The biggest myth about the ACT science section is that you have to be a science whiz.
Guess what? You don’t!!!
You just have to know science enough to not get intimidated and bogged down with science graphs and tables, even if they are of concepts you are totally unfamiliar with.
After you realize that you don’t have to be a science superstar to do well on the ACT, but that really it’s more about being a strong reader, it’s important to understand what to expect on the Science section and how to study for each of the 3 main types of passages.
Also, the Science Section is 35 minutes long and has 7 passages in total. This means you only have about 5 minutes per passage. Knowing what to expect beforehand and how to divide your time will result in multiple minutes saved and less stress on test day.
These passages are broken down as follows:
- Data Representation
- Research Summary
- Conflicting Viewpoints
Data Representation Passages
Data representation passages are often full of big charts and graphs that take up almost a whole page in the test booklet. Topics covered range from meteorology, astronomy, ecology, and biology to physics.
You might see:
- A graph of the different layers of the atmosphere, the earth, or outer space
- A chart of the life cycle of different types of insects
- A diagram of how fast cars accelerate under varying driving conditions
What should you do?
Jump right to the questions!
Data representation passages are designed to throw you off your game, but they are where you can save time. They are meant to test your ability to navigate charts and graphs.
Jumping directly to the questions as opposed to studying the passage is the best way to see which part of the chart or graph you need to understand. As you read the question, treat it like a map and literally move your finger to the axis, unit, or object in the chart or graph that is referenced in the question. This will guide you to the information you need to find the correct answer.
Doing this will save you about 2 minutes per passage, dropping your time needed for Data Representation passages to a mere 3 minutes or so.
If you are starting your ACT preparation months before an exam, then you have the choice of skimming data representation passages before delving into the questions so that you become familiar with the kinds of topics that will be covered. This is a good approach in the early stages of studying and helps prevent you from getting overwhelmed by unknown science concepts.
Research Summary Passages
Research summary passages present a short description and a few accompanying diagrams illustrating a specific experiment or two.
The general approach is very similar to that of Data Representation passages—jump to the questions.
However, many students benefit from:
- Skimming the introductory passage that describes the experiments or research to become familiar with what is going on
- Perusing the charts and diagrams to help navigate back to them from questions
- Determining what the experiment is measuring—is it the speed of meteors, the strength of visible wavelengths as seen through a microscope, or how a substance’s properties change when exposed to different temperatures?
Since you have about 5-6 minutes per passage (after shaving off valuable time from Data Representation passages), only spend about a minute or so skimming the introduction and trying to understand the specifics of the experiments and how they are set up.
Conflicting Viewpoints Passages
These can be zingers. They are passages that look like they belong in the Reading Section more so than the Science Section.
Conflicting viewpoints passages have a description summarizing one scientist’s view on a science-related topic and then another description summarizing another scientist’s view on the same topic.
These passages are designed to drain your time, since you do have to read them like you would a passage on the Reading Section. So don’t let them! Since there is only one of these passages in the entire section, save it for the end so that you can use only the time you have remaining to work on it.
The key things to look for while reading are:
- In what ways the scientists agree
- In what ways the scientists disagree
The goal is to spend enough time reading so that you have some mental (or written) notes on the differences and similarities between the two passages. If the first scientist claims that substance X melts at a higher temperature under certain conditions, that should be a red flag for you to note what the second scientist thinks about the melting behavior of the same substance.
When you’re done reading, start with questions that refer only to passage one, then move on to questions that just refer just to passage two, and end with the questions that refer to both passages, which are the hardest ones.
If you are short of time, then just read the first passage and find all the questions that pertain to it before doing the same for the second passage. Then make your best guess on questions pertaining to both passages.
General Tips for the ACT Science Section
- Watch axes—sometimes units of measurement decrease the higher on the axis they are.
- Check units—this is an age-old trap but it works, so check that the units in the question match the units you found on the chart/graph.
- Double check paired answer choices—paired answer choices are ones that offer two sets of answers that are the same, aside from one change like “increasing” or “more than.” It’s all too easy to narrow your answer choices to two of the wrong choices, so read slowly and double check your work.
- Guess—this tip pertains to all sections on the ACT so even if you’re short on time, intimidated, or totally lost, always pencil in an answer for every question.
Remember: You can become an ACT Science Section whiz without being a master of science!
Understanding the types of passages, how to approach each, keeping in mind the general tips listed above, and practicing again and again and again before the actual exam is how you can ace the ACT Science Section.
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