Whichever way you choose to prepare for ACT Science — whether with a private tutor, class, online program or on your own — you need to make sure you are using high-quality practice ACT Science tests. Because ACT Science is unique, any old science study material won't cut it. To learn about how different ACT Science is from any other science test, read the big secret of ACT Science.
In this guide, I'll tell you where to find all of the official ACT Science practice tests available: several are free! Also, I'll provide tips on how to use these ACT Science practice tests improve your score.
Additionally, I'll talk about some of the ACT Science practice materials you should avoid and why you shouldn't use them. I draw my conclusions from my years of experience tutoring students for ACT Science and from my own practice for the ACT Science test.
Free Full-Length ACT Science Practice Tests
These ACT Science practice tests are all free. They're all official resources and made by the ACT makers themselves. Official practice tests are the absolute best resource to use when studying, and I've listed all of them here in one place for your convenience.
ACT Science Free Online Sample Test
This test format can be a little difficult to use, but it's free and online. Click on each passage on the left, and click the answer choice to see the answer response. To keep the timing realistic (35 minutes total or five minutes per passage), I recommend that you work on the answers on paper, and then check your answers one by one in your web browser AFTER you have finished the entire test.
Official ACT PDFs
There is only one official, up-to-date practice test available for free. We've flagged the Science pages for you so you can hop straight to that section.
- ACT Practice Test 2021-2022—Page 38-49.
Paid ACT Science Practice Tests
If you're looking for even more practice ACT Science tests beyond those listed above, below are two more resources to look into. Neither of these of free, but they're still official resources worth spending money on if you want more practice.
The Official ACT Prep Guide
The book was produced by the makers of the ACT and has five unique full-length ACT practice tests, plus additional practice questions. Costing about $20, this book is the best book for realistic practice tests.
Don't even look at Kaplan or Princeton Review for practice tests—their quality is far inferior to the tests put out by the ACT.
ACT Online Program
Costing $25, this online program includes two extra full-length ACT practice tests. The online prep material is not good - just buy this for the tests, if you need it. Next, I will tell you how to put all of this ACT Science study material to the best use.
How to Use ACT Science Practice Tests
In this portion, I'll be summarizing our guide to the best way to study and practice for ACT Science. I highly recommend you read that article for more in-depth information. When using your real ACT Science practice tests, make sure to keep the following instructions in mind.
#1: Take the Science Section in One Sitting
Come on! The ACT Science section is only 35 minutes. You need to set aside that time to sit for the ACT Science. Because the ACT Science section is so rushed (52.5 seconds per question), a practice test is great at helping you adjust to the pace.
While sitting for the 35-minute section is good practice, it is even better, if you can find the time, to take the entire ACT all at once. The ACT is a four-hour-long marathon, and you will need to practice to build up endurance. Science is the last section of the test!
Practicing taking the whole test will better prepare you for the Science section because it will show you what it takes to power through. Sitting for one 35-minute section, without experiencing the 3.5 hours before it, is not as helpful to your practice and improvement. I recommend sitting for at least two full-length practice tests (four hours each) before you take your official ACT.
#2: Pay Attention to the Time
If you find yourself struggling to finish the ACT Science in 35 minutes, try to watch your pace on each passage and keep yourself to a strict five minute per passage pace. Learn more about this and other ACT Science strategies in our guide to time management and section strategy for ACT Science.
#3: Double-Check Your Answers
After finishing the ACT Science practice test, REVIEW your answers. This is the most important part of your process. Review every mistake you made and every question that you guessed on but got right. If you do not review your mistakes, you will not improve; spend at least 15-20 minutes each ACT Science practice test you take.
Read our guide to the best way to study for ACT Science and the reasons you miss ACT Science questions for help with your review process. Again, without review, you will not improve.
#4: Consider Using a Prep Program
Supplement your ACT Science practice test with a prep program if you don’t see improvement. While some people will see vast improvement simply from reviewing their mistakes and practicing the test format, others need more guidance on strategy to improve on their weak points.
Check out PrepScholar’s program; we do just that. We figure out your strengths and weaknesses and select personalized materials to help you work on your weaknesses and improve your score.
ACT Science Practice Materials You Should AVOID and Why
Unfortunately, not all ACT Science practice tests are high quality. Below are four practice tests you should avoid like the plague. They won't help you with the test, and they may actually hurt your score by causing you to study the wrong topics and question types.
Varsity Tutors - Free ACT Science Practice Tests
The material provided to answer questions is much shorter than actual ACT Science Passages. They provide few visuals, and those they do provide are hard to read. Rather than setting up proper tables, they just try to align the material into vague columns and rows. This seems ridiculous when the MAJORITY of the ACT Science questions ask you to read visuals for information. The timing does not match the ACT Science test timing (35 minutes total/five minutes per passage) at all. This material is a waste of your time; do not bother with it.
ACT Example Practice Tests Website - Free
This material provided is not even set up as passages. The questions are just asked at random with random tables thrown in on occasion. This material is nothing like real ACT Science tests, so AVOID it like the plague.
McGraw-Hill Free Online Practice and McGraw-Hill 's 10 ACT Practice Tests, Second Edition
I am reviewing both together because they are from the same company and have the same issues. The tests mimic the format of the ACT Science test really well. The tests set up seven passages just like the real test, and each passage has the appropriate number of questions.
HOWEVER, the questions are very different. On the actual ACT Science test, you should be able to answer most questions using the visuals alone. Read more about this strategy in our other article on the three types of ACT Science passages. On McGraw-Hill’s tests, you need to use the entire passage to answer most questions. Also, the visuals are not as difficult as the visuals on the actual ACT Science test. Avoid this material because, while it may seem like the ACT Science test, looks can be deceiving and waste your time.
What’s Next?
In order to get the most out of your ACT Science practice tests, learn the best way to study and practice for ACT Science and the nine reasons you miss ACT Science questions.
Also, for more background on the ACT Science test and strategies, read about the three types of ACT Science passages and the big secret of ACT Science.
Ready for some tougher practice questions? Check out our guide to the hardest questions on ACT Science and exactly how you should solve them.
These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.
