What's it For, Mat?
The total number of passages on the science test.
What is "6 or 7"?
Do this instead of reading the whole passage.
Look at graphs first. Read as necessary.
This strategy separates key information from unnecessary details.
What is, "COAST"?
The number of conflicting viewpoint passages on the science test.
For these passages, spend 15-20 seconds getting organized, briefly looking at relevant parts of the passage to clarify unknown terms/concepts.
What is "simple graphs"?
The total number of Questions on the Test.
What is "40"?
When tempted to double check answers, take this tip from Elsa.
Let it go. No time to double check. Keep moving.
This is the most important strategy to break down the questions.
What is, "POINT as you go"?
The most important part of each passage to read.
What is the first/topic sentence?
For these passages, plan to spend about 30-60 seconds getting organized, absorbing where things can be located in the passage, and quickly reading to clear up puzzling information in the graphs.
What is "complex graphs"?
The total amount of time for the science test
What is "35 Minutes"?
Do this if time is running short.
Use your guessing letter for an entire passage.
On the more complex questions, this strategy is helpful for both focusing on what the question is asking and not getting things backwards.
What is, "WRITE as you go"?
Where the majority of the passage information is found.
What is, "in reading the passage"?
With these passages, spend about 60-90 seconds reading through the passage, giving more emphasis to the topic sentences of each paragraph.
What is, "conflicting viewpoints"?
What is, "about one minute"?
Avoid this pitfall on early questions within a passage.
Overthinking.
Be prepared for this reality as you work through each section.
What is, "questions get HARDER as you go"?
The purpose of each question in the conflicting viewpoints section.
What is, "finding the similarities and differences between the authors' various positions"?
Virtually all information needed to answer the questions is located here.
What is, "right in front of you"?
The kinds of passages on the science test.
What are "Data Representation", "Research Summary", and "Conflicting Viewpoints"?
Do this instead of getting stuck looking for a figure that's right in front of you.
Allow time to get organized before looking at questions.
This is the best time to take a nap during the exam.
What is, "never"?
The amount of time a student should spend reading the passages.
What is "60 to 90 seconds"?
Rather than knowledge, the ACT science section tests this skill.
What is "thinking" or "reasoning"?