Types of Questions
This type of question is fairly straightforward and simply requires you to read and interpret the information presented
A. Data Representation
B. Research Summaries
C. Conflicting Viewpoints
Data Representation
How many questions are on ACT Science?
40
True/False: Read the whole passage in full and try to absorb as much information as possible.
False. Use locators to determine the answer.
The total number of passages on the Science test.
What is 7?
Time allowed for the Science portion of the ACT.
What is 35 minutes?
This type of question presents a series of different experiments on the same topic. They may ask about the design of the experiment and how a hypothesis is tested, confirmed, or refuted.
A. Data Representation
B. Research Summaries
C. Conflicting Viewpoints
Research Summary
How much time do you have to complete ACT Science?
35 minutes
You will probably need a calculator to answer some of the questions in ACT Science (even though you won't have access to one)
False. Any information you need is on the page or in the passage. Use simple math (round, estimate, and approximate).
Time you should allot for each question on the Science portion of the ACT.
What is .875 minutes/question?
(less than 1 minute for each question)
The biggest obstacle on the Science portion of ACT.
What is time?
These types of questions are typically seen as the easiest on ACT Science
A. Data Representation
B. Research Summaries
C. Conflicting Viewpoints
Data Representation
ACT Science is made up of how many passages? (range)
6-7 passages
True/False: You do not need to know much Science knowledge to do well on this test. 90-95 percent of the questions are not based on content knowledge.
True! only 5-10 percent of ACT Science questions require you to know science knowledge that isn't written on the page. (For example, you may need to know what volume is, or the periodic symbol for iron.)
Scientific reasoning basis.
What is common sense?
Makes trends easiest to spot in passages & why.
What are graphs because they are more visual and make trends easier to spot?
These types of questions are typically seen as the most difficult in ACT Science
A. Data Representation
B. Research Summaries
C. Conflicting Viewpoints
Conflicting Viewpoints
Name 3 of the 4 categories of Science tested on the ACT.
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth/Space Science
True/False: If you're having a difficult time getting to all of the passages, you may consider skipping 1 or 2 of them all together.
True. Skipping one or two passages could give you a little extra time to spend on the other passages. Don't forget to still make guesses on skipped questions!
An important step to use to compare & contrast information
What is identify independent and dependent variables?
Next step after underlying and highlighting important items when glancing at a passage
What is take note of key words on the side of the passage? (trends)
These questions/passages give several competing hypotheses. You will be asked to understand the hypotheses, both on their own and in relation to each other.
A. Data Representation
B. Research Summaries
C. Conflicting Viewpoints
Conflicting Viewpoints
Which question type shows up the MOST on the Science ACT?
A. Data Representation
B. Research Summaries
C. Conflicting Viewpoints
Research Summary questions make up 45%-55% of ACT Science test. (about 18-22 questions)
True/False: You should find the Conflicting Viewpoints passage FIRST and complete it at the very beginning of the testing time.
False! Conflicting Viewpoints passages and questions are more difficult and can be time consuming. You should skip the Conflicting Viewpoints passage and save it for last so that you have enough time to answer the easier questions.
The general format of passages for the Science section- type & number.
What is 3 charts/graphs + 3 experiments + 1 fighting scientist passages?
Name the 4 steps of the Scientific Method in proper order.
What is 1. Observe natural phenomena
2. Formulate hypothesis
3. Experimentation
4. Establish Theory/Results