WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
WGU D671 Elementary Science
Curriculum Objective Assessment
OA V1 and V2 | 2026/2027 Update
Official Practice Exam — 2026/2027 Edition
QUESTIONS MINUTES PASSING SCORE RECERTIFICATION
100 120 80% Required
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section: Nature of Science and Scientific Inquiry — Questions 1–18 (18 questions)
Section: Physical Science Concepts and Instruction — Questions 19–35 (17 questions)
Section: Life Science Concepts and Instruction — Questions 36–52 (17 questions)
Section: Earth and Space Science Concepts and Instruction — Questions 53–69 (17 questions)
Section: Science Curriculum Design and Integration — Questions 70–85 (16 questions)
Section: Assessment and Differentiation in Science Education — Questions 86–100 (15 questions)
Instructions
This practice exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions divided across 6 sections covering elementary science
curriculum concepts. You have 120 minutes to complete the entire exam. Select the single best answer for each
question. A score of 80% or higher (80 correct answers out of 100) is required to pass. Each question includes a
rationale explaining the correct answer and why the top distractor is incorrect. Review all rationales carefully to reinforce
key pedagogical and content concepts. Do not use outside resources during the exam. Good luck on your preparation
for the 2026/2027 WGU D671 Objective Assessment.
Disclaimer: This practice exam is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Western Governors
University or any official testing organization. Content is designed for educational preparation only.
WGU D671 Science OA — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 0
,Section 1: Nature of Science and Scientific Inquiry — 2026/2027
Q1 Question 1 of 100
A third-grade teacher wants students to understand that scientific knowledge can change when new
evidence is discovered. The teacher designs a lesson in which students observe a demonstration,
form a hypothesis, and then receive new data that contradicts their initial explanation. This activity
best demonstrates which nature of science principle?
A. Scientific knowledge is tentative and subject to revision when new evidence emerges
B. Science is a static body of facts that remains unchanged over time
C. Scientific theories are guesses that scientists change at random
D. Once a scientific law is established it can never be modified
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The activity demonstrates that scientific knowledge is tentative and subject to revision based on new
evidence, which is a core nature of science principle. Science is not static, and theories are not random
guesses but well-supported explanations that can be revised. Laws can also be refined as measurement
improves.
Q2 Question 2 of 100
A fifth-grade teacher asks students to design an experiment testing whether plants grow taller with
more sunlight. One student suggests placing three identical plants under a window, in a closet, and
under a lamp, and watering each plant a different amount. The teacher should point out that this
experimental design has which flaw?
A. Using three different locations makes the experiment too complex to analyze
B. The student has introduced an additional variable (water amount) that confounds the results and
prevents drawing a valid conclusion about sunlight alone
C. Plants cannot be used in controlled experiments because they grow at unpredictable rates
D. The experiment needs at least five plants in each group to be scientifically valid
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The experiment has a confounding variable because water amounts differ across groups, making it
impossible to determine whether growth differences are caused by sunlight or water. Controlled experiments
require isolating one independent variable. Three locations is manageable, plants are valid subjects, and
while larger samples improve reliability, the core flaw is the confound.
WGU D671 Science OA — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 1
,Section 1: Nature of Science and Scientific Inquiry — 2026/2027
Q3 Question 3 of 100
A second-grade teacher shows students a video of scientists working in a laboratory and asks the
class to describe what scientists do. Several students say scientists work alone in labs wearing
white coats. The teacher wants to address this misconception about the nature of science. Which
instructional strategy would be most effective?
A. Telling students that scientists actually work in many different settings and collaborate in teams
B. Showing another video of scientists in a different type of laboratory
C. Having students read biographies of diverse scientists who work in various fields and collaborate in
teams
D. Assigning a worksheet about the steps of the scientific method
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Reading biographies of diverse scientists working in various settings directly addresses the stereotype by
providing concrete examples of scientific collaboration and diversity. Simply telling students or showing
another lab video does not engage them deeply enough to change misconceptions. A worksheet on scientific
method steps does not address the social nature of science.
Q4 Question 4 of 100
A fourth-grade class is investigating which type of paper towel absorbs the most water. The teacher
guides students to identify the independent variable, the dependent variable, and the constants
before beginning. In this investigation, the dependent variable is which of the following?
