Science and the ACT
What can Alabama teachers do to help their students?
Rita Ayers, i21Zone Specialist, Chalkable
Alabama and the ACT
Next April, the ACT will be given for the fourth consecutive year to all juniors in Alabama. Teachers and students across the state are addressing this challenge (with varying levels of enthusiasm). Here you will find some helpful tips and tricks, along with websites that contain practice tests and other materials.
Quick Facts
There are four sections on the test, with an optional fifth section. Alabama students will take all five sections. Included are tests on English, Math, Reading, and Science, with the fifth section on Writing. All five sections are timed and are given in the order listed above.
High school science teachers have been left feeling a bit confused, as strong science students routinely report that the science section was... not science! In fact, very little science knowledge above what is commonly taught in ninth grade is needed to do quite well. The most important thing you as a science teacher can do to help your students to succeed is to arm yourself with the knowledge of what skills are needed on this test.
Never underestimate your importance!
High school science teachers have been left feeling a bit confused, as strong science students routinely report that the science section was... not science! In fact, very little science knowledge above what is commonly taught in ninth grade is needed to do quite well. The most important thing you as a science teacher can do to help your students to succeed is to arm yourself with the knowledge of what skills are needed on this test.
Never underestimate your importance!
The Science Section
- The science test has 40 questions to be answered in 35 minutes.
- There will be six or seven passages with charts, graphs, tables, and narratives.
- There will be data representation passages, research summaries, and a conflicting viewpoints passage.
- All questions are multiple choice with four answer choices for each question.
- Students are not allowed to use calculators on this section.
- There is no penalty for guessing, so encourage students to stop at the five-minute mark and bubble in the same answer the rest of the way down.
- Time management is critical on this test!
If It's Not Science, then WHAT Is Covered?
The Science section is actually more about reading passages and interpreting related charts and graphs. There are six or seven passages; the amount of questions from each type varies from administration to administration. There are three different types of passages:
- Conflicting viewpoints passage, representing 15-20 percent of the test questions.
- Data representation passages, 30 - 40 percent.
- Research summaries, 45 - 55 percent.
New Science Test Breakdowns
Changed January 2016
Planning Worksheets
Here is a digital copy of a planning worksheet; it provides a breakdown by scoring bands. This would be very useful during vertical team meetings.
Sample Science Test Questions
There are twenty sample ACT-style questions in this quick quiz that students can take on their devices.
Science Test Practice
If you'd rather provide your students with a faster way to get to the science practice test than the link above, you can right-click and save this QR Code to jump straight there. Print a big copy of it and hang it outside your door; let them scan as they enter and work through the test independently.
Helping Your Students Understand the Test Structure
Below you will find a series of videos and matching worksheets that will take your students through a sample 40-question ACT Science Test. Over the course of one semester, consider devoting about 15 minutes once every two weeks to covering these videos and handouts in class.
Overview
In this introduction, SuperMagnetMan George Mizzell gives insight into the structure of the test and how students can learn to pace themselves.
Video: ACT Science
Time: 10:02
Video: ACT Science
Time: 10:02
Passage 1
Print the handout below and give to students prior to starting the video. This is an example of a conflicting viewpoints passage.
Video: Science Video 1
Time: 8:43
Handout: Science Passage 1
Video: Science Video 1
Time: 8:43
Handout: Science Passage 1
Passage 2
By now, your students will have gotten over the instructor's rapid-fire delivery! This is a research summary passage.
Video: Science Video 2
Time: 10:12
Handout: Science Passage 2
Video: Science Video 2
Time: 10:12
Handout: Science Passage 2
Passage 3
This is another example of a research summary passage, wherein students conducted three experiments about electricity.
Video: Science Video 3
Time: 9:20
Handout: Science Passage 3
Video: Science Video 3
Time: 9:20
Handout: Science Passage 3
Passage 4
This data representation passage employs a wide variety of illustrations, charts, tables and graphs - and the term bomb calorimeter.
Video: Science Video 4
Time: 5:30
Handout: Science Passage 4
Video: Science Video 4
Time: 5:30
Handout: Science Passage 4
Passage 5
This data representation passage asks students to compare charts and graphs regarding density (note the formula is provided).
Video: Science Video 5
Time: 5:08
Handout: Science Passage 5
Video: Science Video 5
Time: 5:08
Handout: Science Passage 5
Passage 6
This research summary passage explores forest fragmentation through line graphs. Point out to students that Study 3 is not even used!
Video: Science Video 6
Time: 5:30
Handout: Science Passage 6
Video: Science Video 6
Time: 5:30
Handout: Science Passage 6
Passage 7
Very little reading is involved in this data representation passage; the charts speak for themselves in this analysis of glacier activity.
Video: Science Video 7
Time: 5:30
Handout: Science Passage 7
Video: Science Video 7
Time: 5:30
Handout: Science Passage 7
Notice Anything?
You may note that in the overview, SuperMagnetMan says there are four data representation passages and two research summaries. This is incorrect; the test has three of each type of passage except for conflicting viewpoints.
More Practice Tests
Here are four recent booklets; the first one is for last year. All have answers available at the end of the test.
What Else Can You Do to Help Your Students?
The ACT is a competitive test and students should be aware of this going into it. Why not fuel their competitive juices by having some in-class competitions? Here are three web resources that work across all devices.
Quizlet Live!
Quizlet has been around for awhile. This is a new activity that encourages collaboration amongst students. Check it out at Quizlet Live!
Kahoot!
A student favorite, this website allows students to participate interactively with questions and answers that appear on your screen. Students login at kahoot.it; teacher create free accounts at getkahoot.com.
Socrative
Run a Space Race or simply use the regular quiz option to give students a daily dose of ACT-style questions. Both students and teachers use www.socrative.com.
Mc-Graw Hill's Online Practice Tests
Here are four additional tests; after submitting answers, students can read explanations of those that they missed.
Quizlet
Here's a big list of Quizlet flashcards for Science review. Note that some of these are considerably better than others; you might want to use these in your regular course of study as well.
Vocabulary
Terms that are typically included in the science tests are covered here in 99 flashcards. You can also just scroll down to the bottom and see the whole list - great for extra credit on regular tests!
Science Question of the Day
This is a pay site, but they do have two diagnostic tests and a Science Question of the Day for free. The official ACT website also has the ACT Question of the Day, but it is not always on science.
Have Questions Later?
Please email me if you would like for me to share my Kahoots, InfuseLearning, or Socrative quizzes with you. For Kahoots, you must include your Kahoot user id.
You can also leave a comment below if you have trouble opening any links, find something inappropriate or inaccurate, or just need a shoulder to cry on...
Rita Ayers
i21Zone Specialist
You can also leave a comment below if you have trouble opening any links, find something inappropriate or inaccurate, or just need a shoulder to cry on...
Rita Ayers
i21Zone Specialist
Email: rita@ayersusa.com
Location: Fairhope, AL, United States
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