As you may have heard, 5th Grade Science STAAR 2026 will be a little different than last year and will even differ from next year!
About Elementary Science STAAR 2026
Don’t let details about the STAAR test bog you down! Science Penguin has got you covered! Here are the main facts you need to know about this year’s test:
There are 24 to 26 questions. Expect 4-6 questions worth 2 points each and 18-22 questions worth 1 point each. The highest number of points to earn is 30.
Multiple-choice questions will likely remain dominant, but expect many more question types.
Question types include: multiple-choice, multiselect, multipart, hot spot, drag and drop, and short constructed response. New question types we might see are: match table grid, cluster question sets, and inline choice.
The Elementary Science STAAR for 2026 covers many 4th and 5th-grade science TEKS. The tested TEKS for 2027 will incorporate the 3rd-grade TEKS.
Your students may see extra field-tested questions that will not count toward their score. They will not be able to identify these as being different than other questions.
The test is taken online, but students may use scratch paper. We recommend using the scratch paper for Think Sheets. This strategy slows students down and encourages them to think through their answers rather than rapidly clicking through the questions.
The Science Penguin has created the ultimate 10-day Science STAAR Planning Guide to help you prep! We’ve scoured TEA resources and adjusted our materials to align with this year’s tested topics to maximize your review.
Free Science STAAR Planning Guide
We aim to make test prep as simple as possible!
If you followed the Science Penguin Full-Year Planning Guide, you have already:
- taught all tested content
- reviewed tested content from previous grade levels
- practiced all types of STAAR questions with Boom Cards, Google Forms, and Test Prep Task Cards
- improved students’ writing, reasoning, and science skills
- utilized various materials to meet individual needs
- reviewed content all year with Spiral Review
In the STAAR Planning Guide, we will:
- follow TEA’s Assessed Curriculum and Blueprint
- use fresh resources that were not key components of the Full-Year Planning Guide
- provide 10 days of review activity suggestions
- introduce Think Sheets, a strategy that encourages students to think through their answers rather than rapidly clicking through the questions
- include a free lesson on Cluster Question Sets (Day 4)
- include a free sort for ecosystem interactions (Day 9)
The 2026 Planning Guide is here! Access now!
Ari, owner of The Science Penguin, walks you through the Free Planning Guide in just 8 minutes.
Get started with the 2026 STAAR Planning Guide for STAAR information, 10 days of activity recommendations, and a free lesson on Cluster Question Sets.
2026 Eligible TEKS for STAAR
TEA told us (twice) that the 3rd grade TEKS will not be eligible for assessment until Spring 2027. Below is a list of TEKS that can be assessed in Spring 2026.
This list is also in the printable 2026 STAAR Planning Guide.
Ultimate Science STAAR Bundle
We know the challenge of keeping fifth graders excited about learning while also preparing them to conquer Science STAAR.
That’s why we created the Science STAAR Bundle, with everything you could want to review for STAAR.
With this resource, you will find that sweet spot of balance as you engage your students in meaningful, TEKS-aligned review.
Get started! We offer school subscriptions and personal user license options!
Choose a School Subscription or Personal User License below.
Individual Items Available
If a STAAR Bundle isn’t right for you, we’ve still got you covered. You can also purchase everything individually on TPT.
The Free STAAR Planning Guide can help you pick the right materials for YOU. Access now!
Quick, printable, and to-the-point. Review concepts based on student data.
Holy grail of STAAR review. Find 10 days of review in Google Forms that will have students absolutely prepared.
It’s time to memorize the most important science information!
Use the interactive Boom platform to review various question types.
In need of rigorous STAAR-like questions for each of the TEKS? Find them here!
A science teacher’s best friend! This is everything you need to know about the TEKS.
This 3-day slides-based lesson teaches students to write quality SCRs.
This printable review is popular with parents looking for extra practice.
Learn, move, sort, and play with these versatile sorting card sets.
Overwhelmed? Start here!
New to The Science Penguin?
New to 5th-grade science?
Not sure where to begin?
The STAAR Planning Guide will break it all down for you, including 10 days of activities, essential STAAR information, 2 free activities, and resource recommendations.