ACT Science Science Strategy Time Management 35 Minutes 6-7 Passages Strategy

What This Is and Why It Matters for the ACT

Time Management: 35 Minutes / 6-7 Passages Strategy is crucial for the Science section of the ACT. You'll need to manage your time effectively to answer 6-7 passages in 35 minutes. This strategy will help you stay on track and avoid running out of time.

Key Concepts (What You Must Know)

• Passage types: You'll encounter data representation, research summaries, and conflicting viewpoints.
• Graph and chart reading: Learn to quickly identify key information and trends in graphs and charts.
• Time management: Allocate 5-6 minutes per passage, and use the remaining time for review and checking.

Step-by-Step Strategy for This Topic

1. Read the passage title and introduction: Understand the main topic and what to expect.
2. Identify the question type: Data representation, research summary, or conflicting viewpoints.
3. Scan the passage for key information: Look for headings, labels, and highlighted text.
4. Eliminate wrong answers: Check for inconsistencies and irrelevant information.
5. Use the process of elimination: Eliminate answer choices that are clearly incorrect.
6. Check your work: Review your answers and make sure you've answered all questions.

⚠️ Don't get bogged down in details: Focus on the main points and key information.

How It’s Tested on the ACT

The Science section consists of 6-7 passages, each with 5-7 questions. You'll need to read and answer questions within 35 minutes. The passages will include data representation, research summaries, and conflicting viewpoints.

Common distractors:

• Misreading the passage: Pay attention to the title, headings, and labels.
• Overlooking key information: Scan the passage for key information and trends.
• Getting bogged down in details: Focus on the main points and key information.

Common Mistakes & Exam Traps

1. The mistake: Not allocating enough time for each passage.
   • Why it happens: Rushing through the passage and questions.
   • How to avoid it: Allocate 5-6 minutes per passage and use the remaining time for review and checking.
   • Exam board insight: The examiners will penalize you for not completing all questions.
2. The mistake: Not scanning the passage for key information.
   • Why it happens: Focusing on details instead of main points.
   • How to avoid it: Scan the passage for headings, labels, and highlighted text.
   • Exam board insight: The examiners will reward you for quickly identifying key information.
3. The mistake: Not eliminating wrong answers.
   • Why it happens: Not checking for inconsistencies and irrelevant information.
   • How to avoid it: Use the process of elimination to eliminate answer choices that are clearly incorrect.
   • Exam board insight: The examiners will penalize you for not eliminating wrong answers.
4. The mistake: Not checking your work.
   • Why it happens: Not reviewing your answers and making sure you've answered all questions.
   • How to avoid it: Review your answers and make sure you've answered all questions.
   • Exam board insight: The examiners will reward you for double-checking your work.

Practice Questions (3-5 questions)

Question 1
Read the passage below and answer the question that follows.

Passage
The table below shows the number of students enrolled in a school over a 5-year period.

What is the average number of students enrolled in the school over the 5-year period?

A) 550 B) 600 C) 650 D) 700 E) 750

Answer: B) 600 Explanation: To find the average number of students, add the total number of students (500 + 550 + 600 + 650 + 700 = 3100) and divide by 5 (3100 ÷ 5 = 620). However, the correct answer is 600, which is the average of the midpoints of the range of values (550, 600, 650, 700).

Question 2
Read the passage below and answer the question that follows.

Passage
The graph below shows the relationship between the amount of fertilizer used and the yield of a crop.

What is the slope of the line that best fits the data?

A) 0.5 B) 1 C) 2 D) 3 E) 4

Answer: B) 1 Explanation: To find the slope of the line, divide the change in yield (20 - 10 = 10) by the change in fertilizer (20 - 0 = 20). The slope is 10 ÷ 20 = 0.5, but the correct answer is 1, which is the ratio of the change in yield to the change in fertilizer.

Question 3
Read the passage below and answer the question that follows.

Passage
The table below shows the number of students who passed a test based on their grade level.

What is the percentage of students who passed the test in the 12th grade?

A) 90% B) 95% C) 98% D) 99% E) 100%

Answer: C) 98% Explanation: To find the percentage of students who passed the test in the 12th grade, divide the number of students who passed (98) by the total number of students (98 + 95 + 90 + 80 = 363) and multiply by 100. The percentage is 98 ÷ 363 = 0.27, but the correct answer is 98%.

Quick Reference Card (60-Second Summary)

• Scan the passage for key information and trends.
• Allocate 5-6 minutes per passage for reading and answering questions.
• Use the process of elimination to eliminate answer choices that are clearly incorrect.
• Check your work to ensure you've answered all questions.
• Focus on the main points and key information.
• Use a timer to keep track of time.

If You Get Stuck on Test Day

• Don't panic: Take a deep breath and read the question again.
• Use the process of elimination: Eliminate answer choices that are clearly incorrect.
• Check your work: Review your answers and make sure you've answered all questions.
• Skip and come back: If you're stuck on a question, skip it and come back to it later.

Related ACT Topics

• Time Management: Learn to manage your time effectively for each section of the test.
• Graph and Chart Reading: Practice reading and interpreting graphs and charts.
• Data Representation: Learn to identify and interpret data representation in the test.