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100+ Free DeSSA Science Grade 8 Practice Questions

Prepare for the Delaware System of Student Assessments (DeSSA) Science — Grade 8 exam with instant access — no signup required.

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Key Facts: DeSSA Science Grade 8 Exam

Grades 5, 8, Bio

DeSSA Science administered in grade 5, grade 8, and high school Biology

education.delaware.gov science assessments

~120 min

Designed testing time for secondary DeSSA Science summative

DDOE / DeSSA program design

~35 items

About 35 operational items on the fixed-form blueprint

Delaware Science Test Final Blueprint

4 domains

Earth/Space, Physical, Life, and ETS point ranges on Grade 8 blueprint

Delaware Science Test Final Blueprint

NGSS MS

Aligned to Next Generation Science Standards middle school PEs

DDOE Delaware Science Assessments

Free

State-funded DeSSA assessment; no family exam fee

Statewide assessment program

L3 600–645

Grade 8 Level 3 scale-score range; Level 4 starts at 646

DDOE DeSSA Science cut scores

Pearson/WestEd

Content providers; Cambium delivers the online fixed form

education.delaware.gov science assessments

DeSSA Science Grade 8 is Delaware’s free statewide NGSS science test (DDOE/DeSSA), taken in one session of at least 90 minutes, Earth/Life/Physical plus ETS, four achievement levels (L3 600–645).

Sample DeSSA Science Grade 8 Practice Questions

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

1In the middle school model of matter, which description of an atom is most accurate?
A.The smallest particle of an element that still has that element's properties
B.A molecule made of many different elements bonded together
C.A cell that can reproduce on its own
D.A force field that has no mass
Explanation: An atom is the basic unit of an element that retains the element's chemical identity. Molecules are groups of atoms; cells are living structures; atoms have mass.
2Which example is a molecule?
A.O₂, two oxygen atoms bonded together
B.A single proton alone in empty space
C.A pure copper sample described only as separate Cu atoms with no molecular formula
D.A sound wave traveling through air
Explanation: A molecule is two or more atoms bonded together. O₂ is a diatomic molecule of oxygen.
3Which process is a chemical change?
A.Iron nails rusting when oxygen and water react with iron
B.Cutting aluminum foil into strips
C.Boiling pure water until it becomes steam
D.Dissolving sugar completely in hot tea
Explanation: Rusting forms new substances (iron oxides). Cutting, boiling, and dissolving are physical changes that do not create new chemical substances in the same way.
4Which particle is negatively charged and occupies the region outside the nucleus in common middle school atom models?
A.Electron
B.Proton
C.Neutron
D.Nucleus
Explanation: Electrons are negatively charged and exist outside the nucleus. Protons are positive in the nucleus; neutrons are neutral in the nucleus; the nucleus is the dense center, not a particle type listed the same way.
5A student pushes a box across a rough floor at constant speed. Which statement about the horizontal forces is best?
A.The push force and friction are balanced, so net force is about zero
B.There is a large net force forward because the box is moving
C.Friction must be zero if the box moves
D.Gravity is the only horizontal force on the box
Explanation: Constant velocity means balanced forces (Newton’s first law). Friction opposes the push so net force is near zero.
6Which form of energy is stored in stretched rubber band?
A.Elastic potential energy
B.Chemical energy only
C.Nuclear energy
D.Sound energy only
Explanation: A stretched rubber band stores elastic potential energy that can be released when it snaps back.
7Which best describes a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by ordinary chemical means?
A.An element
B.A mixture of two solutions
C.A heterogeneous salad
D.A mechanical blend of metals only called an alloy mixture
Explanation: Elements are pure substances made of one kind of atom and cannot be broken down chemically into simpler substances.
8Thermal energy flows from which region to which region when two objects touch?
A.From the warmer object to the cooler object
B.Only from cooler to warmer
C.Only within solids, never liquids
D.Equally in random directions with no temperature difference needed
Explanation: Heat transfer spontaneously goes from higher temperature to lower temperature until thermal equilibrium.
9Which wave property is the number of cycles that pass a point each second?
A.Frequency
B.Wavelength
C.Amplitude
D.Mass
Explanation: Frequency is cycles per second (hertz). Wavelength is distance between repeating points; amplitude relates to maximum displacement; mass is not a wave property.
10Which statement correctly describes kinetic energy of a moving object?
A.It depends on the object’s mass and speed
B.It depends only on the object’s color
C.It is zero whenever the object has height above the ground
D.It increases only when mass decreases at the same speed
Explanation: Kinetic energy increases with mass and with the square of speed in middle school models (KE = ½mv² conceptually).

