The ACT Science test is a standardized exam that assesses a student's ability to read and understand scientific information, evaluate scientific data, and draw conclusions based on that data. The test consists of 40 multiple-choice questions that must be completed in 35 minutes. The test is divided into three sections: data representation, research summaries, and conflicting viewpoints.

The ACT Science Test assesses a student's ability to read and understand scientific information, evaluate scientific data, and draw conclusions based on that data. The test covers various biology, chemistry, physics, and Earth and space science topics. Here are the topics covered in each section of the ACT Science Test:

Data representation

The data representation section is one of three sections in the ACT Science Test. It measures a student's ability to interpret and analyze different types of scientific data presented in graphical or tabular form. This section often includes questions that require students to analyze data presented in line graphs, scatter plots, tables, and charts, among other formats. The questions in this section may cover topics such as:

Reading and interpreting line graphs: Students may be asked to analyze a line graph that displays data over time and make inferences based on the data. For example, they may be asked to determine the rate of change in a variable or identify trends in the data.

Reading and interpreting scatter plots: Students may be asked to analyze a scatter plot that displays the relationship between two variables and make inferences based on the data. For example, they may be asked to identify whether the variables are positively or negatively correlated or identify outliers in the data.

Reading and interpreting tables: Students may be asked to analyze a table that displays data in rows and columns and make inferences based on the data. For example, they may be asked to identify trends in the data or compare data sets to conclude.

Analyzing and comparing data sets: Students may be asked to compare data sets from different sources and draw conclusions based on the similarities or differences between the data. For example, they may be asked to compare data sets from an experiment and a control group to determine the effect of a variable.

Identifying patterns and trends in data: Students may be asked to identify patterns or trends in data and make predictions based on those patterns. For example, they may be asked to identify a cyclical pattern in a data set and predict future data points.

Understanding scientific notation and units of measurement: Students may be asked to convert between different units of measurement or express numbers in scientific notation. This skill is important for analyzing and interpreting data in the scientific field.

Research summaries

The research summaries section of the ACT Science Test is designed to assess a student's ability to read and comprehend complex scientific research summaries. This test section often includes passages describing experiments, research studies, and scientific hypotheses. The passages may cover various topics from various scientific disciplines, such as biology, chemistry, physics, and earth and space science.

The passages in this section require students to understand scientific concepts and terminology deeply. They must be able to identify the passage's main idea, comprehend the data and conclusions presented, and draw inferences based on the information presented. Some of the topics that may be covered in the research summaries section of the ACT Science Test include:

Biology: This may include genetics, ecology, cell biology, microbiology, and evolution. Students may be asked to analyze data from an experiment involving genetic mutations or to interpret a graph showing the population growth of a particular species.

Chemistry: This may include stoichiometry, thermodynamics, chemical reactions, and atomic structure. Students may be asked to analyze the results of a chemical reaction or to interpret a graph showing the relationship between temperature and pressure in a gas.

Physics: This may include mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves and optics, and modern physics. Students may be asked to analyze the motion of an object, calculate the amount of work done by a force, or interpret a graph showing the relationship between the wavelength and frequency of a wave.

Earth and space science: This may include geology, meteorology, astronomy, and environmental science. Students may be asked to analyze data from a weather station, interpret a map showing the geological features of an area, or draw conclusions about the effect of human activity on the environment.

Conflicting viewpoints

The conflicting viewpoints section of the ACT Science test measures a student's ability to compare and contrast different scientific perspectives on a particular issue. The section often includes passages that describe different viewpoints on a scientific issue. The passages in this section may cover topics such as:

Biotechnology and genetic engineering: This topic may present conflicting viewpoints on issues such as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), cloning, and gene editing.

Environmental science and sustainability: This topic may present different perspectives on climate change, conservation, and renewable energy issues.

Ethics and social responsibility in science: This topic may present different perspectives on issues such as animal testing, scientific ethics, and the social implications of scientific research.

Scientific methods and research design: This topic may present different perspectives on issues such as the scientific method, research design, and the role of science in society.

To excel in this section, students should be able to:

• Identify the main ideas and arguments presented in each viewpoint
• Compare and contrast different perspectives
• Draw conclusions based on the presented evidence
• Recognize any biases or assumptions underlying each viewpoint
• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each argument

Here is a summarized table for the ACT Science Syllabus 2023: