How to Read the ACT Science Test

Lesson by Kristin Fracchia

Magoosh Expert

Summary

The Magoosh ACT Science Lesson provides a strategic approach to efficiently navigate the ACT Science Test, emphasizing the importance of reading selectively to maximize understanding, accuracy, and speed.

Identify unnecessary information in passages to save time, focusing only on what's essential for answering questions.
Suggest a specific reading order to manage time and energy effectively, applicable to six out of the seven passage types encountered in the test.
Orient quickly to the scientific situation of the passage through a brief overview, paying special attention to the beginning and end of textual information.
Read the question carefully, noting key scientific terms that will guide where to look in the passage or data representations.
Examine the answer choices for additional clues and key terms that indicate what to look for in the data.
Directly engage with figures, charts, or graphs using identified key terms to find relevant data, consulting the key of diagrams if necessary.
Skim the passage for any remaining key terms not covered by diagrams and double-check questions to avoid simple mistakes.