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Tennessee Grade 3 Science Online Center

Everything Tennessee third graders need for TCAP Science, six full-length practice tests, skill quizzes, flashcards, and every Tennessee science standard for this grade in one place.

Standards source: Academic Standards, Tennessee Department of Education.

6 full-length practice tests9 science skill quizzes145 flashcards20 Tennessee standardsAn explanation for every answer
Built from Tennessee science standards
Every answer explained
No login required
Trusted by students across Tennessee

Tennessee Science by Grade

Every Tennessee science center, grade 1 through grade 8.

Tennessee, About the test. TCAP science in grades 3-8 and Biology; use current blueprints for test emphasis.

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.

QUIZ10 questions

Matter and Its Properties

A quick 10-question check on matter and its properties, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.

  • 10 questions
  • Instant score

Start quiz →

QUIZ10 questions

Forces and Motion

A quick 10-question check on forces and motion, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.

  • 10 questions
  • Instant score

Start quiz →

QUIZ10 questions

Energy

A quick 10-question check on energy, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.

  • 10 questions
  • Instant score

Start quiz →

QUIZ10 questions

Waves and Information

A quick 10-question check on waves and information, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.

  • 10 questions
  • Instant score

Start quiz →

QUIZ10 questions

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.

  • 10 questions
  • Instant score

Start quiz →

QUIZ10 questions

Ecosystems and Heredity

A quick 10-question check on ecosystems and heredity, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.

  • 10 questions
  • Instant score

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QUIZ10 questions

Evolution, Fossils and Adaptation

A quick 10-question check on evolution, fossils and adaptation, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.

  • 10 questions
  • Instant score

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QUIZ10 questions

Earth and Space Systems

A quick 10-question check on earth and space systems, with instant scoring and a full explanation for every answer.

  • 10 questions
  • Instant score

Start quiz →

QUIZ10 questions

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.

  • 10 questions
  • Instant score

Start quiz →

Why trust Effortless Math?

Study with a clearer next step

This Tennessee 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.

Last updated: August 25, 2026
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Free first stepsPractice tests, flashcards, quizzes, and standards references.
Standards come firstEvery topic on this page is tied to a Tennessee science standard code, not to a generic national list.
Written for learnersQuestions use plain language, and each answer is explained in full rather than marked right or wrong.
Free before paidThe practice on this page is free with no login. Books are suggested only as a next step.

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Tennessee Grade 3 Science Snapshot

TCAPstate science test
20state science standards
6full practice tests
4topic areas to study

Tennessee Grade 3 Science Topics

These are the 20 science standards Tennessee sets for grade 3, from the Tennessee Academic Standards for 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.

Tennessee standard codes

PS Physical Sciences

  • 3.PS1.13.PS1.2Matter Properties, States, and Classification
  • 3.PS1.3Material Properties and Uses
  • 3.PS2.13.PS3.3Forces, Motion, and Interactions
  • 3.PS3.1Energy Forms, Transfer, and Transformation
  • 3.PS3.2Magnets, Electricity, and Circuits

LS Life Sciences

  • 3.LS1.13.LS1.2Organism Needs, Structures, and Life Cycles
  • 3.LS2.1Information Various Ways Groups Organize Benefits Animal Group
  • 3.LS4.1Adaptation, Biodiversity, and Natural Selection
  • 3.LS4.2Natural Resources and Human Impacts

ESS Earth and Space Sciences

  • 3.ESS1.13.ESS2.2Sun, Moon, Earth, Stars, and Space Systems
  • 3.ESS2.1Ways Geosphere Biosphere Hydrosphere Atmosphere Interact Geosphere Biosphere
  • 3.ESS2.33.ESS2.4Water Cycle, Weather, Climate, and Atmosphere
  • 3.ESS3.1Natural Resources and Human Impacts

ETS Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science

  • 3.ETS1.13.ETS1.2Engineering Design and Solution Evaluation

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

Tennessee Grade 3 Science Standards

The full text of every grade 3 science standard in the Tennessee Academic Standards for Science. If your Tennessee classroom or report card mentions a code, you will find it here.

