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Science Testing Information (PSAE & ACT)
Science Testing Information
The ACT Science Reasoning test assesses students' reasoning skills. One of the most significant issues students face in successfully taking this portion of the test is having enough time. Having a strategy to manage time will help many students perform better on the Science Reasoning test. Outlined below are the three types of passages on the best along with a brief description of strategies for success.
Data Representation Passages
•Consist of graphs, tables, and figures
•Easiest passages—do these first!
•5 questions per passage
•Allow 3 minutes to complete
•Strategy: skim text, graphs and tables (or skip altogether if pressed for time); get to questions quickly
Research Summaries
•Based on descriptions of experiments
•May include graphs, tables, and figures
•6 questions per passage
•Allow 6 minutes to complete
•Scan to identify purpose/results of each study
•Strategy: Do questions about experiment first
Conflicting Viewpoints Passages
•Debate or conflict between scientists/theories
•Usually all text
•7 questions
•Allow 6 minutes to complete
•Strategy: Identify the main point of first viewpoint; identify how the second viewpoint differs,
get to questions