Getting to Know the ACT Science Test

• 40 Questions• 35 Minutes , timed test• The test emphasizes scientific reasoning skills

over recall or science content ,interpretation , reading ability and logical thinking

Data Representation (38% of items)

• This format presents graphic and tabular material similar to that found in science journals and texts. The questions associated with this format measure skills such as graph reading , interpretation of scatterplots , and interpretation of information presented in tables , diagrams and complex figures.

Research Summaries (45% of items)• This format provides descriptions of one or

more related experiments. The questions focus on the design of experiments and the interpretation of experimental results.

Conflicting Viewpoints (17% of items)

• This format presents expressions of several hypothesis or views that , being based on differing premises or on incomplete data , are inconsistent with one another. The questions focus on the understanding , analysis and comparison of alternative viewpoints or hypotheses.

College Readiness Standards-Science

• Interpretation of Data • Scientific Investigation• Evaluation of Models , Inferences and

Experimental Results• See handout for more details

Review College Readiness Science Standards

• Handout• What do you see ?

Time Management , 35 minutes• 1 passage, conflicting viewpoint , 7 questions ,

6 minutes• 2 passages , research summary , 6 questions, 5

minutes each passage , students to time practice tests

• 4 passages , data rep., 5 questions each , 4 minutes each passage

Data Representation Passages , Test-Taking Strategies

• Highlight keywords , use the diagrams , answer the question

• Find the Keywords , highlight them if needed• What do you know ?• Keywords tell us three things: The name of the

diagram ,the data point or trend , the title of the column or axis

Keyword Clues• Directly proportional: 2 trends that increase

or decrease together , Air pollution is directly proportional to the # of cars…

• Inversely proportional : 2 trends ,one increases as the other decreases , The # of mice is inversely proportional to the # of snakes…

• Ratio , compares one data point to another, The ratio of female to male tortoises is 3:2…

Keyword Clues

• Consistent , implies that the trend follows the same pattern shown in the figure, Is the information below consistent with the findings of Scientist 1?

• Most likely , indicates that you will be predicting a value beyond the range of the graph , If the algae doubled , the amount of Oxygen would most likely…

Keyword Clues

• Expect, indicates that you will be predicting a value beyond the range of the graph , If the temperature dropped 20 C, the frogs would be expected to…

• Respectively , indicates that items are listed in the order they are described, The 1st and 2nd fossils were 5 & 2 million years old , respectively…

Use the Diagrams

• Use the keywords to select the correct heading from the correct diagram

• Find the data point or summarize the trends

• If the information is not in the table , read the text above the table

Answer the Question

• Match the information from the diagram to one of the answer choices

• Check that the text you have underlined and your analysis of the diagram supports your answer

Tables and Figures• Use same strategies as with Data Rep.

questions

• Are you Trendy , look for Trends in the data , look for order.

• The ACT often will not list data in increasing or decreasing order , but the answer is there

Unfamiliar Data Formats on the ACT

• Read any type of graph by using the axes and labels to follow the same steps for simpler figures

• Review Scatter Plots : they show each data point separately . Sometimes trends are found in clusters ,or they may approximate lines

Data Formats• Vertical Line Graphs , sometimes line graphs

that represent depth are presented vertically. These line graphs are just like the line graphs you have seen before.

• Shaded tables , may or may not contain numerical data , the important data to collect is whether or not the box is shaded

Data Formats

• Working with Multiple Axes

• Line Graphs with Multiple Scales, line graphs may have units labeled on two y-axes or two x-axes , use the key to determine which trend to look at , then use the axes to determine which scales to use

Multiple Sets of Data

• Tables may also mix many types of information , read the table from the outside in , helps students understand the grouping of different rows within the table

Data Representation Examples , Activities

• Flip Charts , examples

• Station 6 , example , shark data

• Salem’s Secret , case study

Making Predictions , Using Patterns• Some ACT questions will ask you to predict

data based upon a trend. This may involve extending the trend beyond the highest or lowest data point , or predicting a new point between two other points , if there are no lines in the area of the graph for which you are predicting , use the edge of a sheet of paper to draw a straight line to connect the points & extend them beyond the edges of the graph.

Research Summaries , Understanding Experiments

• The ACT may ask a few questions about the procedure of an experiment , in general these questions will ask you to predict what will happen when experimental conditions are changed

• Analyzing the Experiment: Independent , Dependent Variable , the Control

Independent Variable : is what the experimenter wants to know more about, ACT may refer to this as the “ factor that is varied”

Dependent Variable: is what is measured , ACT may refer to this as the “ factor that is not directly controlled”

Control : is the trail or group that is normal , it is used to calibrate the equipment or show that the indep. var. had an effect , ACT may ask why it is present in the experiment.

Comparing New Experiments• A scientist must always look for new evidence.

Part of the scientific method involves using the results of one experiment to design a new experiment or examining how the results of a new experiment influence existing theories

• ACT may ask you to identify which areas have not been covered by an experiment , sometimes the answer is there is not enough information to answer the question.

Thinking Like a Scientist : Activity

• Seeking Solutions , 3 Scenarios• Read and brainstorm explanations and use

the explanations to form several possible hypotheses , then develop one or more experiments to test your hypotheses.

Experimental Design Questions• Usually Big Idea questions that may include:• Explain how changing the design would

change the results• Explain how changing one part of the design

would change another part of the design• Explain why parts of a design were performed• Id the figure that illustrates the Exp. Design• Id problems that could cause errors in results• Id new exp. that would give better info.

Complex Figure Questions, Reading Graphs

• Reading Graphs• The Bar and Scatter Plots in the question

usually do not have scales marked on their axes , the general shape of the data is very important

• Determine which values are greater or lesser and how much greater or lesser each data point is in comparison to others

Using Information from Two Figures

• The ACT asks questions in which data from one table or figure must be used to get information from another table or figure , to address these questions , treat each table as a separate problem

• Determine the correct data point , trend or table from the 1st table and apply to the 2nd

Solving Equations• Most ACT exams have 1 or 2 questions with

equations• Simple addition , subtraction , multiplication

& division , no calculator use on exam• Write the equation , read the text around the

equation , write down what each variable stands for

• Find the value of each variable , plug it in , determine which answer matches results

Conflicting Viewpoints Questions• Different scientist often arrive at different

conclusions when presented with the same set of observations

• Students must understand that different interpretations exist , they must develop strategies to compare/contrast conflicting viewpoints

• Conflicting view points passages present 2 different explanations for the same evidence

Viewpoint Strategies• Students will be asked to clarify each person’s

viewpoint , give information that will support or disprove a viewpoint , comparing ideas of the two other people

• Summarize the passage & scan key words• Answer the easier questions first• Answer questions about multiple viewpoints .

Students are likely to miss these , takes longer to digest , time wasted ?

Mapping the Genetic Code Activity , Article

• Read the N & O article• Respond to the questions , discuss with your

table group• Reactions ?

General Exam Taking Tips • Do not over analyze• There is only one right answer , it’s there• Practice Test with a stop watch• One correct answer equals one point• No points for finishing early• Guess smart , eliminate some answers• Be trendy , notice trends in the data

ACT Information

This document includes information about each section on the ACT and a full length practice test.

http://www.act.org/aap/pdf/preparing.pdf

They have a question of the day on the site below.

http://www.actstudent.org/qotd/

Has sample test questions and anchor papers.

http://www.actstudent.org/writing/sample/index.html

Descriptions of sections of the ACT

http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/descriptions/index.html