What is the Illinois Science Assessment? A Parent's Guide

The Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) is an online test that assesses how well students in grades 5 and 8 understand science concepts. The test is based on the Illinois Learning Standards for Science, which include the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). It’s designed to evaluate students’ abilities in scientific inquiry, understanding of physical sciences, life sciences, and earth sciences. This test is part of federal requirements to ensure that students are learning necessary scientific concepts as they progress through school.

How Many Questions Are on the Illinois Science Assessment?

The Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) typically consists of a series of multiple-choice questions, along with interactive tasks. In recent years, including 2023=2025 the ISA has offered three sections of 32 questions each, comprised of 30 multiple choice questions, and two (2) interactive evidentiary response questions that require written answers. The exact number of questions can vary slightly, but the test is designed to assess a range of scientific knowledge in a format that’s both manageable and effective in testing students’ understanding. Students will have ample time to answer all questions within the designated testing window.

The ISA is scored between 700-900, with each individual child and school being assessed one of four levels of competency [ Exemplary, Proficient, Developing, Emerging] based on their scaled assessment scores.

How Should Students Prepare for the Illinois Science Assessment?

Preparation for the Illinois Science Assessment should focus on reviewing key science concepts and practicing critical thinking. Students can benefit from studying topics like physical science, life science, and earth science in accordance with the NGSS guidelines. Teachers often provide practice materials, and parents can help by encouraging students to review their science notes, engage in hands-on experiments at home, or use online resources to familiarize themselves with the test format.

The following are the three primary areas of science, covered by the 2022=2025 ISA:

Physical Science - Science that covers the non-living world (i.e. physics). Students will develop an understanding of matter, motion and stability, energy, waves.

Earth and Space Science - Students will develop an understanding of Earth's place in the universe, Earth's systems, and Earth and human activity.

Life Science - Students will develop an understanding of molecules to organisms, ecosystems, heredity, and biological evolution.

Each section is approximately 45 minutes in length and it is important to note that the 5th grade test covers everything (ALL SCIENCE) K-5th Grade, and the 8th grade test covers everything in middle school (6-8th) grade.

Top 3 Tips for Parents of Kids Taking the Illinois Science Assessment

Many parents are not aware of when the test occurs, so you should know that the illinois Science Assessment is typically given to all 5th, 8th, and 11th grade students between March - April of each year. Here are a few tips from the experts at Kids Science Labs on simple ways to help your child.

Encourage Hands-on Learning: The more students can connect theory to practice, the better prepared they will be. Encourage activities like conducting simple science experiments or going on nature walks to observe science in action. You have been in science class, so you know, its not often easy to fully appreciate earth science or physical science without conducting the experiment for yourself. Places like Kids Science Labs offers help to parents anywhere in the country.

Familiarize with Test Format: Look for practice tests or sample questions. The Illinois Science Assessment is interactive, and understanding how to engage with these types of questions can make the experience less intimidating.

Stay Positive and Supportive: Help your child stay calm and confident by offering support, practicing good study habits, and reminding them that the test is just one part of their learning journey. Positive reinforcement goes a long way in reducing test anxiety.

Why a CardboArd box is better than an xBox!

It is Friday after Thanksgiving, it's a long weekend and the family is trapped in the house. Now that sounds like a potential problem, ripe for being bored and getting into trouble. Rather than break out the video games, why not do something more inspiring…using that natural problem solver inside your kid to make something special.

Fortunately, in your house you have three of the most creative ingredients ever: you, your kids, and a cardboard box. That’s right, a cardboard box just might be the most creative material ever. You may have some cardboard boxes lying around after some Black Friday shopping. They can be put to great use to entertain your kids without “screen time”, all while encouraging their creativity.

So, let’s build something. Cardboard boxes can turn into just about anything. Not only can they enable your kids to design something, they will love constructing the project with you, learn that mistakes and iteration are cool, customize the inside of their very own space, and create a great family memory.

Even better, this isn’t that time intensive, nor does it require engineering expertise.

Here are the basic steps

Science Activities for Kids

Pick out a space in your house and be prepare to spend 1 hour – designing, laughing, taping, and having fun with your kids.
Come up with potential ideas – often this is the hardest step, some ideas are below.
Start with a drawing. Any drawing. Really. Just draw something
It is ok to make mistakes.
What do you need: Cardboard boxes, duck tape, scissors, a pensile, paper, a ruler, and a cutting surface.
Your final design will not be exactly as you envisioned. That is good.
Add some customization. Why is this important? This is where you can allow your children to have their imagination run wild.

Why is this a cool project? We all love being creative, but often in the rush of our day to day, don’t get the chance. Halloween is a great example, it allows us to be kids again, to be creative coming up with unique costumes. That doesn’t need to be constrained to one day a year

Xbox is cool, but creating something is even cooler and more memorable. Your kids may resist initially, but just wait until they are playing in their box creation 3 hours later.

Your kids will love their creation because it is theirs. Their design, their safe place, and place to dream. Not only does this project engage their creativity, but it allows all of us to practice design thinking, creating something from scratch, to have a vision, to create a prototype, to make mistakes, to use our creativity to problem solve, and to be proud of our creation.

Let’s design and create. Ready to build, let’s get rolling. Here is where to start. And don't worry, some pro-tips and examples for construction are below

Pick out a space in your house and be prepare to spend 1 hour – designing, laughing, taping, and having fun with your kids.
Come up with some potential ideas – often this is the hardest step. Prepared to be surprised. We have built: (1) rockets with boxes and old car seats, (2) homes with retracting roofs/lights/doors, (3) A secret escape room with water and food supplies, (4) reading rooms (5) boats, and (6) castles.
Start with a drawing. Any drawing. Really. Just draw something and have your kids draw something. It doesn’t need to be perfect and often it is better if it isn’t perfect.
It is ok to make mistakes. The hardest step is often getting started. Demonstrating to your kids that you are not a perfect artist or architect it a good thing, it gives them permission to make mistakes in life.
What do you need: Cardboard boxes, duck tape, scissors, a pensile, paper, a ruler, and a cutting surface.
Your final design will not be exactly as you envisioned. That is good. Welcome to design thinking and innovation. The first prototype is just that, it is great, imperfect, and teaches us how to do something better.
Add some customization. Why is this important, this is where you can allow your children to have their imagination run wild. Crayons and markers can represent TVs, iPads, control panels, doorbells, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, art on a wall.
Helpful tip: have a couple of holes in the ceiling or windows for airflow.

STEM Programs for Kids

Keys & Tips

Picture how the pieces will fit together
Have a cutting surface
Measure twice, cut once.
Never cut towards your body or with someone behind you
If the box isn’t big enough, no problem. Here are a couple of solutions (1) tape existing boxes together (2) home depot sells moving boxes for about $2.50 each (3) dollar tree has 2ft x 3ft foam board for $1.

Here are some pro-tips for building

Lay out of your materials – have a design on paper and in your head