Prioritize Science Passages (ACT)
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Prioritize Science Passages (ACT)
Optimize your score by prioritizing which order you will read the passages based on how many passages you think you can finish accurately, your interest in the passage content in and the complexity of the graphs and charts in the passage.
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First, set a realistic goal for the number of passages you think you can complete to the best of your ability. Either take a practice test and self-evaluate or use your Mindprint Test Prep report to set your goal. -
Create a set order or plan in which you will complete the passages. Learn about the different passage types here. Some students prefer to start with their area of highest interest or comfort level. Others prefer to start with the passage that they think will be more challenging so they can get it over with. Consider if you are the type of person who needs time to ramp up or if you can work at a consistent pace throughout.
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Given your target number of passages, calculate the average time to spend per passage, allowing for a few minutes at the end to randomly guess on any remaining questions.
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Based on your time allocation above, calculate an average time for reading the passage and an average time per question. Sticking to a schedule and not spending too much time reading or trying to understand a graph is critical to success on the Science section. It is important that you build awareness of when to allow yourself to guess and move on.
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If you will not be tackling the passages in the order provided, have a strategy for marking your answer sheet to ensure you are filling in the answers correctly for the problems you are answering. You might clearly cross off the questions you finished in the test booklet. You might circle the question numbers to leave blank on the answer sheet.