2. ACT Science

3. ACT Test Prep Goals – 1. Become familiar with many of the concepts that are tested on the official test 2. Be able to target the item-types that you are best equipped to answer. i.e. there are always the same “kinds” of questions on the ACT – know your strengths and your areas for improvement.

4. What to Expect http://www.sophia.org/tutorials/what-to-expect-on-the- act-science-test?playlist=act-science-test-preparation http://www.sophia.org/tutorials/what-to-expect-on-the- act-science-test?playlist=act-science-test-preparation

5. ACT Prep Science Test 35 minutes 40 questions 7 passages

6. The science test is a test of your science reasoning skills. All of the information you need to answer the questions correctly is provided in the passages ACT Prep Science Test

7. The Questions The questions cover: Biology Earth & Space Sciences ChemistryPhysics All four areas are represented At least one passage and no more than two passage represent each content area

8. ACT Prep Science Test 15 questions - data representation 18 questions – research summaries 7 questions – conflicting viewpoints 7 questions – conflicting viewpoints

9. ACT Prep Science Test Unlike the math test you will not be required to remember formulas, definitions, etc. You are tested on your ability to examine information using text, chart, graphs and tables.

10. ACT Prep Science Things to do:  Read carefully  Underline  Make notes in your booklet  Draw conclusions as you are reading  Make sure you understand the question

12. Passage Type: Research Summaries http://www.sophia.org/tutorials/research-summaries- subsection-of-the-act-science-t?playlist=act-science-test- preparation http://www.sophia.org/tutorials/research-summaries- subsection-of-the-act-science-t?playlist=act-science-test- preparation

13. Research Summary Characteristics 3 passages 6 questions each These passages consist of descriptions of scientific experiments, their methods (how they were carried out), and a summary of results. Usually have italicized headings describing one or more experiments Questions may ask you to: analyze the experimental design, predict outcomes, identify hypotheses, or determine conclusions.

14. Research Summary Items Research summary items Understanding Design of Experiment items require an understanding of the information about the design and implementation of the various experiments and results. E.g. a typical item might ask what the metal hoop represents (the supporting bone for the eardrum). Predicting Results: these ask for conjectures based on data. It is important not only to understand the experiment but also any special results. Evaluating Data – analysis of data to support or refute hypotheses.

15. Research Summary Item Examples ID the difference in the experimental design of the two experiments Predict an outcome based on the results of experiment 2 Predict the outcome of experiment 1 when one of the variables is altered. ID an assumption of Exp’t 2 based on the results. ID a conclusion supported by the given results of Exp’t 1. Select an experiment that should be conducted in order to test another hypothesis. ID a hypothesis that was investigated in Exp’t 1.

16. Research Summary Strategies 1. ID all the variables and control of each experiment. For a given experiment, the controls are always constant – only the tested factor varies. Always keep in mind the purpose of a control! In well-designed experiments, the only difference between groups will be a variation of the factors being tested 2. Anticipate how to alter experimental variables to support alternative hypotheses. Predict the results of these new experiments 3. For depicted data trends, determine any proportional or inverse relationships between the experimental factors (variables) and the results.

17. Strategies 4. Question the validity of ALL assumptions. If an assumption is faulty because it is not supported by given information, the experiment may fail to prove the hypothesis and conclusions based on the assumption may be invalid. 5. If presented with data, be sure to read and understand all the labels on axes, columns, and rows. Remember: The first thing to know about any graph or diagram is what the numbers represent. 6. Questions will often direct you to one particular experiment in a series. Be sure to only look at the experiment in question. Make it simple.

18. First Five: Answers Correct your answers on your ACT Tracking handout Correct your answers on your ACT Tracking handout 23.A 24.G 25.D 26.G 27.A Add up the number you got right in write it in the bottom of the column Add up the number you got right in write it in the bottom of the column

19. First Five: Answers Correct your answers on your ACT Tracking handout Correct your answers on your ACT Tracking handout 13. 13.A 14. 14.G 15. 15.C 16. 16.G 17. 17.C 18. 18.J Add up the number you got right in write it in the bottom of the column Add up the number you got right in write it in the bottom of the column

20. First Five: Answers Correct your answers on your ACT Tracking handout Correct your answers on your ACT Tracking handout 30.H 31.A 32.G 33.D 34.F 35.D Add up the number you got right in write it in the bottom of the column

22. Test-Taking Strategies http://www.sophia.org/tutorials/test-taking-strategies- for-the-act-science-test?playlist=act-science-test- preparation&test_prep_subject=science http://www.sophia.org/tutorials/test-taking-strategies- for-the-act-science-test?playlist=act-science-test- preparation&test_prep_subject=science

23. FYI, Tips, and Strategies 1. The ACT does not test scientific knowledge! It’s not what you know…it’s how you use your knowledge See pg 220 (do on your own later) 2. Do the easiest questions first. Let your subconscious do the hard stuff (really!). Skim each passage and determine what it’s asking. Every passage will emphasize either Data Representation, Research Summaries, or Conflicting Viewpoints The subject matter of the passage will give you an idea of how difficult it is. Determine if it’s a cakewalk or a gauntlet. Choose accordingly. Save the hardest for last, and start with the easiest.

24. Strategies 3. Worry about the questions after you’ve started reading (unlike the reading portion). 4. Underline (or bracket) key words and phrases. For example, “increase in area” is very different from “total new area”! 5. Focus only on what is there – ignore previous experience and do not infer or assume. Pay special attention to asterisks and given facts. Do not dwell on technical or difficult material – refer to the passage as often as necessary. Not sure what something is? It may not matter!

25. Strategies 6. Pay special attention to differences: indentify how each table is different from other tables. Explain how different methods are distinct from each other. Determine how viewpoints diverge. 7. Avoid assumptions: look for assumptions that are not supported by the data (i.e. it has to be this way, even though the data never referred to it). 8. Focus on trends: how does the independent variable affect the dependent variable? Directly? Inversely? Exponentially?

26. Strategies 9. Do not move on until you’ve finished all the questions in a passage. This will save time and eliminate personal mistakes. 10. Answer the question that is being asked. In other words, do not give the answer that they are not seeking. Pay special attention to the wording in order to avoid missing the questions you could have otherwise gotten correct. 11. Find the answer before looking at the choices. Compare your answer with those given.

27. Strategies 12. Take notes! Jot down ideas in the margins or summarize the author’s main points. Do not focus on subjective viewpoints – focus on the objective data, trends, and assumptions.

28. Strategy Summary 1.It’s not what you know…it’s how you use your knowledge. 2.Do the easiest questions first. 3.Worry about the questions after you’ve started reading (?). 4.Underline (or bracket) key words and phrases. 5.Focus only on what is there. 6.Pay special attention to differences. 7.Avoid assumptions. 8.Focus on trends. 9.Do not move on until you’ve finished all the questions in a passage. 10.Answer the question that is being asked. 11.Find the answer before looking at the choices. 12.Take notes.