What is ACT Science?

Hi all, I'm preparing to take the ACT soon, and I know there's a science section included. Can someone please clarify what's covered in the ACT Science section and how I should approach it? Thanks!

Hi there! The ACT Science section is actually quite different from what many students expect. While it's called the "Science" section, it's more about critically analyzing data, interpreting graphs, and understanding scientific experiments and studies. You don't necessarily need to have extensive content knowledge in specific science subjects like biology, chemistry, or physics.

The section contains 40 multiple-choice questions, and you'll have 35 minutes to complete it. The test is divided into 7 passages, each focusing on a specific scientific topic. The passages cover three main categories: data representation (3 passages), research summaries (3 passages), and conflicting viewpoints (1 passage).

Here's a summary of each category:

1. Data Representation: These passages will provide you with figures, charts, tables or graphs, and you'll be asked to interpret the data presented. It is essential to quickly identify trends and relationships between variables, so familiarize yourself with interpreting diagrams and reading experiments.

2. Research Summaries: You'll be given descriptions of one or more experiments or studies, and you'll have to answer questions about the experiment design, methodology, and results. Practice understanding the basic structure of scientific research, including hypotheses, independent and dependent variables, and experimental controls.

3. Conflicting Viewpoints: This passage will present multiple scientific opinions or theories regarding a particular topic. You'll need to analyze and compare the various viewpoints, identify inconsistencies, and find supporting evidence or data. Improve your skills in recognizing the key points of each viewpoint and evaluating their merits.

For your preparation, work on improving your reading speed, as time management is crucial. Familiarize yourself with various types of scientific graphs and charts, and practice interpreting data. Finally, do timed practice tests to get a feel for the pacing of the test and to identify areas that need improvement.

Remember that the ACT Science section is testing your critical thinking, data interpretation, and reasoning skills, so focus on honing those abilities while practicing. Good luck with your test preparation!