NORTH CAROLINATHE TAR HEEL STATE
North Carolina Grade 3 Science Online Center
North Carolina tests science in grades 5 and 8, not in grade 3 — so third grade is the year to build the ideas EOG Science will ask about later. Practice tests, skill quizzes, flashcards, and every North Carolina science standard for this grade, free.
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North Carolina Science by Grade
Every North Carolina 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. North Carolina does not test science this year, so use these to find gaps early. Each one opens right here.
North Carolina Grade 3 Science Practice Test 1
A full diagnostic across every science area for this grade.
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North Carolina Grade 3 Science Practice Test 2
Fresh questions and new phenomena to build accuracy.
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North Carolina Grade 3 Science Practice Test 3
New problems that push reading of data, models, and evidence.
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North Carolina Grade 3 Science Practice Test 4
Another complete, timed exam to build pacing and stamina.
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North Carolina Grade 3 Science Practice Test 5
A brand-new mixed set to test how ready you are.
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North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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.
North Carolina Grade 3 Science Snapshot
North Carolina Grade 3 Science Topics
These are the 18 science standards North Carolina sets for grade 3, from the North Carolina Standard Course of Study for Science, grouped by the science domains this grade covers. Each one is tagged with its official code so you can trace it straight back to the state document.
North Carolina standard codes
PS2 · Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions
- 3-PS2-13-PS2-3Forces, Motion, and Interactions
- 3-PS2-2Observations Measurements Object'S Motion Provide Evidence Pattern Used
- 3-PS2-4Magnets, Electricity, and Circuits
LS1 · From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
- 3-LS1-1Organism Needs, Structures, and Life Cycles
LS2 · Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
- 3-LS2-1Organism Needs, Structures, and Life Cycles
LS3 · Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
- 3-LS3-1Organism Needs, Structures, and Life Cycles
- 3-LS3-2Cells, Body Systems, and Genetics
LS4 · Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
- 3-LS4-13-LS4-33-LS4-4Organism Needs, Structures, and Life Cycles
- 3-LS4-2Evidence Explanation Variations Characteristics Among Individuals Same Species
ESS2 · Earth's Systems
- 3-ESS2-13-ESS2-2Water Cycle, Weather, Climate, and Atmosphere
ESS3 · Earth and Human Activity
- 3-ESS3-1Claim About Merit Solution Reduces Impacts Weather Related
ETS1 · Engineering Design
- 3-5-ETS1-13-5-ETS1-2Engineering Design and Solution Evaluation
- 3-5-ETS1-3Carry Out Fair Tests Which Variables Controlled Failure
Grouped by the science domains this grade covers.
North Carolina Grade 3 Science Standards
The full text of every grade 3 science standard in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study for Science. If your North Carolina classroom or report card mentions a code, you will find it here.
PS2 · Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions
- 3-PS2-1Forces, Motion, and InteractionsPlan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object
- 3-PS2-2Observations Measurements Object'S Motion Provide Evidence Pattern UsedMake observations and/or measurements of an object's motion to provide evidence that a pattern can be used to predict future motion
- 3-PS2-3Forces, Motion, and InteractionsAsk questions to determine cause and effect relationships of electric or magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact with each other
- 3-PS2-4Magnets, Electricity, and CircuitsDefine a simple design problem that can be solved by applying scientific ideas about magnets
LS1 · From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
- 3-LS1-1Organism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesDevelop models to describe that organisms have unique and diverse life cycles but all have in common birth, growth, reproduction, and death
LS2 · Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
- 3-LS2-1Organism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesConstruct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive
LS3 · Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
- 3-LS3-1Organism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesAnalyze and interpret data to provide evidence that plants and animals have traits inherited from parents and that variation of these traits exists in a group of similar organisms
- 3-LS3-2Cells, Body Systems, and GeneticsUse evidence to support the explanation that traits can be influenced by the environment
LS4 · Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
- 3-LS4-1Organism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesAnalyze and interpret data from fossils to provide evidence of the organisms and the environments in which they lived long ago
- 3-LS4-2Evidence Explanation Variations Characteristics Among Individuals Same SpeciesUse evidence to construct an explanation for how the variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing
- 3-LS4-3Organism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesConstruct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all
- 3-LS4-4Organism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesMake a claim about the merit of a solution to a problem caused when the environment changes and the types of plants and animals that live there may change
ESS2 · Earth's Systems
- 3-ESS2-1Water Cycle, Weather, Climate, and AtmosphereRepresent data in tables and graphical displays to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season
- 3-ESS2-2Water Cycle, Weather, Climate, and AtmosphereObtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world
ESS3 · Earth and Human Activity
- 3-ESS3-1Claim About Merit Solution Reduces Impacts Weather RelatedMake a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of a weather-related hazard
ETS1 · Engineering Design
- 3-5-ETS1-1Engineering Design and Solution EvaluationDefine a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost
- 3-5-ETS1-2Engineering Design and Solution EvaluationGenerate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem
- 3-5-ETS1-3Carry Out Fair Tests Which Variables Controlled FailurePlan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved
Source: North Carolina Standard Course of Study for Science. Always check the current official document before relying on a code for placement or reporting.
North Carolina Grade 3: Math and English Too
Science is one of three North Carolina grade 3 centers. Same format, same standards-first approach, for the other two subjects.
North Carolina Grade 3 Math
Six full practice tests, printable worksheets, step-by-step lessons, and every North Carolina grade 3 math standard.
North Carolina Grade 3 English
Reading, writing, and language standards for North Carolina grade 3, broken into short skill targets with practice for each one.
North Carolina Grade 3 Science FAQ
Does North Carolina test science in grade 3?
No. North Carolina gives EOG Science in grades 5 and 8, so grade 3 students do not sit a state science test this year. North Carolina also gives a high school biology end-of-course test. 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 North Carolina follow?
North Carolina follows the North Carolina Standard Course of Study for Science, published by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. All 18 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 North Carolina. Take a timed test, see which area is thinnest, and fix that one before it compounds.