Why Skipping the ACT Test Science Section Is NOT a Smart Move
When students sit down to take the ACT, the Science section can feel intimidating. It’s fast-paced, full of charts, graphs, and experiments — and many students are tempted to skip it or not take it seriously. But here’s the truth: skipping the ACT Science section is one of the biggest mistakes a student can make.
Here’s why:
1. Colleges See the Whole Picture
Even if your child thinks “I’m not going into science,” colleges will still see the Science score. A weak section score can pull down the composite — and admissions officers notice.
2. Scholarships Depend on It
Many scholarships, including West Virginia’s Promise Scholarship, specifically require an ACT Science score. Skipping the section (or underperforming on it) can cost students not just admission opportunities, but also valuable financial aid.
3. It’s Not Really About Science Knowledge
The ACT Science section isn’t a test of how much biology or chemistry a student remembers. Instead, it’s about critical thinking, data interpretation, and time management — skills that matter in college and beyond. With the right strategies, students can improve quickly.
4. Every Point Counts
A higher Science score can raise the overall composite, and even a single-point increase can be the difference in admission or tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships.
5. We don’t have a Crystal Ball
This change in the test has caused some confusion, but the bottom line is that we don’t know what opportunities down the road might require the science section of the ACT.
✅ Bottom line: Don’t skip the Science section. With practice and proven strategies, students can absolutely conquer it — and the payoff is huge.
If your student struggles with ACT Science, that’s exactly where focused prep makes the biggest difference. In my classes and tutoring sessions, I break the section down step by step so students walk in prepared, not panicked.
👉 Ready to help your student succeed? Click here for more information on one-on-one ACT prep: https://forms.gle/c6xMH93Zodjjzxhy9
More about Jen Henson…
Jennifer Henson ( a.k.a “The GOAL DIGGER”) is a nationally sought after test prep expert specializing in the ACT test. Jennifer, who was Winton Woods City School’s (OH) Teacher of the Year in 2014, holds a Master of Education degree with a Bachelor’s in English from Xavier University—where she was a walk-on tennis player. She’s taught 22 years and coached ACT prep for over 16 years– and has an army of teachers trained to assist her requests for tutorials. Her former ACT students now attend notable higher learning institutions, including Notre Dame, The Ohio State University, Texas A&M, The Naval Academy, and the University of Kentucky—among others.
Thanks to modern meeting technologies such as Zoom and Facetime, Jennifer has assisted students from California to Connecticut—and states in between—to reach their personal ACT goals. No score is too low or too high, as she has doubled the scores of students starting at the low end, in addition to helping initially higher scoring students achieve the coveted 36 on every section of the test. Two young men playing D1 football had a composite score of a 9 originally, and scored 18 and 20 (respectively) after working with her. Three of her former clients now have NFL experience, one is a stand out WNBA player, and three are shining in MLB!