CALIFORNIATHE GOLDEN STATE
California Grade 6 Science Online Center
California tests science in grades 5 and 8, not in grade 6, so sixth grade is the year to build the ideas the California Science Test (CAST) will ask about later. Practice tests, skill quizzes, flashcards, and every California science standard for this grade, free.
Standards source: Content Standards, California Department of Education.
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California Science by Grade
Every California science center, grade 1 through grade 8.
Start With a Practice Test
Six full, timed grade 6 science practice tests, 40 questions each, instant scoring, and a written explanation for every question. California does not test science this year, so use these to find gaps early. Each one opens right here.
California Grade 6 Science Practice Test 1
A full diagnostic across every science area for this grade.
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California Grade 6 Science Practice Test 2
Fresh questions and new phenomena to build accuracy.
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California Grade 6 Science Practice Test 3
New problems that push reading of data, models, and evidence.
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California Grade 6 Science Practice Test 4
Another complete, timed exam to build pacing and stamina.
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California Grade 6 Science Practice Test 5
A brand-new mixed set to test how ready you are.
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California Grade 6 Science Practice Test 6
A final full-length simulation to confirm you are ready.
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Grade 6 Science Skill Quizzes
Pick one science area, answer 10 questions, and see exactly where the idea broke down. Each quiz opens right here.
Matter and Its Properties
A quick 10-question check on matter and its properties, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Forces and Motion
A quick 10-question check on forces and motion, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Energy
A quick 10-question check on energy, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Waves and Information
A quick 10-question check on waves and information, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Cells, Structures and Life Processes
A quick 10-question check on cells, structures and life processes, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Ecosystems and Heredity
A quick 10-question check on ecosystems and heredity, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Evolution, Fossils and Adaptation
A quick 10-question check on evolution, fossils and adaptation, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Earth and Space Systems
A quick 10-question check on earth and space systems, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Earth, Human Activity and Engineering
A quick 10-question check on earth, human activity and engineering, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.
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Grade 6 Science Study Tools
A few minutes of review between practice tests. Both open right here.
Grade 6 Science Flashcards
All 166 terms this grade is expected to know. Search the deck, filter by science area, star the hard ones, and mark off what you have down.
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Grade 6 Science Quick Review
Every must-know idea for this grade on one page, grouped by science area, with the vocabulary for each one.
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Study with a clearer next step
This California grade 6 science center is part of the Effortless Math library. Practice tests, skill quizzes, flashcards, and the state's own standards are connected so a student always has a clear next step instead of a wall of links.
Effortless Math is an independent educational publisher. Test names, state exams, standards names, and trademarks are used only to identify the relevant study topic; their owners do not sponsor, endorse, or approve this page.
California Grade 6 Science Snapshot
California Grade 6 Science Topics
These are the 19 science standards California sets for grade 6, from the Next Generation Science Standards for California Public Schools, K-12, grouped and ordered exactly the way the state's own standards document groups them. Each one is tagged with its official code so you can trace it straight back to the state document.
California standard codes
LS Life Sciences
- MS-LS1-1MS-LS1-3Cells, Body Systems, and Genetics
- MS-LS1-2MS-LS1-4MS-LS1-5MS-LS3-2Organism Needs, Structures, and Life Cycles
- MS-LS1-8Synthesize Information Sensory Receptors Respond Stimuli Sending Messages
ESS Earth and Space Systems
- MS-ESS2-4Sun, Moon, Earth, Stars, and Space Systems
- MS-ESS2-5Data Provide Evidence Motions Complex Interactions Air Masses
- MS-ESS2-6Water Cycle, Weather, Climate, and Atmosphere
- MS-ESS3-5Scientific Questions, Investigations, and Evidence
- MS-ESS3-3Natural Resources and Human Impacts
PS Physical Sciences
- MS-PS3-3MS-PS3-5Energy Forms, Transfer, and Transformation
- MS-PS3-4Matter Properties, States, and Classification
ETS Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science
- MS-ETS1-1MS-ETS1-2MS-ETS1-3MS-ETS1-4Engineering Design and Solution Evaluation
Grouped and ordered from the state's own standards document.
California Grade 6 Science Standards
The full text of every grade 6 science standard in the Next Generation Science Standards for California Public Schools, K-12. If your California classroom or report card mentions a code, you will find it here.
