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Expected availability: Summer 2026
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ACT
Available Summer 2026
ACT® Science
The ACT Science course teaches students how to interpret data tables, graphs, and research summaries, evaluate conflicting viewpoints, and apply core scientific concepts to answer reasoning questions, building college‑readiness skills.
Who Should Take This
High‑school juniors and seniors preparing for the ACT benefit most from this course. It is designed for learners with basic science knowledge who need to sharpen their ability to extract information, compare data, and reason through complex passages. Their goal is to achieve a higher ACT Science score and gain the analytical skills required for college‑level STEM courses.
What's Included in AccelaStudy® AI
Adaptive Knowledge Graph
Practice Questions
Lesson Modules
Console Simulator Labs
Exam Tips & Strategy
20 Activity Formats
Course Outline
65 learning goals
1
Data Representation
4 topics
Reading Tables, Graphs, and Diagrams
- Identify the variables represented on the axes of graphs and in the columns and rows of tables, including the units of measurement and scale intervals used.
- Determine specific data values by reading points on line graphs, bar graphs, scatterplots, and data tables, including values that fall between labeled increments on a scale.
- Interpret scientific diagrams, flowcharts, and process illustrations to extract information about the structure, sequence, or mechanism being depicted.
- Recognize different types of scales used in scientific data displays (linear, logarithmic, inverted) and describe how the choice of scale affects the visual representation of data.
- Interpret scatterplots with multiple data series to compare relationships between variables across different experimental conditions or groups.
- Analyze complex data displays that use dual axes, nested tables, or multiple graph types to present related data sets simultaneously within a single figure.
Identifying Trends and Patterns
- Identify whether the relationship between two variables shown in a graph or table is direct (positive), inverse (negative), or shows no clear pattern.
- Determine whether a relationship between variables is linear or nonlinear by examining the shape of graphed data or the rate of change in tabulated values.
- Apply interpolation to estimate data values between measured points and extrapolation to predict values beyond the range of collected data, based on observed trends.
- Analyze data presentations with multiple variables or data series to compare trends across conditions, identify where patterns diverge, and explain the significance of observed differences.
- Identify outliers, anomalies, and unexpected data points in graphs and tables, and determine whether they indicate measurement error or a genuine scientific phenomenon.
Translating Between Data Formats
- Interpret data presented in one format (table) and determine the corresponding representation in another format (graph), matching numerical values to graphical features.
- Evaluate which data representation format (table, line graph, bar graph, scatterplot) most effectively communicates specific aspects of a data set, such as trends, distributions, or comparisons.
Relationships Among Variables
- Determine how changing one variable affects another based on data presented in tables and graphs, including identifying dependent and independent variables in a data set.
- Analyze data to distinguish correlation from causation, recognizing that a pattern in data does not necessarily indicate a causal mechanism between variables.
- Synthesize information from multiple data presentations within the same passage to identify complex multi-variable relationships and draw conclusions about the system being studied.
- Determine whether a mathematical relationship (proportional, inverse, logarithmic) between variables suggested by data is consistent across different ranges of values shown in the data presentation.
2
Research Summaries
5 topics
Experimental Design Elements
- Define independent variable, dependent variable, controlled variable, control group, and experimental group, and describe the role each plays in a scientific experiment.
- Identify the independent, dependent, and controlled variables in a described experiment, and determine which group serves as the control and which as the experimental group.
- Recognize the purpose of replication, sample size, and randomization in experimental design, and describe how each contributes to the reliability of results.
- Evaluate whether an experiment is well-designed by assessing whether variables are properly controlled, whether the sample size is adequate, and whether the procedure minimizes confounding factors.
- Distinguish between observational studies and controlled experiments described in Research Summary passages, explaining why each design limits or supports causal conclusions.
Purpose, Hypotheses, and Procedures
- Identify the stated or implied purpose of an experiment described in a Research Summary passage and distinguish the hypothesis being tested from the procedures used.
- Interpret the procedural steps of an experiment to determine what data are being collected, how measurements are taken, and what conditions are being compared.
