Data representation passages mainly use graphs and tables. They make up about 25-35% of the passages in the ACT Science test. They aren’t always easy, but many questions let you find the answer directly in a figure instead of interpreting it from the written passage.
These passages require a solid understanding of basic graphs, tables, and charts. You’ll need to read the visuals, compare them to each other, and connect them to the experiments described in the text. This textbook covers these skills in more detail in the “Types of questions” section. Here’s an example of what these passages look like:
Data representation passages often include multiple graphs or tables and several sections of text. In many cases, you can answer questions by locating the relevant value or trend in a figure, so these passages are usually less about analyzing the wording than other passage types. Sometimes you can even answer all the questions correctly without reading the introduction.
Some data representation passages include challenging scientific concepts. In most of those cases, you won’t be expected to understand why the experiment is being done. Instead, your job is to understand how the experimental results are shown in graphs, tables, or other visuals. That’s why it’s essential to pay close attention to: