<p>Does anyone have tips on how to improve my science section? My scores seem to fluctuate a lot on this section. The first time I took the ACT, i got a 20. For the past few weeks, I've been doing practice tests and I've scored 25, 24, 28, and 33(this one felt easier than other sections).</p>
<p>If I get lucky, I might get passages I understand. What happens if I don't? </p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>I don’t approach it trying to understand anything (sometimes it just happens, sometimes not), I just match the piece of information asked about to the study/graph/data and find what they are looking for. This seems to work okay for me. </p>
<p>Not sure if this helps or is completely useless.</p>
<p>(credential: 34 science ACT April 2011)</p>
<p>Ok thanks.</p>
<p>I usually just take a glance on the graphs and see what they are. But basically I do the same thing as you.</p>
<p>I have a big problem with making stupid mistakes though. 
It’s all because of the time pressure…</p>
<p>Also, I can’t remember exactly, but are the Barron’s science sections like the ones on the real test? The Barron science sections seem tougher than usual…</p>
<p>You are doing the right thing to keep practicing the science sections over and over. Don’t get bogged down in the wordiness, answer some easy “gimme” questions and then even the most complex experiments start to make more sense. As you glance at the data, try to look for correlations and relate all the graphs/data to each other if there are several experiments. </p>
<p>Worse comes to worse, think about labs you have done in school or things you have seen on the science channel. Even the most basic understanding will make the “practical” answers pop out.</p>
<p>Here are a few tips.</p>
<p>Only use the passages to look up answers to questions - NEVER read the passages before the questions. This wastes too much time. In fact, in many questions you will not have to read the passages at all. Often you will just have to look up the answers in the appropriate charts, graphs, tables, figures, etc.</p>
<p>Always save the “arguments” passage for last. This is the wordiest passage which has two or more people giving two opposing viewpoints. This passage can suck your time away quickly if you’re not careful. Again, do not read the passage first here - use the passage to look up the answers, but always start with the questions.</p>
<p>Pacing is important. Do not get hung up on one question. If you’re spending more than a minute on a question it may be time to move on and come back to this question later.</p>
<p>Note that there is no guessing penalty on the ACT, so make sure that you answer every question even if you have to guess.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>Don’t read the passages first, read the questions first and then look back to the charts or passages. If you come across a section that is hard to you or based off of a scientific topic that is unfamiliar or unappealing to you, skip it and come back to it at the end.</p>
<p>Credentials: 35 science ACT subscore on the first time taking it.</p>