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Massachusetts Grade 5 Science Online Center

Everything Massachusetts fifth graders need for MCAS Science and Technology/Engineering, six full-length practice tests, skill quizzes, flashcards, and every Massachusetts science standard for this grade in one place.

Standards source: Current Curriculum Frameworks, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

6 full-length practice tests7 science skill quizzes145 flashcards17 Massachusetts standardsAn explanation for every answer
Built from Massachusetts science standards
Every answer explained
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Trusted by students across Massachusetts

Massachusetts Science by Grade

Every Massachusetts science center, grade 1 through grade 8.

Massachusetts, About the test. Massachusetts adds an engineering strand; its grade-5 STE MCAS is notably engineering-rich.

Grade 5 Science Skill Quizzes

Pick one science area, answer 10 questions, and see exactly where the idea broke down. Each quiz opens right here.

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This Massachusetts grade 5 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.

Last updated: August 25, 2026
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Massachusetts Grade 5 Science Snapshot

MCASstate science test
17state science standards
6full practice tests
4topic areas to study

Massachusetts Grade 5 Science Topics

These are the 17 science standards Massachusetts sets for grade 5, from the Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework, 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.

Massachusetts standard codes

5-ESS Earth and Space Sciences

  • 5-ESS1-15-ESS1-2Sun, Moon, Earth, Stars, and Space Systems
  • 5-ESS2-15-ESS2-2Water Cycle, Weather, Climate, and Atmosphere
  • 5-ESS3-1Natural Resources and Human Impacts
  • 5-ESS3-2(MA)Test Simple System Designed Filter Particulates Out Water

5-LS Life Science

  • 5-LS1-15-LS2-1Organism Needs, Structures, and Life Cycles
  • 5-LS2-2(MA)Material Properties and Uses

5-PS Physical Science

  • 5-PS1-15-PS1-2Matter Properties, States, and Classification
  • 5-PS1-35-PS1-4Material Properties and Uses
  • 5-PS2-1Forces, Motion, and Interactions
  • 5-PS3-1Energy in Food and Living Systems

5-ETS Technology/Engineering

  • 5.3-5-ETS3-1(MA)Engineering Design and Solution Evaluation
  • 5.3-5-ETS3-2(MA)Magnets, Electricity, and Circuits

Grouped and ordered from the state's own standards document.

Massachusetts Grade 5 Science Standards

The full text of every grade 5 science standard in the Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework. If your Massachusetts classroom or report card mentions a code, you will find it here.

5-ESS Earth and Space Sciences

  • 5-ESS1-1Sun, Moon, Earth, Stars, and Space SystemsUse observations, first-hand and from various media, to argue that the Sun is a star that appears larger and brighter than other stars because it is closer to Earth
  • 5-ESS1-2Sun, Moon, Earth, Stars, and Space SystemsUse a model to communicate Earth's relationship to the Sun, Moon, and other stars that explain (a) why people on Earth experience day and night, (b) patterns in daily changes in length and direction of shadows over a day, and (c) changes in the apparent position of the Sun, Moon, and stars at different times during a day, over a month, and over a year
  • 5-ESS2-1Water Cycle, Weather, Climate, and AtmosphereUse a model to describe the cycling of water through a watershed through evaporation, precipitation, absorption, surface runoff, and condensation
  • 5-ESS2-2Water Cycle, Weather, Climate, and AtmosphereDescribe and graph the relative amounts of salt water in the ocean; fresh water in lakes, rivers, and ground water; and fresh water frozen in glaciers and polar ice caps to provide evidence about the availability of fresh water in Earth's biosphere
  • 5-ESS3-1Natural Resources and Human ImpactsObtain and combine information about ways communities reduce human impact on the Earth's resources and environment by changing an agricultural, industrial, or community practice or process
  • 5-ESS3-2(MA)Test Simple System Designed Filter Particulates Out WaterTest a simple system designed to filter particulates out of water and propose one change to the design to improve it

5-LS Life Science

  • 5-LS1-1Organism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesAsk testable questions about the process by which plants use air, water, and energy from sunlight to produce sugars and plant materials needed for growth and reproduction
  • 5-LS2-1Organism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesDevelop a model to describe the movement of matter among producers, consumers, decomposers, and the air, water, and soil in the environment to (a) show that plants produce sugars and plant materials, (b) show that animals can eat plants and/or other animals for food, and (c) show that some organisms, including fungi and bacteria, break down dead organisms and recycle some materials back to the air and soil
  • 5-LS2-2(MA)Material Properties and UsesCompare at least two designs for a composter to determine which is most likely to encourage decomposition of materials

5-PS Physical Science

  • 5-PS1-1Matter Properties, States, and ClassificationUse a particle model of matter to explain common phenomena involving gases, and phase changes between gas and liquid and between liquid and solid
  • 5-PS1-2Matter Properties, States, and ClassificationMeasure and graph the weights (masses) of substances before and after a reaction or phase change to provide evidence that regardless of the type of change that occurs when heating, cooling, or combining substances, the total weight (mass) of matter is conserved
  • 5-PS1-3Material Properties and UsesMake observations and measurements of substances to describe characteristic properties of each, including color, hardness, reflectivity, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, response to magnetic forces, and solubility
  • 5-PS1-4Material Properties and UsesConduct an experiment to determine whether the mixing of two or more substances results in new substances with new properties (a chemical reaction) or not (a mixture)
  • 5-PS2-1Forces, Motion, and InteractionsSupport an argument with evidence that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed toward Earth's center
  • 5-PS3-1Energy in Food and Living SystemsUse a model to describe that the food animals digest (a) contains energy that was once energy from the sun, and (b) provides energy and nutrients for life processes, including body repair, growth, motion, body warmth, and reproduction

5-ETS Technology/Engineering

  • 5.3-5-ETS3-1(MA)Engineering Design and Solution EvaluationUse informational text to provide examples of improvements to existing technologies (innovations) and the development of new technologies (inventions). Recognize that technology is any modification of the natural or designed world done to fulfill human needs or wants
  • 5.3-5-ETS3-2(MA)Magnets, Electricity, and CircuitsUse sketches or drawings to show how each part of a product or device relates to other parts in the product or device

Source: Massachusetts Science and Technology Engineering Framework. Always check the current official document before relying on a code for placement or reporting.

Massachusetts Grade 5: Math and English Too

Science is one of three Massachusetts grade 5 centers. Same format, same standards-first approach, for the other two subjects.

Massachusetts Grade 5 Math

Six full practice tests, printable worksheets, step-by-step lessons, and every Massachusetts grade 5 math standard.

Open the math center →

Massachusetts Grade 5 English

Reading, writing, and language standards for Massachusetts grade 5, broken into short skill targets with practice for each one.

Open the English center →

Massachusetts Grade 5 Science FAQ

Does Massachusetts test science in grade 5?

Yes. Massachusetts students take MCAS Science and Technology/Engineering in grade 5. Massachusetts adds an engineering strand; its grade-5 STE MCAS is notably engineering-rich.

Which standards does grade 5 science in Massachusetts follow?

Massachusetts follows the Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework, published by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. All 17 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 35 questions and a 60-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 5 Science in Other States

Standards, practice tests, and quizzes for grade 5 science in every state and Washington, D.C.

Start With One MCAS Test

Take a timed practice test, find the science area that costs you the most points, and study that one first with the matching quiz and quick review.

Start a practice test