Science You're Expected to Know · Overview

Science You're Expected to Know

ACT’s description of the Science section says advanced knowledge isn’t required, but background from introductory science courses can help on some questions. This module teaches that background: metric units and scientific notation, states of matter, density, pH and solutions, photosynthesis, respiration and simple genetics, speed, energy and series circuits, and rock layers, the atmosphere and the seasons.

Every fact is taught inside a data passage, because that is how the test uses it: you combine one basic idea with a table or graph. The passage stays your main source. When a fact you remember and the data disagree, the data win, and you never need trivia the passage doesn’t give.

How often it appears

Science is an optional section: 40 questions in 40 minutes, about 60 seconds per question, with no calculator allowed. Its passages draw on biology, chemistry, Earth and space science, and physics.

Background knowledge isn’t a reporting category of its own, and it can help on questions in any of the three categories. It is most useful when a question asks you to judge a claim, explain a result or make a prediction; ACT groups many of these under evaluating scientific arguments and models with evidence, about a quarter to a third of the section.

The question you’ll see

Based on Table 1, if the 10 g solution were cooled to −2.0 °C, the solution would most likely be:

In this module

  1. Overview Paid
  2. Units, prefixes and scientific notation Paid
  3. States of matter, density, pH and solutions Paid
  4. Cells, genetics, photosynthesis and respiration Paid
  5. Motion, force, energy and simple circuits Paid
  6. Rocks, the atmosphere and the sky Paid
  7. Strategy summary Paid
  8. Mastery quiz Paid
  9. Pace check Paid