2 Easy Ways to Repurpose Middle School Science Practice Tests

Do I really need to give science practice tests?

In short, the answer to this is YES, you do need to give science practice tests! Additionally, you can use the same science practice test at the end of the year for outgoing students AND at the beginning of the school year for incoming students!

We are all about working smarter and not harder. Consequently, we have developed a Next Generation Science Standards-aligned science practice test, and repurpose it throughout the year. In light of this new productivity streak we are on, let’s dive into different strategies to use these practice tests as an end-of-the-year review and again as a beginning-of-the-year benchmark.

Method 1:

Use the science practice test as a spiral review.

When the testing season rolls around, a good comprehensive science review is what students need to bring all that content from the beginning of the school year to the forefront of their brains. Use their science journal/notes, coupled with a good review, and watch confident students walk into the testing season!

To illustrate, here are some simple ways you can use a science practice test as a spiral review:

Bellwork — Project 3-5 science practice questions each day. Students use their science journals to help find the answer. This is a great way to spiral through previously taught material. Students can work on their own, with a partner, or as a team.

Once the questions are completed, you can lead the students through a discussion on how to “unpack the question”. During this unpacking, talk about the concept and how you came to the answer. Use this time to drive home the academic language they have been learning all year, as they will certainly see it on the upcoming tests.

Additionally, work the room as students are unpacking questions, and find one or two students who are confident in their knowledge and how they came to the answer. Invite these students to share how they unpacked the question with the class.

To demonstrate, choose two students to unpack the question. When they are done, take some time to add your “teacher talk” on how you would unpack the question. By doing this, other students can see three different ways to come to the correct answer. Consequently, this empowers students in their own personal thinking. Meaning, there is more than one way to process a question and understand a concept. When students realize this, they begin to trust their own thinking. This is a great time to drive home some test-taking strategies.

Homework — assign the entire review to be completed over the course of a week or two. Again, have students use their science journals/ notes to help them answer the questions.

In addition to just providing the review, give students a place to organize their thinking. For example a graphic organizer, a recording booklet, or a concept map. This will give them a place to make connections or write down questions that arise.

As part of bellwork each day, ask for questions on the homework (the review). This is a time to clear up any misconceptions. You can also follow the above method to model how to “unpack” the question(s).

In-class — use an entire class period (or more) for the science practice test questions. Have students use their journals/class notes when answering questions. As they progress through the review, provide a place for students to organize their thinking, as mentioned above.

Method 2:

Secondly, use the science practice test as a beginning-of-the-year benchmark.

By using the same science practice questions as a benchmark at the beginning of the year, you will now have baseline data to help drive your instruction. Furthermore, you will know where to put an emphasis and dig deep into a concept. Using these same science practice questions as a middle and end-of-year benchmark will provide you with data showing student growth or regression.

Feeling overwhelmed?

We know when the end of the year rolls around, the list of “to-dos” is never-ending. That is why we created 4 different middle school science practice tests you can use in your classroom. Each of these science practice tests is housed on a self-checking Google Slides™ presentation. Thus, students will receive instant feedback on their chosen answers. This feedback turns each of these reviews into a personal and individual learning experience.

How They Work…

Each slide is embedded with text-to-speech audio, making differentiating a snap for busy teachers.

In addition to the self-checking Google Slides™ presentation, students will receive a Student Recording Journal where they can record:

The question.
The correct answer.
A place to record how many tries it took them to get to the correct answer.
A place to organize their thinking by making a connection, drawing a diagram, or asking a question.

Here is a video preview of one of these resources:

Each review is aligned to the following Next Generation Science Standards:

CHEMISTRY

LIFE SCIENCE

ENERGY

EARTH

In Summary…

In summary, we discussed two different ways to use the same science practice tests. As an end-of-the-year review, a science practice test can be incorporated into bellwork, as homework, or as an in-class lesson. As a beginning-of-the-year benchmark, the science practice tests can provide valuable feedback to drive your instruction and show student growth or regression. Finally, if you are feeling overwhelmed, we have created 4 different science practice tests that are self-checking and aligned to middle school NGSS.