Science: Method, Data, and Core Concepts
What the questions test
Science questions blend process skills with content. Process skills include identifying variables, reading graphs and tables, distinguishing observations from inferences, and judging whether a conclusion follows from data. Content areas are life science (cells, genetics, ecosystems, body systems), physical science (matter, atoms, energy, forces, motion), and Earth and space science (plate tectonics, weather, the solar system).
Traps to watch for
- Correlation versus causation. Two things rising together does not prove one caused the other.
- Confusing variables. The independent variable is what the experimenter changes; the dependent variable is what is measured; constants are kept the same; the control group gets no treatment.
- Ignoring the setup. A graph's axis labels and units often decide the answer.
- Overgeneralizing. Conclusions apply only to the conditions tested.
- Everyday assumptions that conflict with science, such as heavier objects always falling faster in a vacuum (they do not).
Rule of thumb
Read the question, then read the graph's title, axes, and units before looking at the answer choices. If a choice states a cause, confirm the study actually manipulated that factor.
Worked example
A student waters five identical plants with different amounts of fertilizer and measures growth after four weeks. Independent variable: amount of fertilizer. Dependent variable: plant height. Constants: same plant type, pot size, water, light, and time. If the plant with the most fertilizer grew tallest, the best conclusion is that under these conditions more fertilizer was associated with more growth-not that fertilizer always increases growth for every plant.