ACT Science: Navigate Conflicting Viewpoints Passages Without Confusion

Conflicting viewpoints passages present two or more scientists' positions on the same issue. To avoid confusion, (1) read the introductory paragraph to understand the central question. (2) For each scientist, underline their main claim and 2-3 supporting points. (3) In the margins, label each section: "Scientist 1 says...", "Scientist 2 says...". This labeling prevents you from mixing up positions and answers questions faster because you know where each claim lives.

Example: Central question: "Does life exist on Mars?" Scientist 1 says: Life existed on early Mars because fossilized microbes have been found in meteorite ALH84001. Evidence: Mars once had liquid water, which is necessary for life. Scientist 2 says: No life existed on Mars because ALH84001's structures are non-biological in origin. Evidence: Abiotic processes can create similar structures; no confirmed fossils have been authenticated. After reading, you can quickly answer: "What is Scientist 1's main claim?" versus "What evidence does Scientist 2 offer?"

Type 1: "Which statement best represents Scientist X's view?" Return to your label and re-read that section. Type 2: "Which evidence would support Scientist Y?" Look for data that aligns with their claim, not their opponent's. Type 3: "On what point do the scientists disagree?" Compare their main claims and identify the fundamental difference. Identifying the question type before you search saves 30 seconds per question.

Example: Q: "Which of the following would most weaken Scientist 2's argument?" Scientist 2 claims no life existed, supported by abiotic processes. To weaken this, look for evidence of biological origin that cannot be explained abiotically, like proteins with left-handed amino acids. A choice offering confirmed biological markers would weaken Scientist 2's position directly.

Find one ACT Science practice test with a conflicting viewpoints passage. Read it using the three-step method: (1) underline main claims, (2) label each scientist, (3) answer all questions without looking back at the passage first. Then check your answers. If you missed any, identify whether you (a) misread the scientist's position, (b) confused one scientist with the other, or (c) misunderstood the question. Repeat this process with three different conflicting viewpoints passages until you catch zero confusion errors.

Record your time and accuracy. You should read a passage and answer 7 questions in 6-7 minutes with 6+ correct. If you are slower or less accurate, re-read the passage label-by-label until the positions stick in your mind.

Conflicting viewpoints passages scare many students because comparing positions feels abstract, but it is actually one of the most predictable question types. Once you master the three-step method, conflicting viewpoints questions become some of your most reliable points because the answer is always explicitly stated in one of the sections.

Spend one hour this week on three conflicting viewpoints passages. By test day, you will navigate these passages calmly and accurately.