ACT Science: Complete Strategy Guide for 30+ Scores

The ACT Science section isn't really a science test—it's a reading and reasoning test using scientific data. Here's how to master it and score 30+.

Understanding ACT Science

Format

• 40 questions, 35 minutes
• ~53 seconds per question
• 6-7 passages with 5-7 questions each

Passage Types

1. Data Representation (2-3 passages): Graphs, tables, charts 2. Research Summaries (2-3 passages): Experiments and results 3. Conflicting Viewpoints (1 passage): Two or more opposing theories

What It Actually Tests

• NOT scientific knowledge (minimal content needed)
• Reading graphs and tables (80% of questions)
• Understanding experimental design
• Comparing viewpoints
• Drawing conclusions from data

The ACT Science Mindset

Myth vs. Reality

MYTH: You need to know biology, chemistry, and physics REALITY: All information is in the passage (prior knowledge can actually hurt)

MYTH: Read the passage carefully first REALITY: Go straight to questions (saves time)

MYTH: Understand the science deeply REALITY: Find the right data point and move on

Key Insight

ACT Science is open book. Every answer is in the passage. Your job is to find it quickly.

Strategy by Passage Type

Data Representation (Easiest)

What it is: Graphs, tables, scatterplots, diagrams

Strategy: 1. Skim introduction (1-2 sentences to understand context) 2. Go to questions 3. Use the figures to answer

Common questions:

• "According to Figure 1, as X increases, Y..."
• "At what temperature does..."
• "Which trial had the highest..."

How to answer:

• Locate the right figure
• Find the data point
• Read the answer choices
• Pick the match

Time: 4-5 minutes per passage

Research Summaries (Medium Difficulty)

What it is: 2-4 experiments with procedures and results

Structure:

• Introduction: Background information
• Experiment 1: Procedure and results
• Experiment 2: Procedure and results
• Sometimes: Experiment 3

Strategy: 1. Skim introduction (what's being studied?) 2. Note experiment structure (what changes between experiments?) 3. Go to questions

Common questions:

• "What was the independent variable in Experiment 2?"
• "Which experiment tested the effect of temperature?"
• "If Experiment 3 used a pH of 5, what would happen?"

Key concepts:

• Independent variable: What the scientist changes
• Dependent variable: What is measured
• Control: Baseline for comparison
• Hypothesis: Prediction being tested

Time: 5-6 minutes per passage

Conflicting Viewpoints (Hardest)

What it is: Two or more scientists/students present different explanations for the same phenomenon

Structure:

• Introduction: Describes the phenomenon
• Scientist 1: Theory and supporting evidence
• Scientist 2: Different theory and supporting evidence

Strategy: 1. Skim introduction (what's the debate about?) 2. Note each viewpoint (what does each scientist believe?) 3. Go to questions 4. Return to passage as needed

Common questions:

• "According to Scientist 1..."
• "Which scientist would agree that..."
• "Both scientists would agree that..."
• "Scientist 2's view differs from Scientist 1's in that..."

Answering technique:

• Make a simple table:

| Topic | Scientist 1 | Scientist 2 | |-------|-------------|-------------| | Cause | X | Y | | Evidence | A | B |

Time: 6-7 minutes per passage

Reading Graphs and Tables

Graph Types

Line graphs:

• X-axis: Independent variable
• Y-axis: Dependent variable
• Trend: Positive, negative, or no correlation

Bar graphs:

• Compare discrete categories
• Height = magnitude

Scatterplots:

• Each point = one data point
• Overall trend matters

Tables:

• Rows and columns of data
• Read headers carefully
• Note units

Common Errors

• Reading wrong axis
• Mixing up variables
• Ignoring units
• Extrapolating beyond data

How to Read Quickly

1. Axes/Headers: What's being measured? 2. Trend: Increasing, decreasing, constant? 3. Specific data: Find the exact value needed

Time Management Strategy

Timing Per Passage

• Data Representation: 4-5 min
• Research Summaries: 5-6 min
• Conflicting Viewpoints: 6-7 min

Total: ~34-35 minutes (leaves 0-1 min buffer)

Order Strategy

Option 1: Easiest First

• Do Data Representation passages first (quick points)
• Then Research Summaries
• Save Conflicting Viewpoints for last

Option 2: In Order

• Go through passages as they appear
• Skip any that look too hard
• Return if time permits

Recommendation: Try both in practice, see what works better for you

Common Question Types

1. Direct Lookup (50%)

"According to Table 1, what was the pH at 50°C?"

Strategy: Find table, find row/column, read answer

2. Trend Analysis (25%)

"As temperature increased, pressure..."

Strategy: Look at the pattern in the data

3. Experimental Design (15%)

"What was the independent variable?"

Strategy: Identify what changed vs. what was measured

4. Prediction (10%)

"If a 5th trial used 100 mL, the result would most likely be..."

Strategy: Extend the trend or pattern

Minimal Science Knowledge Needed

You DO need to know:

• pH scale: 0-14 (7 = neutral, <7 = acidic, >7 = basic)
• Temperature: Celsius and Kelvin (K = C + 273)
• Density: Mass/Volume
• Photosynthesis: Plants + light → oxygen
• Cell parts: Nucleus, mitochondria (very basic)

You DON'T need to know:

• Specific chemical formulas
• Detailed biological processes
• Physics equations
• Memorized facts

If you know it, ignore it: Answer only from passage data

Practice Plan

Week 1-2: Passage Type Mastery

• Practice each passage type separately
• Learn to identify them quickly
• Develop strategies for each

Week 3-4: Timing Practice

• Time individual passages
• Aim to finish with 1 minute to spare
• Don't sacrifice accuracy for speed initially

Week 5-8: Full Sections

• Complete Science sections (35 min)
• Simulate test conditions
• Review every question

Week 9-12: Weak Area Focus

• Identify hardest passage type
• Extra practice on that type
• Refine timing strategy

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Reading the Passage Too Carefully

Solution: Skim introduction, go to questions

2. Using Outside Knowledge

Solution: Answer only from passage data

3. Spending Too Long on Hard Questions

Solution: Skip and return if time permits

4. Not Reading Graph Labels

Solution: Always check axes, units, titles

5. Overthinking

Solution: The answer is usually straightforward

Reaching 30+

Score Breakdown:

• 36: 39-40 correct
• 34: 37-38 correct
• 32: 35-36 correct
• 30: 33-34 correct

To reach 30+:

• Answer easy questions quickly and accurately
• Attempt all questions (no penalty for guessing)
• Manage time to finish all passages

Key skill: Speed + accuracy on Data Representation and Research Summaries passages

Final Tips

Test Day:

• Bring a watch (manage your own time)
• Don't panic if a passage is confusing (move on, return later)
• Trust the data, not your assumptions

Practice:

• Use real ACT practice tests
• Review every question (right and wrong)
• Time yourself consistently

ACT Science is beatable with the right strategy. It's not about knowing science—it's about reading data efficiently and answering what's asked.