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Virginia Grade 3 Science

Virginia Grade 3 Science: explore science lessons, skill quizzes, practice tests, and standards references. Use evidence and answer explanations to guide review.

Focused lessons · Useful practice · Clear next steps

Standards source: K-12 Standards & Instruction, Virginia Department of Education.

Grade 3 Science: Learn, Practice, and Quiz

Read a short lesson, work through its example, and try a related science-area quiz. States organize these ideas differently; use your state standards to choose what matches your class.

Physical Science

Balanced and Unbalanced ForcesA force is a push or pull.
LessonQuiz
Patterns of MotionRepeated observations can reveal a pattern in an object’s motion.
LessonQuiz
Magnets at a DistanceMagnets can attract or repel without touching.
LessonQuiz

Life Science

Comparing Life CyclesLiving things grow and develop through stages.
LessonQuiz
Inherited Traits and the EnvironmentSome traits come from parents.
LessonQuiz
Variation and SurvivalIndividuals of the same kind can have different traits.
LessonQuiz
How Animal Groups HelpSome animals live in groups.
LessonQuiz

Earth & Space

Fossils as Evidence of the PastFossils are preserved remains or traces of organisms.
LessonQuiz
Recording Weather PatternsWeather describes conditions over a short time.
LessonQuiz
Comparing ClimatesClimate describes weather patterns over a long time.
LessonQuiz
Reducing Weather HazardsWeather events can harm people and places.
LessonQuiz

Scientific Thinking

Claims, Evidence, and ExplanationsA claim answers a question.
LessonQuiz

Virginia Science by Grade

Every Virginia science center, grade 1 through grade 8.

Virginia, How science testing works here. Virginia SOL science tests should be checked through official student assessment resources.

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

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Virginia Grade 3 Science Snapshot

Not testedin grade 3 science
20state science standards
6full practice tests
5topic areas to study

Virginia Grade 3 Science Topics

This study reference lists 20 expectations for grade 3 from Virginia Science Standards of Learning, organized for study. Check the current state document for the official sequence, full wording, and any updates. Reference codes help you compare the listed expectations with the source. Confirm the current state edition and grade placement before using them as classroom requirements.

Virginia standard codes

Force, Motion, and Energy

  • 3.2.a3.2.bForces, Motion, and Interactions
  • 3.2.cSimple Machines Increase Change Direction Force
  • 3.2.dSimple Compound Machines Many Applications

Matter

  • 3.3.aMatter Properties, States, and Classification
  • 3.3.bMany Solids Dissolve More Easily Hot Water Than

Living Systems and Processes

  • 3.4.a3.4.bAdaptation, Biodiversity, and Natural Selection
  • 3.4.c3.5.bOrganism Needs, Structures, and Life Cycles
  • 3.5.aPatterns, Systems, Cause and Effect, and Change

Earth and Space Systems

  • 3.6.aSoil Different Components Important Organisms
  • 3.6.bSoil Provides Nutrients Necessary Plant Growth
  • 3.7.aEarth's Water, Freshwater, and Saltwater Resources
  • 3.7.bEnergy Sun Drives Water Cycle Label Parts Water
  • 3.7.cWater Cycle Involves Specific Processes Label Parts Water

Earth Resources

  • 3.8.aHuman Activity Affects Quality Air Water Habitats
  • 3.8.bWater Limited Needs Conserved
  • 3.8.cPatterns, Systems, Cause and Effect, and Change
  • 3.8.dSoil Natural Resource Should Conserved

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

Virginia Grade 3 Science Standards

A science standards reference for grade 3, with codes and learning expectations from Virginia Science Standards of Learning. If your Virginia classroom or report card mentions a code, you will find it here.

Force, Motion, and Energy

  • 3.2.aForces, Motion, and InteractionsMultiple forces may act on an object
  • 3.2.bForces, Motion, and InteractionsThe net force on an object determines how an object moves
  • 3.2.cSimple Machines Increase Change Direction ForceSimple machines increase or change the direction of a force
  • 3.2.dSimple Compound Machines Many ApplicationsSimple and compound machines have many applications

Matter

  • 3.3.aMatter Properties, States, and ClassificationSolids and liquids mix with water in different ways
  • 3.3.bMany Solids Dissolve More Easily Hot Water ThanMany solids dissolve more easily in hot water than in cold water

Living Systems and Processes

  • 3.4.aAdaptation, Biodiversity, and Natural SelectionPopulations may adapt over time
  • 3.4.bAdaptation, Biodiversity, and Natural SelectionAdaptations may be behavioral or physical
  • 3.4.cOrganism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesFossils provide evidence about the types of organisms that lived long ago as well as the nature of their environments
  • 3.5.aPatterns, Systems, Cause and Effect, and ChangeEcosystems are made of living and nonliving components of the environment
  • 3.5.bOrganism Needs, Structures, and Life CyclesRelationships exist among organisms in an ecosystem

Earth and Space Systems

  • 3.6.aSoil Different Components Important OrganismsSoil, with its different components, is important to organisms
  • 3.6.bSoil Provides Nutrients Necessary Plant GrowthSoil provides support and nutrients necessary for plant growth
  • 3.7.aEarth's Water, Freshwater, and Saltwater ResourcesThere are many reservoirs of water on Earth
  • 3.7.bEnergy Sun Drives Water Cycle Label Parts WaterThe energy from the sun drives the water cycle
  • 3.7.cWater Cycle Involves Specific Processes Label Parts WaterThe water cycle involves specific processes

Earth Resources

  • 3.8.aHuman Activity Affects Quality Air Water HabitatsHuman activity affects the quality of air, water, and habitats
  • 3.8.bWater Limited Needs ConservedWater is limited and needs to be conserved
  • 3.8.cPatterns, Systems, Cause and Effect, and ChangeFire, flood, disease, and erosion affect ecosystems
  • 3.8.dSoil Natural Resource Should ConservedSoil is a natural resource and should be conserved

Source: Virginia Standards of Learning: Grade Three: Interactions in our world. Always check the current official document before relying on a code for placement or reporting.

Virginia Grade 3: Math and English Too

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

Virginia Grade 3 Math

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

Open the math center →

Virginia Grade 3 English

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

Open the English center →

Virginia Grade 3 Science FAQ

Does Virginia test science in grade 3?

No. Virginia gives SOL Science in grades 5 and 8, so grade 3 students do not sit a state science test this year. Virginia 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 Virginia follow?

Virginia follows the Virginia Science Standards of Learning, published by the Virginia 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 Practice Test

Grade 3 is a building year for science in Virginia. Take a timed test, see which area is thinnest, and fix that one before it compounds.

Start a practice test

A USEFUL NEXT STEP

Virginia Grade 3 Science: study questions

How should I choose a Grade 3 science study target?

Start with the course or standards reference for this state. Explain one idea before doing its related practice, then use the feedback to decide what needs another example.

Official source ↗
Are these activities official state assessments?

These are independently published learning resources. A practice score does not predict or replace an official state score. Use the directions in each activity and consult your school for official testing and accommodation rules.

Resources from Effortless Math · Editorial standards