ACT SCIENCE PRACTICE TEST
- It's a 35-minute, 40-question, multiple-choice exam that tests interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning and problem-solving skills in scientific contexts.
- Questions are based on passages containing data, graphics, tables and scientific scenarios. Typically there are 7-8 passages with 5-7 questions each.
- Passages cover various science topics like biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, formal/informal reasoning skills used in science.
- Questions assess skills like understanding experimental design, interpreting data/graphs, identifying variables, drawing conclusions, distinguishing facts from opinions.
- It evaluates scientific reasoning abilities such as identifying patterns/trends, predicting outcomes, recognizing similarities/differences, interpreting scientific information.
- Answers depend on comprehending the passage, not prior science knowledge. Questions are at a high school level with some prerequisite knowledge assumed.
- Text features in passages like figures, tables and diagrams provide important context for questions.
- Questions involve applying principles from the passage to new examples or interpreting new situations scientifically.
- The goal is to rigorously evaluate analytic, logical and critical thinking skills applied in scientific contexts and scenarios.