<p>Thanks for taking the time to look at this thread. I was wondering if any of you had any tips and strategies that helped you save time on the ACT Science section. I've started doing moderately well on the science section (32, which is a feat since I started at like 26). The problem is I always end up going 5 minutes overtime no matter how fast I try to go. I don't want to sacrifice accuracy for time.</p>
<p>Can you guys suggest any methods that will help me get from 40 minutes to 35 minutes? </p>
<p>I’ve taken the ACT 8 times (including this morning) and the only time I finished with time to spare (and not having to guess blindly) was this attempt.</p>
<p>I went straight to the questions, then referenced the tables, never once reading the information at the start of the page. If I felt I was spending too long on one question (which happened a few times), I simply skipped it and marked on the scantron next to the number and returned later.</p>
<p>Skipped the professor/student portion completely (was like question 12-21 this time for some reason) and saved it for dead last.</p>
<p>I was stuck at 30-32 on the science. After two weeks of hard work, I increased my score to a 35-36.</p>
<p>Here’s my method:</p>
<p>The science section consists of 7 passages. 3 five questioners, 3 six questioners, and 1 seven questioner. 5ers are the easy one. You should almost never need to read anything but the graphs. 6ers are a little bit more difficult being roughly 70% graphs. 7ers are 0% graphs and all reading comprehension.</p>
<p>Now that you know the break down, simply count the questions for each passage before starting. If it has 5 questions do not look at the passage. If it has 6, only read the passage if the questions calls for it. Read the entire 7 question passage focusing on the first and last sentences of each scientist viewpoint.</p>
<p>When taking the test, complete the passages in this order: 5ers, 6ers, 7er. If this means skipping around, DO IT! This is very important. It lets start on the easy questions letting you rush through those. Next you can go relatively quickly on the 6ers. Lastly, you can take your time and read the conflicting viewpoints passage (7er) fully. With some practice, you should be able to finish the test with 5 minutes to spare to review questions you were unsure of.</p>
<p>While taking the test, if you do not quickly know the answer to a 5er or 6er, mark the question and go on.</p>
<p>While practicing, you’ll notice a trend of questions you miss and what time it is at different points on the test. Study these observations and put them to good use!</p>
<p>Thanks, this sounds like a great strategy. Mostly, I’ve just saved the strictly passage-based one (the 7er for last)
but doing even the 5ers before the 6ers sounds like an even more complete strategy.</p>