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Exam Overview
What Is the Grade 5 Statewide Science Assessment?
The Statewide Science Assessment (SSA) is the science test Florida gives to all students in Grades 5 and 8. The Grade 5 test measures how well students have mastered Florida's state science standards for Grades 3, 4 and 5. It is administered by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) in the spring.
The test focuses on scientific thinking: using evidence, interpreting data, evaluating investigations and applying science ideas to real situations, not simply recalling definitions.
Test Format
- Computer-based test taken in FDOE's Test Delivery System. Paper versions are available only for students whose IEP or Section 504 plan requires them.
- Computer-adaptive: the difficulty of the questions adjusts to each student's answers, while still meeting the test blueprint.
- All questions are multiple choice with four answer choices and one correct answer.
- Questions are built around scenarios, investigations, data tables, graphs, diagrams and models.
- Each student receives one or two context-dependent item sets (several questions about one scenario). Inside a set you may move between questions; for most other questions you must answer before moving on.
Number of Questions and Time
- 48 to 54 questions in total, including about 8 to 10 unscored field-test questions that you cannot tell apart from scored ones
- One 160-minute session with a short break after the first 80 minutes
- Students who are still working may continue for up to the length of a typical school day
- No calculator and no reference sheet are provided for Grade 5; schools may give blank scratch paper
Reporting Categories
Because the Grade 5 test is cumulative, many questions assess Grade 3 and Grade 4 benchmarks along with the Grade 5 benchmarks. This guide's four content sections follow the four reporting categories.
Scoring
Each scored question is worth one point and there is no penalty for a wrong answer. Results are reported as a scale score from 140 to 260 and one of five achievement levels. A scale score of 200 (the lowest score in Level 3) is considered passing.
| Level | Description | Scale score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inadequate | 140–184 |
| 2 | Below Satisfactory | 185–199 |
| 3 | On Grade Level | 200–214 |
| 4 | Proficient | 215–224 |
| 5 | Mastery | 225–260 |
What This Means for Your Preparation
- Learn how investigations work: variables, controls, repeated trials and evidence
- Practice reading tables and graphs and choosing the conclusion the data supports
- Review Grade 3 and Grade 4 science, not only Grade 5
- Answer every question; there is no penalty for guessing
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