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Quizzes > Science

NGSS Practice Test for High School Science

Quick, free check of key ideas. Instant results and NGSS exam practice.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Hannah GustelyUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Grade 6
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Colorful paper art promoting the NGSS Mastery Challenge, a dynamic science quiz for middle school students.

This NGSS practice test helps you check core high school science ideas in 20 quick questions and get instant feedback. Use your results to spot strengths and gaps, then focus your study before class or exams. Keep learning with a high school biology quiz, try a high school chemistry quiz, or explore a grade 11 science quiz for broader review.

Which of the following best describes the purpose of a scientific investigation?
It is used to guess the outcome without experiments.
It is used to confirm personal beliefs without evidence.
It is used to gather data and answer a research question.
It is used primarily to entertain an audience.
Scientific investigations are designed to gather evidence through systematic observation and experimentation. This approach helps in developing reliable conclusions that are supported by data.
What is the main role of a scientific model?
To represent and explain scientific phenomena.
To provide an artistic interpretation without data.
To replace physical experiments entirely.
To confuse readers with complex details.
Scientific models simplify and represent complex systems, helping us understand and predict how natural phenomena work. They serve as tools to test ideas and refine our understanding of scientific concepts.
Which statement best describes energy conservation in a simple system?
Energy can be created or destroyed during transformations.
Energy not used is lost forever from the system.
Energy is converted from one form to another but remains constant overall.
Energy always increases when it is transformed.
The principle of conservation of energy states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it can only change forms. This ensures that the total energy within a closed system remains constant.
Why are observations important in scientific investigations?
Because they allow scientists to ignore data that does not fit their theories.
Because they only help in publishing research papers.
Because they provide the facts needed to support or refute a hypothesis.
Because they are solely based on personal opinions.
Observations are crucial because they provide accurate data that can support or challenge a hypothesis. They ensure that conclusions are rooted in evidence rather than assumptions.
Which step of the engineering design process involves creating possible solutions?
Brainstorming possible designs.
Setting aside all ideas without evaluation.
Publishing the project in a journal.
Testing the final product only.
Brainstorming is the step where multiple ideas are generated as potential solutions. This creative process is essential in the engineering design cycle to identify the most effective approach.
What is one way that energy flows through an ecosystem?
From the sun to plants through photosynthesis, then to consumers.
Energy is recycled without any input from the sun.
Energy flows randomly without any conversion.
From consumers directly to the sun.
Energy in an ecosystem typically begins with solar energy, which is captured by plants via photosynthesis. This energy is then transferred through various trophic levels as consumers eat producers.
What distinguishes a scientific explanation from a scientific argument?
An explanation is only used in textbooks, while arguments are used in lab reports.
An argument does not require evidence, whereas an explanation does not involve reasoning.
An explanation describes phenomena using evidence, while an argument debates a claim without sufficient evidence.
An argument relies solely on personal opinion, while an explanation is based entirely on guesswork.
A scientific explanation uses evidence to describe and understand phenomena, whereas a scientific argument involves evaluating different claims in light of that evidence. Each plays a distinct role in the scientific process.
How does the concept of cause and effect apply in scientific investigations?
It eliminates the need for repeated experiments by guessing results.
It focuses on effects only, without considering any causes.
It helps scientists predict outcomes by understanding the relationship between actions and their results.
It suggests that outcomes are completely random, making predictions impossible.
The cause and effect concept allows scientists to deduce how changes in one aspect of a system may influence another. By understanding these relationships, scientists can create models that help predict future outcomes.
What is the relevance of the atomic theory in understanding material properties?
It supports the idea that material properties change randomly over time.
It concludes that atoms are only theoretical and cannot be used to predict properties.
It explains that the properties of all materials arise from the composition and interactions of their atoms.
It states that atoms are irrelevant in explaining the behavior of solids and liquids.
Atomic theory underpins our understanding of material properties by indicating that the makeup and interactions of atoms determine how substances behave. This concept is fundamental in both chemistry and materials science, forming a cornerstone of NGSS.
Which scientific practice involves developing a testable explanation based on evidence?
Organizing a science fair.
Formulating a hypothesis.
Creating an artwork.
Conducting a literature review.
Formulating a hypothesis is a central scientific practice that involves proposing a testable explanation for an observed phenomenon. This sets the stage for further experiments and data collection to support or refute the idea.
What is a key difference between a scientific model and a scientific theory?
Theories describe phenomena without any evidence, unlike models.
Models are used only for teaching, whereas theories are used only in laboratories.
