The f g a d f ed e f he ACT f c he Sc e ce Te , which also
includes common high school science concepts. These concepts may or may not appear in the passages,
and they may or may not appear in direct-knowledge-type questions, but understanding them will help
you be fully prepared for test day.
I s a good idea to familiarize yourself with these concepts f e e e hea d f he . If e
hea d f he , ag d dea ef e h e ab e c ce a d e f he e a ea .
If any of these terms look unfamiliar, you should consult science textbooks from your school. Brief
online searches may also help solidify this knowledge.
The Science Test expects you to understand basic mathematical terms (surface area, volume, percent,
diameter, etc.). In addition to these, you should be familiar with science material taught up to, and
sometimes including, the eleventh grade. Basic scientific terms (solid, liquid, gas, etc.) are not presented
in the following glossary.
If the brief definitions and formula provided in this list are not enough to help refresh or familiarize the
terms and concepts, you should consult science textbooks from your school. Brief online searches may
also help solidify this knowledge.
Here is a sample list of concepts and terms previously tested on the ACT:
a
t
1
𝐸 𝑚𝑣 2
2
6.023 1023
∆
𝑣
∆
𝐹 𝑚𝑔
Background Knowledge for ACT Science
While you may have been told you need zero science knowledge to answer any ACT Science questions,
this is NOT true. There are typically around 4 questions per test that you cannot answer without
previous background knowledge. That's the difference between a 31 and a 36 on the Science section!
You need to know a total of 13 topics, spanning Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math. Here is the
overview.
o Biology
o Cell Biology
o DNA, RNA, and Ribosomes
o Natural Selection
o Chemistry
o Basic Molecule Structure
o Freezing/Boiling Point of Water in Celsius
o pH Scale
o Molar Mass Concepts
o How Charges Interact
o Phase Changes
o Physics
o Gravity
o Density Formula
o Density Rules
o Math
o Basic Math Skills
Knowledge Subject #1: Biology
Topic #1: Cell Biology
You need to know certain cell organelles (parts of cells), their functions, and whether they are found
in animal or plant cells.
Animal Cell Structure
Lysosomes hold enzymes. Lysosomes digest food or break down the cell when it dies.
Mitochondria are organelles that act like a digestive system, which takes in nutrients, breaks them down,
and creates energy rich molecules (ATP) for the cell.
The cell nucleus acts like the brain of the cell. It contains the cell's DNA, or the genetic information from
which proteins are made (see Topic #2 next). It also helps control eating, movement, and reproduction.
Chloroplasts only exist in plant cells and assist in the process of photosynthesis, converting light into
energy (which only plants do, not animals).
The cell membrane holds all of the pieces of the cell and serves as the barrier between the cell and
other cells.
Below is a sample question where you need an understanding of these organelles to select the correct
answer. The chemical reaction mentioned in the passage was photosynthesis.
Knowing that photosynthesis happens in chloroplasts, correctly choose answer F.
But nowhere in the passage was it said that chloroplasts are where photosynthesis happens! This
is a fact you HAD to know before the test.
While there are many other organelles, the ones listed above and should be the only organelles you need
to know for the test. Also, you should not need to know any other information about these organelles.
Topic #2: DNA, RNA, Ribosomes, and Protein Synthesis
DNA contains the genetic information needed for making proteins (protein synthesis). Protein
synthesis involves DNA, RNA, ribosomes and proteins. DNA acts as the blueprint for protein
production.
The Process of Protein Synthesis
Messenger RNA (known as mRNA) makes a copy of the sequence of DNA of a specific gene. This
process is known as transcription and happens in the nucleus.
Once the mRNA is made, it leaves the nucleus and enters the cytosol of the cell. Ribosomes use mRNA
as a guide to make protein of the same amino acid sequence as the original DNA. The process of
producing protein from the mRNA is referred to as translation. So, the process of protein synthesis
consists of two steps: DNA to mRNA transcription and mRNA to protein translation.
