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Exam Overview
The Middle School STAAR Science test (formerly called STAAR Grade 8 Science) is given to Texas eighth graders in the spring. It is developed by the Texas Education Agency and measures the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for science across the middle school grade band: the assessed Grade 6, Grade 7, and Grade 8 standards.
Test Format
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Questions | 28–30 questions worth a total of 35 points |
| Question value | 21–25 one-point questions (multiple choice and other types) and 5–7 two-point questions (not multiple choice) |
| Question types | Multiple choice, multiselect, multipart, drag and drop, hot spot, inline choice, match table grid, text entry, short constructed response, and cluster sets |
| Cluster sets | One stimulus (a scenario, data table, graph, or diagram) followed by 3–5 questions that are each scored separately |
| Calculator | Required. The online test has a built-in calculator; a handheld calculator with at least four functions is also allowed |
| Reference materials | Provided: a periodic table and formulas such as density, average speed, and net force (F = ma) |
| Delivery | Online; paper versions only for students who qualify for them |
| Timing | No set time limit; students who need more time may keep working until the end of the regular school day |
| Results | A scale score and one of four performance levels |
The Four Strands
TEA groups the tested standards into four strands. The blueprint sets how many questions come from each one:
| Strand | Questions | Points | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Matter and Energy | 5–7 | 6–9 | Periodic table, chemical formulas, density, physical and chemical changes, conservation of mass |
| 2. Force, Motion, and Energy | 6–8 | 7–10 | Net force, Newton's laws and F = ma, speed and velocity, distance-time graphs, energy, thermal energy, waves |
| 3. Earth and Space | 7–9 | 8–12 | Earth's layers, plate tectonics, evidence of change, watersheds and oceans, seasons, tides, gravity, stars, galaxies, weather and climate |
| 4. Organisms and Environments | 7–9 | 8–12 | Cells, body systems, genes, reproduction, ecosystems, energy pyramids, succession, biodiversity, adaptations, selection |
Two-Point Questions
Five to seven questions are worth two points. They may ask you to choose more than one correct answer, complete two related parts, fill in two blanks, or write a short constructed response of a few sentences that uses evidence from a scenario or data. Many give partial credit, so answer every part.
Performance Levels
| Performance level | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Masters Grade Level | Expected to succeed in the next grade or course with little or no extra help |
| Meets Grade Level | High likelihood of success in the next grade or course, though some may need short-term help |
| Approaches Grade Level | Likely to succeed in the next grade or course with targeted help |
| Did Not Meet Grade Level | Unlikely to succeed in the next grade or course without significant ongoing help |
The number of points needed for each level can change slightly from one test form to the next, so TEA reports results as scale scores.
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