Fighting Scientists
ACT calls these “Conflicting Viewpoints,” but admit it: Our name is way more fun. There is only one
Fighting Scientists passage, featuring seven questions, on each ACT. It is inherently different from the
other six, even if it sometimes comes with figures. The fundamental task of the Fighting Scientists passage
is to compare and contrast opposing views of an issue.
PERSONAL ORDER OF DIFFICULTY (POOD)
There are many factors about the structure of this test that make it difficult. It’s last, which doesn’t help at
all. But even if it were first, many would find it the most challenging. Science phobes are intimidated by
the subject matter. Science geeks are thwarted by the time crunch. Pick your poison; no one benefits from
following ACT’s order. On every ACT, you need to work the passages in an order that makes sense for
you.
NOW PASSAGES
Every time you take the ACT, for practice and for real, pick the order of the passages that makes sense for
you. The best passages to do Now are those with the most transparent relationships. When you pick your
Now passages, choose exclusively among the Charts and Graphs and Experiments passages. By nature,
the Fighting Scientists passage is different, and even superior readers find it takes longer to work than the
best of the Now passages. So what makes a good Now passage? There are five signs to abide by.
1. Small Tables and Graphs
A good Now passage can have only tables, only graphs, or both. Tables should be no more than 3–4 rows
or columns, and graphs should have no more than 3–4 curves.
2. Easy-to-Spot Consistent Trends
Look for graphs with all the curves heading in the same direction: all up, all down, or all flat. Look for
tables with numbers in a consistent direction: up, down, or flat.
3. Numbers, not Words or Symbols
To show a consistent trend, the figure has to feature numbers, not words or symbols.
4. Short Answers
Look for as many questions as possible with short answers, specifically answers with values and short
relationship words like “increase” or “decrease.”
5. Your Science POOD
Don’t forget to factor in your familiarity and comfort with the topic when spotting good Now passages.
For example, if you’ve just studied DNA, a passage on DNA will strike you as easier, regardless of how
the figures look.