A model is a simplified representation of a phenomenon, while a theory is a well-substantiated explanation.
A theory is a temporary guess, while a model is always unchanging.
Scientific models serve as simplified representations to help visualize or simulate phenomena, whereas theories are comprehensive explanations backed by evidence. Both are essential but operate at different levels within the scientific process.
Why is it important to control variables in an experiment?
To guarantee that no changes occur during the experiment.
To ensure that the observed effects are due to the variable being tested, rather than other influences.
To ensure that all variables change at once.
To make the experiment more complicated unnecessarily.
Controlling variables is essential to isolate the impact of the independent variable by minimizing external influences. This practice strengthens the reliability and validity of an experiment's conclusions.
Which of the following best describes the water cycle?
A continuous process where water evaporates, condenses, precipitates, and flows back into bodies of water.
A cycle that involves only the evaporation of water.
A process where water is permanently lost from the Earth.
An unpredictable series of events with no consistent pattern.
The water cycle is a continuous and dynamic process that includes evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection. This cycle is essential for understanding weather patterns and the distribution of water on Earth.
What is the most reliable approach to testing a scientific hypothesis?
Modifying the hypothesis until the desired outcome is achieved.
Repeating experiments multiple times and analyzing the consistency of results.
Asking for opinions from non-experts only.
Relying on a single experiment regardless of its outcome.
Repetition in experiments helps confirm that results are consistent and reliable, thereby strengthening support for a hypothesis. This approach minimizes errors and improves the overall credibility of scientific conclusions.
What process in the rock cycle results in the formation of metamorphic rocks?
Cooling and solidification of molten rock.
Deposition of sediment by water only.
Erosion of volcanic rock without any transformation.
Heat and pressure causing changes in existing rock.
Metamorphic rocks form when existing rocks are exposed to high levels of heat and pressure, which alters their mineral composition. This transformation is a key part of the rock cycle and demonstrates how environmental conditions change material properties.
How does systems thinking enhance understanding in scientific investigations?
By disregarding the impact of interactions between elements.
By limiting analysis to simple, non-interactive scenarios.
By enabling scientists to analyze complex interactions and predict how changes in one part affect the whole.
By focusing only on isolated components without considering connections.
Systems thinking involves examining the interactions between various components of a system to understand how they collectively influence outcomes. This approach is critical for predicting how modifications in one area can impact the overall performance of a system.
Why is evaluating multiple lines of evidence important when forming scientific conclusions?
Because it eliminates the need for further experimentation.
Because it ensures that conclusions are supported by diverse observations and reduces the effect of bias.
Because it simplifies the process of reaching a conclusion by using only one data source.
Because it allows scientists to ignore conflicting data.
Considering multiple sources of evidence helps to confirm that a conclusion is robust and not influenced by isolated data points. This approach minimizes bias and increases the reliability of scientific interpretations.
In the context of engineering design, what is the primary benefit of the iterative process?
It allows for continuous improvement and refinement of a design based on testing and feedback.
It discourages modifications after the initial design is completed.
It results in a fixed design without any need for further development.
It focuses solely on theory without practical adjustments.
The iterative process in engineering design involves repeated testing and modification, which leads to continuous improvement. Feedback from each cycle informs necessary adjustments, ensuring that the final design is both effective and efficient.
How do scientists use patterns observed in data to make predictions?
By assuming that patterns in data have no relation to future events.
By randomly choosing data points with no regard to consistency.
By dismissing patterns as coincidences without further analysis.
By identifying consistent trends that suggest future occurrences under similar conditions.
Identifying patterns in data allows scientists to forecast future trends based on established relationships. Recognizing consistent trends is essential for developing models that predict how systems will behave under similar conditions.
What is the significance of integrating crosscutting concepts with disciplinary core ideas in NGSS?
It solely emphasizes memorization rather than application.
It restricts understanding to isolated facts without broader context.
It allows for a deeper and more connected understanding of scientific phenomena across different areas.
It downplays the importance of systematic investigation in favor of simplicity.
Integrating crosscutting concepts with disciplinary core ideas bridges different areas of science, creating a unified framework for understanding phenomena. This approach promotes a comprehensive grasp of complex concepts and encourages the application of knowledge across disciplines.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand the core principles of Next Generation Science Standards.
  2. Analyze scientific concepts and phenomena relevant to middle school curricula.
  3. Apply evidence-based reasoning to solve real-world science problems.
  4. Evaluate personal understanding and identify areas for further review.
  5. Synthesize information to build confidence for upcoming exams.

