Science Resources

2022 Test Design

• PSSA Science Test Design (PDF)

2021 Item and Scoring Samplers

Due to the cancellation of standardized testing in 2019–2020, the 2021 Item and Scoring Samplers are revised and enhanced versions of the previously released 2017 Item and Scoring Samplers.

• 2021 Science Item and Scoring Sampler Grade 4 (PDF)
• 2021 Science Item and Scoring Sampler Grade 8 (PDF)

2019 Item and Scoring Samplers

• 2019 Science Item and Scoring Sampler Grade 4 (PDF)
• 2019 Science Item and Scoring Sampler Grade 8 (PDF)

2018 Item and Scoring Samplers

• 2018 Science Item and Scoring Sampler Grade 4 (PDF)
• 2018 Science Item and Scoring Sampler Grade 8 (PDF)

2016 Item and Scoring Samplers

• 2016 Science Item and Scoring Sampler Grade 4 (PDF)
• 2016 Science Item and Scoring Sampler Grade 8 (PDF)

The following files are American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant documents that can be accessed by software programs for disabled users; therefore the handwritten student responses have been transcribed into typed responses for this purpose. The content is the same in both documents.

• 2016 Science ADA Compliant Item and Scoring Sampler Grade 4 (PDF)
• 2016 Science ADA Compliant Item and Scoring Sampler Grade 8 (PDF)

2015 Item and Scoring Samplers

• 2015 Grade 4 Science Item and Scoring Sampler (PDF)
• 2015 Grade 8 Science Item and Scoring Sampler (PDF)
• Grades 4 and 8 Science Scoring Guidelines and Formula Sheets (PDF)
• Grades 4 and 8 Science Scoring Guidelines and Formula Sheets Spanish (PDF)
• Science Assessment Glossary (PDF)