VIRGINIATHE OLD DOMINION
Virginia Grade 3 Science Online Center
Virginia tests science in grades 5 and 8, not in grade 3, so third grade is the year to build the ideas SOL Science will ask about later. Practice tests, skill quizzes, flashcards, and every Virginia science standard for this grade, free.
Standards source: K-12 Standards & Instruction, Virginia Department of Education.
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Virginia Science by Grade
Every Virginia 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. Virginia does not test science this year, so use these to find gaps early. Each one opens right here.
Virginia Grade 3 Science Practice Test 1
A full diagnostic across every science area for this grade.
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Virginia Grade 3 Science Practice Test 2
Fresh questions and new phenomena to build accuracy.
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Virginia Grade 3 Science Practice Test 3
New problems that push reading of data, models, and evidence.
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Virginia Grade 3 Science Practice Test 4
Another complete, timed exam to build pacing and stamina.
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Virginia Grade 3 Science Practice Test 5
A brand-new mixed set to test how ready you are.
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Virginia 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 Virginia 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.
Virginia Grade 3 Science Snapshot
Virginia Grade 3 Science Topics
These are the 20 science standards Virginia sets for grade 3, from the Virginia Science Standards of Learning, 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.
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
The full text of every grade 3 science standard in the 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.
Virginia Grade 3 English
Reading, writing, and language standards for Virginia grade 3, broken into short skill targets with practice for each one.
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.