About the DeSSA Science Grade 8 Exam

The DeSSA Science Summative Grade 8 assessment is Delaware’s statewide science test for grade 8 students. It measures NGSS middle school Performance Expectations across Earth and Space Science, Physical Science, and Life Science, with Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science represented in the blueprint. DDOE does not publish a student time limit; schools must plan a testing session of at least 90 minutes and finish the test in one continuous sitting. OpenExamPrep free MCQ practice is an English-language study aid aligned to DeSSA Science domains and NGSS—not official secure content or a full simulation of technology-enhanced item types.

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 online as a fixed form within the spring state window.

Passing Score

Four achievement levels on scale scores. Grade 8: Level 1 300–574, Level 2 575–599, Level 3 600–645, Level 4 646–900 (Delaware Department of Education cut-score chart).

Exam Fee

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

DeSSA Science Grade 8 Exam Content Outline

27%–43% of blueprint points

Earth and Space Science

Earth’s place in the universe, Earth’s systems, weather and climate, and Earth and human activity at middle school depth with SEPs and CCCs.

27%–43% of blueprint points

Physical Science

Matter and chemical reactions, forces and motion, energy, and waves at grades 6–8 depth.

20%–35% of blueprint points

Life Science

Cells and organisms, ecosystems, heredity, and biological evolution with SEPs and CCCs at middle school depth.

0%–15% of blueprint points

Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science (ETS)

Criteria, constraints, design solutions, and trade-offs, often embedded in science-context problems.

How to Pass the DeSSA Science Grade 8 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Four achievement levels on scale scores. Grade 8: Level 1 300–574, Level 2 575–599, Level 3 600–645, Level 4 646–900 (Delaware Department of Education cut-score chart).
  • 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 online as a fixed form within the spring state window.
  • Exam fee: Free to students and families; DeSSA Science is state-funded and administered through Delaware public schools as part of DeSSA.

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 8 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Use official DeSSA practice and training resources on the Cambium DeSSA portal so students learn tools, item types, and the testing interface.
2Review NGSS middle school Performance Expectations (MS-PS, MS-LS, MS-ESS, MS-ETS) as arranged for Delaware grade 8—not only single-unit labels.
3Practice explaining phenomena with evidence: claim–evidence–reasoning across Physical, Life, and Earth/space contexts.
4Include engineering design prompts (criteria, constraints, trade-offs) because ETS is on the Grade 8 blueprint (0%–15%).
5Mix graphs, tables, models, and short investigations with conceptual questions; the operational form uses varied item types beyond simple recall.
6Use short, frequent practice across the year rather than cramming only in the spring window.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DeSSA Science Grade 8?

DeSSA Science is Delaware’s statewide science assessment in the Delaware System of Student Assessments. Grade 8 assesses NGSS middle school Performance Expectations with three-dimensional items that integrate practices, core ideas, and crosscutting concepts.

Who takes DeSSA Science?

Delaware students take DeSSA Science in grade 5, grade 8, and high school Biology (unless an alternate assessment is designated by the IEP).

How long is DeSSA Science Grade 8?

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. It is delivered online as a fixed form within the state administration window.

What content areas are on the Grade 8 blueprint?

Earth and Space Science (27%–43%), Physical Science (27%–43%), Life Science (20%–35%), and Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science (0%–15%) of blueprint points.

Is DeSSA Science free?

Yes. DeSSA Science is state-funded and administered through public schools at no cost to families for standard administration.

What language is DeSSA Science given in?

The operational assessment is administered in English through the DeSSA/Cambium delivery system, with supports as allowed by Delaware policy. OpenExamPrep practice questions are English-language only.

Are these practice questions official DeSSA items?

No. OpenExamPrep questions are English-language MCQ study adaptations aligned to NGSS middle school ideas and DeSSA Science domains. They do not reproduce secure Pearson/WestEd items or fully simulate technology-enhanced item types.