The California Science Test (CAST) is an online assessment based on the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS). The CAST is administered in grades five and eight and eleven or twelve. The grade five assessment draws on PEs from grades three through five (3–5) and includes the foundational concepts that are addressed in kindergarten through grade two (K–2). The grade eight assessment draws on PEs from grades six through eight (6–8), and the high school assessment draws on PEs from grades nine through twelve (9–12).

Students with Special Education needs who are assigned to take an alternate assessment should take the California Alternate Assessment for Science.

This six-minute video provides a general overview of the California Science Test (CAST) and how it is aligned with the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS). It explains how the CAST is designed to not only measure student progress, but also to encourage and reinforce the innovative ways in which science is being taught in classrooms throughout the state.

CAST scores are now on the Dashboard!

2025 Scores will be a part of the measure for the California School Accountability Report Card

Access California School Dashboard

https://www.caschooldashboard.org/

CAST Preparation & Practice

Three Ways to Prepare & Practice

· CAST Practice Test

· CAST Training Test

· CAST Interim Assessments (See Tab for CAST Interim Assessment Resource Page)

Science Test Universal Tools: Periodic Table and Formula Reference Sheets

All grade eight and high school students taking the California Science Test have access to the following embedded universal tools, including the periodic table and formula reference sheets available in both English and Spanish:

· Periodic Table of the Elements for Grade Eight and High School—English

· Periodic Table of the Elements for Grade Eight and High School—Spanish

· Grade Eight Reference Sheet

· Grade Eight Reference Sheet—Spanish

· High School Reference Sheet

· High School Reference Sheet—Spanish

NOTE: Not all formulas are referenced on the test! These reference sheets are not instructional guides but rather are provided for students to have a reference for the few equations that are utilized on CAST.

The formula reference sheets provide scientific formulas that students may find useful in answering test items, eliminating the need to memorize them. These tools provide essential scientific information and are also available in printable versions for use in the classroom throughout the school year. Students can explore and gain familiarity with these universal tools through practice tests, training tests, and interim assessments.

More information about accessibility resources available for science assessments can be found on the California Student Assessment Accessibility Graphic for Science.

Click for CAST Practice and Training Tests

Click for CDE CAST Webpage

qrgstartpracticetest.pdf

CAST Resources

CAST Blueprint

Information about the construction of the CAST can be found here.

CAST Item Specifications

The CAST item specifications provide details on each assessed dimension of a CA NGSS Performance Expectation (PE)

Access Prior Year Scores

Information Coming Soon!

Assessment Fact Sheet

This flyer provides answers to general questions you might have about various aspects and objectives of the CAST assessment.

Parent Guide to Understanding the CAST

This guide provides answers to key questions, such as who takes the assessments and why, when, and how they are administered, and other questions parents and guardians might have.

Access this page for Parent Guides in other languages (Arabic, Korean, Russia, Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese)

Sample High School Performance Task

Sample task related to HS-LS3-2

castpracticetraining.pdf

dashboardlinkcast22.pdf