1. ACT (& a little SAT) Science
Content and Strategy

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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!

7. 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

9. 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.

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