It measures NGSS-aligned science learning with a life-science focus and limited ESS/PS/ETS integration.

Who takes DeSSA Science Biology?

Students enrolled in a high school biology course take the assessment. DDOE guidance indicates AP Biology students who already completed the prerequisite biology course are not expected to retake it; students in the prerequisite biology course should take DeSSA Science Biology.

How long is the official test?

DDOE does not publish a student time limit. The DeSSA Test Security and Administration Manual requires the test to be completed in one continuous session and tells schools to plan a session of at least 90 minutes. Districts schedule within the spring statewide window published on the DDOE testing calendar.

What topics are weighted most heavily?

The Biology blueprint emphasizes ecosystems (LS2) and molecules-to-organisms (LS1), with substantial evolution (LS4) coverage, smaller heredity (LS3) and limited Earth/space, physical science, and engineering points.

Is DeSSA Science free?

Yes. DeSSA Science is state-funded and administered through Delaware public schools and charters at no student exam fee for standard administration.

What language is DeSSA Science given in?

DeSSA Science is administered in English. OpenExamPrep practice questions are English-language four-option multiple-choice study adaptations only.

Are these practice questions official DeSSA items?

No. OpenExamPrep questions are original English-language MCQ study aids aligned to NGSS and publicly described DeSSA Science frameworks. They do not reproduce secure items or fully simulate item clusters and technology-enhanced formats.