Georgia Milestones · Grade 8 Science
Georgia Milestones Grade 8 Science Practice 2027
Grade 8 science is the lowest-scoring End-of-Grade test Georgia reported for 2026 — 30% of eighth graders reached Proficient — and it's a physical-science test on the Georgia Standards of Excellence.
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Try 5 Georgia Milestones Grade 8 Science Questions
Real Georgia Milestones format. Aligned to Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) for Science. Detailed explanations on every answer.
If an object is moving at constant speed in a straight line, the net force acting on it is —
Georgia Milestones Grade 8 Science sample questions with answers
Questions in the test's style, each with the answer and an explanation. Open the answer once your child has tried the question.
Question 1 · Grade 8 Science · Standard S8P2
If an object is moving at constant speed in a straight line, the net force acting on it is —
- A.Greater than zero
- B.Less than zero
- C.Equal to zero
- D.Unknown
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: C. Equal to zero
Newton's First Law: constant speed + straight line = balanced forces = net force of zero. Unbalanced forces would cause acceleration.
Question 2 · Grade 5 Science · Standard S5P1
Which of these best describes a mixture?
- A.Two substances chemically bonded
- B.Two or more substances combined but not chemically bonded
- C.A single pure substance
- D.A substance that cannot be separated
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: B. Two or more substances combined but not chemically bonded
A mixture combines substances physically — they can be separated. Trail mix, salt water, and soil are all mixtures.
About the Georgia Milestones Grade 8 Science Test
Grade 8 science stands out for a hard reason: at 30% Proficient Learner or above in 2026, it was the lowest-scoring of the End-of-Grade tests GaDOE reported that year (ELA results are still pending). It's also one of only two grades (with grade 5) where Georgia tests science at all. Note that in 2026, 30% of Georgia eighth graders took the High School Physical Science End-of-Course test instead, based on their course enrollment; this page is about the grade 8 science EOG.
Grade-8 science is assessed against the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) for Science and is entirely physical science. GaDOE's July 2025 blueprint has five domains: Matter (about 13 of 46 points, 28%), Waves (about 11, 24%), Energy (about 8, 18%), Motion (about 7, 15%) and Force (about 7, 15%).
The 30% figure (up from 29% in 2025 and 26% in 2024) is the honest headline: this is a difficult test that most Georgia eighth graders taking it don't clear, so targeted review matters.
The grade-8 science test is given online (paper as an accommodation). It has no writing task, but it includes multiple-part, multiple-select, drag-and-drop and drop-down questions, 8 of them worth 2 points. GaDOE provides a periodic table for the test.
Up from 29% in 2025 and 26% in 2024 — the lowest of the End-of-Grade tests GaDOE reported for 2026. 30% of eighth graders took High School Physical Science instead (61% proficient). Developing Learner (Level 2) is not counted here.
Source: GaDOE, "Overview of the 2025-2026 Georgia Milestones Public Release" (Aug 2026): percent of students at Proficient Learner or above, 2019-2026
What's On The Georgia Milestones Grade 8 Science Test
Grade 8 science on the Milestones is assessed against the Georgia Standards of Excellence for Science and is all physical science. GaDOE's July 2025 blueprint has five domains: Matter (about 28% of the 46 points), Waves (24%), Energy (18%), Motion (15%) and Force (15%).
| Reporting Category | % of Test | What's Tested |
|---|---|---|
| Matter | ~13 of 46 points (28%) | The largest domain. Atoms and molecules, elements and compounds, physical and chemical properties and changes, and conservation of matter. Standards assessed: S8P1. |
| Energy | ~8 points (18%) | Forms of energy, energy transformation, and heat transfer. Standards assessed: S8P2. |
| Motion | ~7 points (15%) | Speed, velocity and acceleration, and how mass and force relate to motion. Standards assessed: S8P3. |
| Waves | ~11 points (24%) | Properties of waves, including light and sound and the electromagnetic spectrum. Standards assessed: S8P4. |
| Force | ~7 points (15%) | Gravity, electricity and magnetism as forces. Standards assessed: S8P5. |
Test Format — What Your Child Will See
- ●Grade 8 science was the lowest-scoring EOG GaDOE reported for 2026 (30%).
- ●Science is tested at only two grades in Georgia — grade 5 and grade 8 — and stays on the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE).
- ●Some eighth graders take the High School Physical Science EOC instead (30% in 2026).
What Georgia Parents Should Know About Grade 8 Science
- 1
Treat grade-8 science as a real preparation target. With 30% of students proficient in 2026, focused review genuinely moves the needle.
- 2
Prioritize Matter and Waves — together about half the points. Atoms, elements and compounds, physical vs. chemical changes, and wave properties (light, sound, the electromagnetic spectrum) carry the most weight.
- 3
Lock in motion and force basics. Speed, velocity and acceleration, and gravity, electricity and magnetism as forces are very learnable with review.
- 4
Use the periodic table GaDOE provides. Practice reading it before test day so it's a familiar tool. Use GaDOE's free online practice tests (Experience Online Testing Georgia) so the interface isn't new on test day.
Georgia Milestones Grade 8 Science — Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Georgia 8th grade science scores so low?
At 30% Proficient in 2026, grade 8 science was the lowest-scoring EOG GaDOE reported. GaDOE doesn't give a single reason. It's an all-physical-science test (matter, energy, motion, waves, force), and science is tested only at grades 5 and 8, so students go years between science Milestones. Targeted review makes a real difference.
What is on the 8th grade Georgia Milestones science test?
It's assessed against the Georgia Standards of Excellence for Science and covers physical science in five domains (GaDOE July 2025 blueprint): Matter (about 28%), Waves (24%), Energy (18%), Motion (15%) and Force (15%).
How many Georgia eighth graders pass the Milestones science test?
In 2026, 30% of Georgia eighth graders scored Proficient Learner or above in science. That's up from 29% in 2025 — still fewer than one in three. In 2026, 30% of eighth graders took High School Physical Science instead.
What is a passing score on the grade 8 Milestones science test?
Georgia uses four achievement levels: Beginning, Developing, Proficient and Distinguished Learner. GaDOE describes Proficient Learners as showing full mastery of grade-level standards and Developing Learners as showing partial mastery, 'in progress toward full proficiency.' The state's headline number is the percent at Proficient Learner or above. For the grade 3 (reading) and grade 5 and 8 (reading and math) promotion rules, the question is whether a student 'achieves grade level' as the state defines it.
Is the 8th grade Georgia science test on the new standards like math?
No. Math and ELA moved to Georgia's new K-12 standards, but the grade 8 science blueprint is still built on the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) for Science.
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Georgia Milestones Grade 8 Science Practice
No credit card. Unlimited practice aligned to Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) for Science.