The Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA) is a state graduation requirement for Maryland high school students. Aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), the MISA measures science proficiency across physical science, life science, and Earth and space science. This free printable MISA practice test PDF gives you a paper-based study tool you can work through anywhere — no internet connection required.
The assessment includes multiple-choice questions, constructed-response items, and science investigation tasks that require you to apply the NGSS science and engineering practices: asking questions, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, constructing explanations, and engaging in argument from evidence. Printing this PDF and working through it under timed conditions is one of the most effective ways to prepare for the actual assessment.
Physical science questions cover matter and its interactions (atomic structure, chemical reactions, conservation of mass), motion and forces (Newton's laws, momentum), energy (types, conservation, transfer), and waves (properties, electromagnetic spectrum). Expect to interpret graphs of motion, balance chemical equations, and explain energy transformations.
Life science spans heredity and genetics (DNA, Punnett squares, inheritance patterns), evolution (natural selection, adaptation, evidence for evolution), ecosystems (energy flow through food webs, matter cycling, biodiversity), and cells and organisms (cell structure and function, photosynthesis, cellular respiration). You will need to connect molecular-level processes to organism-level outcomes.
This domain covers Earth's systems (rock cycle, plate tectonics, weather and climate), Earth's place in the universe (solar system, stars, Big Bang theory), and human impact on Earth systems (climate change, resource depletion). Many questions ask you to analyze data from real-world scenarios and evaluate claims about environmental change.
NGSS practices are embedded in every domain. You will be asked to identify variables in an experimental design, interpret tables and graphs, evaluate the validity of a scientific argument, and construct written explanations supported by evidence. These skills are tested through both selected-response and constructed-response formats.
For interactive preparation, try our full online MISA practice test with instant feedback on every question. The online tests explain the reasoning behind each correct answer, helping you understand the underlying science concepts — not just memorize correct responses. Combining paper-based PDF review with online practice is the most effective strategy for Maryland high school students preparing for this graduation requirement.