I’m panicking about the number of questions per passage in the science section, because I heard the February 2015 test had a new format. Every resource I’ve seen has 7 passages: 3 Data Representation with 5 questions each, 3 Research Summaries with 6 questions each, and 1 Conflicting Viewpoints with 7 questions. But apparently the February test had 2 passages with 6 questions, and 4 with 7! Has this ever happened to anyone else? I’m a tutor, and this pretty much destroys the pacing guide I’ve given to all my students… 
Ya, this one was different. On previous tests I have finished with 5 min to spare on the science section, but this time I was working all the way to one minute left.
I can confirm that they did change the structure. It did definitely change my strategy going into it. I decided the best way would be to go in order and answer as many as quickly as I could. I honestly felt the science section was easier than the official practice exams (my first ACT). I finished in time going at a slow pace. I also noticed some other mild changes.
This isn’t new. They did this on the October test.
One data representation, four research summaries, and one conflicting viewpoint = 6 passages
Whether or not this is new, I don’t know. I do know that on my practice tests that I had a few minutes to spare on the science section but I ran out today and had to randomly fill in about 3 questions. I cannot urge you enough to get used to the time limits on the practice tests and if you can, try to get done before the 35 minutes is over!
Wow, did not know that this was a thing before. I guess the best way to prepare for the science section is to take the official test itself.
@prephelper Try this link to keep updated on ACT changes. This science change began in October 2014 as noted above.
Thanks, everyone! I’m surprised that I didn’t hear about the format in October – I guess we’ll have to wait and see if how much they play around with passage length. I do think it’s a little misleading to provide only one format in the tests released, though. (Then again, the red book is out of date in other ways, too.)
@prephelper the most up to date test is located here. http://www.actstudent.org/sampletest/
The Dec 14 TIR may also help you
TIR tests from Saturday, April 18, 2015 and June 13, 2015 will also clarify the science tests.
How can ACT change the test format when the most recent tests released, in their book and online is not correct. Every prep book and tutor for ACT as well as every potential test taker has to throw out strategies that used to work.
Sorry, what does “TIR” stand for?
HereToHelpYou, I don’t think the link above is very recent. Not only does it follow the usual passage-length format (3 passages with 5 questions, 3 with 6, and 1 with 7), but the Conflicting Viewpoints (Passage I) is outdated. Like the old red book tests, it’s detail-oriented; whereas the tests I’ve seen released over the last few years had mostly main idea questions.
@prephelper The Test Information Release, where ACT gives you the test booklet. The December ACT was a standard science section.
@prephelper Test Information Release= TIR . Next is April.
If you call ACT, they will tell you the most up to date test is located here: http://www.actstudent.org/sampletest/
This is their number 319.337.1270
For example, it has the “dual passage” question for Reading (question 5)
@HereToHelpYou ACT tells you most up to date test is located there but when it comes to Science test structure, it is not up to date. I think people are used to 5,5,5,6,6,6,7 format and ACT can change it around and go with 5,5,5,5,6,7,7 (just an example). The total questions remain same and type of questions remain same so they don’t have to provide additional sample tests.
@sanwal yes you are 100% correct.
OK, so what exactly has changed?
Science portion of the exam is just shifted passages
and
Writing portion of the exam is totally new?
The number of passages and questions per passage is not a big deal. Most of the information to get the answers is in the figures and text.
No reason to panic:-)
Here are the distributions for the science test. These changes went into effect last summer (2014).
Data Representation (30-40%). 12-16 questions. Old distribution was 15 questions/3 passages.
Research Summaries (45-55%). 18-22 questions. Old distribution was 18 questions in 3 passages
Conflicting Viewpoints (15-20%). 6-8 questions. Old distribution was 7 questions.
http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/descriptions/scicontent.html