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Quizzes > Science

UIL science practice tests for high school

Quick, free quiz for UIL science tests. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Jerry VentoUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Grade 10
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art depicting UIL Science Showdown quiz for high school students preparing for exams.

This UIL science practice quiz helps you check your grasp of biology, chemistry, and physics and spot gaps before the meet. You will get instant results and simple feedback, plus quick links to study more. Try a focused chemistry practice test and a broader high school science quiz to strengthen weak areas.

What process do plants use to convert sunlight into energy?
Photosynthesis
Respiration
Fermentation
Digestion
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy, which sustains their growth and produces oxygen. This fundamental process is a key concept in understanding energy conversion in biology.
Which state of matter has a fixed volume but no fixed shape?
Gas
Solid
Liquid
Plasma
Liquids maintain a constant volume while taking the shape of their container. This distinguishes them from solids, which have a fixed shape, and gases, which have neither fixed shape nor volume.
Which phenomenon describes the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another?
Refraction
Reflection
Absorption
Diffraction
Refraction is the process in which light bends as its speed changes when passing between different media. This effect is essential in understanding the behavior of lenses and optical instruments.
What is the chemical symbol for water?
O2
NaCl
H2O
CO2
H2O is the chemical formula for water, representing two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. This basic chemical notation is one of the first concepts introduced in chemistry.
Which of the following best describes an atom?
The basic unit of a chemical element
A large molecule
A type of cell
The smallest unit of life
An atom is the basic unit of a chemical element, serving as the building block for all matter. Recognizing this helps in understanding chemical reactions and the structure of matter.
What type of energy transformation occurs when a battery powers a flashlight?
Nuclear to thermal
Chemical to electrical
Electrical to chemical
Mechanical to electrical
A battery converts stored chemical energy into electrical energy, which powers devices such as flashlights. Understanding this transformation is key to grasping how energy is utilized in everyday technology.
Which law states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed?
Boyle's Law
Newton's First Law
Law of Conservation of Energy
Hooke's Law
The Law of Conservation of Energy asserts that energy is conserved through transformations; it cannot be created or destroyed. This principle is fundamental to all physical processes and energy exchanges.
In a chemical reaction, what is the substance that speeds up the reaction without being consumed?
Reactant
Catalyst
Solvent
Product
A catalyst accelerates a chemical reaction by lowering the activation energy without being consumed in the process. This concept is crucial in both industrial chemistry and biological systems.
Which of the following is a characteristic of a solution?
It has a heterogeneous mixture
It always exists in a gaseous state
It is a homogeneous mixture
It consists of only solids
A solution is a homogeneous mixture where the solute is uniformly distributed within the solvent. This uniformity distinguishes solutions from heterogeneous mixtures.
What is the primary function of the cell membrane?
To control the entry and exit of substances
To produce energy
To provide structural support
To store genetic material
The cell membrane acts as a selective barrier, regulating the transport of substances in and out of the cell. This function is essential for maintaining homeostasis within the cell.
Which force keeps the planets in orbit around the sun?
Electromagnetic force
Frictional force
Nuclear force
Gravitational force
Gravitational force is the attractive force that keeps planets in orbit around the sun. This concept is a cornerstone in celestial mechanics and astrophysics.
In physics, what is the term for the rate of change of velocity?
Speed
Momentum
Force
Acceleration
Acceleration is defined as the change in velocity over time. It is a fundamental concept in understanding motion and dynamics.
What is the pH value of a neutral solution at 25°C?
3
7
14
0
At 25°C, a neutral solution has a pH of 7, indicating a balance between hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions. This is a basic yet critical concept in acid-base chemistry.
Which term describes a change in an organism's genetic makeup?
Evolution
Metabolism
Osmosis
Mutation
A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence of an organism, leading to genetic variability. Recognizing mutations is fundamental to understanding genetics and evolutionary processes.
What is Newton's Second Law of Motion primarily about?
Action and reaction
Conservation of momentum
Force and acceleration
Inertia
Newton's Second Law explains how the net force acting on an object is equal to the product of its mass and acceleration. This fundamental principle connects force with motion.
Which phenomenon is explained by the dual nature of light displaying both wave-like and particle-like properties?
Photoelectric effect
Reflection
Diffraction
Refraction
The photoelectric effect illustrates how light can behave as both a wave and a particle by ejecting electrons from a metal surface. This phenomenon was pivotal in the development of quantum mechanics.
A 10 kg object is accelerating at 3 m/s². According to Newton's Second Law, what is the net force acting on the object?
13 N
30 N
3 N
10 N
Using Newton's Second Law (F = ma), the net force is calculated by multiplying mass (10 kg) by acceleration (3 m/s²), giving 30 N. This problem tests the practical application of basic mechanics.
What is the primary reason for the difference in boiling points between two liquids of similar molecular weights?
Differences in atomic masses
Differences in intermolecular forces
Differences in atmospheric pressure
Differences in color
Boiling points are largely influenced by the strength of the intermolecular forces present; stronger forces require more energy to overcome. This concept is fundamental in understanding phase transitions in matter.
During an exothermic reaction, what generally happens to the system's enthalpy?
It fluctuates unpredictably
It decreases
It increases
It remains constant
In an exothermic reaction, energy is released, causing a decrease in the system's enthalpy. This decrease signifies that the system loses heat to its surroundings.
Which process in cellular respiration produces the most ATP?
Fermentation
Glycolysis
Electron transport chain
Krebs cycle
The electron transport chain generates the majority of ATP during cellular respiration through oxidative phosphorylation. This process is essential for efficiently harvesting energy from nutrients.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Assess understanding of dynamic science principles through simulated test scenarios.
  2. Analyze scientific data and interpret experimental results.
  3. Apply critical thinking to solve complex science problems under exam conditions.
  4. Identify strengths and weaknesses to guide targeted study strategies.
  5. Synthesize knowledge of various scientific topics to enhance overall comprehension.

