The Official ACT Science Guide

Master the science section of the ACT with the only official guide prepared by the creators and administrators of the test The Official ACT Science Guide, 3rd Edition, is the most recent and authoritative update to the leading study resource for the widely used college admissions test. This comprehensive guide shows you what to expect on test day, offering intuitive and concept-based instruction, actual test questions from previous exams, and expert insights that reduce test anxiety and build confidence. This book reflects the most recent changes to the ACT science section and delivers a complete review of every science concept tested. With both print and customizable online practice questions, students can prepare in the way they feel most comfortable while working through problems organized by question type. You’ll also find: Real ACT sciencequestions from previous test administrations combined with detailed explanations for every problem A concept-based approach that helps students understand the science topics they'll encounter on test day Comprehensive review of the entire sciencesection so students know exactly what to expect Online access to the complete question pool for personalized, customizable practice sessions Organization by question type to help students identify strengths and target areas needing improvement Ideal for high school students preparing for college admissions or scholarship qualification, The Official ACT Science Guide is a detailed and authoritative resource designed to help students of all skill levels perform at their highest level on test day.

Introduction vii Chapter 1: An Overview of the ACT Science Test 1 Passage Types 1 Overall Test Structure and Content Coverage 2 Science Content Coverage 2 Reporting Categories 3 Test Timing and Time Management 4 Format of this guide 5 Chapter 2: Data Representation Passages 7 Passages on the ACT Science Test 7 What You Can Expect from a Data Representation Passage 9 Trying Your Hand at a Data Representation Passage 11 Summary 21 Chapter 3: Research Summaries Passages 23 What You Can Expect from a Research Summaries Passage 23 How You Should Approach a Research Summaries Passage 24 Trying Your Hand at a Research Summaries Passage 26 Sample Question Answers and Analysis 32 Summary 36 Chapter 4: Conflicting Viewpoints Passages 39 What You Can Expect from a Conflicting Viewpoints Passage 39 Trying Your Hand at a Conflicting Viewpoints Passage 41 Summary 50 Chapter 5: Reporting Category: Interpretation of Data 53 Understanding What a Reporting Category Is 53 Interpretation of Data 55 Summary 69 Chapter 6: Reporting Category: Evaluating Models and Scientific Arguments with Evidence 71 Evaluating Models and Scientific Arguments with Evidence 72 Summary 84 Chapter 7: Reporting Category: Scientific Investigation 85 Scientific Investigation 86 Summary 93 Chapter 8: Science Basics 95 Understanding What Science Is on the ACT 95 Understanding What the Scientific Method and the Process of Science Are 96 Steps of the Scientific Method 97 Experimental Design 100 Summary 105 Chapter 9: Graphs and Charts on the ACT Science Test 107 Reading Graphs 107 Understanding Data Shown in Tables 111 Relationships Shown in Graphs and Data Sets 113 Summary 117 Chapter 10: Scientific Units and Measurements 119 Units in Science 119 The International System of Units (SI) 119 Units and Measures on the ACT Science Test 122 Summary 124 Chapter 11: Science Vocabulary 125 The Vocabulary of Science 125 General Scientific Terms 126 Subject-Specific Terminology 129 Chemistry Terminology 129 Concentration, pH, and Acid-Base Titrations 132 Biology Terminology 133 Physics Terminology 139 Properties of a Wave and the Electromagnetic Spectrum 140 Earth and Space Science Terminology 141 Summary 147 Chapter 12: Practice Questions 149 Chapter 13: Answers and Explanations 305 Answer Key 306 Explanatory Answers 308