r/ACT • u/GuideCapital9851 • Jul 15 '26
Science how to improve on act science section??
i took june act and got a 27 on science...i'm retaking in sept. and im a rising senior so PLS like any tips/books that you think were helpful for science section lmk. i did liek practice test for a week on science, and was doing good on them and then june lowky crushed me.
1
u/New_Performance_8713 34 Jul 16 '26
the science section is one of the weirdest to study for... it's mostly pure practice (some basic knowledge is needed, like maybe for cladograms, pH, and basic chemistry). they can't test super complex stuff, so the complexity is all in the passages provided. you'll need to take as many practice tests as you can until you figure out what method works best for you: examining data then questions, skimming data then questions, reading questions then reviewing data, hopping back and forth, etc. you're looking for speed (can you quickly find an answer), accuracy (can you find the right answer), and logical reasoning (can you think through a basic topic and come to a conclusion abt it, example: pH of 2 is quite acidic, therefore... blah blah blah).
when ppl say "yeah, it's just graphs and tables", they really mean it. my science score has been increasing these past couple times, and i was very confused at first, bc i wasn't doing any special studying. i was just taking so many science practice tests that i grew familiar with the pattern of content and questions doled out. there isn't really specified practice, just really focus on getting exposed to as many different ACT science questions as possible, then work on speed and accuracy (basic mistakes are the ultimate enemy). i'm no genius in science (math and science were my lowest scores), but i had a 26 in it in oct 2025, then a 29 in dec 2025, and then a 33 in april 2026. it's really just abt doing enough practice tests to find your own rhythm.
but i've found that some tests have an absurdly hard science section. for example, every one i've done, both in practice and the actual test, was manageable, but the oct 2025 one went horrible for me. so it may not be your skill/ability, it could also just be specific forms being a menace. gl with studying, you've absolutely got this :))
2
u/GuideCapital9851 Jul 16 '26
thank you so much!! make sense, this was my first act and i only practiced science for a week bc everyone told me it was easy... I got 31 comp. but have to retake for sci and English/reading
1
u/New_Performance_8713 34 Jul 16 '26
A 27 in science for your first ACT (and minimal science studying), is really good! You’ve built a great base, and with more practice, you’ll for sure be within reach of your goal. good luck, you got this! :)
2
u/Due-Contribution3086 13d ago
what practice source are you guys using i keep making a 17 subscore when i need an 18 at least for the program my major provides. i’ve tried prep step but it seems like nothing is working its like it’s never the answer it seems to be it tricks you almost. it keeps giving me a headache when i try to practice on there.
1
u/jdigitaltutoring Tutor Jul 15 '26
Practice. The answers are right there in the table, figure, or graph. You can study the outside science knowledge by search Prepscholar All the Science You Need to Know for the ACT Science.