Fifth and eighth grade students in New York City participated in a citywide science survey for the fourth consecutive year in 1987. These surveys were designed to assess overall achievement in the pre-high school grades and to provide school, district and citywide summary information about student performance in basic areas of the science curriculum. Another purpose was to facilitate staff development in areas of greatest instructional need. The content areas included were biology, earth science, physics, chemistry, and process skills, plus geology, weather, and astronomy in grade eight. This document contains discussions of the process, administration, findings, reliability and validity of the test. Tables include: (1) percentages of students reaching mastery in general science; (2) citywide results by subtest and total test in both general and special education; (3) summary of students tested citywide; and (4) mean p-value by district. (CW)