Spring 2026 Grade 8 Science Test · questions and answer key

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The Spring 2026 Grade 8 Science Test (New York State's Intermediate-level science test, given to 8th grade students) is composed of 52 questions. The 47 released questions (30 multiple choice and 17 constructed response) are organized into ten question clusters below; questions 29–33 were not released. Select a cluster to see its questions with the answer key. Each question is listed with the NYSSLS performance expectation it assesses. Data on the percentage of students answering correctly is from NYSED.

Cowbirds · Questions 1–5

Question Standard % correct
Question 1 MS-LS2-2 0.74
Question 2 MS-LS2-2 0.76
Question 3 MS-LS2-3 0.49
Question 4 MS-LS2-1 0.13
Question 5 MS-LS2-2 0.40



Acoustic Levitation · Questions 6–9

Question Standard % correct
Question 6 MS-PS4-2 0.41
Question 7 MS-PS4-1 0.23
Question 8 MS-PS1-7 0.48
Question 9 MS-PS4-2 0.09



The Changing Landscape of Niagara Falls · Questions 10–14

Question Standard % correct
Question 10 MS-ESS2-4 0.46
Question 11 MS-ESS2-1 0.13
Question 12 MS-ESS2-2 0.37
Question 13 MS-ESS2-2 0.34
Question 14 MS-ESS3-4 0.35



Forces and Fields · Questions 15–19

Question Standard % correct
Question 15 MS-PS2-5 0.37
Question 16 MS-PS3-2 0.34
Question 17 MS-PS2-2 0.36
Question 18 MS-PS2-3 0.38
Question 19 MS-PS2-3 0.50



Quaking Aspen · Questions 20–24

Question Standard % correct
Question 20 MS-LS1-5 0.33
Question 21 MS-LS1-4 0.39
Question 22 MS-LS3-2 0.14
Question 23 MS-LS1-6 0.22
Question 24 MS-ETS1-2 0.27



Ammonia and the Nitrogen Cycle · Questions 25–28

Question Standard % correct
Question 25 MS-PS1-1 0.23
Question 26 MS-PS1-5 0.44
Question 27 MS-LS2-2 0.44
Question 28 MS-LS2-4 0.34



Plate Tectonics · Questions 34–38

Question Standard % correct
Question 34 MS-ESS2-3 0.36
Question 35 MS-ESS2-3 0.04
Question 36 MS-ESS2-3 0.54
Question 37 MS-ESS2-3 0.39
Question 38 MS-ESS2-1 0.12



Hard-Boiled Eggs · Questions 39–43

Question Standard % correct
Question 39 MS-PS1-4 0.42
Question 40 MS-PS1-2 0.40
Question 41 MS-PS3-4 0.46
Question 42 MS-PS1-5 0.34
Question 43 MS-PS3-4 0.24



Giraffe Adaptations and Population Changes · Questions 44–48

Question Standard % correct
Question 44 MS-LS4-4 0.54
Question 45 MS-LS4-2 0.29
Question 46 MS-LS4-2 0.57
Question 47 MS-LS2-4 0.56
Question 48 MS-LS2-5 0.20



Scale Properties in Our Solar System · Questions 49–52

Question Standard % correct
Question 49 MS-ESS1-2 0.37
Question 50 MS-PS2-4 0.37
Question 51 MS-ESS1-3 0.38
Question 52 MS-ESS1-3 0.62