Help with ACT Science Section

I'm having a hard time preparing for the Science section of ACT. Anyone got tips on what type of questions to expect? Is it more of the comprehension type or do I really need to brush up my science concepts?

The ACT Science section can indeed seem challenging at first, but with the right approach and preparation, improvements can be made. The section primarily assesses your ability to interpret and analyze scientific data presented in various formats such as graphs, tables, research summaries, and conflicting viewpoints. Here are some key aspects to keep in mind:

1. Understanding Graphs and Tables: A large portion of the Science section will test your ability to read and interpret data presented in graphs and tables. Ensure you're comfortable with reading axes, identifying trends, and extrapolating information.

2. Comprehension: You don't necessarily need an in-depth understanding of any particular science concept as most needed information is contained in the passage. The focus is more on your ability to comprehend and analyze the presented information, rather than recalling information from high school science classes.

3. Time Management: The Science section consists of 40 questions to be completed in 35 minutes. This roughly gives you less than a minute per question. Practice techniques such as skimming text, identifying key points quickly, and moving on from tough questions to come back to later.

4. Understanding Experimentation: Many passages are designed around experiments. Being able to understand and identify components like the experimental setup, control, variables, results, and conclusions can be helpful.

5. Practice: As with every test, practice is key. Regularly practicing ACT science problem sets helps get a feel for the question types, improves speed, and builds comfort with the material.

At the end of the day, the ACT Science section is less about recalling scientific knowledge and more about interpreting and reasoning based on the information provided. Be sure to take advantage of resources like released ACT tests and consider prep materials to help understand the format and structure of the test. Good luck with your preparation!