- Analyze the relationship between the stated hypothesis of an experiment and the data collected, determining whether the results support, refute, or are inconclusive regarding the hypothesis.
- Evaluate whether the experimental procedure described in a passage is sufficient to test the stated hypothesis, identifying missing controls or unmeasured variables that could weaken the conclusion.
Predicting Experimental Outcomes
- Apply observed trends and patterns from experimental data to predict the outcome if the experiment were repeated under the same conditions with different input values.
- Determine how modifying the experimental procedure (changing a variable, adding a step, removing a control) would likely affect the results of the experiment.
- Evaluate what additional experiment or data collection would be needed to test a new hypothesis or resolve an ambiguity in the original experimental findings.
- Apply results from one experiment described in a passage to predict what would happen in a different but related experimental context described in the same passage set.
Analyzing Results and Drawing Conclusions
- Interpret experimental results by connecting observed data patterns to the variables manipulated in the experiment, stating what the data indicate about the relationship tested.
- Distinguish between conclusions that are directly supported by the experimental data and conclusions that extend beyond what the data can demonstrate.
- Evaluate the validity and generalizability of experimental conclusions by considering sample size, variable control, potential sources of error, and whether the study design supports causal claims.
- Synthesize results from multiple experiments described within the same passage to draw a broader conclusion that no single experiment alone could support.
Error and Uncertainty in Experiments
- Identify potential sources of error in an experiment, including measurement imprecision, uncontrolled variables, instrument limitations, and procedural inconsistencies.
- Determine how identified sources of error could affect experimental results, predicting whether errors would cause measured values to be systematically too high, too low, or randomly scattered.
- Assess how sources of error or methodological limitations affect the strength of conclusions drawn from an experiment, determining whether the findings remain valid despite identified uncertainties.
- Describe the difference between systematic error and random error in scientific measurements, and recognize examples of each type in experimental descriptions within ACT Science passages.
3
Conflicting Viewpoints
3 topics
Identifying and Comparing Viewpoints
- Identify the central claim or hypothesis of each viewpoint presented in a Conflicting Viewpoints passage and describe the key differences between them.
- Identify the underlying assumptions each viewpoint makes about the scientific phenomenon being explained, distinguishing stated assumptions from implied ones.
- Compare the viewpoints to identify specific points where they agree and disagree, determining which aspects of the phenomenon they explain differently.
- Analyze the logical structure of each viewpoint to determine whether its conclusions follow from its stated premises and evidence.
- Identify the specific predictions each viewpoint makes about observable phenomena, determining what outcomes each viewpoint would expect under given conditions.
Evidence Evaluation for Viewpoints
- Determine which specific pieces of evidence presented in a passage support or contradict each viewpoint, matching data points and observations to the claims they substantiate.
- Evaluate the relative strength of each viewpoint based on the quantity, quality, and relevance of the evidence presented in the passage for and against each position.
- Assess how a specific new piece of evidence (not originally in the passage) would strengthen, weaken, or have no effect on each of the conflicting viewpoints.
- Distinguish between evidence that is relevant to discriminating between viewpoints and evidence that is consistent with all viewpoints and therefore non-diagnostic.
Resolving Conflicting Viewpoints
- Determine what type of experiment, observation, or data would definitively distinguish between the competing viewpoints and resolve the scientific disagreement.
- Synthesize the strengths of multiple viewpoints to determine whether a combined or modified explanation could account for all the evidence presented in the passage.
4
Background Science Concepts
4 topics
Biology Concepts in ACT Science
- Recognize key biology terms and concepts that commonly appear in ACT Science passages, including cell structure, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, DNA replication, and basic genetics terminology.
- Interpret experimental data involving biological processes such as enzyme activity, population growth, inheritance patterns, and ecological relationships using information provided in the passage.
- Analyze experimental designs studying biological phenomena to evaluate whether the methodology appropriately tests the stated hypothesis about a biological process or system.
- Interpret data from ecology experiments involving food webs, population dynamics, and environmental change, applying the relationships described in the passage to predict ecosystem responses.
