DC CAPE 2.0 Science Grade 5 exam-day guide
DC CAPE 2.0 Science Grade 5 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Confirm test date, time, and location with your school or testing coordinator
DC CAPE is administered through your school or local education agency. Verify the exact session time and whether testing is in a classroom, computer lab, or another assigned room. Confirm with the provider rather than relying on a prior year's schedule.
Bring required identification if instructed
Students usually test through their school and may not need separate ID, but some settings may require a student ID or roster check. Confirm with the provider what, if anything, to bring.
Know the testing format (paper or computer-based)
DC CAPE Science is generally delivered online, but device and platform details vary by site. Ask your teacher or coordinator which device and platform you will use.
Bring two or more sharpened No. 2 pencils (if paper testing)
If your site uses paper test booklets, bring extra pencils and a good eraser. If testing is computer-based, a pencil may still help for scratch work.
Bring scratch paper or a dry-erase marker board if allowed
Science items may involve calculations, data tables, or diagram sketches. Confirm with the provider whether scratch materials are provided or permitted.
Bring a simple calculator only if explicitly permitted
Grade 5 science items are designed to be solvable without a calculator. Do not bring one unless your coordinator confirms it is allowed for your session.
Bring a water bottle and a light snack for after testing
Snacks and drinks are usually not allowed at the testing device but can be kept for breaks or after the session. Confirm your site's policy on food and drink in the testing room.
Leave phones, smartwatches, and other devices at home or stored away
Electronic devices are generally not permitted during testing. Confirm your site's device storage rules before test day.
Get a full night's sleep and eat a normal breakfast
No special preparation is needed beyond rest and a regular meal. Avoid cramming the night before; light review of vocabulary and process skills is enough.
Review key science practices, not just facts
Be ready to read data tables and graphs, describe observations, identify variables, and explain evidence. These skills appear across life, Earth, and physical science items.
Arrive early and know your assigned seat or login
Give yourself time to settle in and follow the proctor's directions for signing in or locating your assigned workstation.
Plan the day
Confirm your testing date, time, room, and device with your teacher or coordinator. Ask about permitted materials and any accommodations.
Do short, focused review: practice reading a data table, identifying variables in an experiment, and explaining a simple cause-and-effect relationship. Keep sessions to 20-30 minutes.
Review science vocabulary you have learned this year (for example: ecosystem, erosion, force, matter, energy). Use your own notes and class materials.
Pack what you are allowed to bring: pencils, eraser, and any approved scratch materials. Set out clothes and confirm your wake-up time.
Stop studying in the evening, eat a normal dinner, and get to bed at your usual time. Do not stay up late reviewing.
Eat breakfast, drink water, and arrive early. Leave unneeded electronics at home or stored as directed.
Listen carefully to the proctor's directions for logging in, filling in your name, and starting the test. Ask for help if a device or booklet problem occurs.
Read each question fully, including any data table, diagram, or graph. Underline what the question is asking before choosing an answer.
For multi-step or data questions, use scratch paper to organize information. Eliminate answer choices that clearly do not fit the evidence.
Answer every question. If you are unsure, mark your best answer and flag it to revisit if the platform allows.
Pace yourself: note how many questions remain and how much time is left. Leave a few minutes at the end to check that all items are answered.
Follow the proctor's directions for submitting or turning in materials. Do not discuss specific test questions with classmates.
Rules to check
Follow all directions from the test proctor and your school's testing coordinator; they control seating, timing, and materials.
Bring and use only materials your site has approved. If you are unsure whether an item is allowed, ask before test day. Confirm with the provider.
Electronic devices such as phones and smartwatches are typically not permitted during testing. Confirm your site's storage policy with the provider.
Testing accommodations (extra time, separate setting, read-aloud, and similar) are arranged in advance through your school. Confirm your accommodations with the provider before test day.
Breaks are scheduled by the proctor and vary by session. Ask your coordinator in advance how breaks will work rather than assuming.
Do your own work. Looking at another student's answers or sharing answers is prohibited and may invalidate your results.
Scoring is based on the number of questions answered correctly; there is generally no penalty for guessing, so answer every question. Confirm scoring details with the provider.
If a device freezes, a page is missing, or something seems wrong, raise your hand and tell the proctor immediately instead of trying to fix it yourself.