Basic Concepts
In a nutshell: The ACT Science section tests your ability to analyze scientific data and experiments, not your memorization skills.
## What to Expect on the ACT Science Section
The ACT Science section isn't about memorizing facts—it's about interpreting data, analyzing experiments, and thinking critically. You'll encounter passages on biology, chemistry, physics, and earth/space sciences, presented as charts, graphs, tables, and short descriptions.
## Skills You'll Need
- Reading scientific data from graphs and tables
- Understanding experiment designs and results
- Drawing conclusions based on evidence
## Why These Skills Matter
These skills are useful not just for the ACT, but also for solving real-world problems, from understanding news articles to making informed health decisions.
### Tips for Success
- Focus on what the data tells you, not what you remember from class.
- Practice reading graphs quickly and accurately.
Examples
- Interpreting a chart showing plant growth at different light levels
- Analyzing an experiment comparing the effectiveness of two medicines
Key terms
- Data Interpretation
- The process of making sense of data presented in visual formats like graphs and tables.
- Experiment
- A scientific procedure to test a hypothesis and observe outcomes.