The Science Section An Overview 1

40 MC questions in 35 minutes Not a test of your Scientific Knowledge A Reasoning Test The Basics 2

Data Representation (2-3 passages) Research Summary (3-4 passages) Conflicting Viewpoints (1-2 passages) Three Types of Passages 3

General Strategies 4

ALWAYS GUESS! Don’t leave any answers blank. The process of elimination can be especially useful in this section. Test Tips 5

Process of Elimination Basics 6

Process of Elimination: A Step Up 7

Underline KEY WORDS as you read passages AND questions. Words like increase, decrease are usually very important. Finding What’s Important 8

Watch Out! Watch out for questions that include the following words: all, none, always, never Don’t fixate on a stubborn question–while it’s always tempting to try to crack that one stumper, it’s not worth it after a certain point. 9

Watch Out! Answers that look the same / have slight differences Yes/No +Justification 10

Order Take a moment to order the passages by difficulty. Figure out which ones you will do first. Personal Order of Difficulty 11

Science Section Specifics Data Representation 12

Specifics Start out with intuitive passages (These are typically Data Representation) They have: Trends Patterns Easy-to-analyze Relationships 13

Typically the most straightforward passages (as well as the quickest) Can you look at a graph/table/chart, figure out what it’s trying to tell you, and draw a conclusion? Dealing with Data 14

Analyzing Graphs Determine what relationships variables have with each other. Direct? Inverse? No relationship? 15

Causation vs. Correlation The most important statistical concept you will ever experience. 16

Multiple Graphs Be careful when dealing with many graphs on one set of axes! 17

Multiple Graphs Don’t be intimidated, but make sure you are looking at the right line! 18

Another Multi- Graph Example 19

Graphs can be Intimidating 20

Check the units on graph axes, especially time intervals. Given a table, make sure you’re looking at the right line! Things can get cluttered! Be Careful! 21

Draw arrows to indicate trends! *Princeton Review Regarding Data Tables 22

Is this object moving? Rates! Position vs. Velocity 23

More Rates! Could this object be moving? How is this object behaving? 24

Think as if it were a Position vs. Time graph! Where is this reaction fastest? A Brief Look at Chemistry 25

Is this object speeding up or slowing down? Remember: acceleration is how fast velocity is changing! A Look Back at Acceleration 26

Science Section Specifics Research Summary 27

Typically longer than the simpler data representation sections Descriptions of multiple experiments along with graphs/tables/charts Second Order of Difficulty Research Summary 28

Know what’s going on–underline the purpose! Make Notes–this will be a useful tool when going back to the experiments. The Essentials 29

Look at the right experiment!! Watch out for units. Be Careful! 30

More Be Careful! Complex scientific terms may appear. Don’t be intimidated by them–they will always be defined. 31

Remember that if they bother to mention something in the experiment description, it’s usually relevant to one of the variables tested. WHY are they doing this? Questions about Purpose 32

The Red Herring 33

Science Section Specifics Conflicting Viewpoints (the Fighting Scientists) 34

Two or more viewpoints on a scientific issue presented in paragraph form. Similarities and Differences Generally considered the hardest problem type–the key is in the method. The Arguing Scientists Problem 35

Keeping Track Underline key assertions! Make some brief notes beside each argument to capture the gist 36

Read one viewpoint at a time, and address individual questions Then answer questions for both. Do broader questions last, once you have an idea of the subjects and arguments. One Step at a Time 37

In Summary 38

What to do with these Strategies? The best thing to do is to apply them practically through practice questions. 39

Going Forward The state-sponsored ACT is about two weeks away. Get a review book from the CRC or EPHS/EP Library. Science textbooks won’t help very much. 40

Practice Tests Real Testing Conditions Don’t wait until the last minute! 41

Mistakes Know WHY certain mistakes happen. Specific improvements 42

Final Thoughts If you’re not a science person… A high scorer is not necessarily the one with the most background knowledge. 43

Good Testing Habits Relax the day before the test–don’t overwork yourself. Get enough sleep the night of the test–and the night before, and the night before. 44

An Uncommon Trick Practice Guided Imagery a few moments before the test or the same morning. 45

Mr. Holm’s Session! Next week’s prep session will be in the PAC, led by Mr. Holm A comprehensive review on the Essay section 46

We Hope This Helps. 47