ACT Science Strategies and tips

Background Basically reading, so you need a good reading strategy ACT science a series of passages; strategies will vary based on the type of passage 3 Data Representation Passages 5 or 6 questions per passage 3 Research Summaries Passages 1 Conflicting Viewpoints Passage  7 questions per passage

Data Representation and research summary Similar in that but use graphs, tables etc as the primary way to convey information Strategies will be similar for both

Data Representation Passages: They present you with a short paragraph or two as well as one to four visual representations of data (such as graphs, tables, and/or scatterplots). The passages will mention specific studies and label sections as Study 1/2/3. Question Type 1: Factual Questions These questions simply ask you to relay factual information that is presented in the passage. Question Type 2: Interpreting Trends Questions These questions ask you to evaluate graphs, tables, and/or scatterplots to decide if there is a relationship. Is it increasing or decreasing? Is there an inverse relationship or direct relationship? Question Type 3: Calculations Questions These questions ask you to take what is given and figure out where it is going. Given the data, what might Y be at value X?  The questions ask you to make extrapolations and interpolations.

Research Summary Passages These passages look similar to the Data Representation Passages in that they usually present you with a short paragraph or two plus visuals (graphs, tables, scatterplots, or images), The difference is that Research Summaries Passages focus on a specific experiment or a couple of experiments.  The passages will usually label sections as Experiment 1/2/3 and mention a scientist or student who is conducting the experiment. There may be an image of how the experiments are set up.

Research summary passages (continued) Question Type 4: Experimental Design/Researcher Intent Questions These questions ask you to determine why the researcher designed the experiment a certain way. What are the controls and variables in the experiment? What is the hypotheses on which the experiment is based? Question Type 5: Hypothetical Experimental Questions These questions ask you to determine what would happen if there was a change in the experiment (in the temperature, solution, etc). They often require you to understand the trend of the data to predict how the outcome would change if the experiment were changed Question Type 6: Interpreting Experiments Questions These questions ask you interpret the information that you are given. Based on the data shown, is this statement supported? These questions are often framed in a 2x2 matrix: Yes because A, Yes because B, No because A, No because B.

Approach #1: Skip the Passage and Go Right to the Questions. Immediately start reading the questions and try to answer by using graphs, charts and other visuals If you need more information than the visuals alone, then go back to the passage  With only 52.5 seconds per question, this approach is the most efficient use of your limited time, especially if you find yourself running out of time before you get a chance to consider all the questions. 

Example

Approach #2: Skim the Passage and Then Read the Questions Try this approach if you struggle to answer the questions without having a little context first. Skim the passage for key words that indicate what the passage is about, for key words that indicate trends such as increase or decrease, and for key words that suggest differences such as high, low, big, or small. You should circle or underline these terms as you skim.  Try approach #2 if, after you have attempted approach #1, you still struggle with timing, or you struggle to answer the questions correctly. 

Example

Approach #3: Read the Whole Passage First If you plan on using this approach, you need to be able to read the passage/visuals in less than 2 minutes since you only have 5 minutes to complete each passage. Set aside at least 3 minutes to answer questions.  If you're targeting a score between 31 and 36 and are not able to get your reading pace under 2 minutes, DO NOT use this strategy, or you will not be able to finish all 7 passages.  If you are targeting a score of 30 or below, you can afford to skip 1 passage, so you could use this strategy if your reading pace is slower.  Make sure you can answer 6 out of 7 passages. skip the Conflicting Viewpoints Passage if you skip 1.

Reading Approach for Conflicting Viewpoints Passage This passage is the most different. The passage presents you with two short essays (and looks similar to an English passage). The essays represent conflicting scientific viewpoints or theories.  Question Type 7: Understanding of Viewpoints Questions These questions check to make sure you understand each author's point of view.  What would researcher X predict to happen? Question Type 8: Comparing Viewpoints Questions These questions ask you to point out the similarities and differences between the authors.  Recommended saving this passage for last because it takes the most time for most people since it requires you to read the whole passage to answer the questions. Reading Approach for Conflicting Viewpoints Passage

Approach #1: Read the Whole Passage First This is the best strategy for the Conflicting Viewpoints Passage only. To answer Conflicting Viewpoints questions, you need to read the entire passage, so that you can distinguish between the scientist's/student's viewpoints. You should ask yourself these questions while you read: What does scientist/student 1 believe? What does scientist/student 2 believe? What does scientist/student 3/4/5 believe? Occasionally, there will be more than 2 viewpoints represented. I have seen as many as 5 viewpoints discussed on a Conflicting Viewpoints Passage.  How is scientist/student 2's point of view different from scientist/student 1's point of view? How is scientist/student 2's point of view similar to scientist/student 1's point of view? Approach #1: Read the Whole Passage First

Example

In order to answer this question, you need to read all of Scientist 2’s paragraph and understand what Scientist 2 believes. Scientist 2 said the object was an asteroid. Scientist 2 also said that as the asteroid entered Earth’s atmosphere, it was flattened and decelerated rapidly due to the dramatic increase in surface area.  In looking at the question, I can eliminate F because it had already entered Earth’s atmosphere when it flattened, which means I can also eliminate G. H makes sense because it decelerated rapidly due to increased surface area, if it had not flattened, it would not have had an increased surface area. I think the answer is H, but I will check J. Frozen doesn’t make any sense and was not mentioned in Scientist 2’s paragraph. So, the answer is H. Notice that you need all of the information from the Conflicting Viewpoints Passage to answer the questions. Thus, reading the whole passage first is the most effective strategy. This way you ensure that you do not miss key information you need to answer the questions.    Example (continued)

Approach #2: Skim the Questions and Then Read the Passage If you would like to skim the questions first to get a sense of what you should be reading the passage for, that is fine too.  It may slow you down, so it is recommended trying approach #1 first.  If you had skimmed question 10 before reading, you would have known you had to pay special attention to Scientist 2’s description of the flattened asteroid. You would have been able to circle the sentence that mentions the flattened asteroid when reading through the passage. It might make answering the question a little faster.

What next? Everyone is unique, so try approach #1 and if it slows you down too much, then try the next approach. You will only find your best reading approach through practice.  Go out and practice! Carlisle assignment part A for week #4 Choose 3 different science question sets: 1 data representation, 1 research summary and 1 conflicting viewpoints (these can all be found on Naviance) Apply strategy 1 from the data rep and research summary strategies to one of either the data rep or research summary question sets. Apply strategy 2 to the remaining data rep or research summary strategies Apply strategy 1 from the conflicting viewpoints strategies to your question set for conflicting viewpoints