<p>i was just wondering if anyone had any tips for the ACT science.</p>
<p>Do not read the passages, only refer back to them.</p>
<p>ok, that sounds efficient, thanks.</p>
<p>I agree. Just look at the diagrams and graphs to answer the questions and only use the passages if you don't understand what the graphs/diagrams are about.</p>
<p>Actually, I disagree completely. I got a 35 on science (33 composite) and the only studying I did was taking 1.5 practice tests the week before (science was my best section).</p>
<p>These science questions are all based on the logic of the paragraph. The graphs and figures will be misleading unless the material in the paragraph is understood. The paragraphs explain what the "experiments" were used to generate the data in the charts and graphs. The questions are about the results of the experiment. Thus, without knowing what the experiment was trying to test, the data is meaningless and designed to confuse you. You're failling into ACT's trap if you don't read the paragraphs. </p>
<p>I say read over the paragraphs very carefully before you answer the questions. Make sure you KNOW what is being tested in the experiment. Then go on and see what the questions ask. T</p>
<p>This method does take time though. I'm a faster reader so I finished with 10 minutes to spare, but others might have problems doing what I suggest. All I know is this method got me a great score with very little work; I think it's worth a shot.</p>
<p>that does sound more effective, but i read quite slowly.</p>
<p>If that's what works for Illinois, than I'm glad he did well. But from what I've read, and from the practice tests I've taken, 90% of the stuff they write never even comes up in the questions. A quick glance at the paragraph that explains the study/set-up could be useful, however, just avoid reading the incomprehensible scientific gobbledygook.</p>
<p>i have been doing science sections for the Barron ACT prep book and i have been scoring horribly. Is barrons a good indicator of how well you will do on the real test?</p>
<p>Is there an act book just for Science</p>
<p>I'm a Graduate Student who has helped people prep for standardized tests on a volunteer basis. A few tips and thoughts follow:
Do the easier questions first. On the science section the graph and table ones are <em>usually</em> the easiest, then the experiments, and the conflicting viewpoints question is the hardest.
Barron's ACT review questions tend to be harder than the questions on the actual test - which can be found in the Real ACT books.
I don't know of a book specifically for science.
Get some old prep books and practice, practice, practice.</p>
<p>i disagree with illinois.
i have a act book by shawn micheal domzalski which gives you helpful tips. it's a princeton review book, and domzalski has gotten a 36 composite over 10 times and he takes every act test that comes out.</p>
<p>but anyways, he says to not read the passage, that it will only confuse you. it is a waste of time to try to make sense of it, and you don't get points for understanding the passage, but rather for getting the correct answers.</p>
<p>the majority of the questions can be answered by the charts and graphs alone. do all of those first. then if you have time, you can try the other questions. they usually want you to try to understand why something is happening and/or the ideas behind the experiments. you'll have to read the passage for those, but wait until the end.</p>
<p>Hey Courtnie, what book is that you have? I have the Cracking the ACT 2006 book, but I don't think it's the same one you're talking about. It sounds like a good book if the author has gotten 36 on all the tests.</p>
<p>Conflicting scientists - these need to be read? correct?</p>
<p>i read a tip that you should do the conflicting scientists/experiments passage first in the science section because you just come out of the reading section and you will hopefully still be in the same gear as the reading since the conflicting scientist/experiments passage is reading comprehension.</p>
<p>shawn micheal domzalski. How much money do you think he will ask if I need him to do me a favor. Now I just need to find some finger paint and a wig</p>
<p>If doing the conflicting viewpoints problem first works best for you, then great! There's no one "best" way for everyone to prepare for any test, just like there's no one "best" training method for athletic performance. If there was, then everyone would do it.
Ya just gotta get the practice material and work through questions until <em>you</em> find <em>your</em> best strategy. As with many things in life, you get out of this what you put in.</p>
<p>the book is called "crash course for the ACT."
it has some pretty helpful tips for every section.</p>
<p>but yeah, i always do the fighting scientists last. they usually confuse me, so i don't like to waste much time on them.</p>
<p>and LAgator's right. you have to find whatever works best for you. everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, so not all strategies work for everyone.</p>