ACT Science Topics

ACT Science Topics August 122, 2016 - AcademicTestingAdvantage.com

The science section of the ACT is called a science test but it more correctly should be thought of as a reading test about science topics. This means that it does not really test your knowledge of any science courses you’ve taking in high school (although that helps a bit). The science that you need to know will either be explained in the reading passage itself require knowledge of eighth grade science.

For example, following is a list of very basic science topics they expect you to know about:

 Basic understanding of gravity and friction. Know that the effect of gravity is lower at higher altitudes.

 Basic understanding of density. For example, why does an ice cube float in a glass of water? Why does a hot air balloon rise?

 Know the PH scale ( 0 – 14) and what numbers are acidic vs alkaline.

 Know Bernoulli’s principle. For example, why does a curve ball curve or why does an airplane fly?

 Know the differences among transfer of heat by convection, conduction, radiation.

 Know the basic form of a chemical equation. For example, the items on the left side of the arrow are input and those on the right side are the output. (Know how to balance.)

 Know the colors of the rainbow and why a sunset is orange or red.

 Know the general sizes of the planets. For example know that Jupiter and Saturn are larger than earth, pluto, mars, or mercury.

 Know why one musical note is a higher pitch than a note that is lower. Know what wave property makes a sound louder.

 Know the difference between potential energy (PE) and kinetic energy (KE). Know the conservation of energy principle. Also know that KE = 1/2 mv2

 Know the difference between two variables being “directly related” as opposed to “indirectly related” or “inversely related.”

 Know that atoms are made of a nucleus (protons and neutrons) and circling electrons. Also know that protons have a positive charge, electrons have a negative charge, and neutrons have no charge.  Know the basics of genetics and heredity (terms: genes, traits, allells, genotype, phenotype, dominant trait, recessive trait)

See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEUvRrhmcxM and/or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBezq1fFUEA

 Know the basic construction of an atom: A nucleus composed of a positively charged protons and neutrally charged neutrons and a electrons (negatively charged) orbiting around the nucleus.

 Know the basics of photosynthesis: CO2, water and sunlight are consumed by trees or other plants producing O2 and nutrients.