The ACT
Click here to go to official ACT website.
The ACT consists of the following:
1. English writing and knowledge of language skills: 75 questions in 45minutes.
2. Math skills: 60 questions in 60 minutes
3. Reading comprehension skills: 40 questions in 35 minutes
4. Science interpretation and analysis: 40 questions in 35 minutes
5. Writing skills: 1 writing prompt in 40 minutes
Tips for Success on the ACT Science Test
A general summary is below, but do read this article for yourself! There are even links to other great articles from this one.
A general summary is below, but do read this article for yourself! There are even links to other great articles from this one.
1. Believe in your ability to do well and score high!
2. Realize that the ACT Science test is really not dependent upon your science knowledge. It is more about your ability to understand information, read charts and graphs, and reason logically.
3. Don't waste time trying to read and fully comprehend all of the details in each passage. You have 40 questions to answer in 35 minutes. Already, you are at a deficit for time. Read/scan the passage to find out: 1) what is the main point?
2) what do the figures show?
4. Don't worry about all of the big words. ACT does not ask you to define words. Look for relationships in the data.
5. Know and recognize the 3 types of passages/questions. There will be 7 total.
1) 3 Data Representation: these describe an experiment then show 2-3 data charts and graphs you must be able to analyze
2) 3 Research Summaries: these describe an experiment with multiple parts. The student is asked about the design of the experiment and hypothetical changes to the experiment.
3) 1 Conflicting Viewpoint: these describe a disagreement between scientists. The student must be able to compare and contract the viewpoints.
6. In your practice for the actual test, find your weaknesses, and work to improve yourself. It's more fun to keep working problems we understand. The real task is to improve your weaknesses.
7. Learn how to read graphs. Most of the graphs will be line graphs. This link has some help.
8. Don't try to prepare by reading your science textbook. Use ACT practice tests.
9. Track your time. 40 questions in 35 minutes. If a question is taking too long (more than about 30sec), skip it or guess.
2. Realize that the ACT Science test is really not dependent upon your science knowledge. It is more about your ability to understand information, read charts and graphs, and reason logically.
3. Don't waste time trying to read and fully comprehend all of the details in each passage. You have 40 questions to answer in 35 minutes. Already, you are at a deficit for time. Read/scan the passage to find out: 1) what is the main point?
2) what do the figures show?
4. Don't worry about all of the big words. ACT does not ask you to define words. Look for relationships in the data.
5. Know and recognize the 3 types of passages/questions. There will be 7 total.
1) 3 Data Representation: these describe an experiment then show 2-3 data charts and graphs you must be able to analyze
2) 3 Research Summaries: these describe an experiment with multiple parts. The student is asked about the design of the experiment and hypothetical changes to the experiment.
3) 1 Conflicting Viewpoint: these describe a disagreement between scientists. The student must be able to compare and contract the viewpoints.
6. In your practice for the actual test, find your weaknesses, and work to improve yourself. It's more fun to keep working problems we understand. The real task is to improve your weaknesses.
7. Learn how to read graphs. Most of the graphs will be line graphs. This link has some help.
8. Don't try to prepare by reading your science textbook. Use ACT practice tests.
9. Track your time. 40 questions in 35 minutes. If a question is taking too long (more than about 30sec), skip it or guess.
Again, this article is worth your time, plus it has links to other great ACT test-taking tips!
