Transcript The Science Section

The Science Section
An Overview
1
The Basics
40 MC questions in 35 minutes
Not a test of your Scientific Knowledge
A Reasoning Test
2
Three Types of Passages
Data Representation (2-3 passages)
Research Summary (3-4 passages)
Conflicting Viewpoints (1-2 passages)
3
General Strategies
4
Test Tips
ALWAYS GUESS! Don’t leave any answers
blank.
The process of elimination can be especially
useful in this section.
5
Process of Elimination Basics
6
Process of
Elimination: A Step Up
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Finding What’s Important
Underline KEY
WORDS as you read
passages AND
questions. Words like
increase, decrease
are usually very
important.
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Watch Out!
Watch out for questions that include the
following words: all, none, always, never
Don’t fixate on a stubborn question–while it’s
always tempting to try to crack that one
stumper, it’s not worth it after a certain point.
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Watch Out!
Answers that
look the same
/ have slight
differences
Yes/No
+Justification
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Order
Take a moment to order the passages by
difficulty. Figure out which ones you will do
first.
Personal Order of Difficulty
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Science Section
Specifics
Data Representation
12
Specifics
Start out with intuitive passages
(These are typically Data
Representation)
They have:
Trends
Patterns
Easy-to-analyze Relationships
13
Dealing with Data
Typically the most straightforward passages
(as well as the quickest)
Can you look at a graph/table/chart, figure
out what it’s trying to tell you, and draw a
conclusion?
14
Analyzing Graphs
Determine what
relationships variables have
with each other. Direct?
Inverse? No relationship?
15
Causation vs. Correlation
The most important statistical
concept you will ever
experience.
16
Multiple Graphs
Be careful when
dealing with many
graphs on one set of
axes!
17
Multiple Graphs
Don’t be
intimidated, but
make sure you are
looking at the right
line!
18
Another MultiGraph Example
19
Graphs can be
Intimidating
20
Be Careful!
Check the units on graph axes, especially
time intervals.
Given a table, make sure you’re looking at
the right line! Things can get cluttered!
21
Regarding Data Tables
Draw arrows to indicate trends!
*Princeton Review
22
Rates! Position vs. Velocity
Is this object moving?
23
More Rates!
Could this object
be moving?
How is this
object
behaving?
24
A Brief Look at Chemistry
Think as if it were a Position vs. Time
graph! Where is this reaction fastest?
25
A Look Back at Acceleration
Is this object speeding up or slowing down?
Remember: acceleration is how fast velocity
is changing!
26
Science Section
Specifics
Research Summary
27
Research Summary
Typically longer than the simpler data
representation sections
Descriptions of multiple experiments along
with graphs/tables/charts
Second Order of Difficulty
28
The Essentials
Know what’s going on–underline the
purpose!
Make Notes–this will be a useful tool when
going back to the experiments.
29
Be Careful!
Look at the right experiment!!
Watch out for units.
30
More Be Careful!
Complex scientific
terms may appear.
Don’t be intimidated
by them–they will
always be defined.
31
WHY are they doing this?
Questions about Purpose
Remember that if they bother to mention
something in the experiment description, it’s
usually relevant to one of the variables tested.
32
The Red Herring
33
Science Section
Specifics
Conflicting Viewpoints (the
Fighting Scientists)
34
The Arguing Scientists Problem
Two or more viewpoints on a scientific issue
presented in paragraph form.
Similarities and Differences
Generally considered the hardest problem
type–the key is in the method.
35
Keeping Track
Underline key assertions!
Make some brief notes beside each
argument to capture the gist
36
One Step at a Time
Read one viewpoint at a time, and address
individual questions
Then answer questions for both. Do broader
questions last, once you have an idea of the
subjects and arguments.
37
In Summary
38
What to do with these Strategies?
The best thing to do is to apply them
practically through practice questions.
39
Going Forward
The state-sponsored ACT is about two
weeks away.
Get a review book from the CRC or
EPHS/EP Library.
Science textbooks won’t help very much.
40
Practice Tests
Real Testing Conditions
Don’t wait until the last minute!
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Mistakes
Know WHY certain mistakes happen.
Specific improvements
42
Final Thoughts
If you’re not a science person…
A high scorer is not necessarily the one with
the most background knowledge.
43
Good Testing Habits
Relax the day before the test–don’t
overwork yourself.
Get enough sleep the night of the test–and
the night before, and the night before.
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An Uncommon Trick
Practice Guided Imagery a few moments
before the test or the same morning.
45
Mr. Holm’s Session!
Next week’s prep session will be in the PAC,
led by Mr. Holm
A comprehensive review on the Essay
section
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We Hope This Helps.
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