LS Life Sciences
- MS-LS1-1Cells, Body Systems, and GeneticsConduct an investigation to provide evidence that living things are made of cells, either one cell or many different numbers and types of cells
- MS-LS1-2Organism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesDevelop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and ways parts of cells contribute to the function
- MS-LS1-3Cells, Body Systems, and GeneticsUse argument supported by evidence for how the body is a system of interacting subsystems composed of groups of cells
- MS-LS1-8Synthesize Information Sensory Receptors Respond Stimuli Sending MessagesGather and synthesize information that sensory receptors respond to stimuli by sending messages to the brain for immediate behavior or storage as memories
- MS-LS1-4Organism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesUse argument based on empirical evidence and scientific reasoning to support an explanation for how characteristic animal behaviors and specialized plant structures affect the probability of successful reproduction of animals and plants respectively
- MS-LS1-5Organism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesConstruct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms
- MS-LS3-2Organism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesDevelop and use a model to describe why asexual reproduction results in offspring with identical genetic information and sexual reproduction results in offspring with genetic variation
ESS Earth and Space Systems
- MS-ESS2-4Sun, Moon, Earth, Stars, and Space SystemsDevelop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth's systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity
- MS-ESS2-5Data Provide Evidence Motions Complex Interactions Air MassesCollect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses results in changes in weather conditions
- MS-ESS2-6Water Cycle, Weather, Climate, and AtmosphereDevelop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates
- MS-ESS3-5Scientific Questions, Investigations, and EvidenceAsk questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century
- MS-ESS3-3Natural Resources and Human ImpactsApply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment
PS Physical Sciences
- MS-PS3-3Energy Forms, Transfer, and TransformationApply scientific principles to design, construct, and test a device that either minimizes or maximizes thermal energy transfer
- MS-PS3-4Matter Properties, States, and ClassificationPlan an investigation to determine the relationships among the energy transferred, the type of matter, the mass, and the change in the average kinetic energy of the particles as measured by the temperature of the sample
- MS-PS3-5Energy Forms, Transfer, and TransformationConstruct, use, and present arguments to support the claim that when the kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from the object
ETS Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science
- MS-ETS1-1Engineering Design and Solution EvaluationDefine the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions
- MS-ETS1-2Engineering Design and Solution EvaluationEvaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem
- MS-ETS1-3Engineering Design and Solution EvaluationAnalyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success
- MS-ETS1-4Engineering Design and Solution EvaluationDevelop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved
Source: Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Always check the current official document before relying on a code for placement or reporting.
California Grade 6: Math and English Too
Science is one of three California grade 6 centers. Same format, same standards-first approach, for the other two subjects.
California Grade 6 Math
Six full practice tests, printable worksheets, step-by-step lessons, and every California grade 6 math standard.
California Grade 6 English
Reading, writing, and language standards for California grade 6, broken into short skill targets with practice for each one.
California Grade 6 Science FAQ
Does California test science in grade 6?
No. California gives the California Science Test (CAST) in grades 5 and 8, so grade 6 students do not sit a state science test this year. California also gives once in high school. The standards on this page are still the ones grade 6 teachers teach, and they are what the next science test builds on.
Which standards does grade 6 science in California follow?
California follows the Next Generation Science Standards for California Public Schools, K-12, published by the California Department of Education. All 19 of this grade's standards are listed further down the page with their official codes.
How long are the practice tests?
Each of the six practice tests has 40 questions and a 70-minute timer. The timer auto-submits at zero and you get your score, a breakdown by science area, and a written explanation for every question.
Is any of this free?
Yes, every practice test, quiz, and flashcard set on this page is free and needs no login. Your progress is saved in your own browser and nowhere else.
What is the fastest way to use this page?
Take practice test 1 cold. Look at the topic breakdown, pick the weakest science area, and do that skill quiz. Then read the quick review for that area and come back for practice test 2.
Grade 6 Science in Other States
Standards, practice tests, and quizzes for grade 6 science in every state and Washington, D.C.
Start With One Practice Test
Grade 6 is a building year for science in California. Take a timed test, see which area is thinnest, and fix that one before it compounds.