<p>Hey guys! I am a Junior in high school and just received a 33 composite on my June ACT. I scored a 35 on English, Math and Reading...but I received a 25 on the Science section. :(</p>
<p>To all the high science scorers on CC: What methods have worked for you on the science section? What is the best way to prepare for this part of the test?</p>
<p>Science is really all about timing. All the information is in there, but you’re just given barely any time to find it. I miraculously got a 36 on that section and I did so by sticking to the timer. Try to give yourself, for each passage, one minute less than the number of questions (ex: if there are six questions, allow yourself five minutes). Before looking at the questions, I quickly skim the graphs and paragraphs so that I have a rough gauge of where I can refer to for what information. But skim very quickly. Then go through the questions one by one, looking back in the passages for the same words/information. I personally feel like science is more strategy than any true reflection on intellectual abilities, but thats just me. Hope this helps!</p>
<p>I got a 35 on science for the June 2013 test (up from a 32 on my last test), and what worked for me was a strategy I had read about a few days before the test. There are three types of passages (I don’t remember the exact names) and you do all of the first type, then all of the second type, then the third type. The first type of passage is followed by 5 fairly easy graph-reading questions, the second has 6 graph reading/reasoning questions, and the third is the ‘fighting scientists’ passage with 7 questions. So what you do is quickly see how many questions are on each passage, and as soon as you find the first one with 5 questions do it, then do the next two passages with 5 questions. These 3 passages should be pretty easy and basic so you just have to glance at the graphs then answer the questions. Then go back and do all 3 passages with 6 questions. These ones are slightly harder so you may want to understand the different studies/experiments if you aren’t familiar with it at all. Once you finish those, you go on to the last passage with 7 questions. There will be a different opinion for each scientist on this question, so what I do is just read the first sentence of each opinion to know what ‘side’ they’re on. That way I don’t get bogged down with the details that make the following questions trickier. If needed, I can read more of the viewpoint to answer other questions. </p>
<p>Doing this method on the June test gave me a fair amount of time to go back and check for stupid mistakes as well. I always used to run out of time on the science test and I think that this method is what bought me more time, along with practice and getting familiar with how the questions are worded. Also with this method you get the easier questions out of the way and do the harder ones (that you are more likely to miss anyways) last.</p>
<p>@dekukase Thank you for the advice! The conflicting scientists section is often a challenge for me. On the June test, I was overwhelmed after reading the entirety of FOUR different scientists viewpoints. I am definitely going to practice using that strategy so I can improve my score. What books should I use to improve my science score? Barrons?</p>
<p>@1029384756 Congratulations on the 36 in science! How many practice tests did you have to do before you got the hang of things???</p>
<p>Any other ideas guys?</p>