thanks so much for asking, sarah! since we wrote this post, every act science section has had 6 passages, broken down into 2 data representation passages with 6 questions each, 3 research summaries passages with 7 questions each, and 1 conflicting viewpoints passage with 7 questions. the act won’t confirm this will always be the case, so i can’t say for absolute sure, but i think this is what you can expect! 🙂

thanks! 

you’re welcome, chaofan!

hi carrie, i have my eyes peeled for an updated 4th edition of the real act prep guide with more recent official acts, but nothing yet. the act has updated some of its practice questions on its website (for example, a comparison reading passage and the new writing prompt for the fall): http://www.actstudent.org/sampletest/.

you can also find a pretty updated, recently released act test to practice with here: http://www.act.org/aap/pdf/preparing-for-the-act.pdf

other than that, the real act prep guide 3rd edition is your best bet for official tests. we also have practice tests and questions at act.www.catharsisit.com 🙂 !

thanks very much,

carrie

hi laura! thanks so much for your feedback. i’ve heard mixed things–a few students saying they thought science was harder in april, a few who said they didn’t notice much of a difference. for what it’s worth, when i sat for the february act, i thought three of the passages were fairly easy, and the others were more difficult (but not more difficult than what i’ve seen on 2013 and 2014 tests). however, as we both know as tutors, there is some subjectivity there :). i did think that there were more questions than i’ve seen in that past that more subtly made use of outside science knowledge. the curve does not appear to be getting any easier, however; the test is adjusting for a greater number of students performing at a high level on the science. i am looking forward to finding out more about the april test as well. if you have students that ordered the test information release prior to the april test date, at the earliest they could expect the test booklet by the last week in may (based on previous years), more likely in the first couple weeks of june. i’d love to hear to hear your thoughts when you get the test!