ACT Science Test
ACT Science Test: The ACT Science test is a 35 minute test with 45 questions on biology, chemistry, physics, and the Earth and space sciences. The test does not focus on the student's advance knowledge of these subjects. Instead, the ACT Science test challenges the students skills in scientific reasoning, and their ability to interpret, analyze, evaluate and solve scientific problems.
The student will be require to read 7 different scientific essays. Each essay will present scientific information followed by a set of multiple choice questions. The questions require the student to understand the information presented, how to interpret it, its implications, and examine the validity of the conclusions drawn. Calculators are not needed for the ACT Science test, and are not permitted.
The ACT Science test questions test the students knowledge in three different formats:
- Data Representation (38%) - Measures the students ability to understand and interpret data in graphs, tables, charts, diagrams, and figures.
- Research Summaries (45%) - Evaluates the students ability to critique the design of a scientific experiment and interpret its results.
- Conflicting Viewpoints (17%) - Challenges the student to demonstrate an understanding on the interpretation of inconclusive evidence and opposing points of view with regard to that data.
Students can improve their score on the ACT Science test by preparing in advance. An ACT tutor can help the student improve their scientific reasoning skills by challenging them with examples, seeing how they perform, and then helping them with their weaknesses. Advance practice also helps the student start the test with an understanding of what is expected.
