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Welcome To This Course On

The document provides an overview of the structure and content of the ACT Science section. It discusses three main passage types - data representation, research summary, and conflicting viewpoints. It notes that the structure has changed in recent years, so test takers need to be adaptable. The rest of the document offers tips and examples for locating information in passages, identifying trends in tables and figures, and approaching math questions in a way that fits with the scientific nature of the test by rounding and approximating rather than being exact.

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Reema Chitalia
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46 views37 pages

Welcome To This Course On

The document provides an overview of the structure and content of the ACT Science section. It discusses three main passage types - data representation, research summary, and conflicting viewpoints. It notes that the structure has changed in recent years, so test takers need to be adaptable. The rest of the document offers tips and examples for locating information in passages, identifying trends in tables and figures, and approaching math questions in a way that fits with the scientific nature of the test by rounding and approximating rather than being exact.

Uploaded by

Reema Chitalia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 37

Welcome to this

Welcome to topic on on
this course

Basics
Types of Passages
“Be formless. Shapeless. Like water” -Bruce Lee
Three different passage types in the following formats:

Passage type Amount in Section Number of Questions


Data Representation 3 5
Research Summary 3 6
Conflicting 1 7
Viewpoints

The ACT is forever changing, and you need to be adaptable on the


day of your exam. The structure shown has been dependable for
many years.
Types of Passages

However, the structure changed in late 2014 and early 2015.


The approach ensures that you will be prepared for structural
changes.

Passage type Amount in Section Number of Questions


Data Representation 3 5
Research Summary 3 6
Conflicting 1 7
Viewpoints
Types of Passages

The ACT Science section is tackled with the following structure


shown below.

Passage Type Amount in Section Number of Question


Conflicting 1 or 2 7 or 8
Viewpoints
Everything Else The rest 5-7
Types of Passages

Directions:

1. There are seven passages in this test.


2. Each passage is followed by several questions. 
3. After reading a passage, choose the best answer to each question
and fill in the corresponding oval on your answer document 
4. Refer to the passages as often as necessary
5. Calculators are not allowed to this text
 
Locators, Locators, Locators
“Always go back to the passage with a purpose”
Locator-1: Knowing where to look first
1. "Figure 1, Figure 2, Table 1, Table 2, etc."... - These are your
most important locators, and this is your starting point for most
questions.
2. "Based on the results of the study..." - Look at the data of a
particular study.
3. "Based on a study...." - Your locator could be in the text of the
study or the data.
4. "According to the information provided," "According to the
passage," "Based on the passage," - Your locator will be in the
text.
Locators, Locators, Locators
Locator-2: Knowing what to look for
Do not go back to the passage without a purpose.

1. “Units: m, s, kg, N, etc.” - Your most important second locator


2. “Science terminology: pH, temperature bath, detector,
deposit”- Any phrase that pops out and feels different from
the directions of the question
3. “X and Y” - Your axes labels
4. “Answer choices” - Sometimes your best locator is found by
comparing the key phrases of the choices
Locators, Locators, Locators

Find the first and second locator before solving the questions.

It improves speed and efficiency when going through the ACT


science section; also improves accuracy on early questions.
Locators, Locators, Locators
Example:
The student hypothesized that as the amount of USX
increased in the beaker, the pH of the solution would
increase.
a. Yes, as the volume of USX increased, the pH of the solution
increased.
b. Yes, as the volume of USX increased, the pH of the solution
decreased.
c. No, as the volume of USX increased, the pH of the solution
increased.
d. No, as the volume of USX increased, the pH of the solution
decreased.
Example:
Experiment:
The student poured an unknown solution, USX, into the beaker and
measured the pH value.

When the volume of USX solution increases then the pH value


decreases.

Table
Volume of USX (mL) pH of solution
0 7
2 4
4 2
6 2
Example

The student hypothesized that as the amount of USX increased


in the beaker, the pH of the solution would increase.
a. Yes, as the volume of USX increased, the pH of the solution
increased.
b. Yes, as the volume of USX increased, the pH of the solution
decreased.
c. No, as the volume of USX increased, the pH of the solution
increased.
d. No, as the volume of USX increased, the pH of the solution
decreased.
Number Behavior
“It is not about the actual numbers; it is about how they behave”

Trends in Tables and Figures:


• When looking at a table or figure, develop a habit of instantly
identifying trends
• Ensure that you are ready for many of the basic questions
presented on the ACT Science section
• More importantly, please do not concern yourself with the
numbers themselves
• More difficult questions are looking to test whether you can
develop trends between different variables and correlate
them with the correct answers
Example

1. Based on below table, if “a” increase, then “F” value:


Table
a. Increases Trial mass a T F
(kg) (°C) (N)
b. Decreases
c. Remains constant 1 2 3 25 6
2 6 3 25 18
d. Varies, but with no general 3 10 3 25 30
4 14 3 25 42

