New Jersey Student Learning Assessment–Science (NJSLA–S) Practice Test - Grade 8 - Unit 1

Sep 29, 2026

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New Jersey Student Learning Assessment–Science (NJSLA–S) Grade 8 Unit 1 practice test provides sample questions illustrating the assessment’s format and response requirements. It includes multiple-choice, multi-select, multi-select box, and constructed-response items. Practice prompts assess scientific reasoning, including an explanation of energy transfer in a soccer ball impact, probability for bitter-taste inheritance, and identifying heterozygous individuals. Directions emphasize recording answers in the answer document and completing required work for full credit.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages37

Reading Time1 h 33 min

AccessFree to download

Sample Items

Sample Item 1: Multiple-Choice

Sample Item 2: Multi-Select

Sample Item 3: Multi-Select Box Item

Sample Item 4: Constructed Response

Unit 1 Practice Test Directions

Questions 1–4

New Jersey Student Learning Assessment–Science (NJSLA–S) Practice Test Grade 8 Copyright © 2021 by New Jersey Department of Education All rights reserved. FORM A Copyright © 2021 by the New Jersey Department of Education. No part of this publication may be reproduced, redistributed, or transmitted by any means without prior express written permission by the New Jersey Department of Education. All rights reserved. Sample Items This test booklet contains several diﬀerent types of test questions. See the samples below, which will help you understand how to respond to each question type. When answering questions in this test, be sure to write your answers in your answer document. Only the answers you write in your answer document will be scored. Sample Item 1. Multiple-Choice (Select one answer.) Which claim about the Sun is accurate? A . The Sun appears smaller and brighter than other stars because it is the closest star to Earth. B . The Sun appears larger and brighter than any other star because it is the closest star to Earth. C . The Sun appears larger and less bright than other stars because it is the farthest star from Earth. D . The Sun appears smaller and less bright than any other star because it is the farthest star from Earth. Sample Item 2. Multi-Select (Select multiple answers.) Select two answers for this item. The risk of an earthquake happening is higher [A.](A. in)[ in](A. in) the South than in Alaska. B . on the West Coast than in the Northeast. C . on the East Coast than on the West Coast. D . in Alaska than in the center of the country. [E.](E. in)[ in](E. in) the center of the country than on the West Coast. 3 Sample Item 3. Multi-Select Box Item (Select one answer for each box.) A student claims that a soccer ball has less energy after it hits a wall. Select the correct word from each box to complete the statement that explains why this claim is true. When a soccer ball hits the wall, of the soccer ball’s energy is transferred to the air in the form of . Box Y A . all B . some C . none Box Z A . light B . sound Sample Item 4. Constructed Response (Write out your answer.) Many New Jersey towns have started programs to reduce the amount of on roads as a means to help improve air quality. Give two examples of programs that would help reduce and improve air quality. Unit 1 Practice Test Directions: Today you will take Unit 1 of the Grade 8 New Jersey Student Learning AssessmentScience (NJSLA-S) Test. Follow the directions to answer each question. Mark your answers by completely in the circles in your answer document. Only answers you provide in your answer document will be scored. Do not make any pencil marks outside the circles in your answer document. If you need to change an answer, be sure to erase your answer completely. If a question asks you to show or explain your work, you must do so to receive full credit. Write your response in the space provided in your answer document. Only responses written within the provided space will be scored. If you do not know the answer to a question, you may go on to the next question. If you early, you may review your answers and any questions you did not answer in this unit ONLY. Do not go past the stop sign. 1. Students observe a worm creeping along the edge of a sidewalk at a very slow pace. One student claims that movement in multicellular organisms requires the interaction of body systems. Explain this claim. Complete the sentences by choosing the correct answer from each box . Nervous tissues different parts of the body. As a result, muscular tissues , causing the worm to move. Box Y A . extend and contract B . remove wastes from C . send messages to D . pump blood to Box Z A . extend and contract B . remove wastes C . send messages D . pump blood 6 GO ON TO NEXT PAGE 7 Use the information below to answer questions 2–4 . Some people are ab

FAQs

What types of questions are included in the NJSLA–S Grade 8 Unit 1 practice test?

The booklet includes multiple-choice, multi-select, multi-select box items, and constructed-response questions.

Where should students record their answers for scoring?

Only answers written in the answer document are scored; writing outside the circles in the answer document is not allowed.

What science skills does the practice test assess in the provided items?

Items assess reasoning with scientific explanations and data, including energy transfer in a collision scenario and genetics-based probability for bitter-taste traits.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Dipper