A. The brand or type of paper towel being tested
B. The temperature of the water used in the test
C. The size of the container holding the water
D. The amount of water absorbed by each paper towel
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
The dependent variable is what is being measured, which is the amount of water absorbed by each paper
towel. The brand or type of paper towel is the independent variable (what is changed). Water temperature and
container size should be held constant as controlled variables.
WGU D671 Science OA — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2
, Section 1: Nature of Science and Scientific Inquiry — 2026/2027
Q5 Question 5 of 100
A first-grade teacher wants to help students understand the difference between an observation and
an inference. The teacher places a sealed box on a table and asks students to describe what is
inside. Which approach best teaches this distinction?
A. Having students shake the box and listen, then distinguishing between what they directly sense
(sound) and what they guess might be inside based on the sound
B. Opening the box immediately so students can see the object and describe its properties
C. Telling students the difference between observation and inference before showing the box
D. Letting each student hold the box and guess what is inside without any structured guidance
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Having students shake the box and listen lets them experience a direct sensory observation (sound) and then
distinguish that from their inference about the contents. Opening the box eliminates the need for inference.
Direct instruction alone is less engaging, and unstructured guessing without guidance does not teach the
distinction.
Q6 Question 6 of 100
A third-grade teacher is planning a unit on scientific inquiry. The teacher wants students to develop
their own testable questions rather than using questions provided by the textbook. Which scaffolding
strategy would best support students in generating their own questions?
A. Providing a list of questions from the textbook and asking students to pick one
B. Modeling how to turn a general wonder statement into a specific testable question using a
think-aloud, then having students practice with their own wonder statements
C. Allowing students to research any topic on the internet and write a report
D. Assigning each student a specific question to investigate from a pre-made list
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Modeling the process of transforming wonder statements into testable questions through a think-aloud
provides the scaffolding students need to develop their own questions. Picking from a list, free internet
research, and assigned questions do not develop the skill of question generation.
WGU D671 Science OA — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3
WGU D671 Elementary Science
Curriculum Objective Assessment
OA V1 and V2 | 2026/2027 Update
Official Practice Exam — 2026/2027 Edition
QUESTIONS MINUTES PASSING SCORE RECERTIFICATION
100 120 80% Required
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section: Nature of Science and Scientific Inquiry — Questions 1–18 (18 questions)
Section: Physical Science Concepts and Instruction — Questions 19–35 (17 questions)
Section: Life Science Concepts and Instruction — Questions 36–52 (17 questions)
Section: Earth and Space Science Concepts and Instruction — Questions 53–69 (17 questions)
Section: Science Curriculum Design and Integration — Questions 70–85 (16 questions)
Section: Assessment and Differentiation in Science Education — Questions 86–100 (15 questions)
Instructions
This practice exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions divided across 6 sections covering elementary science
curriculum concepts. You have 120 minutes to complete the entire exam. Select the single best answer for each
question. A score of 80% or higher (80 correct answers out of 100) is required to pass. Each question includes a
rationale explaining the correct answer and why the top distractor is incorrect. Review all rationales carefully to reinforce
key pedagogical and content concepts. Do not use outside resources during the exam. Good luck on your preparation
for the 2026/2027 WGU D671 Objective Assessment.
Disclaimer: This practice exam is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Western Governors
University or any official testing organization. Content is designed for educational preparation only.
WGU D671 Science OA — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 0
,Section 1: Nature of Science and Scientific Inquiry — 2026/2027
Q1 Question 1 of 100
A third-grade teacher wants students to understand that scientific knowledge can change when new
evidence is discovered. The teacher designs a lesson in which students observe a demonstration,
form a hypothesis, and then receive new data that contradicts their initial explanation. This activity
best demonstrates which nature of science principle?
A. Scientific knowledge is tentative and subject to revision when new evidence emerges
B. Science is a static body of facts that remains unchanged over time
C. Scientific theories are guesses that scientists change at random
D. Once a scientific law is established it can never be modified
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
The activity demonstrates that scientific knowledge is tentative and subject to revision based on new
evidence, which is a core nature of science principle. Science is not static, and theories are not random
guesses but well-supported explanations that can be revised. Laws can also be refined as measurement
improves.
