5 practical steps to improve your science score on the ACT
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5 practical steps to improve your science score on the ACT

There are two particular skills that you need to cultivate so that you can improve your science score on the ACT. Mainly, it’s your 1) reasoning skills and 2) analytical skills. You must master the identification of data presented in graphs, tables and maps and the logical interpretation of the questions. If you’re interested enough, you’ll find that most problems on the ACT Science test actually provide more information than is necessary for you to answer test items correctly.

Contrary to what many students believe, your knowledge of science strands such as Chemistry, Biology, Earth Science, and Physics will not be directly assessed on the Science section of the ACT. It is not that you have to be well versed in all the scientific concepts that have also been covered in your high school classes. What you need to prioritize to improve your Science score are your abilities to reason accurately and solve certain problems using scientific methods.

Your scientific reading comprehension skills will be challenged on the test. You must be meticulous in analyzing and drawing conclusions from graphs, charts, tables, and experimental processes. But you don’t have to worry because the Science test passages contain all the information you need. Here are some tips to help you improve your score on the ACT Science test:

Helpful Tips to Increase Your ACT Science Score

  • Familiarize yourself with the types of questions and passages found on the test. There are 3 types of passages presented on the ACT Science test: 1) Conflicting Viewpoints (7 questions); 2) Research Summaries (6 questions), and 3) Data Representation (5 questions). These passages can be presented in a different order, but typically, test takers will encounter 3 sections of five questions, along with 3 sections of six questions, and a single section that is made up of 7 questions on the test.
  • Stay calm when you take the test. Don’t worry so much if you haven’t reviewed every single science concept taught in your school. You don’t actually need to memorize them on the ACT Science test. Remember above all to hone your skills in interpreting and analyzing scientific problems, and you will do well.
  • Learn proper time management. Note that you have to deal with 7 passages and 40 questions in the Science section in 35 minutes. The time element is therefore your greatest obstacle. It also means that you need to be quick in answering the questions if you want to finish the section on time. Be systematic and refrain from stopping at a certain passage. Be quick in your reading extracting the main points and analyzing figures. Make a note of the difficult questions and leave them for now while you answer the easier ones. Come back to these complicated elements when you have time left.
  • Cultivate your test taking skills by taking practice tests. A reliable way to improve your ACT Science test score is to take real science tests and solve real science problems. Just like in the real ACT scenario, take your time when you take the ACT Science practice tests. At the end of this task, analyze your wrong answers and figure out why you were wrong.
  • Enlist the help of a tutor, mentor, or your fellow examinees. You can study on your own for the Science section of the ACT, but getting help from someone more knowledgeable or from your peers can make a big difference in improving your ACT Science score.

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