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100+ Free WVGSA Grade 5 Science Practice Questions

Prepare for the West Virginia General Summative Assessment Grade 5 Science exam with instant access — no signup required.

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Key Facts: WVGSA Grade 5 Science Exam

WVDE

State Board

West Virginia Department of Education

Grade 5

Grade Level

WV College- and Career-Readiness Standards

100 Questions

Question Count

OpenExamPrep Practice Bank

Levels 1 to 4

Performance Scale

WVGSA Performance Levels

Prepare for the WVGSA Grade 5 Science exam with 100 practice questions, phenomena-based scenarios, and detailed explanations.

Sample WVGSA Grade 5 Science Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your WVGSA Grade 5 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 adds 15 grams of salt to 100 grams of water in a sealed flask and stirs until the salt disappears. What is the total mass of the solution inside the flask after the salt dissolves completely?
A.85 grams
B.100 grams
C.115 grams
D.130 grams
Explanation: According to the law of conservation of mass, matter cannot be created or destroyed during physical changes like dissolving. The mass of the solution equals the mass of the water plus the mass of the dissolved salt (100 g + 15 g = 115 g).
2A student places a 50-gram ice cube into a zip-top plastic bag, seals it tightly, and leaves it on a warm counter. After the ice melts completely into liquid water, what will be the mass of the sealed bag and its contents?
A.25 grams
B.50 grams (plus the unchanged mass of the bag)
C.75 grams
D.100 grams
Explanation: Melting is a physical change of state from solid to liquid. The amount of matter remains the same during state changes, so the mass of the melted water remains 50 grams.
3A student holds a tennis ball and an apple at shoulder height in a classroom and releases them at the same time. In which direction does the gravitational force pull both objects?
A.Downward toward the center of the Earth
B.Horizontally toward the nearest classroom wall
C.Upward toward the ceiling
D.Toward the brightest window in the room
Explanation: Earth exerts a gravitational force on all objects near its surface. This force pulls objects downward directly toward the center of the Earth.
4A student constructs a simple electric circuit using a battery, light bulb, and wires. To complete the circuit and cause the light bulb to glow, which object should be inserted into the gap?
A.A wooden craft stick
B.A copper paperclip
C.A plastic ruler
D.A rubber eraser
Explanation: Copper is an electrical conductor, meaning electrical current can flow through it easily to complete the circuit. Wood, plastic, and rubber are insulators.
5When a hand pump is used to inflate a deflated basketball, the basketball expands and becomes firm. Which statement best explains why adding air makes the ball firm?
A.Air turns into a solid layer inside the ball.
B.Air particles take up space and push outward against the inner walls of the ball.
C.Air destroys the rubber skin of the ball and replaces it with foam.
D.Air cools the inside of the ball until the rubber freezes solid.
Explanation: Air is matter made of invisible gas particles. Pumping air into the ball pushes more particles inside, which collide with and push against the inner walls, making the ball firm.
6Spoons made of four different materials are placed into a pot of hot soup. After 3 minutes, which spoon handle will feel the warmest when touched?
A.Stainless steel spoon
B.Wooden spoon
C.Plastic spoon
D.Silicone spoon
Explanation: Metals like stainless steel are good thermal conductors, allowing heat energy to transfer quickly from the hot soup to the handle. Wood, plastic, and silicone are thermal insulators.
7On a bright sunny day, a student notices that dark black asphalt pavement feels much hotter to barefoot touch than light white concrete sidewalk. Why does the black asphalt get hotter?
A.Dark surfaces absorb more light energy from the sun and convert it into heat.
B.White concrete produces cold energy that cools the surface.
C.Black asphalt creates its own heat internally without needing sunlight.
D.White concrete reflects all heat into the ground beneath it.
Explanation: Dark-colored materials absorb more wavelengths of solar light energy than light-colored materials. This absorbed light energy is transformed into thermal energy, raising the temperature.
8A sorting facility uses a powerful magnet over a conveyor belt of recycled items. Which object will be attracted and lifted up by the magnet?
A.Aluminum soda can
B.Iron nail
C.Plastic water bottle
D.Glass bottle
Explanation: Iron is a magnetic metal. Objects containing iron or steel are attracted to magnets, while aluminum, plastic, and glass are non-magnetic.
9A student fills a plastic bottle with 250 grams of liquid water, caps it tightly, and places it in a freezer. Once the water freezes solid into ice, what is the mass of the closed bottle and ice?
A.Less than 250 grams because ice floats
B.Exactly 250 grams (plus the container mass) because no matter entered or escaped
C.More than 250 grams because ice expands in volume
D.0 grams because freezing destroys mass
Explanation: Freezing is a physical change of state. Even though water expands in volume when freezing into ice, the total amount of matter (mass) inside the sealed bottle remains unchanged.
10A student drops a solid fizzing tablet into a beaker of water. Gas bubbles immediately form and rise to the surface. What evidence indicates that a chemical change occurred?
A.The tablet sank to the bottom of the beaker.
B.A new gas substance was produced during the reaction.
C.The total volume of water stayed the same.
D.The water turned completely clear.
Explanation: The formation of a new gas substance (visible as bubbles) when two materials mix is a key indicator of a chemical change, producing a new substance with different properties.

