Life Science SOL Study Guide
Practice for the Life Science Virginia SOL test across all 11 standards and 11 strands. SOL Prep turns every standard into a diagnostic, guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions — so you drill what you’re actually weak on instead of re-reviewing what you know.
Life Science SOL practice tests
Two ways to practice Life Science: work through official released items from the Virginia Department of Education, or drill standard by standard with SOL Prep.
What Life Science covers
Scientific and Engineering Practices
- LS.1 — Demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through investigation, analysis, and communication.
Cells and Cell Theory
- LS.2 — Investigate and understand that all living things are composed of cells and the role of cell theory in supporting life processes.
Levels of Structural Organization and Classification
- LS.3 — Investigate and understand levels of structural organization in living things and the classification of organisms.
Chemical Processes and Energy Transfer
- LS.4 — Investigate and understand chemical processes of energy transfer important for life.
Ecosystem Matter and Energy
- LS.5 — Investigate and understand how biotic and abiotic factors affect ecosystems.
Population Interactions and Interdependence
- LS.6 — Investigate and understand interactions and interdependence among populations in biological communities.
Adaptations and Ecosystems
- LS.7 — Investigate and understand how adaptations support an organism’s survival in an ecosystem.
Ecosystem Dynamics and Change
- LS.8 — Investigate and understand how ecosystems, communities, populations, and organisms change over time.
Human Activity and Ecosystems
- LS.9 — Investigate and understand relationships between ecosystem dynamics and human activity.
Genetics and Heredity
- LS.10 — Investigate and understand how organisms reproduce and transmit genetic information to new generations.
Populations and Evolution
- LS.11 — Investigate and understand how populations of organisms can change over time.
Frequently asked questions
What is on the Life Science SOL test?
The Life Science Virginia SOL test is organized into 11 reporting strands: Scientific and Engineering Practices, Cells and Cell Theory, Levels of Structural Organization and Classification, Chemical Processes and Energy Transfer, Ecosystem Matter and Energy, Population Interactions and Interdependence, Adaptations and Ecosystems, Ecosystem Dynamics and Change, Human Activity and Ecosystems, Genetics and Heredity, Populations and Evolution. It assesses the 11 Standards of Learning listed on this page.
How many standards does Life Science cover?
Life Science covers 11 individual Virginia SOL standards across its 11 strands.
Where can I find Life Science SOL practice tests?
The Virginia Department of Education publishes official released tests and practice items at doe.virginia.gov — see our Virginia SOL practice tests guide for direct links. SOL Prep adds standard-by-standard practice for each of the 11 Life Science standards below.
How should I study for the Life Science SOL?
Start with a diagnostic to find which of the 11 Life Science standards you're weakest on, then focus practice there instead of re-reviewing what you already know. Work each standard's skills, then take a mixed practice check.