Don't get bogged down in complex scientific details. Use this 3-step framework to extract the data you need to answer questions correctly.
Get an overview of the text, searching for the Purpose, Method, and Results. Don't get bogged down in the details; you can give everything else a quick read and come back later if the question requires it.
This is the "how" of the experiment. What did the researchers actually do?
These are usually listed in charts and graphs, but may be in paragraph form.
A high percentage of questions come from analyzing data. Move quickly through the text so you can spend time analyzing Results in Step 2.
Here's where you analyze the data. This shouldn't be a long process, but giving each chart and graph an overview prepares you to find answers quickly.
Get a sense of what is being represented by looking at labels, axes, and variables.
Identify Independent (what scientists change) vs Dependent (what they observe) variables.
Note: On a coordinate graph, Independent is usually on the x-axis, Dependent on the y-axis.
Do variables vary directly (both increase/decrease together) or inversely (one increases, other decreases)?
Always refer back to the passage before looking at the choices and selecting one.
Practice these science methods with real ACT questions.
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