PSSA Grade 5 Science exam-day guide
PSSA Grade 5 Science · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Two or more No. 2 pencils and a good eraser
Standard PSSA testing is pencil-and-paper at many schools; bring more than one sharpened No. 2 pencil and a separate eraser. Some schools now test online - confirm with your school which format applies.
Eyeglasses, hearing aid, or other personal device you normally use
If you need glasses or a hearing aid to read or hear directions, bring them and tell the test administrator before testing begins.
Know your testing room, start time, and transportation plan
Confirm the room number, arrival time, and how you are getting to and from school before test day so the morning is not rushed.
Leave phones, smartwatches, and earbuds at home
Electronic devices are generally not permitted in the testing room. Confirm with your school where devices must be stored if you must bring one.
Ask whether a calculator, reference sheet, or scratch paper is provided
Do not assume. Ask your teacher in advance what tools are allowed or supplied for the science test.
Ask whether a water bottle or snack is allowed
Rules vary by school and by testing session. Confirm with your teacher rather than guessing.
Bring a quiet book or review material for after you finish
Many schools allow silent reading when a student finishes early; confirm the school's policy on what is permitted at your desk.
Confirm any approved testing accommodations
If you have an IEP or 504 plan with testing accommodations, confirm with your school that they will be in place on test day.
Get a full night's sleep and eat breakfast
The science test is long. Sleep and food affect attention more than last-minute cramming.
Review your own class science vocabulary and notebooks the night before
You generally cannot bring notes into the testing room, so review at home: organisms and environments, landforms and water, weather, and electricity/magnetism are common Grade 4-8 science topics.
Verify the exact test name and grade with your school
PSSA Science is commonly administered in grades 4 and 8. Confirm with your school assessment coordinator that a Grade 5 science PSSA is being given and what it covers.
Plan the day
Ask your teacher to confirm test dates, room, format (paper or online), permitted tools, and breaks. Review your class science vocabulary and lab notebooks in short 20-30 minute sessions rather than one long cram. Practice reading a data table or graph and writing a short explanation that cites the data.
Pack pencils, eraser, glasses, and any approved item in your bag the night before. Confirm your ride and wake-up time. Do not stay up late studying. Eat a normal dinner and get to bed early.
Eat breakfast and drink water. Arrive on time - arriving late can mean you miss the session or take it as a makeup. Leave electronics at home or store them exactly as directed. Tell the test administrator if you are sick, need the restroom, or need to use an accommodation.
Read the directions for each section before starting. Answer the multiple-choice questions first and mark ones you want to revisit. For written-response questions, restate the question, give your answer, and support it with evidence from the data or passage. Watch the clock and leave time to check your work. If you finish early, review your answers quietly and follow the school's rule for what to do next.
Rules to check
Follow all directions from the test administrator. If a direction is unclear, raise your hand and ask before you begin that section.
Do not talk, pass materials, or look at another student's test during testing. Raise your hand if you need help.
Do not bring phones, smartwatches, or other electronic devices into the testing room unless the school has told you where to store them. Confirm the school's device policy in advance, because consequences for a device in the room vary.
Breaks are scheduled by the school. You generally may not leave the room during a section except for an emergency or an approved accommodation - confirm the break schedule and restroom policy with your teacher.
For multiple-choice questions, answer every question. There is generally no penalty for a wrong answer, but confirm the scoring rules with your school.
Written-response (constructed-response) questions are scored on the quality of your explanation, not length alone. State a claim, give evidence from the data or text, and connect the two.
If you have an IEP or 504 plan, use only the accommodations listed in your plan and only as the test administrator directs.
Do not discuss specific test questions or answers with other students afterward. Confirm with your school how missed tests are handled if you are absent.