<p>Anyone out there improve a science score from one test to the next? Or did anyone nail it from the beginning? Would you be willing to share tactics or study process? Also- would anyone who did improve scores (more than just a point) share the numbers? Just wondering if it is worth putting in the work to try and improve. This seems to be the most unpredictable section of the ACT. All 3 of my kids lowest scores were in this section, while other scores were quite good. Thanks. momniopotent</p>
<p>My D raised her science score from 30 to 34 between Feb and April. She considered the first time a “diagnostic” test so she didn’t prepare. She thought the science section was really tough, especially time-wise. To prep for round 2, she followed advice we got on this forum. She took as many timed practice exams as she could squeeze in, mainly in science and math. She used an old Princeton Review book, an e-book from the library (Barrons), and a few random things she found online - Sparknotes is one I can remember seeing. So yeah, I’d say it’s worth a try - her composite jumped 3 points!</p>
<p>Thanks FauxNom! Congrats to your DD!</p>
<p>With the science test, it’s all about speed and analytical skills. All the answers are right in front of you, no previous knowledge is required. You just have to interpret the information into the correct answer. I am a naturally strong test taker, so I got a 35 my first time. I did a couple practice questions, which I think helped me prepare for the types of questions I would encounter. If time is an issue, sometimes you don’t even have to read a passage to know the answer. Like when I took it, I was getting all logged up in the confusing intro passage, and spent a few minutes trying to understand it all, but when I got to the questions I quickly realized that the questions were extremely easy and all the information I struggled with was superfluous. So, my advice: don’t read the passage and try to understand it- you will just get confused. Most of the questions you can get by just glimpsing at a chart. For the ones that require a bit more thinking, then it is all-right to spend a couple minutes doing some close reading of data and expirements and such.</p>
<p>If your kids did well on the other sections, there’s no reason they shouldn’t be able to do well in the science, too. I would suggest the same thing as Senior: don’t read the passage. Usually, I find it’s just confusing. Read the question, then go back and find the information you actually need. Suggest to your kids that they take a few practice tests just to get the hang of it and reassure themselves they can do well. For me, confidence was key. I only took the ACT twice because the science was what was holding me back, but the second time my science score went up eight points.</p>
<p>lol DefyLegacy thats what I was going to say! =D
Yeah being relaxed/confident is the MOST important thing
My science score also went up 8 points, (28->36) and the only thing that changed was:
that I took 2 or 3 (can’t remember) practice science sections and I knew that between my SAT and my ACT I would do fine so there is no point in stressing about it.
And it worked :)</p>
<p>My older two kids took the ACT just once and both scored a 24 on the science. (well below their other scores) My youngest who is the most science oriented took the ACT as a sophomore and got</p>
<p>My older two kids took the ACT just once and both scored a 24 on the science. (well below their other scores) My youngest who is the most science oriented took the ACT as a sophomore (to allow him to take some college courses if he wanted to) and he got a 24 on the science portion. When he was going to take it again this April as a junior, I got online on this forum to see if there were any recommended techniques for the science portion. Many suggested that you could save time by either just scanning the opening paragraph or going right to the questions. The night before, he tried this on some practice questions, and it seemed to work. This time he got a 36 on the science. --Try to find the old threads on this topic.</p>
<p>I scored a 36 on the April ACT with a 36 in Science.
The Science section is the most dangerous section - you dont’ know what will be on it, and it is the most time pressured of all the sections (reading graphs and hypotheses takes forever). A study tip i read out of a Princeton review book (which I think was ok) was to look for 2 things. Some say skip right to the question, but I disagree.
- Skim the intro paragraph, and then find the thesis. Mark it somehow.
- Find each graph, chart, or statement that describes the process, and write out its thesis. For example, this April ACT, there was a section regarding the effect of salt water on tomato plants, with four samples, each genetically modified (except for the control) I wrote next to every graph the independent vs dependent variable, such as Salt vs Height. Time in sunlight vs height. Exposure vs Height. etc. When there were 2 conflicting hypotheses, known as “argumenting scientists”, I would find each hypothesis and write it out. Ok this guy thinks that metoers come from orbiting big planets. This guy thinks that meteors come from the Oort Cloud. </p>
<p>Through these 2 simple methods, which i picked up from teh review book, I finished the science section with 10 minutes left, adequate to review my answers. With the quick skims and the hypotheses and theses written out, you know FOR SURE which graph or statement to find and how to answer the question. </p>
<p>Good luck Im sure your kids will do great.</p>
<p>I found that you do not have to have an extensive knowledge of science to do well. I didnt even read any of the writing, all the questions on mine were based off graphs and analyzing information. It looks confusing at first, but if you look it over carefully it will be easy</p>