Topic #3: Natural Selection
Natural selection is also known as 'survival of the fittest.' In a specific environment, traits that allow
organisms to reproduce more effectively will become more common, and traits that reduce
reproductive success will become less common. A classic example of this is the change in peppered
moth color during the industrial revolution.
In England, the burning of coal during the industrial changed tree bark from light brown to dark brown in
color. The peppered moth blended in perfectly and was hidden from predators. However, once clean air
acts were passed, the trees quickly returned to a lighter color, making the dark moths easily visible to
predators. Meanwhile, lighter colored moths were still hidden from view and survived to lay eggs. Thus,
because of natural selection, over the course of years the moths turned from dark to light in color!
Knowledge Subject #2: Chemistry
Topic #4: Basic Molecule Structure
The ACT Science section expects you to know the basic molecular structure of Sugar, Fat, Protein and
Nucleic Acids.
C6H12O6 is the basic sugar molecule structure
There are many different kinds of fats: saturated, unsaturated, trans (you may have seen this on nutrition
labels). The test does not expect you to know each structure. You only need to know that fats are made
up of C (Carbon), H (Hydrogen), and O (Oxygen), and to differentiate fats from sugar, fats have nearly
twice the number of H as C and a very small number of O. Fats are much bigger in size than sugar
For example, an unsaturated fat triglyceride has a chemical formula of C55H98O6.
Proteins are composed of amino acids (based on protein synthesis, proteins are made based on the
original DNA sequence). There are many different protein structure, but all proteins contain C, H, O and
N (Nitrogen).
Nucleic acids are biomolecules. Two types of nucleic acids that we already discussed are DNA and
RNA. Nucleic acids are made up of 3 parts: a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous
base. Nucleic acids are different from Sugar, Fat, and Proteins because they are made up of P
(Phosphorus) and N in addition to C, H, and O.
Here is a sample question from the ACT:
In order to answer this question, you need to look at this equation from the passage:
You then see that the Carbon from the original CO2 becomes a part of C6H12O6. However, you need to
know that C6H12O6 is a Sugar molecule to get the correct answer G.
Once again, the ACT expects that you know how photosynthesis works, and what the chemical formula
for sugar is! You wouldn't be able to get this information from the passage.
Topic #5: Freezing/Boiling Point of Water in Celsius
Water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius and boils at 100 degrees Celsius. That is all you need to know.
Memorize those numbers.
Topic #6: pH Scale
A pH scale is a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is. While the pH scale formally measures the
activity of hydrogen ions in a substance or solution, it is typically approximated as the concentration of
hydrogen ions.
All you need to know is that a pH of below 7 is acidic, above 7 is basic, and at 7 is considered
neutral.
Fun fact: the beverage Coke has a pH of 2.50, while drinking water typically has a pH of 7.00, and hand
soap has a pH of around 10. Coke's very acidic!
Topic #7: Molar Mass Concepts
Remember the periodic table? Don't worry - you don't need to memorize molar weights of elements.
The only molar mass concept you need to know is that the mass of a molecule is the sum of the
mass of its atoms.
This appears in an ACT question asking about oxygen's weight versus carbon dioxide's weight. You need
to know that O2 is lighter per molecule than CO2 because CO2 has an extra Carbon atom compared to
oxygen. Check out this ACT Science question:
In order to answer this question, you need to use this figure from the passage as well as your outside
knowledge.
Figure 2 shows that the pressure exerted by O2 was greater, eliminating answer choices F and
G. However, nothing in the passage tells you if there are more O2 molecules per gram or CO2 molecules
per gram. You now know that O2 is lighter per molecule than CO2, so the answer is J.
Topic #8: How Charges Interact
Atoms are composed of three types of particles: protons, electrons, and neutrons. Protons are
positively charged, electrons are negatively charged, and neutrons have no charge.
Like charges repel each other, while opposite charges attract each other. For example, two positive
charges will repel each other, while a positive and a negative charge will attract.
