100+ Free DeSSA Science Grade 5 Practice Questions
Prepare for the DeSSA Science — Grade 5 (Delaware System of Student Assessments Science Summative) exam with instant access — no signup required.
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Key Facts: DeSSA Science Grade 5 Exam
Grades 5, 8, Biology
DeSSA Science Summative for Grade 5, Grade 8, and High School Biology
education.delaware.gov DeSSA Science
90+ minutes
Schools must plan a session of at least 90 minutes and finish the test in one sitting
DeSSA Test Security and Administration Manual
~26 items
Public blueprint guidance: about 26 operational items across clusters and SAIs
DeSSA Science blueprint (Dec 2019)
38–54% PS
Physical Science is the largest Grade 5 domain point range
DeSSA Science blueprint (Dec 2019)
Level 3+
Grade 5 Level 3 starts at 600; Level 3+ is on standard/proficient
DDOE cut scores chart
300–900
Scale score range for DeSSA Science achievement levels
education.delaware.gov cut scores
NGSS
Aligned to Delaware Next Generation Science Standards Performance Expectations
DDOE science assessments
Free
State-funded assessment; no family exam fee for standard administration
Statewide DeSSA program
DeSSA Science Grade 5 is Delaware’s free statewide NGSS science summative (DDOE/Cambium), taken online in one session of at least 90 minutes, Physical/Earth-space/Life domains plus optional ETS, Level 3+ proficient on a 300–900 scale.
Sample DeSSA Science Grade 5 Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your DeSSA Science Grade 5 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1A sealed bag of frozen fruit juice sits on a warm counter until the juice becomes liquid. Which statement best describes the juice particles?
2Which property can help identify an unknown metal sample without changing what it is made of?
3Students pour 50 mL of water into a cup and add 10 g of sugar. After stirring, the sugar can no longer be seen. What most likely happened?
4A closed bottle holds air and a little water. The bottle is weighed, then shaken hard. No liquid or gas leaves the bottle. What happens to the total mass?
5Which observation is the strongest evidence that a chemical change has occurred?
6Why does a dropped pencil fall toward Earth’s surface?
7A student needs energy to run on the playground. Where does that energy originally come from in a typical food chain?
8Which sample is a mixture that can be separated by physical means?
9Water freezes into ice in a freezer. Which statement is true?
10Students compare three unknown powders. Which set of measurements best helps them identify each powder without changing it chemically?
About the DeSSA Science Grade 5 Exam
DeSSA Science Grade 5 is Delaware’s statewide summative science assessment for grade 5 students in the Delaware System of Student Assessments. It measures Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Performance Expectations across Physical Science, Earth and Space Science, and Life Science, with Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science integrated by context (0%–15% optional points per public blueprint guidance). The computer-based fixed form uses item clusters and standalone items; DDOE does not publish a student time limit, but schools must plan a session of at least 90 minutes and finish the test in one continuous sitting. OpenExamPrep free practice is an English-language four-option MCQ study aid aligned to DeSSA Science domains and grade 5 NGSS—not official secure content, not a full simulation of phenomena-based Integrated Item Clusters, and not a substitute for classroom three-dimensional science learning.
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); fixed-form online administration.
Passing Score
Four levels on a 300–900 scale. Grade 5: Level 1 300–574, Level 2 575–599, Level 3 600–674, Level 4 675–900. Level 3+ = on standard / proficient.
Exam Fee
Free to students and families; state-funded DeSSA Science Summative administered through Delaware public schools. (Delaware Department of Education (DDOE); content Pearson Assessments and WestEd; delivery Cambium Assessments)
DeSSA Science Grade 5 Exam Content Outline
Physical Science
Matter and its interactions, conservation of mass, identifying materials by properties, mixtures and solutions, physical vs chemical change, gravity, and energy related to food and transfer.
Earth and Space Science
Space systems patterns (day/night, seasons, shadows), star brightness related to distance, interactions among Earth’s geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere, water distribution, and human impacts on Earth systems.
Life Science
How plants obtain materials for growth, energy from the sun through producers and consumers, food webs, and cycling of matter in ecosystems.
Engineering Design (ETS)
Define design problems, list criteria and constraints, compare multiple solutions, and improve designs based on test data—often embedded in science contexts.
How to Pass the DeSSA Science Grade 5 Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Four levels on a 300–900 scale. Grade 5: Level 1 300–574, Level 2 575–599, Level 3 600–674, Level 4 675–900. Level 3+ = on standard / proficient.
- 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); fixed-form online administration.
- Exam fee: Free to students and families; state-funded DeSSA Science Summative administered through Delaware public schools.
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 Grade 5 Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DeSSA Science Grade 5?
DeSSA Science is Delaware’s statewide summative science assessment in the Delaware System of Student Assessments. Grade 5 assesses Next Generation Science Standards Performance Expectations using computer-based item clusters and standalone items that integrate science practices, core ideas, and crosscutting concepts.
Who takes DeSSA Science?
Per DDOE administration policy for recent years, DeSSA Science Summative is administered in Grades 5, 8, and High School Biology. Confirm the current testing calendar and participation rules with your school and DDOE.
How long is DeSSA Science Grade 5?
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. Schools set session schedules within the state window.
What domains are on the Grade 5 blueprint?
Public December 2019 blueprint guidance allocates Grade 5 points roughly as Physical Science 38%–54%, Earth and Space Science 30%–46%, Life Science 10%–28%, and Engineering/Technology/Applications of Science 0%–15% (optional). Exact form composition can vary within blueprint ranges.
What score is proficient on Grade 5 DeSSA Science?
Achievement levels use scale scores from 300 to 900. For Grade 5, Level 3 is 600–674 and Level 4 is 675–900; Level 3 and above indicate performance on standard (proficient).
Is DeSSA Science free?
Yes. DeSSA Science is a state-funded assessment administered through public schools at no cost to families for standard participation.
What language is DeSSA Science given in?
Operational DeSSA Science for this exam entry is treated as English. OpenExamPrep practice questions are English-language only. Ask your school about any official supports or accommodations.
Are these practice questions official DeSSA items?
No. OpenExamPrep questions are English-language multiple-choice study adaptations aligned to grade 5 NGSS domains and the public DeSSA Science blueprint ranges. They do not reproduce secure items and do not fully simulate multi-part Integrated Item Clusters or technology-enhanced item types.