Q2 Question 2 of 100
A fifth-grade teacher asks students to design an experiment testing whether plants grow taller with
more sunlight. One student suggests placing three identical plants under a window, in a closet, and
under a lamp, and watering each plant a different amount. The teacher should point out that this
experimental design has which flaw?
A. Using three different locations makes the experiment too complex to analyze
B. The student has introduced an additional variable (water amount) that confounds the results and
prevents drawing a valid conclusion about sunlight alone
C. Plants cannot be used in controlled experiments because they grow at unpredictable rates
D. The experiment needs at least five plants in each group to be scientifically valid
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The experiment has a confounding variable because water amounts differ across groups, making it
impossible to determine whether growth differences are caused by sunlight or water. Controlled experiments
require isolating one independent variable. Three locations is manageable, plants are valid subjects, and
while larger samples improve reliability, the core flaw is the confound.
WGU D671 Science OA — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 1
,Section 1: Nature of Science and Scientific Inquiry — 2026/2027
Q3 Question 3 of 100
A second-grade teacher shows students a video of scientists working in a laboratory and asks the
class to describe what scientists do. Several students say scientists work alone in labs wearing
white coats. The teacher wants to address this misconception about the nature of science. Which
instructional strategy would be most effective?
A. Telling students that scientists actually work in many different settings and collaborate in teams
B. Showing another video of scientists in a different type of laboratory
C. Having students read biographies of diverse scientists who work in various fields and collaborate in
teams
D. Assigning a worksheet about the steps of the scientific method
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Reading biographies of diverse scientists working in various settings directly addresses the stereotype by
providing concrete examples of scientific collaboration and diversity. Simply telling students or showing
another lab video does not engage them deeply enough to change misconceptions. A worksheet on scientific
method steps does not address the social nature of science.
Q4 Question 4 of 100
A fourth-grade class is investigating which type of paper towel absorbs the most water. The teacher
guides students to identify the independent variable, the dependent variable, and the constants
before beginning. In this investigation, the dependent variable is which of the following?
A. The brand or type of paper towel being tested
B. The temperature of the water used in the test
C. The size of the container holding the water
D. The amount of water absorbed by each paper towel
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
The dependent variable is what is being measured, which is the amount of water absorbed by each paper
towel. The brand or type of paper towel is the independent variable (what is changed). Water temperature and
container size should be held constant as controlled variables.
WGU D671 Science OA — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2
, Section 1: Nature of Science and Scientific Inquiry — 2026/2027
Q5 Question 5 of 100
A first-grade teacher wants to help students understand the difference between an observation and
an inference. The teacher places a sealed box on a table and asks students to describe what is
inside. Which approach best teaches this distinction?
A. Having students shake the box and listen, then distinguishing between what they directly sense
(sound) and what they guess might be inside based on the sound
B. Opening the box immediately so students can see the object and describe its properties
C. Telling students the difference between observation and inference before showing the box
D. Letting each student hold the box and guess what is inside without any structured guidance
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Having students shake the box and listen lets them experience a direct sensory observation (sound) and then
distinguish that from their inference about the contents. Opening the box eliminates the need for inference.
Direct instruction alone is less engaging, and unstructured guessing without guidance does not teach the
distinction.
Q6 Question 6 of 100
A third-grade teacher is planning a unit on scientific inquiry. The teacher wants students to develop
their own testable questions rather than using questions provided by the textbook. Which scaffolding
strategy would best support students in generating their own questions?
A. Providing a list of questions from the textbook and asking students to pick one
B. Modeling how to turn a general wonder statement into a specific testable question using a
think-aloud, then having students practice with their own wonder statements
C. Allowing students to research any topic on the internet and write a report
D. Assigning each student a specific question to investigate from a pre-made list
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Modeling the process of transforming wonder statements into testable questions through a think-aloud
provides the scaffolding students need to develop their own questions. Picking from a list, free internet
research, and assigned questions do not develop the skill of question generation.
WGU D671 Science OA — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3
