1. Strategies and Diagnostic Exam
ACT Science Test
Strategies and Diagnostic Exam

2. About the Science Test 35 minutes 40 questions Seven passages
No calculators!

3. Passage Types Seven total passages:
3 Data Representation Passages (5 ?s each)
3 Research Summary Passages (6 ?s each)
1 Conflicting Viewpoints Passage (7 ?s)

4. In which order should you do the passages?
You have about 52 seconds to answer each question if you divide your time—so you MUST practice working quickly.
Many students find it helpful to go in this order:
-Do the 3 data representation passages FIRST (you will recognize them by seeing that they have 5 questions each after them)
-Do the 3 research summaries SECOND (6 questions after)
-Do conflicting viewpoints LAST (7 questions)

5. In which order should you do the passages?
PRO TIP:
The writers of the ACT cannot have everyone scoring a 36, which is why there’s often not enough time to complete each section…
…they will purposefully put the Conflicting Viewpoints passage toward the beginning of the science test because they know most students will slow way down and focus on this passage first, which makes them run out of time at the end. SO SAVE THIS PASSAGE FOR LAST!

6. Passage Types: Data Representation:
-Do these passages first because there is not a lot of reading involved (besides a short introduction)
-Easily recognizable by their use of graphs and charts
-They often look more intimidating than they are.
-Questions will ask you to identify trends in the graphs, pick out data points, and analyze information presented in equations or figures.
-PAY ATTENTION TO SCALES. If the x-axis labels every 10 years (1990, 2000, 2010, etc) and the question asks you about 1995, you will be looking in between the actual labels for the point on the graph.

7. Passage Types: Research Summaries: -Do these passages second
-They usually describe some sort of science experiment, how they did it, and the results. They will sometimes even be labeled “Experiment 1,” “Experiment 2,” “Experiment 3,” etc.
-You will need to be familiar with the scientific method, but most of the answers to these questions are easily found in the information presented.
-You need to know how to identify a hypothesis, control group, independent variables, and dependent variables.

8. Passage Types: Conflicting Viewpoints: -Do this passage last
-Reading intensive
-Use some of the same strategies as the reading test: read the questions first to see what you’re looking for
-MARK UP THE PASSAGE!

9. Diagnostic Exam
You will now take the diagnostic exam for the Science section to see where you are.
Remember: this will count as a grade, but you will have a chance to improve that score with the final test when we get to the Science unit.
This also counts as participation for the day (double-whammy!) If you finish with more than 10 minutes to go in the test time, I will know you have not given good-faith effort.

10. Answer Chart Fill out your answer to each question on your chart.
Then, give your paper to a classmate.

11. Answer Chart Fill out your answer to each question on your chart.
Pass your original answer sheet up to me.
Then, give your paper to a classmate.

12. Answer Chart 11) C 12) F 13) B 14) G 15) A 16) J 17) C 18) F 19) B
Fill out the correct answers in the correct answer column and mark incorrect answers with an “X” in the appropriate column.
11) C
12) F
13) B
14) G
15) A
16) J
17) C
18) F
19) B
20) F A G C D J H F
21) B
22) J
23) A
24) J
25) C
26) G
27) D
28) F
29) B
30) G
31) C
32) F
33) D
34) F
35) B
36) J
37) C
38) F
39) D
40) G

13. Answer Chart
Get your own chart back and highlight each skill that goes with each question that you answered incorrectly.
Then, answer the questions at the bottom of your chart.