ACT Science

Question 1

ACT Science vs School Science

Answer 1

1. In SCHOOL, you are required to LEARN/UNDERSTAND/MEMORIZE/CALCULATE science.
2. On the ACT, you need to simply READ/INTERPRET graphs & figures in passages.

Question 2

ACT Science Passage Approach
(3 parts)

Answer 2

1. Don’t Read The Passage (At First)… Go Straight To The Questions.
2. Answer Questions Using Graphs/Figures (If Possible)
3. If Unable To Find Answer In Graphs/Figures, Skim The Words Of The Passage For Key Details

Question 3

ACT Science Question Approach
(3 Parts)

Answer 3

1. Where Is The Answer?
2. What Is (Are) My “Starting Clue(s)” ?
3. What Am I Solving For?

Question 4

“Extend The Graph”
Trends Questions

Answer 4

When the ACT asks about a data point outside the figure, use your pencil to extend the line.

Question 5

“Extend The Table”
Trends Questions

Answer 5

When the ACT asks about a data point outside the table, extend the trend in the table.

Question 6

“Read Between The Lines”
Table & Graph Trends Questions

Answer 6

When the ACT asks about a data value not specifically included in the figure/table, “read between the lines” or “extend the table.”

Question 7

Direct Relationship

Definition

Answer 7

Two variables increase or decrease in unison (as one goes up, the other goes up… OR as one goes down, the other goes down.)

Question 8

Indirect Relationship

Definition

Answer 8

As one variable goes up, the other goes down.

Question 9

Detective Work Questions

Answer 9

On the hardest ACT Science Questions, the questions will give you “starting clues” that you will use to find other clues (information) that will eventually lead you to the correct answer.

Question 10

“Just Look At It” Questions

Answer 10

Sometimes the questions are as simple as just looking at the picture.

Question 11

“Life Experience”
Outside Knowledge Questions

Answer 11

On outside knowledge science questions, you can use your life experience to inform your answer.

Question 12

“Simple Math Calculation”
Outside Knowledge Questions

Answer 12

Unfortunately, you are not allowed to use a calculator on the science section. However, you can round values to make calculations easier.

Question 13

“Melting & Boiling Point”
Questions

Answer 13

ABOVE BOILING/CONDENSATION POINT = GAS

BETWEEN MELTING & BOILING POINT = LIQUID

BELOW MELTING/FREEZING POINT = SOLID

Question 14

pH Scale

Answer 14

1 - 6.9 = Acidic
7 = Neutral
7.1 - 14 = Basic

Question 15

Proton

Answer 15

A particle with a postive change

Question 16

Electron

Answer 16

A particle with a negative change

Question 17

“Plants & Crop Fields” Questions

Answer 17

On questions that ask about “plants and crop fields,” they typically need to hold sunlight and moisture constant between experiments to compare other variables.

Question 18

Control Trial

Answer 18

A trial where nothing is changed to see the “baseline” before an experimental variable is introduced.

Question 19

Conflicting Viewpoints

Answer 19

The one passage that requires you to read 2–4 paragraph-length theories about a scientific phenomenon and compare between them.

This is the one science passage that you definitely need to read (there are usually no graphs or tables).

Question 20

Conflicting Viewpoints Approach

Six Steps

Answer 20

1. Label questions as “Student 1,“ “Student 2,“ “Student 3,” “comparison,” or “intro.”
2. Read introduction and answer any questions on the introduction (if any).
3. Read Student 1 paragraph, stop, and answer any questions only about Student 1.
4. Read Student 2 paragraph, stop, and answer any questions only about Student 2.
5. Read Student 3 paragraph, stop, needs any questions only about Student 3.
6. Finally, answer all comparison questions between multiple students.