ACT REVIEW The Science Test Why should I care? WHAT TO EXPECT ⦿ 35 minutes ⦿ 40 questions ⦿ Don’t review science topics ◼ Previous knowledge may help but is not necessary ⦿ Strategize ◼ Pacing instead and time saving strategies ◼ Writing on the passage ◼ Practice tests! THE NORM ⦿ National Average ◼ 21 ⦿ Missouri Average ◼ 21.4 ⦿ 22 is the 65% TYPES OF PASSAGES ⦿ Data Representation ◼2 passages ◼ Interpretation ◼ How to recognize: Just jumps right from graphs/tables straight to questions ⦿ Research Summaries ◼3 passages ◼ Results and Methods ◼ How to recognize: Key words like “Study 1” ”Study 2” or ”Experiment 1” “Experiment 2” ⦿ Conflicting ◼1 Viewpoints passage ◼ Compare and contrast ◼ How to recognize: Key words like “Scientist 1” ”Scientist 2” or “Theory 1” “Theory 2” Name That Passage Type! Name That Passage Type! Name That Passage Type! Name That Passage Type! Name That Passage Type! Name That Passage Type! ACT PREP SCHEDULE (SCIENCE) ⦿ Week 1 ◼ Data Representation ⦿ Week 2 ◼ Research ⦿ Week 3 ◼ FULL ⦿ Week ◼ Summary PRACTICE ACT 4 Conflicting Viewpoints ⦿ Week ◼ Mini 5 Practice ACT (one of each type) DATA REPRESENTATION STRATEGIES ⦿ Get a general idea of the passage • Read the intro and note any italicized words ⦿ Make notes on diagrams and tables ⦿ Identify ⦿ Time ◼ 4-5 variables, units, and scale of graphs Recommendation minutes Time Saving Strategy: The Point! When a table or figure is referenced in a passage, immediately put your finger on it to save time! DR – TRY THESE TECHNIQUES ⦿ Graphs, Tables, Charts ◼ Labels (What is it saying?) ◼ Variables and how measured (units, %, ratio, etc) ⦿ Graphs ◼ What • • does the line look like Linear (positive or negative correlation) Curvilinear (positive or negative correlation) ⦿ Interpolation ◼ Be able to read data points that are not directly presented to you ⦿ Extrapolation ◼ Be able to read beyond the lines ACT PREP SCHEDULE (SCIENCE) ⦿ Week 1 ◼ Data Representation ⦿ Week 2 ◼ Research ⦿ Week 3 ◼ FULL ⦿ Week ◼ Summary PRACTICE ACT 4 Conflicting Viewpoints ⦿ Week ◼ Mini 5 Practice ACT (one of each type) Week 2: Research Summary Identifying Relationships Between Variables RESEARCH SUMMARY STRATEGIES ⦿ Look ◼ You ⦿ Make over the passage for the general idea can come back and read parts if you need to notes on passages ⦿ Note what variables change between experiments ⦿ Identify variables (IV, DV) ⦿ Use “The PointTM” ⦿ Time Recommendation ◼5 – 7 minutes Relationships: Adding A New Data Point RESEARCH SUMMARY STRATEGIES 2 ⦿ Identify the Research Objective ◼ Usually the first or last sentences of the paragraph Expect to interpret any graphs and tables present ⦿ Look for trends in data: (as variable X increases, variable Y does what?) ⦿ Don’t be intimidated by fancy words or chemical equations WHAT TO EXPECT ⦿ 35 minutes ⦿ 40 questions ⦿ Don’t review science topics ◼ Previous knowledge may help but is not necessary ⦿ Strategize instead ◼ Pacing ◼ Practice Tests ◼ Don’t Read Everything • Highlight important points ACT PREP SCHEDULE (SCIENCE) ⦿ Week 1 ◼ Data Representation ⦿ Week 2 ◼ Research ⦿ Week 3 ◼ FULL ⦿ Week ◼ Summary PRACTICE ACT 4 Conflicting Viewpoints ⦿ Week ◼ Mini 5 Practice ACT (one of each type) Week 4: Conflicting Viewpoints CONFLICTING VIEWPOINTS STRATEGIES ⦿ Approach like reading problems ⦿ Read the passage to get the main idea and the viewpoints of the scientists ⦿ Read the opening paragraph carefully ⦿ Make notes on the passage ⦿ Neither viewpoint will be “correct” ⦿ Time Recommendation ◼6 passages 7-8 minutes CV – TRY THESE TECHNIQUES!! ⦿ Identify the factual content ◼ First sentence/last sentence ◼ Looks for bold, italicized, etc words ⦿ Identify the disagreement ⦿ Remember, no one is right in this debate ⦿ Find the common ground between the viewpoints ⦿ Understand assumptions General Takeaways! ⦿ Strategies! ◼ The point ◼ Write on the passage, it’s yours! ◼ Make sure you try the first questions of every passage ◼ Make sure you answer ALL the questions (even if you have to guess) ⦿ Know what to expect! ◼ 6 passages ◼ 3 different types (DR, RS, and CV) Slides after this, Brewer chooses not to use GET PAST THE JARGON ⦿ Get past it ◼ Don’t get nervous ◼ Know that it is just scientific jargon ⦿ Make yourself more familiar with it ◼ Take practice tests ◼ Do practice questions GENERAL STRATEGIES ⦿ Read to find the Road Map ◼ Approach like the reading test ◼ Read for general concepts not details ⦿ Questions to think about ◼ What is being tested? ◼ Why is it being tested? ◼ What are the variables? ◼ What are the factors that stay the same? ⦿ Talk to yourself and make notes MULTIPLE CHOICE STRATEGIES 1. First read all choices. 2. Some multiple choice items include choices that are combinations of previously listed choices As you consider each choice, mark it true or false. If you find more than one true statement, then select the choice that contains the letters of all the true statements you identified. 3. Use logic and common sense. 4. Examine closely items that are very similar. 5. Look for the level of qualifying words. 6. Crossing out unnecessary information that can distract you. 7. Jot down the essence. 8. Avoid the unfamiliar. 9. Choose the long answers. 10. Make educated guesses. RANDOM GUESSING VS. EDUCATED GUESSING ⦿ Classify ⦿ Stuck each choice as yes, no, or maybe – pick what feels right ⦿ Always Waldo) get the “find it” questions (Where’s ACT PREP SCHEDULE (SCIENCE) ⦿ Week 1 ◼ Data Representation ⦿ Week 2 ◼ Research ⦿ Week 3 ◼ FULL ⦿ Week ◼ Summary PRACTICE ACT 4 Conflicting Viewpoints ⦿ Week ◼ Mini 5 Practice ACT (one of each type) Why should I care? TYPES OF PASSAGES ⦿ Data Representation ◼2 passages ◼ Interpretation ◼ How to recognize: Just jumps right from graphs/tables straight to questions ⦿ Research Summaries ◼3 passages ◼ Results and Methods ◼ How to recognize: Key words like “Study 1” ”Study 2” or ”Experiment 1” “Experiment 2” ⦿ Conflicting ◼1 Viewpoints passage ◼ Compare and contrast ◼ How to recognize: Key words like “Scientist 1” ”Scientist 2” or “Theory 1” “Theory 2” Time Saving Strategy: The Point! When a table or figure is referenced in a passage, immediately put your finger on it to save time! Types of questions ⦿ Where’s ◼ Just Waldo find the data point ⦿ Interpolation ◼ Be able to read data points that are not directly presented to you ⦿ Extrapolation ◼ Be able to read beyond the lines