Topic #9: Phase Changes
Below freezing point, a material will be in solid form, just above freezing point a material will be in liquid
form, above boiling point, liquid becomes gas (is vaporized).
One natural way to think about this is in terms of water. When it's really cold, it turns to ice (solid). When it
warms up, it turns to liquid. Then, when you boil it, it turns to steam (gas).
Knowledge Type #3: Physics
Topic #10: Gravity
You need to know that gravity is a downward force that acts on objects, and other forces (such as a
spring or pulley) can counteract gravity. This will come up a lot in passages that show experiments using
springs or pulleys.
Topic #11: Density Formula
Density is the degree of compactness of a substance. To calculate the density of a substance, you use
the formula:
Density = mass/volume
Topic #12: Density Rules
You need to know more about density than just the formula. You need to know the main density
rule. Denser objects sink, and less dense objects float. Objects only float when they are less dense
than the liquid they are placed in.
An easy way to think about this: what happens when you throw a rock into water? It sinks - that's because
the rock is denser than water, meaning it weighs more for the same volume.
What about when you throw a styrofoam cup onto water? It floats - because sytoroam is less dense than
water. For the same volume, styrofoam weighs a lot less than water.
Knowledge Type #4: Math
Topic #13: Basic Math Skills
You are not allowed to use your calculator on the science section. Yet, there are problems that require
math skills like the one below.
In order to solve this problem, you have to use the given information from the passage that Algol C is a
1.7 solar-mass MS Star. Then, you have to multiply 1.7 by the mass of the sun (solar-mass) given to you
in the question, 2.0 x 10^30. You need to be able to do basic multiplication.
1.7 x 2.0 x 10^30 = 3.4 X 10^30, so the answer is C.
In order to refresh your basic math skills, I suggest during your practice to attempt some of the easier
ACT Math Section questions (the first 15 questions) without using your calculator.
It will help to be familiar with all the following topics/Science
Vocabulary:
Biology
classifications: genus, species (e.g. knowing that lizards are mammals, reptiles or amphibians)
human anatomical systems (circulatory, digestive, respiratory)
eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms
photosynthesis
pollination
metamorphosis
genetics (allele, genes, chromosomes, X and Y chromosomes)
proteins
DNA
RNA
ribosomes
mitochondria
chromosome
genotype
osmosis
phenotype
dominant and recessive traits
crossing over of dominant and recessive alleles
mitosis
meiosis
Cellular division phases (interphase, etc.)
Chemistry
understanding (and balancing) chemical equations and reactions
atom
nucleus
ion
molecule
solute
solution
solvent
reactant
product
solubility
atomic mass
solid, liquid, gas
pH
acid
base
viscosity
condensation
evaporation
electrons
protons
neutrons
atomic number
atomic mass
molar mass
isotopes
solid, liquid, gas and melting, boiling, freezing points (very generally speaking; not specific to
any particular substance, except maybe water)
important elements (e.g. water is H20)
Physics
velocity
acceleration
Circular motion
kinetic energy
potential energy
Friction
Gravity
Heat and Work
Magnetism
Momentum
Properties of Matter and Waves
Energy conservation
Displacement, position
Force and motion
Reflection, Refraction
Sound and Light
polarity
buoyancy
waves
amplitude
frequency
wavelength
charges (like charges attract; opposite charges repel)
circuits (capacitor, resistor)
Conductor, Resistor (Conductance, Resistance)
amperes
volts
convection
conduction
radiation
gravitational potential energy
mechanical energy
density
Viscosity
Earth and Space
metamorphism (state change)
layers of earth
erosion
altitude
air resistance
orbit
terrestrial planet/gas giants
Other Science Terms
independent variable
dependent variable
control
hypothesis
endothermic
exothermic
ectothermic
matter
mass
Question 32 on 71H, April 2014 test is an example of the Genotypes used only to label certain animals.