April 2014 Science Department

 “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.”  Alexander Graham Bell  “I feel that luck is preparation meeting opportunity.”  Oprah Winfey

 Higher scores earn more scholarships  Higher scores allow entrance into the university you want to attend  On average, ACT prep classes raise student’s scores 2 points…..  So…..here we go

 40 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS IN 35 MINUTES  7 PASSAGES WITH 5-7 QUESTIONS PER PASSAGE  YOU CAN MISS 5 OR 6 QUESTIONS AND STILL SCORE 24 ON THE SCIENCE TEST.  Test is scored based upon correct answers…..  No deduction for incorrect answers

 3 types of passages:  Data representations – 3 passages  Research summaries – 3 passages  Conflicting viewpoints – 1 passage  Each passage has 5-7 questions

The 5 to 7questions in each passage are designed to get harder as you go! The 7 passages are designed to get harder as you go! To make up time, Don’t go faster, Give up quicker

 The following are ACT general strategies:……………….

When you’re stuck, pick what “feels right”

CROSS OUT CHOICES THAT ARE OBVIOUSLY WRONG! 1.My favorite class is: a.Math b. English c. Lunch d. Chemistry

SPEND < SECONDS READING THE PASSAGE

MAKE NOTES ON THE DIAGRAMS AND TABLES

MOST SCIENTIFIC TERMS WILL BE UNIMPORTANT

Don’t waste time on lengthy calculations. An estimate will usually work just as well.

GET PLENTY OF SLEEP THE NIGHT BEFORE THE TEST

EAT BREAKFAST THE DAY OF THE TEST

Goal score or 6 passages: min: for the first 3 passages min: for any 2-3 of the last 4 passages Goal score passages: 1 min per question on any of 6 passages Goal score passages: Get a little ahead of 5 minutes/passage. Use this “cushion” on the conflicting viewpoints passage. Goal score passages (without sacrifice): Same pacing as goal score

 General Principles reading  Spend < sec reading the passage.  Make notes  Make notes on the diagrams & tables.  Make conclusions  Make conclusions based upon what is provided in the diagram. variables, units, scales  Identify the variables, units, scales.  Recommended times:  7 passages pacing 3-4 min each  6 passages pacing 4-5 min each

LOOK FOR DIRECTIONAL WORDS IN THE QUESTION PICK A CHOICE IN THE SAME DIRECTION INVERSE RELATIONSHIP DIRECT RELATIONSHIP

Independent variable On vertical axis More than 1 line on a graph

2 DEPENDENT VARIABLES. INDEPENDENT VARIABLE ON VERTICAL AXIS

General Principles reading 1. It’s OK to spend a little more time reading the passage. 2. Make notes 2. Make notes on the passage. scientific termsunimportant 3. Most scientific terms will be unimportant. 4. Note what changes 4. Note what changes between experiments. variables 5. Identify the effects of and effects on variables, and what is being held constant. 6. Recommended times: 7 passage pacing 5-6 min each 6 passage pacing 6-7 min each

 Scan the passage and underline important parts  Make notes on the test  Let the questions guide you back to the passages  Pay attention to the experimental design  Make sure your deductions are based on the facts. Reject answers containing data not found in the experiments, even if it sounds reasonable.

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5. Dissolved load in a catchment is produced by chemical weathering, while solid load is produced by mechanical weathering. According to this Information and the results of study 1, which of the following statements About weathering is most likely true? A. Limestone is more susceptible to mechanical than chemical weathering. B. Limestone is more susceptible to chemical than mechanical weathering. C. Quartzite is more susceptible to chemical than mechanical weathering. D. Quartzite is equally susceptible to chemical and to mechanical weathering.

General Principles 1. Approach these the same as the passages in the reading subtest. 2. Opening paragraph contains important known fact. “heart” of the conflict 3. Read the passage carefully enough to understand the “heart” of the conflict. 4. Make notes 4. Make notes on the passage. descriptors 5. Think of several descriptors to distinguish viewpoints. names are important 6. For named viewpoints, the names are important! 7. Neither viewpoint will be “correct.” 8. Recommended times: 7 passage pacing 5-6 min each 6 passage pacing 6-7 min each Try passage I, p. 42

 A scientific phenomenon is described in detail followed by 2 or more theories.  Often conflicting viewpoints are different interpretations of the same data  You can recognize the passage from headings like “student 1” “student 2” or “scientist 1” and “scientist 2”.  Determine the main points of disagreement and underline them.

9. The scientists supporting both hypotheses would agree that life on Earth first began: A. in space B. in the oceans C. on another planet D. on land

10. The Outer Space Hypothesis makes the assumption That, billions of years ago, Earth was: F. the only planet in the solar system with volcanoes G. Completely covered by oceans. H. bombarded by bodies from outer space. J. much colder than it is today. Organic molecules were brought to Earth by bodies from space.