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ACT Science Guide 2026 (background knowledge, best strategy, and tips) from an actual student!
Aiden's Academy
Overview
This video provides a comprehensive guide to the ACT Science section, focusing on strategies and content relevant for the 2026 test changes. The presenter, Aiden, explains the new optional nature of the science section, the increased time per question, and the addition of more background knowledge and experimental design questions. He emphasizes that the science section is primarily a reading comprehension test, not a measure of scientific expertise. Key strategies include always starting with the questions, not the passages, and understanding the three main passage types: data representation, research summaries, and conflicting viewpoints. The video also details essential background knowledge topics, common mistakes to avoid, and walks through practice passages to illustrate these strategies.
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Chapters
- The ACT Science section is becoming optional starting September 2026.
- The time allotted for the science section has increased from 35 to 40 minutes for 40 questions.
- There will be an increase in questions requiring scientific background knowledge.
- One passage will now specifically focus on experimental design.
Understanding these changes is crucial for test-takers to adapt their preparation and strategy, especially since the science section remains highly beneficial for STEM majors.
The pH scale (7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic, above 7 is basic) is given as an example of background knowledge that might be tested.
- The ACT Science section is more about reading comprehension and data interpretation than deep scientific knowledge.
- Always read the questions before attempting to read the passage.
- Focus only on the specific information in the passage that the questions ask for.
- Do not get bogged down trying to understand the entire passage; much of it may be irrelevant to the questions.
This strategy saves critical time by directing your focus to the exact information needed, preventing you from getting lost in complex or irrelevant details.
When asked about specific data points or relationships, go directly to the relevant table, graph, or sentence in the passage indicated by the question, rather than reading the entire introduction.
- Data Representation passages primarily use graphs, charts, and tables to present information.
- Research Summaries passages provide context and narrative around specific experiments, often including graphs and tables.
- Conflicting Viewpoints passages present multiple hypotheses or theories from different scientists or students, requiring you to compare their ideas.
- Questions for each type focus on interpreting data, inferring results, or understanding differing perspectives.
Familiarity with these passage structures allows you to anticipate question types and efficiently locate the information needed to answer them.
For data representation passages, questions often ask 'when X is Y, what is Z?' requiring you to find specific points on a graph or in a table.
- Getting caught up in excessive detail can waste valuable time.
- Complex scientific terminology or unfamiliar concepts are often used to confuse, but the answers are usually found in simple data within the passage.
- Do not assume you need to know all the background information; focus on extracting information directly related to the questions.
- Time management is critical, with approximately one minute per question.
Recognizing these common pitfalls and applying the suggested strategies helps maintain focus and efficiency under timed conditions.
In a conflicting viewpoints passage, if a question only asks about student 1 and student 2, do not waste time deeply analyzing student 3 and student 4's hypotheses.
- Key biological concepts include cell biology (organelles, photosynthesis, respiration), DNA/RNA, natural selection, and genetics (alleles, Punnett squares).
- Important physics/chemistry concepts include freezing/boiling points of water, the pH scale, molar mass, charge interactions, phase changes, gravity, and the density formula.
- Basic math skills, particularly scientific notation, are also tested.
- Some topics like taxonomic rank, greenhouse gases, and basic molecular structure are less frequently tested but good to be aware of.
While the test emphasizes data interpretation, a foundational understanding of these core scientific concepts can help in interpreting passages and answering background knowledge questions more quickly and accurately.
Understanding that acidic solutions have a pH below 7 and basic solutions have a pH above 7 is a frequently tested background knowledge concept.
- The presenter demonstrates how to approach different passage types by going straight to the questions.
- He shows how to identify relevant information in tables and graphs based on question keywords.
- The walkthroughs highlight simplifying complex questions into their core components.
- Emphasis is placed on using only the information provided in the passage and the question's constraints (e.g., 'according to student one').
These practical examples illustrate the application of the discussed strategies, reinforcing how to navigate complex passages and answer questions efficiently under test conditions.
In one walkthrough, the presenter simplifies a question about gravitational acceleration to simply determining which pendulum has a greater mass, based on the provided student's prediction.
- Consistent practice is the most effective way to improve ACT Science scores.
- Utilize free practice materials available from the ACT website and official guides.
- Simulate actual test conditions by practicing under strict time constraints.
- Review mistakes thoroughly to understand why they were made and how to avoid them in the future.
Adhering to these practice principles will build test-taking endurance, improve speed and accuracy, and increase confidence for test day.
Use a timer set to the official section duration (e.g., 40 minutes) when completing practice tests to mimic the real exam environment.
Key takeaways
- The ACT Science section tests data interpretation and reading skills more than scientific knowledge.
- Always read the questions before engaging with the passage to maximize efficiency.
- Familiarize yourself with the three main passage types: data representation, research summaries, and conflicting viewpoints.
- Avoid getting lost in complex details or unfamiliar terminology; focus on extracting information directly relevant to the questions.
- Background scientific knowledge, particularly in biology and basic physics/chemistry, can be helpful but is secondary to data interpretation skills.
- Practice under timed conditions to simulate the real test environment and improve speed and accuracy.
- The ACT Science section is becoming optional, but it remains valuable for STEM-focused students.
Key terms
Experimental DesignBackground KnowledgeData Representation PassageResearch Summaries PassageConflicting Viewpoints PassageIndependent VariableDependent VariableHypothesisControl GroupScientific NotationpH ScaleWavelength (lambda max)
Test your understanding
- Why is it more effective to read the ACT Science questions before reading the passage?
- What are the three main types of passages found in the ACT Science section, and what is the primary skill tested by each?
- How does the recent change to the ACT Science section (optionality, timing, content) impact a student's preparation strategy?
- What is the significance of understanding basic scientific concepts like the pH scale or density, even though the ACT Science section is primarily a reading test?
- How can practicing under timed conditions help improve performance on the ACT Science section?