The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to develop a paper and pencil science process test for fifth-grade students based on some of the goals for grades 3-5 of the Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS); and (2) to use this test and other tests to compare fifth-grade students who had been in the SCIS program for five consecutive years with similar fifth-grade students who have been enrolled in traditional textbook series science courses. The Test of Science Inquiry Skills (TSIS) was administered to 310 SCIS students and to 191 "traditional textbook" students. Twelve SCIS and seven control classrooms were compared using scores from the TSIS and other tests. Evidence from this study indicated that the paper and pencil test format can function effectively as a group process test for fifth-grade students and provide a means of evaluating the students' ability to utilize process skills. Students had no difficulty with the test or in marking machine-scorable answer sheets. They could follow the questions and relate the test items to specific diagrams. Diagrams, charts, graphs, and pictures can thus be used to effectively communicate problem situations to fifth-grade students. (Author/LS)