ACT Review Science Reasoning

THE TEST 35 Minutes with 40 Questions

What is it? The ACT Science Reasoning test measures your ability to read and understand scientific information. The test does NOT measure your ability to recall scientific facts.

Only BASIC knowledge is Assumed! Most questions are written so that you WON’T know what they’re talking about. They want to see if you can use your REASONing and problem-solving skills!

Just in Case… Some students like to review basic science information before taking the ACT. Here are the broad science concepts found on the ACT:

Four Main Disciplines 1.Biology 2.Earth and Space Science 3.Chemistry 4.Physics

Biology CellBotanyZoologyMicrobiologyEcologyGeneticsEvolution

Chemistry Atoms Chemical Reactions Bonding Reaction Rates SolutionsEquilibrium Gas Laws Electrochemistry Organic Chemistry Biochemistry States of Matter

Physics MechanicsEnergyThermodynamicsElectromagnetismFluidsSolids Light Waves

Earth and Spaces Science GeologyMeteorologyOceanographyAstronomy Environmental Science

The Format: 7 Passages ① Data Representation (38%) ② Research Summaries (45%) ③ Conflicting Viewpoints (17%)

Pass out Cambridge Review Work through p. 1-19

Back to the Format…

Data Representation 3 passages with ~ 5 questions each: Collection of facts often represented visually (graphs, tables, charts, and diagrams)

Data Representation You should KNOW: What numbers measure Factors that affect numbers Trends in the data

Research Summaries 3 passages with ~ 6 questions each: Pose questions 2 or 3 experiments Describes results

Research Summaries You should KNOW how to: Compare experiments Determine experimental design Draw conclusions

Conflicting Viewpoints 1 passage with ~ 7 questions: Outlines a scientific problem with 2 or more alternative explanations

Conflicting Viewpoints You should KNOW how to: Compare explanations Recognize similarities and differences Answer questions

Practice Identifying 3 types of passages (Use ACT Review Study Guide) ACT Review StudyACT Review Study

3 Step Reading Method 1)Preview (30 seconds) Determine Format Determine Format

3 Step Reading Method 1)Preview (30 seconds) 2)Actively Read (1 – 2 minutes) Look at visuals Look at visuals

3 Step Reading Method 1)Preview (30 seconds) 2)Actively Read (1 – 2 minutes) 3)Review Passage (30 seconds) Scan again Scan again

Turn to Study GuideStudy Guide Model the method with Passage 1. Students should then try Passage 2.

Now…How to Answer the Questions!!! Each passage has “Main” Ideas as well as Details Depending on the type of passage, you first ask yourself these questions:

Data Representation Q’s 3 Key Questions 1)What is being measured? 2)What is the relationship among variables? 3)What are the trends in the data? Model with Passage 1

Research Summaries Q’s 3 Key Questions 1)What question is being asked? 2)What variable are being tested? 3)What similarities/differences exist in the experimental results? Model with Passage 2

Conflicting Viewpoints Q’s 3 Key Questions 1)What must be explained? 2)What exist similarities/differences between theories? 3)What are the underlying assumptions? Model with Passage 3

4 Category of Questions 1)Main Idea Questions 2)Detail Questions 3)Inference Questions 4)Application Questions

4 Category of Questions: Practice! Inference Passage II, #2 Passage III, #2 Application Passage 1, #4 Main Idea Passage I, #1 Passage II, #1 Detail Passage I, #2 Passage III, #1

Tricks and Traps 1)Beware irrelevant information! 2)Keep units straight! 3)Don’t assume information! 4)Don’t get bogged down in technical terminology!

Turn to Cambridge Review Practice reading and answering Passage I in 5 minutes. Discuss. Repeat with remaining passages.

Test-taking Strategies 1)Preview entire test and start with easier passages (30 seconds) 2)Answer EVERY question!

Test-taking Strategies 3)If short on time, “2 Min. Drill” Preview for 30 secondsPreview for 30 seconds Answer for 90 secondsAnswer for 90 seconds Do this is you have a lot to do and you hear: “YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES REMAINING.”

Test-taking Strategies MOST IMPORTANTLY… 4)Practice Science Reading before the test! This includes science practice tests, scientific articles, books related to scienceThis includes science practice tests, scientific articles, books related to science

More About Reading… Most students who start reading more in general often see gains on the ACT…especially students who had previously not read a lot. Most students who start reading more in general often see gains on the ACT…especially students who had previously not read a lot.

STOP! – Practice If time permits, students will complete the practice test. Mrs. Jones has more practice tests. If you’re interested, see her in S103!