MINNESOTATHE NORTH STAR STATE
Minnesota Grade 3 Science Online Center
Minnesota tests science in grades 5 and 8, not in grade 3, so third grade is the year to build the ideas the MCA-Science will ask about later. Practice tests, skill quizzes, flashcards, and every Minnesota science standard for this grade, free.
Standards source: Academic Standards (K-12), Minnesota Department of Education.
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Minnesota Science by Grade
Every Minnesota science center, grade 1 through grade 8.
Start With a Practice Test
Six full, timed grade 3 science practice tests, 25 questions each, instant scoring, and a written explanation for every question. Minnesota does not test science this year, so use these to find gaps early. Each one opens right here.
Minnesota Grade 3 Science Practice Test 1
A full diagnostic across every science area for this grade.
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Minnesota Grade 3 Science Practice Test 2
Fresh questions and new phenomena to build accuracy.
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Minnesota Grade 3 Science Practice Test 3
New problems that push reading of data, models, and evidence.
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Minnesota Grade 3 Science Practice Test 4
Another complete, timed exam to build pacing and stamina.
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Minnesota Grade 3 Science Practice Test 5
A brand-new mixed set to test how ready you are.
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Minnesota Grade 3 Science Practice Test 6
A final full-length simulation to confirm you are ready.
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Grade 3 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 3 Science Study Tools
A few minutes of review between practice tests. Both open right here.
Grade 3 Science Flashcards
All 145 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 3 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 Minnesota grade 3 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.
Minnesota Grade 3 Science Snapshot
Minnesota Grade 3 Science Topics
These are the 11 science standards Minnesota sets for grade 3, from the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in Science, 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.
Minnesota standard codes
1 Exploring phenomena or engineering problems
- 3P.1.1.1.1Scientific Questions, Investigations, and Evidence
- 3P.1.2.1.1Conduct Controlled Investigation Determine Effect Placing Objects Made
- 3L.1.2.1.2Organism Needs, Structures, and Life Cycles
2 Looking at data and empirical evidence to understand phenomena or solve problems
- 3E.2.1.1.1Sun, Moon, Earth, Stars, and Space Systems
- 3E.2.2.1.1Data Analysis, Patterns, and Model Limits
3 Developing possible explanations of phenomena or designing solutions to engineering problems
- 3P.3.1.1.1Light Reflecting Objects Entering Eye Allows Objects Seen
- 3L.3.1.1.2Organism Needs, Structures, and Life Cycles
- 3L.3.2.1.1Explanation Evidence Various Sources Variations Characteristics Among Individuals
4 Communicating reasons, arguments and ideas to others
- 3L.4.1.1.1Argument About Strategies Animals Survive Benefits Group Behavior
- 3L.4.2.1.1Organism Needs, Structures, and Life Cycles
- 3E.4.2.2.1Sun, Moon, Earth, Stars, and Space Systems
Grouped and ordered from the state's own standards document.
Minnesota Grade 3 Science Standards
The full text of every grade 3 science standard in the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in Science. If your Minnesota classroom or report card mentions a code, you will find it here.
1 Exploring phenomena or engineering problems
- 3P.1.1.1.1Scientific Questions, Investigations, and EvidenceAsk questions based on observations about why objects in darkness can be seen only when illuminated
- 3P.1.2.1.1Conduct Controlled Investigation Determine Effect Placing Objects MadePlan and conduct a controlled investigation to determine the effect of placing objects made with different materials in the path of a beam of light
- 3L.1.2.1.2Organism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesPlan and conduct an investigation to determine how amounts of sunlight and water impact the growth of a plant
2 Looking at data and empirical evidence to understand phenomena or solve problems
- 3E.2.1.1.1Sun, Moon, Earth, Stars, and Space SystemsRecord observations of the sun, moon, and stars and use them to describe patterns that can be predicted
- 3E.2.2.1.1Data Analysis, Patterns, and Model LimitsOrganize and electronically present collected data to identify and describe patterns in the amount of daylight in the different times of the year
3 Developing possible explanations of phenomena or designing solutions to engineering problems
- 3P.3.1.1.1Light Reflecting Objects Entering Eye Allows Objects SeenDevelop a model to describe that light reflecting from objects and entering the eye allows objects to be seen
- 3L.3.1.1.2Organism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesDevelop multiple models to describe how organisms have unique and diverse life cycles but all have birth, growth, reproduction, and death in common
- 3L.3.2.1.1Explanation Evidence Various Sources Variations Characteristics Among IndividualsConstruct an explanation using evidence from various sources for how the variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing
4 Communicating reasons, arguments and ideas to others
- 3L.4.1.1.1Argument About Strategies Animals Survive Benefits Group BehaviorConstruct an argument about strategies animals use to survive
- 3L.4.2.1.1Organism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesObtain information from various types of media to support an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction
- 3E.4.2.2.1Sun, Moon, Earth, Stars, and Space SystemsGather information and communicate how Minnesota American Indian Tribes and communities and other cultures use patterns in stars to make predictions and plans
Source: Minnesota Academic Standards. Always check the current official document before relying on a code for placement or reporting.
Minnesota Grade 3: Math and English Too
Science is one of three Minnesota grade 3 centers. Same format, same standards-first approach, for the other two subjects.
Minnesota Grade 3 Math
Six full practice tests, printable worksheets, step-by-step lessons, and every Minnesota grade 3 math standard.
Minnesota Grade 3 English
Reading, writing, and language standards for Minnesota grade 3, broken into short skill targets with practice for each one.
Minnesota Grade 3 Science FAQ
Does Minnesota test science in grade 3?
No. Minnesota gives the MCA-Science in grades 5 and 8, so grade 3 students do not sit a state science test this year. Minnesota also gives once in high school. The standards on this page are still the ones grade 3 teachers teach, and they are what the next science test builds on.
Which standards does grade 3 science in Minnesota follow?
Minnesota follows the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in Science, published by the Minnesota Department of Education. All 11 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 25 questions and a 45-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 3 Science in Other States
Standards, practice tests, and quizzes for grade 3 science in every state and Washington, D.C.
Start With One Practice Test
Grade 3 is a building year for science in Minnesota. Take a timed test, see which area is thinnest, and fix that one before it compounds.