PS Physical Sciences

  • 3.PS1.1Matter Properties, States, and ClassificationDevelop a model of solids, liquids, and gases to describe that each state of matter is made of particles too small to be seen
  • 3.PS1.2Matter Properties, States, and ClassificationConstruct an explanation about the effects of heating and cooling a substance differentiating between changes that can be reversed and those that cannot
  • 3.PS1.3Material Properties and UsesConstruct an argument based on evidence that materials have both fixed and changing properties, some of which are useful for identification of a material
  • 3.PS2.1Forces, Motion, and InteractionsExplain cause and effect relationships of forces that cannot be seen including interactions between two objects not in contact with each other
  • 3.PS3.1Energy Forms, Transfer, and TransformationMake observations of sound, light, heat, and motion to collect evidence that energy is present in a system
  • 3.PS3.2Magnets, Electricity, and CircuitsDevelop a model to show that energy can be transferred from place to place by electric currents in a system
  • 3.PS3.3Forces, Motion, and InteractionsEvaluate how magnets cause changes in the motion and position of objects, even when the objects are not touching the magnet

LS Life Sciences

  • 3.LS1.1Organism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesUse graphical representations to compare how species including humans and other organisms have unique and diverse life cycles
  • 3.LS1.2Organism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesAnalyze the internal and external structures that aquatic and land organisms have to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction
  • 3.LS2.1Information Various Ways Groups Organize Benefits Animal GroupObtain information to compare various ways that groups organize to explain the benefits of animal group behavior
  • 3.LS4.1Adaptation, Biodiversity, and Natural SelectionUse evidence to explain the cause and effect relationship between a naturally changing habitat and how well an organism survives
  • 3.LS4.2Natural Resources and Human ImpactsUse evidence to determine the changes between an environment's biodiversity and human resources

ESS Earth and Space Sciences

  • 3.ESS1.1Sun, Moon, Earth, Stars, and Space SystemsUse data to categorize different bodies in our solar system including inner and outer planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and meteoroids according to their physical properties and motion
  • 3.ESS2.1Ways Geosphere Biosphere Hydrosphere Atmosphere Interact Geosphere BiosphereDevelop a model to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and/or atmosphere interact
  • 3.ESS2.2Sun, Moon, Earth, Stars, and Space SystemsDevelop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth's spheres driven by energy from the sun
  • 3.ESS2.3Water Cycle, Weather, Climate, and AtmosphereUse tables, graphs, and tools to describe precipitation, temperature, clouds, and wind to predict local weather and climate
  • 3.ESS2.4Water Cycle, Weather, Climate, and AtmosphereIncorporate weather data to describe major climates in different regions of the world
  • 3.ESS3.1Natural Resources and Human ImpactsEvaluate existing solutions that reduce the impact of natural hazards on the environment

ETS Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science

  • 3.ETS1.1Engineering Design and Solution EvaluationDesign a solution to a real-world problem that includes specified criteria and constraints
  • 3.ETS1.2Engineering Design and Solution EvaluationApply evidence or research to support a design solution

Source: Tennessee Academic Standards (adopted in 2022): Grade 3. Always check the current official document before relying on a code for placement or reporting.

Tennessee Grade 3: Math and English Too

Science is one of three Tennessee grade 3 centers. Same format, same standards-first approach, for the other two subjects.

Tennessee Grade 3 Math

Six full practice tests, printable worksheets, step-by-step lessons, and every Tennessee grade 3 math standard.

Open the math center →

Tennessee Grade 3 English

Reading, writing, and language standards for Tennessee grade 3, broken into short skill targets with practice for each one.

Open the English center →

Tennessee Grade 3 Science FAQ

Does Tennessee test science in grade 3?

Yes. Tennessee students take TCAP Science in grade 3. It is the state's third-grade science assessment.

Which standards does grade 3 science in Tennessee follow?

Tennessee follows the Tennessee Academic Standards for Science, published by the Tennessee Department of Education. All 20 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 TCAP 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