AZSCI Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield AZSCI facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. In a reversible chemical reaction, equilibrium is reached when... → the rate of the forward reaction equals the rate of the reverse reaction.
2. A cell is found to have an extensive network of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER). Which of the following functions is this cell most likely specialized for? → Detoxification of drugs and synthesis of lipids.
3. What happens to the speed of a car if the force applied to it increases while its mass remains the same? → The speed increases
4. Which of the following is the most appropriate tool for accurately measuring the volume of a liquid in a chemistry experiment? → Graduated cylinder
5. Which of the following scenarios describes a critical step in the biogeochemical cycling of phosphorus that does NOT involve a living organism? → The weathering of apatite rock, releasing phosphate into the soil and water.
6. A doctor explains that chronic high blood pressure is a major cause of heart disease. What is the underlying mechanism that links this cause and effect? → High blood pressure damages the walls of arteries, making them prone to plaque buildup.
7. Which of the following is an example of using engineering principles to solve a real-world problem? → Designing a bridge to withstand heavy traffic
8. Which of the following is an example of a force? → A ball being thrown
9. A scientist measures a bacterial cell and finds it is 0.002 mm in diameter. Written in scientific notation, this measurement is: → 2 × 10⁻³ mm
10. Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies the use of a conceptual model in science? → Drawing a diagram to illustrate the flow of energy through an ecosystem.
11. Which of the following best describes the energy stored in a compressed spring? → Potential energy
12. Which of the following best describes the Earth's inner core? → It is a solid layer of iron and nickel.
13. Which process primarily removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and converts it into organic compounds within a terrestrial ecosystem? → Photosynthesis.
14. What is the primary source of energy for the Earth's weather systems? → The Sun
15. A scientist is comparing the size of a virus (about 100 nm) to a human cell (about 10 µm). Approximately how many times larger is the human cell than the virus? → 100 times larger
16. Which of the following is an example of a producer in an ecosystem? → Grass
17. Which of the following best explains the phenomenon of a lunar eclipse? → The Earth casts a shadow on the Moon.
18. When 10 grams of magnesium reacts completely with 8 grams of oxygen to form magnesium oxide, what is the total mass of the magnesium oxide produced? → Exactly 18 grams.
19. A ball is rolled down a ramp. Which change would cause the ball to have greater kinetic energy at the bottom of the ramp? → Starting the ball from a higher point on the ramp.
20. What is an example of a renewable energy source? → Solar power
21. A fossil is found to be 65,000,000 years old. In scientific notation, this age is written as: → 6.5 × 10⁷ years
22. What causes the seasons on Earth? → The tilt of the Earth's axis
23. Which layer of the Earth's atmosphere contains the ozone layer? → Stratosphere
24. What is the primary cause of friction between two surfaces? → The roughness of the surfaces
25. What is the basic unit of heredity? → Gene
26. Which of the following is a critical, underlying assumption made when creating a conceptual model of the water cycle, such as one found in a textbook diagram? → All of the above.
27. Which of the following statements about the law of conservation of energy is correct? → Energy can be transformed from one form to another, but the total amount remains constant
28. If a map has a scale of 1 cm = 50 km, and two cities are 6 cm apart on the map, what is the actual distance between them? → 300 km
29. When planning an investigation to test the freezing point of saltwater solutions, what is the best way to ensure the results are reliable? → Perform multiple trials for each salt concentration.
30. In an experiment, doubling the concentration of a reactant doubles the reaction rate. This relationship is best described as: → Directly proportional