MCAS Grade 8 Science case studies
MCAS Grade 8 Science · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) Grade 8 Science test is the statewide science assessment Massachusetts administers to eighth graders, one of the science MCAS administrations given in grades 5, 8, and one high school grade. It is a school-administered test, not a professional credential: students do not register, pay a fee, or choose a testing window. Schools deliver it on a computer during a regular school day, using the state's learning standards as the basis for the questions. Because the test is untimed within the school day, the practical challenge is stamina and precision rather than speed. Topics on this exam: Grade 8 Science (Massachusetts learning standards for science). The MCAS Grade 8 Science case studies are 5 cases and about 2,642 words.
1Ramp Height and Toy Car Speed
Students investigate how the release height of a ramp affects a toy car's speed. They use the same 0.25 kg car and the same 1.2 m ramp.
575 words, about 3 min2Sound-Lining Test in a Cardboard Box
Students test how well three box linings reduce sound. A buzzer is placed inside a closed cardboard box.
516 words, about 3 min3Electromagnet Strength with Turns and Batteries
Students build an electromagnet by wrapping insulated copper wire around an iron nail and connecting the ends to a 1.5 V battery. They count how many steel paper clips the nail can lift.
514 words, about 3 min4Tomato Flower Color Crosses
A grower studies flower color in a tomato variety. She crosses a purple-flowered plant with a white-flowered plant.
485 words, about 2 min5Noon Shadows and the Seasons
At a school in Massachusetts, students measure the shadow of a 1.0 m vertical stick at noon on four dates. They use the same stick, same location, and same measuring method each time.
552 words, about 3 min