ACT CHANGE

Starting with the September ACT test, the Science sub-test became optional.

IMPACT OF THE CHANGE

Making Science optional aligns the ACT more with the SAT, which doesn’t contain a Science section.

It reduces the number of subjects you need to prepare for on the ACT.

It also shortens the overall testing time for students on test day.

Unfortunately, the change will make it harder to find quality instruction for the Science test.

HOW COLLEGES ARE TREATING SCIENCE

Colleges are responding in a myriad of ways to this change.

Some are still requiring a Science score for admissions and scholarships.

Some have dropped the requirement for a Science score.

Some will consider your Science score only if it boosts your overall composite or SuperScore.

We are in a transitional time regarding how colleges handle Science on the ACT, and policies will probably remain fluid for some time

This means you need to be in careful communication with your high school guidance counselors and college reps to discover how the colleges you are interested in will handle the Science test.

Remember that ACT instructors are not guidance counselors. ACT instructors’ primary job is to help students maximize their scores, not to keep up with the constantly changing university admissions and scholarship policies.

GETTING EXPERT SCIENCE INSTRUCTION

If you need (or want) to take the Science sub-test, you will want to be prepared for it. Since the subject will be optional on ACT tests, most ACT classes will probably omit it.

An excellent way to get instruction for the Science test is through tutoring with a specialist.

Our specialist is Mr. Matt Haynes. To enquire about his one-on-one tutoring services, contact him at the following email address: matthaynes1980@gmail.com