Illinois (ISA) Science Practice Test for Grade 8

Students will answer multiple-choice, fill-in, and scenario-based questions covering matter, forces and energy, life science, and Earth and space science at a Grade 8 NGSS level.

Students will interpret a multi-decade data table to explain a real-world example of natural selection (the peppered moth).

Students will analyze energy transformations (kinetic and potential) in a pendulum scenario.

Use the teacher's guide's suggested six-week, domain-by-domain pacing option to spread the 45 questions across smaller, topic-focused sessions rather than one long sitting

Run the bird-beak natural-selection simulation from the teacher's guide before assigning the peppered-moth scenario questions, since it models the same selection concept hands-on

Reference the answer key's stated NGSS performance expectation for each question as a starting point for reviewing the concept behind a missed item

Matter and its interactions — students identify atomic structure, interpret chemical formulas and equations, and apply conservation of mass.

Life science — students explain cellular respiration and photosynthesis, trace food-chain roles, and use inheritance and environment to interpret trait variation.

Earth and space science — students connect tectonic-plate motion to geologic features and earthquakes, and interpret rock-layer sequencing and orbital gravity.