NGSS Test Review Cheat Sheet

  1. Matter and Molecules - Everything around you is built from tiny atoms and molecules that link together in simple and complex ways. By sketching and building models, you'll see how these basic building blocks form the world's materials. Get hands‑on with ball‑and‑stick or digital tools to unlock molecular magic.
  2. Chemical Reactions - Chemical reactions shuffle atoms into new combinations while keeping total mass the same, like a molecular puzzle. You'll learn to read data tables and graphs to spot when reactions happen and prove mass is conserved. Experiment with baking soda and vinegar to watch it in action.
  3. Thermal Energy and States of Matter - Heat makes particles dance faster and can change solids into liquids or liquids into gases. You'll build models to predict melting, freezing, evaporation, and condensation under different temperatures. Try plotting temperature vs. time graphs during an ice‑cube melt to see theory meet reality.
  4. Cellular Building Blocks - All living things, from grass to giraffes, are made of cells - tiny units that carry out life's essential tasks. You'll conduct microscope investigations to spot cell walls, membranes, and organelles in plant and animal specimens. Discover why cells are called the "basic units of life."
  5. Structure and Function in Cells - The shape of a cell and its parts tells you exactly what it can do - think round red blood cells vs. long muscle fibers. You'll create models showing how organelle arrangements support energy production, protein synthesis, or waste removal. Connect cell design to real‑world roles in your body.
  6. Reproduction and Genetic Variation - Asexual reproduction makes clones, while sexual reproduction mixes genes for unique offspring. You'll compare binary fission in bacteria with flower pollination in plants to see how nature balances sameness and diversity. Chart family traits to understand inheritance patterns.
  7. Earth's Systems and Cycles - Earth works like a giant machine cycling water, rock, and nutrients while the Sun's energy powers weather and ecosystems. You'll map the water cycle, track rock formation, and reveal how energy flows through food webs. Build diagrams to connect atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and geosphere.
  8. Plate Tectonics and Earth History - The puzzles of fossils, rock layers, and matching coastlines tell the story of drifting continents. You'll analyze geological maps and 3D models to reconstruct past plate movements. See how ancient ocean floors and mountain ranges formed over millions of years.
  9. Engineering Design Process - Real‑world engineers define problems, brainstorm solutions, build prototypes, test them, and refine their designs. You'll tackle challenges like designing a water filter or building a stable bridge model. Document each step to learn how failure leads to better solutions.
  10. Structure and Function in Systems - Whether it's a tree branch or a skyscraper, shape and materials determine how things stand, bend, or break. You'll experiment with arch shapes, loading tests, and stability analyses in both natural and human‑made systems. Discover design secrets that make structures last.
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