Types of Questions
This type of question is fairly straightforward and simply requires you to read and interpret the information presented
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. Skim the passages- get the Main Ideas
Which of the following best describes how the 2 scientists explain how craters are removed from Europa’s surface?
A. Scientist 1:Sublimation Scientist 2: Filled in by water
B. Scientist 1: Filled in by water Scientist 2: Sublimation
C. Scientist 1: Worn smooth by wind Scientist 2: Sublimation
D. Scientist 1: Worn smooth by wind Scientist 2: Filled in by water
B is the best answer. Scientist 1 says that the craters are smoothed by liquid water that oozes up into the craters from the subsurface and then quickly freezes. Scientist 2 says that when ice sublimates, the craters are eroded and smoothed.
Based on the results of Study 1, the average monthly wet deposition for Cu^2+ over the 12-month period was:
A. less than 50 µg/m2
B. between 50 µg/m2 and 75 µg/m2
C. between 75 µg/m2 and 100 µg/m2
D. greater than 100 µg/m2
B. between 50 µg/m2 and 75 µg/m2.
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.
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. Even if you need to use a scientific formula, you will not need a calculator for this test.
According to the information provided, which of the following descriptions of Europa would be accepted by both scientists?
A. Europa has a larger diameter than does Jupiter.
B. Europa has a surface made of rocky material.
C. Europa has a surface temperature of 20°C.
D. Europa is completely covered by a layer of ice.
D is the best answer. Both scientists indicate that ice covers large portions of the surface and neither discusses the presence of any other surface material. So, both scientists would likely agree that Europa is completely covered by a layer of ice.
Which of the following variables was kept constant in Study 2 ?
A. Site
B. Monthly rainfall
C. Wet deposition of Zn^2+
D. Wet deposition of Cl−
A. Site
These types of questions are typically seen as the easiest on ACT Science
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.)
With which of the following statements about the conditions on Europa or the evolution of Europa’s surface would both Scientist 1 and Scientist 2 most likely agree? The surface of Europa:
A. is being shaped by the movement of ice.
B. is covered with millions of meteorite craters.
C. is the same temperature as the surface of the Arctic Ocean on Earth.
D. has remained unchanged for millions of years.
A is the best answer. Scientist 1 states that Europa's surface is partially composed of large slabs of ice that rotate. Scientist 2 states that many of the features on Europa's surface resemble features created by flowing glaciers on Earth. Thus, both would likely agree that Europa's surface is being shaped by the movement of ice.
According to Study 3, as distance from the urban site increased, the annual wet deposition:
A. increased for both Cu^2+ and Zn^2+
B. increased for Cu^2+ but decreased for Zn^2+
C. decreased for both Cu^2+ and Zn2+
D. remained the same for both Cu2+ and Zn^2+
C. decreased for both Cu^2+ and Zn2+
These types of questions are typically seen as the most difficult in ACT Science
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!
Which of the following statements about meteorite craters on Europa would be most consistent with both scientists’ views?
A. No meteorites have struck Europa for millions of years.
B. Meteorite craters, once formed, are then smoothed or removed by Europa's surface processes.
C. Meteorite craters, once formed on Europa, remain unchanged for billions of years.
D. Meteorites frequently strike Europa's surface but do not leave any craters.
B is the best answer. Both scientists describe surface processes that smooth or remove meteorite craters. Scientist 1 says that the craters become smooth when liquid water oozes into the craters and then quickly freezes. Scientist 2 says the process is the result of the sublimation of ice.
According to Figure 1, over the 12-month period, the monthly precipitation at the urban site was maximum in February and minimum in July. According to Figures 2 and 3, the wet deposition of which ion was also maximum in February and minimum in July?
A. Cu^2+
B. Zn^2+
C. Cl−
D. SO4^2-
D. SO4^2-
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.
Conflicting Viewpoints
Which question type shows up the MOST on the Science ACT? Data Representation Research Summaries 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.
Scientist 2 explains that ice sublimes to water vapor and enters Europa’s atmosphere. If ultraviolet light then broke those water vapor molecules apart, which of the following gases would one most likely expect to find in Europa’s atmosphere as a result of this process?
A. Nitrogen
B. Methane
C. Chlorine
D. Oxygen
D is the best answer. Water vapor molecules are composed of hydrogen and oxygen. The breakdown of these molecules would lead to the production of oxygen (O2) in the atmosphere.
Suppose there had been no precipitation during 1 entire month of the 12-month period. Based on the information provided, during that month there would have been:
A. significant wet deposition of all 4 substances.
B. significant wet deposition of Cu^2+ and Zn^2+, but no wet deposition of Cl− and SO4^2−
C. no wet deposition of any of the 4 substances.
D. no wet deposition of Cu2+ and Zn^2+, but significant wet deposition of Cl− and SO4^2−
C. no wet deposition of any of the 4 substances.