I recently got my first ACT score back and I got:
Composite: 30
English: 33
Math: 31
Reading: 28
Science: 26
I’m aiming at a composite score of 32, and it seems like bringing up my science section score will help me a lot.
Any study tips, prep books, or strategies for the ACT science section?
Thanks!
The good news is you got your best scores in traditionally the hardest tests. The problem with Reading and Science is that many test takers do really well, so missing just a few questions puts you in the 20’s. Whereas with math, you probably missed about 12 questions, in Science you missed 6-7; Reading about the same. I’ve read somewhere that in the Science test this time a perfect score was a 36, and a -1 was a 34!
So, focus on those two tests, and just do lots of practice tests. You’ll see your scores come up. Neither is beyond your expertise, you just need to figure out their tricks.
Apart from the conflicting viewpoints passages, it really isn’t necessary to waste valuable time reading the passages for other types of questions. Instead, go right to the questions and immediately focus on data points. Read only when necessary by skimming for key words. That will save you a lot of time, which is precious on that part of the test. Never spend more than a minute on a question. Eliminate two and guess, or just guess immediately if you have no clue. Mark guessed on answers to check if you have time at the end. The test tends to go from easy to hard questions. Focus on doing well in the earlier part of the section.