ACT (& a little SAT) Science Content and Strategy

ACT Format Always the fourth section Always 40 questions Always 35 minutes Always 7 passages: 1 Conflicting Viewpoints 3 Data Representation 3 Research Summaries

ACT science Strategy: Overall Much like the “hands-on” strategies for Reading, but with a few modifications: Faster pace (~5 min to read and answer questions per passage) First read does not need to be as in-depth Don’t need to worry about tone or inference No tough vocabulary outside of technical terms Pay special attention to the charts and graphs In fact, these are often more important than the writing itself Look for patterns and trends Outside knowledge can be useful, especially experimental design and scientific method, but is not usually necessary

Strategy: Conflicting Viewpoints Very similar to the double passages on the SAT, but shorter. Therefore, a similar approach is helpful: Intro paragraph Passage 1 and its questions Passage 2 and its questions Compare/contrast questions

Strategy: Data Representation Remember that the charts and graphs are as important as the text, if not moreso You will likely be asked to project data trends; trends on this test don’t change!

Strategy: Research summaries You will be using charts and graphs here as well These passages usually hinge on one or more experiments, so… Pay attention to experimental procedure and scientific method Pay attention to the controls and the variables As before, if you are asked to make a prediction, remember that you can assume that all trends and patterns continue

Sat science strategy: Well…its actually pretty much the same as the other reading passages. Same question types as the other passages Main idea Evidence Data representation Don’t get overwhelmed by the technical language. Everything you need is in the passage.

Tonight’s assignment: On the relevant post on the site, please do the “ACT Science Set” The answers are posted immediately below the set.