Chemistry Concepts in ACT Science
- Recognize key chemistry terms and concepts that commonly appear in ACT Science passages, including pH scale, acids and bases, chemical reactions, solutions, concentration, and states of matter.
- Interpret experimental data involving chemical processes such as reaction rates, solubility, pH changes, and gas behavior using information and context provided in the passage.
- Analyze how changes in temperature, pressure, concentration, or catalysts affect the rate and products of chemical reactions based on data presented in ACT Science passages.
- Recognize the conventions used to represent chemical equations, molecular formulas, and stoichiometric relationships in ACT Science passages, including reactants, products, and balancing indicators.
Physics Concepts in ACT Science
- Recognize key physics terms and concepts that commonly appear in ACT Science passages, including force, motion, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism, and basic thermodynamics vocabulary.
- Interpret experimental data involving physical phenomena such as projectile motion, friction, electrical circuits, and wave behavior using the relationships and data provided in the passage.
- Analyze experiments testing physical laws to evaluate how changing one physical variable (force, mass, distance, temperature) affects other measurable quantities in the system.
- Interpret graphical data showing relationships between physical quantities (such as force versus acceleration, or voltage versus current) to verify or refute a stated physical law or relationship.
Earth and Space Science Concepts in ACT Science
- Recognize key Earth and space science terms that commonly appear in ACT Science passages, including plate tectonics, rock cycle, atmospheric layers, weather systems, and astronomical terminology.
- Interpret data about geological, atmospheric, or astronomical phenomena presented in ACT Science passages, using provided context to understand processes such as erosion, climate patterns, or stellar classification.
- Evaluate competing models or hypotheses about Earth and space science phenomena (such as theories of geological formation or climate change mechanisms) using evidence presented in passages.
- Interpret geological or atmospheric data presented across time scales (such as ice core records, fossil layers, or temperature anomaly charts) to identify long-term trends and cyclical patterns.
Scope
Included Topics
- ACT Science section (40 questions, 35 minutes) testing scientific reasoning skills using passages from biology, chemistry, physics, and Earth/space science as content vehicles.
- Data Representation (30-40%): reading and interpreting graphs, tables, scatterplots, and diagrams; interpolation and extrapolation from data; identifying trends, patterns, and relationships (direct, inverse, linear, nonlinear); translating between data formats; understanding units, scales, and measurement precision.
- Research Summaries (45-55%): understanding experimental design elements (independent variables, dependent variables, controlled variables, control groups); identifying the purpose, hypotheses, and procedures of described experiments; predicting outcomes of modified or extended experiments; analyzing results and drawing valid conclusions; understanding sources of error and experimental uncertainty.
- Conflicting Viewpoints (15-20%): comparing and contrasting two or more scientific hypotheses, models, or theories; identifying the core assumptions underlying each viewpoint; evaluating which evidence supports or contradicts each viewpoint; recognizing points of agreement and disagreement among viewpoints; determining how new evidence would affect each viewpoint's validity.
- Background science concepts tested implicitly through passages: pH and acid-base chemistry, force and motion (Newton's laws), cell biology and cellular processes, basic genetics (inheritance, DNA, gene expression), ecology and ecosystems, plate tectonics and geological processes, atmospheric science and weather, chemical reactions and stoichiometry, energy transformations and basic thermodynamics.
- Scientific reasoning skills: distinguishing correlation from causation, recognizing controlled experiments versus observational studies, understanding the role of replication, evaluating the generalizability of experimental findings, interpreting scientific notation and significant figures, and reading complex multi-variable data displays.
Not Covered
- ACT English, ACT Reading, ACT Mathematics, and ACT Writing (optional essay) sections, which are covered in separate domain specifications.
- Advanced college-level science content beyond what is presented in ACT Science passages (e.g., organic chemistry reaction mechanisms, quantum mechanics, molecular biology laboratory techniques, advanced calculus-based physics).
- Memorization of specific scientific facts, formulas, or constants not provided in the passages; the ACT Science section provides all necessary data and scientific context within its passages.
- Laboratory skills and hands-on experimental procedures that cannot be assessed through passage-based multiple-choice questions.
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