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Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3

Science Subtest

Test Format and Sample Questions

The Science subtest contains approximately 40 multiple-choice questions. You will have 60 minutes to complete the subtest.

Each question will contain four response options, and you will indicate your answer by selecting A, B, C, or D.

The table below presents types of questions on the exam and directs you to examples of these formats among the sample items that follow.

Table of Question Formats

Type of Question Sample Question
Direct Question
Choose the response option that best answers the question.
Question 1
Scenario
Examine a situation, problem, or case study. Then answer a question, make a diagnosis, or recommend a course of action by selecting the best response option.
Question 6
Sentence Completion
Select the response option that best completes the sentence.
Question 17

Sample Questions

The following questions represent both the form and content of questions on the examination. These questions will acquaint you with the general format of the examination; however, these sample questions do not cover all of the competencies and skills that are tested and will only approximate the degree of examination difficulty.


Question 1

Science Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of effective science instruction

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following activities would be the most meaningful science experience for kindergarten students?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 2

Science Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of effective science instruction

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following classroom activities is the best example of teaching inquiry-based science?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 3

Science Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of effective science instruction

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A first-grade teacher is preparing to teach about magnification. Which of the following is the best strategy for introducing the topic?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 4

Science Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of effective science instruction

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following science experiences would be most developmentally appropriate for kindergartners?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 5

Science Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of effective science instruction

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following science concepts about plants would be most appropriate for kindergartners?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 6

Science Subtest

Competency 1—Knowledge of effective science instruction

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A small group of kindergarten students have been using assorted wet and dry materials to discover which of the materials will dissolve in water and which will not. The children take turns mixing salt, cornstarch, flour, salad oil, and sand with water and record their findings on a teacher-made chart.

Which of the following is the most appropriate activity for the teacher to have the students do next?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 7

Science Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of the nature of science

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

To address a state standard on forces and changes in motion, a first-grade teacher designed an activity using balls. The teacher marks off a space and provides balls of different sizes and materials. Pairs of students are allowed 20 minutes to explore the balls and 10 minutes to discuss the question, "How did the balls roll?" This is an example of what type of teaching?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 8

Science Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of the nature of science

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following is LEAST reflective of science’s interrelatedness to other disciplines?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 9

Science Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of the nature of science

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A third-grade teacher is exploring the concept of controlling variables in science experiments. The class decides to grow plants as a part of this unit. Which set of variables is the most realistic to control in the classroom setting?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 10

Science Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of the nature of science

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following basic science processing skills would a student employ when sorting blocks by color?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 11

Science Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of the nature of science

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following would be the most appropriate strategy to help students understand the nature of science?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 12

Science Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of the nature of science

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following is the correct unit of measurement for the area of a plane?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 13

Science Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of the nature of science

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following statements best describes why science is considered a STEM discipline?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 14

Science Subtest

Competency 2—Knowledge of the nature of science

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

What could be a political implication of introducing new science technology?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 15

Science Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of the earth and space sciences

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Greenhouse gasses trap the Sun’s thermal energy in the atmosphere. What is a direct effect of having too much of the Sun’s energy trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 16

Science Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of the earth and space sciences

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following actions would demonstrate to a class the cause of the Earth’s four seasons?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 17

Science Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of the earth and space sciences

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Igneous rock is formed from

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 18

Science Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of the earth and space sciences

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

What is the primary process in the energy cycle for living things?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 19

Science Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of the earth and space sciences

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Approximately how much time is needed for the Earth to make one complete revolution around the Sun?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 20

Science Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of the earth and space sciences

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Look at this image of the moon. In how many days will the moon look the same again?

The image is of a crescent moon

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 21

Science Subtest

Competency 3—Knowledge of the earth and space sciences

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Acid rain is caused primarily by

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 22

Science Subtest

Competency 4—Knowledge of the physical sciences

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Water is best described as a

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 23

Science Subtest

Competency 4—Knowledge of the physical sciences

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following measures depends on the force of gravity?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 24

Science Subtest

Competency 4—Knowledge of the physical sciences

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Lightning is classified as a

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: A.

Question 25

Science Subtest

Competency 4—Knowledge of the physical sciences

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following is an example of an element?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.

Question 26

Science Subtest

Competency 4—Knowledge of the physical sciences

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Students are working at a science learning center investigating forms of energy. In one activity, an example has students eat a cracker for a snack. What kinds of energy are the students investigating by eating food?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D.

Question 27

Science Subtest

Competency 4—Knowledge of the physical sciences

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following is an example of heat transfer by radiation?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C.

Question 28

Science Subtest

Competency 5—Knowledge of the life sciences

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Plants and animals are both classified as living things. They have many characteristics in common such as the ability to grow, reproduce, and use energy from food. Which of the following is a true statement about how plants and animals differ?

Choose an answer
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B.