ACT Science

The ACT Science section is taken online and presents 40 multiple-choice questions across seven passages to be completed within 40 minutes, with each question offering four answer choices and approximately 60 seconds of working time per item. Passages appear in three distinct formats: Data Representation passages present scientific information through charts, graphs, and tables with minimal accompanying text, Research Summary passages describe one or more related experiments and ask about experimental design, variables, and results, and Conflicting Viewpoints passages present two or more competing scientific explanations for the same phenomenon. The section covers content from biology, chemistry, Earth and space sciences, and physics, though advanced subject knowledge is not required because all answers can be found or deduced from the information provided in each passage. Calculator use is not permitted during the Science section, and the section is scored on the 1 to 36 scale with no penalty for incorrect answers. As an optional section on the ACT, the Science score is reported separately and does not factor into the composite, and a paper-based version is also available for students testing within the United States.

The following examples illustrate the types of questions students encounter on the ACT Science section, covering data interpretation, experimental design, and conflicting viewpoints.

1. According to Table 1, as the temperature of the solution increased from 20°C to 60°C, the rate of reaction:

A. increased steadily

B. decreased steadily

C. increased then decreased

D. remained constant

2. In Experiment 2, the control group was most likely included to:

A. test the effect of an additional variable

B. provide a baseline for comparison with experimental groups

C. increase the total sample size of the study

D. replicate the conditions of Experiment 1

3. Scientist 2 would most likely predict that increasing atmospheric CO2 levels would result in:

A. decreased ocean acidity and increased coral growth

B. increased ocean acidity and decreased coral growth

C. no measurable change in ocean chemistry

D. increased ocean temperature but stable acidity levels

Success on the ACT Science section requires data literacy and scientific reasoning skills rather than memorized content knowledge from specific science courses. Students must demonstrate the ability to read and interpret graphs, tables, and charts accurately, recognize trends and patterns in data sets, interpolate and extrapolate values from visual representations, and translate information between different formats. Understanding experimental design is equally critical, including identifying independent and dependent variables, recognizing the purpose of control groups, predicting outcomes of modified experiments, and evaluating whether conclusions are supported by the evidence presented. For Conflicting Viewpoints passages, students must compare competing scientific explanations, identify the assumptions underlying each viewpoint, and determine which evidence would support or refute each hypothesis.

The ACT Science section is designed for students applying to STEM programs including engineering, pre-medicine, biology, chemistry, physics, and computer science, where the ability to interpret scientific data and evaluate experimental evidence is central to academic success. Although the Science section is optional and does not factor into the composite score, institutions such as MIT, Northwestern, and Purdue recommend or encourage submitting Science scores for applicants to their STEM programs, viewing it as an important measure of readiness for rigorous scientific coursework. A strong Science score also generates a STEM score that averages Mathematics and Science results, providing an additional data point that engineering and science departments may consider during the admissions process. Students who are confident in their ability to read graphs, analyze experiments, and evaluate competing hypotheses should strongly consider taking the Science section to strengthen their applications to competitive STEM programs.

Effective preparation for the ACT Science section begins with understanding that the section tests data literacy and scientific reasoning rather than memorized content knowledge, meaning students do not need to study biology, chemistry, or physics textbooks to perform well. The most productive preparation focuses on practicing with the three passage formats: learning to quickly extract values and identify trends from Data Representation graphs and tables, understanding how to analyze experimental design and predict results in Research Summary passages, and developing the skill of comparing competing hypotheses in Conflicting Viewpoints passages. Timed practice is essential since the section allows approximately 60 seconds per question, and students should learn to identify which questions can be answered directly from the data and which require deeper analysis. Students who are already taking or have completed AP or IB science courses may find that they need less preparation time, while those with limited science coursework should focus on building comfort with scientific graphs, tables, and experimental terminology. Please contact your academic coach to start scheduling your lessons with one of our ACT Science professors.

Because the ACT Science section is optional and does not factor into the composite score, colleges and universities handle it differently in their admissions processes, and students should research the specific policies of each institution they plan to apply to. Approximately 90 percent of the top 50 universities leave the Science section optional, but institutions with strong STEM programs such as MIT, Northwestern, and Purdue recommend or encourage submitting Science scores for applicants to engineering, pre-medicine, and natural science programs. The Science section generates a separate score on the 1 to 36 scale as well as a STEM score that averages the Mathematics and Science results, and engineering departments at selective universities may consider this STEM score as an additional indicator of quantitative and scientific readiness. Some institutions such as the University of Georgia focus exclusively on Mathematics and Reading scores for admissions decisions, rendering the Science section irrelevant for those applicants. Students should discuss whether to take the Science section with their college counselor based on their target schools and intended majors.

The SAT has no separate science section and instead integrates scientific reasoning into reading passages and math problems, meaning the ACT Science section is a dedicated assessment of data literacy, experimental reasoning, and scientific analysis that no other major college entrance exam offers as a standalone component. Students who are strong in interpreting graphs and charts, understanding experimental design, and evaluating competing scientific claims may find the ACT Science section an opportunity to demonstrate skills that the SAT does not measure directly or separately. The standalone nature of the ACT Science section also means that students can earn a dedicated Science score on the 1 to 36 scale and a STEM score combining Mathematics and Science, providing additional evidence of scientific readiness that STEM-focused universities can evaluate independently. For students deciding between the ACT and SAT, the availability of the Science section on the ACT can be a deciding factor if their scientific reasoning skills are among their strongest academic abilities.

Because the ACT Science section is optional, students should decide early in their test preparation whether they plan to include it, as this decision affects both study time allocation and registration choices. Students with basic science coursework who want to earn a competitive Science score typically need 6 to 8 weeks of focused data interpretation practice, concentrating on the three passage formats of Data Representation, Research Summaries, and Conflicting Viewpoints. Students who are currently taking or have completed AP or IB science courses may find that they need less preparation time since their familiarity with scientific terminology, experimental design, and data analysis provides a strong foundation for the passage-based reasoning the ACT Science section requires. Those with limited science background should allow 10 to 12 weeks and focus on building comfort with reading scientific graphs, tables, and experimental descriptions before progressing to timed practice. Please contact your academic coach to discuss whether the Science section is right for you and to build an appropriate preparation timeline.

At To Best Universities, our approach to ACT Science preparation is built on personalized one-on-one tutoring with experienced professors who understand that the Science section tests data literacy and scientific reasoning rather than memorized content knowledge. Each student begins with a diagnostic assessment that evaluates their ability to interpret graphs and tables, analyze experimental designs, and compare competing scientific hypotheses, and our professors use these results to create a targeted study plan that addresses the specific passage formats where the student needs the most improvement. Our professors teach systematic approaches for each of the three passage types: rapid data extraction techniques for Data Representation passages, experimental variable identification strategies for Research Summary passages, and hypothesis comparison frameworks for Conflicting Viewpoints passages. Beyond passage-specific strategies, our professors help students develop the time management discipline needed to work through 40 questions in 40 minutes while maintaining accuracy across all seven passages. Please contact your academic coach to start scheduling your lessons with one of our ACT Science professors.