Elementary Education K-6: Science
3 free practice tests · 45 questions each · 1h 10min · No sign-up required
About This Exam
This is Subtest 3 of the FTCE Elementary Education K-6 exam. It assesses your knowledge of science content and science instruction at the elementary level, covering the nature of science, physical science, earth and space science, and life science.
What's Covered
- Nature of science — the scientific method, experimental design, variables (independent, dependent, controlled), forming hypotheses, and drawing conclusions from data
- Physical science — properties of matter (mass, volume, density), states of matter, forces and motion, energy (kinetic and potential), simple machines, light, sound, and electricity
- Earth and space science — Earth's structure and processes, rocks and minerals, weathering and erosion, the water cycle, weather and climate, the solar system, and Earth's rotation and revolution
- Life science — cells and organisms, plant and animal classification, life cycles, ecosystems, food chains and webs, heredity, and adaptation
- Science instruction and assessment — inquiry-based science teaching, hands-on investigations, safety in the science classroom, and integrating science across the curriculum
For the official exam description, see the official FTCE K-6 Science page.
Study Tips
- Know the scientific method thoroughly — the exam will present experimental scenarios and ask you to identify the hypothesis, variables, or flaws in the design.
- Physical science questions often require understanding of energy transfer and forces. Be comfortable with concepts like friction, gravity, and Newton's laws at a basic level.
- Earth science is heavily tested. Know the water cycle, rock cycle, layers of the Earth, and the relationship between Earth's tilt and seasons.
- Life science questions focus on classification, ecosystems, and adaptations. Understand food chains, energy flow through ecosystems, and the difference between inherited traits and learned behaviors.
- Many questions are pedagogical — they'll ask how to teach a concept, not just what the concept is. Be ready for 'which activity best demonstrates...' question formats.
How to Register
Register at fl.nesinc.com. The exam costs $150 (for all four K-6 subtests taken together). A scaled score of 200 (scaled) is required to pass. Military personnel, veterans, and their spouses may be eligible for certification exam fee waivers through the Florida Department of Education.
About Our Practice Tests
All questions are original and written to match the difficulty, format, and topic coverage of the real exam based on official exam descriptions. We offer two modes: Practice Mode gives you instant feedback and explanations after each question, and Test Mode simulates the real exam with a timer and no feedback until you submit. Both modes are completely free with no account required.
Sample Practice Questions
Review these sample questions to get a feel for the exam. For the full interactive experience, use the Practice Tests above.
- A) the amount of water added
- B) the type of soil
- C) the amount of water retained
- D) the size of the container
View Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer:
B) the type of soil
Explanation:
The independent variable is the factor the experimenter deliberately changes — in this case, the type of soil (sand, clay, loam). The dependent variable is what is measured (water retained). Controlled variables remain constant (amount of water added, container size).
- A) Cutting paper into smaller pieces
- B) Melting an ice cube
- C) Burning wood to produce ash and gas
- D) Dissolving sugar in water
View Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer:
C) Burning wood to produce ash and gas
Explanation:
Burning wood is a chemical change — the wood reacts with oxygen to produce new substances (ash, carbon dioxide, water vapor) with different properties. Chemical changes involve changes in chemical composition. Cutting, melting, and dissolving are physical changes (no new substances formed).
- A) evaporation
- B) condensation
- C) precipitation
- D) photosynthesis
View Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer:
D) photosynthesis
Explanation:
The water cycle consists of evaporation (liquid to gas), condensation (gas to liquid — cloud formation), precipitation (rain/snow), and collection/runoff. Photosynthesis is a biological process where plants use sunlight to convert CO2 and water into glucose and oxygen — not part of the water cycle.
- A) Explain, Examine, Execute, Evaluate, Exit
- B) Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate
- C) Enter, Educate, Exercise, Exit, Examine
- D) Explore, Express, Exhibit, Examine, Evaluate
View Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer:
B) Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate
Explanation:
The 5E model (Bybee) is a constructivist instructional framework: Engage (hook interest, activate prior knowledge), Explore (hands-on investigation), Explain (develop concepts), Elaborate (extend learning to new situations), and Evaluate (assess understanding). It promotes inquiry-based science learning.
- A) it is too large
- B) its density is greater than the density of water
- C) it absorbs water
- D) it has a rough surface
View Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer:
B) its density is greater than the density of water
Explanation:
An object sinks when its density (mass/volume) exceeds the density of water (1 g/cm³). Dense objects displace less water than their own weight, so the buoyant force is insufficient to support them. This is Archimedes' principle applied to floating and sinking.