Science Practice Tests

Scientific principles and practices can be some of the more unintuitive concepts for students to master. Those gifted in mathematical manipulations or in language arts compositions may find themselves more or less stymied by the vast array of formulas, facts, and laboratory practices that have come to define our concept of scientific education.

Though most elementary school students gain a brief introduction to scientific study, such as animal classifications and the scientific method, it is not until middle school and high school that most curricula extend into the major science disciplines. Even after gaining a glimpse of the core sciences—biology, chemistry, and physics—in high school, the standard curriculum has barely touched the surface of scientific study and knowledge.

Despite the breadth of scientific subjects and specialties, all science education shares a common denominator: fostering the skills necessary to think critically and to analyze the world around us. Though students may be able to manage a passing grade in basic biology or physics on memorization alone, it becomes increasingly evident at higher levels of education that science requires students to develop a new academic mindset and to approach problems in a way different from those presented in any other academic discipline.

Pursuing an education in the sciences allows students to value both the creativity and inherent curiosity of experimentation and discovery, while also embracing the strict principles that govern the physical and biological worlds. The result is a kind of poetic harmony between hard fact and manipulable theory. While certain science concepts are essentially set in stone, others are not as well defined. Balancing our current knowledge against the possibilities of expanding and developing that knowledge is what gives scientists such a unique mindset.

While this approach allows for infinite possibilities and growth, it is a far cry from the way that other academic subjects are taught. As such, students frequently struggle to grasp the intricacies of scientific principles and applications. The tardiness with which most students first encounter this critical mindset only adds to the challenge of incorporating it into their studies; by the time high school students begin to apply scientific thought processes, they have already largely developed their study habits and academic approaches.

In a discipline with subjects ranging in scope from the molecular and atomic level to the universe itself, and with subject matter including the formulas that govern gravity as well as the biochemical reactions that allow us to process thought, it is unsurprising that students may feel out of their depth when learning new science topics. In order to better approach these complex subjects, it is essential that students take the time to practice applying their new scientific knowledge and developing their mental acuity. Varsity Tutors offers a wide array of practice tests for different science topics and subjects, designed to help students of all ages. Whether you are tackling your first life science course in high school biology, or if you are a pre-med undergrad grappling with the intricacies of organic chemistry, our practice tests may be able to help you make sense of the topics that trouble you most. Our science practice tests offer content organized by topic or with randomized questions in order to help you control how you study. Each question even offers a comprehensive explanation to help you master the concept tested. When you register for a free account on the Learning Tools website, you will be able to save your scores and share your results with study partners, tutors, and teachers, allowing you to track your progress with ease.

You can target your efforts by taking one of the free Full-Length Science Practice Tests focused on the course you’re enrolled in. All of the topics you’ll be expected to know by the end of the year are covered on these free online tests. As on the results pages for the concept-specific practice tests, the results pages for the longer practice tests give you a variety of useful metrics, links to in-depth review, and detailed explanations that walk you through each answer. These online science practice tests can also help you create a personalized review plan focused on the concepts you know you need to review. Once you’ve boned up on your facts, you can gauge your proficiency by taking another free Full-Length Science Practice Test.

Take some time to explore our site and familiarize yourself with the science practice tests available. You may be surprised by the progress you could make with our materials!