The ACT Science section tests the ability to solve problems and questions related to topics in Biology, Physics and Chemistry. The test taker is required to read texts describing a scientific concept and a particular problem from an experiment or investigation, and is asked to interpret and analyze experimental data on graphs, tables and charts.
Under the time constraint, it is best to have a reliable set of problem-solving steps that can be applied to most science questions. Make sure you have an approach that is adaptable to all the problem situations. An effective problem-solving method for the ACT Science questions could include the following:
1) Briefly glance over the texts and passages to get a sense of what type of problem it is: Chemistry, Biology or Physics.
You don’t need to read it for in-depth information at first glance. Just get an idea of the major scientific concepts involved, i.e. energy transfer in a Physics problem or genetics crosses for a Biology problem. This will save you time in determining the final answer.
2) Go directly to the questions and restate each problem in your own words.
Determine what each question is asking and decide what information you will need to reach a conclusion. The question will normally direct you to a particular graph, figure or table, where you are required to analyze the data to solve problem.
3) Find the information or data needed from the passage, table and diagrams.
When looking for data on graphs and tables:
– identify the axes and labels,
– understand how the legends or keys interpret the data,
– target the variables,
– figure out the relationships between the variables, and
– develop hypotheses and predictions from what the information suggests.
4) Use the information in a logical and organized manner to answer the question.
Compare the viewpoints of the passages, determine the strength of the theories or hypotheses presented, or weigh their similarities and differences to arrive at an answer. Finally, compare your answer to the possible answers to determine your final answer.
The above general strategies will help you break down the ACT Science problems into manageable pieces and tackle the section with confidence.
