Grade 5 is one of only two grades where Georgia tests science on the Milestones — covering Earth, Physical, and Life Science — and in 2025, 44% of fifth graders reached grade level.
Real Georgia Milestones format. Aligned to Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) for Science. Detailed explanations on every answer.
Which of these best describes a mixture?
Science shows up on the Georgia Milestones at only two grades — grade 5 and grade 8 — so fifth-grade science is one of just two chances the state measures your child's science learning before high school. That makes it easy to overlook, because there's no science test in grades 3, 4, 6, or 7 to build the habit.
Unlike math (which moved to Georgia's new K-12 standards), science is still assessed against the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) for Science. The grade-5 test spans three areas: Earth Science, Physical Science, and Life Science, with Life Science carrying the largest share. The content covers things like the water cycle and weather, physical and chemical changes and mixtures, classification of organisms, and how traits are inherited and how organisms respond to their environment.
In 2025, 44% of Georgia fifth graders reached Proficient or Distinguished (Levels 3 and 4 — "on grade level") in science. That's under half, but notably higher than grade-8 science (28%), which is the lowest-scoring test in the state.
The grade-5 science test is given online (paper as an accommodation) and, unlike math and ELA, is made up of selected-response (multiple-choice) questions — there's no writing task or extended response.
Levels 3+4 (on grade level) — under half of fifth graders, but well above grade-8 science (28%). Science is tested at only grades 5 and 8 in Georgia. 'Developing Learner' (Level 2) is NOT counted here.
Source: GaDOE / GOSA statewide 2025 Milestones results (state table via Gwinnett County PR)
Grade 5 science on the Milestones is assessed against the Georgia Standards of Excellence for Science and spans three areas — Life Science (the largest share), Earth Science, and Physical Science. Domain weights here reflect Georgia's published science assessment structure; confirm current-year weights against GaDOE's assessment guide.
| Reporting Category | What's Tested |
|---|---|
| Life Science | The largest share of the grade-5 science test. Classifying organisms, inherited traits versus learned behaviors, and how organisms and their offspring respond to and survive in their environment. |
| Earth Science | The water cycle, weather and the factors that create it, and how surface features change over time. |
| Physical Science | Physical and chemical changes, mixtures and solutions, and the properties of matter — including how to tell a physical change from a chemical one. |
Don't overlook science just because it's not tested every year. Grade 5 is one of only two science Milestones (with grade 8), and because there's no science test in grades 3, 4, 6, or 7, it's easy to under-prepare. A little review of the year's science pays off.
Focus on Life Science — it's the biggest share. Classification, inherited traits versus learned behaviors, and how organisms survive in their environment carry the most weight at grade 5.
Practice telling physical changes from chemical changes. This is a classic grade-5 Physical Science topic and a common point-loser. Real examples (melting ice vs. burning paper, mixing vs. reacting) make it concrete.
Review the water cycle and weather. Grade-5 Earth Science leans on the water cycle and what drives weather — high-frequency, learnable topics worth a focused review before the test.
No. Georgia tests science on the Milestones at only two grades: grade 5 and grade 8. There's no science Milestones test in grades 3, 4, 6, or 7. So grade-5 science is one of just two chances the state measures science before high school.
It's assessed against the Georgia Standards of Excellence for Science and covers three areas: Life Science (the largest share — classification, inherited traits, organisms and their environment), Earth Science (water cycle, weather, changing surface features), and Physical Science (physical/chemical changes, mixtures, properties of matter).
In 2025, 44% of Georgia fifth graders scored Proficient or Distinguished (on grade level) in science — under half, but well above grade-8 science (28%), which is the lowest-scoring test in the state.
'On grade level' means Proficient or Distinguished (Levels 3 and 4) on Georgia's four-level scale. 'Developing Learner' (Level 2) is below grade level.
No. While Georgia math moved to the new K-12 Mathematics Standards, science is still assessed against the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) for Science for 2025-26.
Same Georgia Milestones test, different grades and subjects. Pick the page that matches your child's situation.
No credit card. Unlimited practice aligned to Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) for Science.