About the WVGSA Grade 5 Science Exam

The WVGSA Grade 5 Science assessment measures student proficiency in Physical Science, Life Science, and Earth & Space Science under WV College- and Career-Readiness Standards.

Assessment

Single science session testing Physical Science, Life Science, and Earth & Space Science.

Time Limit

Untimed; estimated 90–120 minutes

Passing Score

Reported across four achievement levels: Does Not Meet Standard, Partially Meets Standard, Meets Standard, and Exceeds Standard.

Exam Fee

$0 (State Funded) (West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE))

WVGSA Grade 5 Science Exam Content Outline

35%

Physical Science

Properties of matter, physical/chemical changes, conservation of mass, gravity, brightness of stars, and energy transfer.

35%

Life Science

Plant biomass from water and air, food chains and webs, decomposers, and matter cycling in ecosystems.

30%

Earth & Space Science

Earth's rotation, shadow patterns, constellation shifts, Earth's major systems/spheres, water distribution, and environmental stewardship.

How to Pass the WVGSA Grade 5 Science Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Reported across four achievement levels: Does Not Meet Standard, Partially Meets Standard, Meets Standard, and Exceeds Standard.
  • Assessment: Single science session testing Physical Science, Life Science, and Earth & Space Science.
  • Time limit: Untimed; estimated 90–120 minutes
  • Exam fee: $0 (State Funded)

Keys to Passing

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

WVGSA Grade 5 Science Study Tips from Top Performers

1Analyze data tables, graphs, and experimental observations carefully before answering questions.
2Understand conservation of matter: the total weight of matter stays the same regardless of state changes, dissolving, or chemical reactions.
3Remember that plants get their weight primarily from air (carbon dioxide) and water, not soil nutrients.
4Review how Earth's rotation causes predictable daily shadow patterns and the apparent movement of the Sun and stars across the sky.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the WVGSA Grade 5 Science test?

It is West Virginia's official annual statewide assessment measuring 5th grade student proficiency in Physical Science, Life Science, and Earth & Space Science based on WV College- and Career-Readiness Standards.

Is the WVGSA Grade 5 Science test timed?

No, the WVGSA is untimed. Testing sessions are designed to allow students as much time as needed, typically taking 90 to 120 minutes.

What topics are covered on the 5th Grade WVGSA Science test?

The test covers Physical Science (matter, forces, gravity, energy), Life Science (ecosystems, photosynthesis principles, food webs), and Earth & Space Science (Earth systems, water distribution, star brightness, and shadow patterns).

How are WVGSA Grade 5 Science scores evaluated?

Student results are reported in scaled scores categorized into four performance levels: Level 1 (Novice), Level 2 (Partial Mastery), Level 3 (Proficient), and Level 4 (Advanced).