5 2 3 25 6
6 2 6 25 12
7 2 12 25 24
8 2 24 25 48

9 2 3 25 6
10 2 3 27 3.7
11 2 3 29 2.4
12 2 3 31 1.9
Example

1. Based on below table, if “a” increase, then “F” value:


Table
a. Increases Trial mass a T F
(kg) (°C) (N)
b. Decreases
c. Remains constant 1 2 3 25 6
2 6 3 25 18
d. Varies, but with no general 3 10 3 25 30
4 14 3 25 42

5 2 3 25 6
6 2 6 25 12
7 2 12 25 24
8 2 24 25 48

9 2 3 25 6
10 2 3 27 3.7
11 2 3 29 2.4
12 2 3 31 1.9
Example

2. According to figure, for Trial 1, as time increases, then the


temperature?

a. Increases
b. Decreases
c. Remains constant
d. Varies, but with no general
Example

2. According to figure, for Trial 1, as time increases, then the


temperature?
Example

2. According to figure, for Trial 1, as time increases, then the


temperature?

a. Increases
b. Decreases
c. Remains constant
d. Varies, but with no general
Example

3. According to figure, for Trial 2, as time increases, then the


temperature?

a. Increases
b. Decreases
c. Remains constant
d. Varies, but with no general
Example

3. According to figure, for Trial 2, as time increases, then the


temperature?
Example

3. According to figure, for Trial 2, as time increases, then the


temperature?

a. Increases
b. Decreases
c. Remains constant
d. Varies, but with no general
Math
“Don't be a mathematician, be a scientist”
 
"Mathematicians calculate as 3.14159..., engineers
calculate as 3.14, and scientists calculate as
approximately 3."

In the ACT science section, when you come across a problem that
requires simple math, do not be exact with your calculation.

The answer choices are forgiving, and the test-makers want you to
round, to estimate, and approximate.
Math
Example:
Table 1
Time for water runoff (Seconds) 629

According to the given table, approximately how many


minutes did it take for the water to runoff?

a. 5
b. 10
c. 20
d. 40
Solution:
T
  ime   taken   by   the   water   to   runoff=629 Seconds

6 0 Seconds=1minute
 

  629
Time taken by water = minutes
60
 629   60060
= =10
60 60 6

Note: When you use rounded multiples of 10, the zeros cancel
out and make your calculations much easier.

The lesson here: “round, then round some more!”


Math

Example:

Table 1
Time for water runoff (Seconds) 629

According to the given table, approximately how many


minutes did it take for the water to runoff?

a. 5
b. 10
c. 20
d. 40
Extrapolation and Estimation

Extrapolation is an estimation of a value based on extending


a known sequence of values or facts beyond the area that is
certainly known.

Estimation is the process of finding an estimate or


approximation, which is a value that is usable for some
purpose, even if input data may be incomplete. 
Extrapolation and Estimation
Steps:
1. There will be questions on the ACT Science section that
require you to extend the trend of a figure or table beyond its
given boundaries. 
2. For line graphs, extend the line with your pencil to ensure the
best estimation. 
3. The ACT is very good at anticipating incorrect answer choices
that look correct when you had at extrapolating the line. 
 4. For tables or bar graphs, look for the best answer choice that
fits your drawn estimation. 
 5. The majority of these questions have only one answer choice
that fits the correct range. 
Extrapolation and Estimation
Example:

According to figure, at 90°C, the mass of NaNO3 that is


soluble in 100 mL of H20 is:

a. less than 35 kg
b. between 35 kg and 40 kg
c. between 50 kg and 60 kg
d. greater than 60 kg
100

90

90
Extrapolation and Estimation

Example:

According to figure, at 90°C, the mass of NaNO3 that is


soluble in 100 mL of H20 is:

a. less than 35 kg
b. between 35 kg and 40 kg
c. between 50 kg and 60 kg
d. greater than 60 kg
Data Bridge

“Find what the data have in common ... that's your bridge”

It links multiple figures or tables to arrive at the correct answer


and it is the transitive property in mathematics.
Data Bridge
Example:
When the resistance of Device-2 is 3 Ω, then find the approximate
value of current, “I”.

A. 3 mA
B. 4 mA
C. 5 mA
D. 6 mA
Solution:

Whenever a question says multiple figures, you should apply the


Data Bridge tactic to solve the problem.
Solution:

Resistance of Device-2 = 3 Ω
Solution:

Device-2 yields
approximately at
value 3.25
Solution:

The bridge variable, typically, will appear on the same axis


throughout all data.
Solution:
 
Therefore, Current (I) value 6 mA
Data Bridge
Example:
When the resistance of Device-2 is 3 Ω, then find the approximate
value of current, “I”.

A. 3 mA
B. 4 mA
C. 5 mA
D. 6 mA

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