UIL Science Practice Tests Cheat Sheet

  1. Fundamental Laws of Motion - Dive into Newton's three laws to see how objects start, stop, and interact - it's like learning the secret rules of the universe. Grasping inertia, force, and action-reaction will make every physics problem feel like child's play.
  2. Periodic Table Trends - Get to know element families, periods, and trends like electronegativity and atomic radius - it's like mapping out the superhero lineup of chemistry. Spotting these patterns helps you predict reactions before they even happen.
  3. Atomic Structure - Explore how protons, neutrons, and electrons team up inside an atom to create all matter around you. Understanding their charges and placements turns confusing chemistry into a fun puzzle.
  4. Chemical Bonding Principles - Whether it's ionic, covalent, or metallic bonds, you'll uncover how atoms share or swap electrons to build everything from table salt to shiny metals. Mastering these bonds means building your own molecular masterpieces.
  5. Laws of Thermodynamics - Jump into energy conservation, entropy, and how heat flows - it's like uncovering the cheat codes of engines and reactions. These laws explain everything from why ice melts to how power plants run.
  6. Cell Organelles - Meet the nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes, and their cell buddies - they're the tiny factories and power plants that keep life running. Recognizing each part's function helps you ace biology and understand how cells hustle.
  7. Principles of Genetics - Follow Mendel's peas, unravel DNA's double helix, and watch gene expression in action - genetics is like reading the instruction manual of life. Once you decode inheritance patterns, punnett squares become your best friends.
  8. Ecology Basics - Trace energy flow through food chains, explore ecosystems, and see how human actions tip the balance - it's a thrilling look at nature's interconnected web. Understanding these dynamics turns you into an eco-hero ready to protect the planet.
  9. Wave Properties - Tune into frequency, wavelength, and amplitude to decode sound waves singing in your ear and light waves painting the sky. Grasping these concepts makes everything from music to optics click.
  10. Earth's Layers & Plate Tectonics - Dig through the crust, mantle, and core, then ride the plates that shift continents and spark volcanos. Knowing these processes turns earthquakes and mountain-building into awesome stories of our restless planet.
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