ACT Science Question Help THANKS!!!!

Test Preparation ACT Preparation
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<p>Thanks in advance if you have any input!</p>

<p>My son was very frustrated that the ACT science passages he encountered on the real test were very chemistry/physics focused rather than biology/astronomy/geology etc. He came home hoping to figure out what he could do to improve on those types of questions for the next time around. I am embarrassed to say, I'm not quite sure what he is asking about because my science background isn't too great. He took it as a 7th grader so he doesn't even really know the terminology and I'm coming up empty trying to google these things. </p>

<p>If anyone who has a better grasp on science than I do, which would be about 99% of you, could give me some key words to search or ideas on what these might be I'd be so appreciative. I'm really proud that he is taking the initiative to figure these out after the fact--and its frustrating that I can't help him find the topics online.</p>

<p>Here is what he's asking:</p>

<p>One question dealt with the physics of a chain--googling 'physics and chain' isn't getting me anything useful.</p>

<p>Another was about a group of students who were doing a chemistry experiment in which substances were added to a solution that caused them to change color and the teacher wanted them to explain the color changes they observed. What kind of experiment would involve chemistry and adding things that change color? All I could come up with was PH but he says that isn't ringing a bell.</p>

<p>Thanks again! I know this is pretty vague but he just doesn't have enough science under his belt to be specific enough to know exactly what it is he is looking for. He is determined to have an 'aha!' moment with these passages and has been asking for weeks so thanks so much for your help!</p>

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<p>The ACT science test is more of a reasoning test than a science test; it is all about interpreting data sheets and research summaries. That being said, studying science is not likely to help one to do better on this test. You could go take an entire year of AP chemistry and still not just as well on the chemistry portions of the ACT science test. </p>

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<p>There’s no esoteric knowledge needed to take the test (beyond the scope of the national standard). For example, not a single question will ask you to recite the chemical formula for cholesterol. Any prior knowledge could be helpful, but won’t guarantee success. I’m sure that your son couldn’t recite to you what he learned about the physics of chains or of color changes; the test is simply testing interpretation and reasoning.</p>

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<p>Yes, pH changes could do that. </p>

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<p>The best preparation to do the ACT science test is to take practice tests. You could get these from Princeton Review, Barron’s ACT, ACT company, or other sources. Most large bookstores will sell them. There’s not much else that he can do besides taking a standard physics, chemistry, and biology course.</p>

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<p>Most of the science section is reasoning up to a few questions that require some knowledge of biology and chemistry.</p>

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<p>A student I know re ACT prep, read a passage in a book to treat science like reading. Basically, forget about the science aspect treating it like a reading passage/problem. I don’t know if that will help you, but it did in the other case. Do you have a practice section or two of science that you could try it on?</p>