ACT Science Conflicting Viewpoints: Complete Strategy Guide

Conflicting Viewpoints passages present two or more explanations for the same phenomenon.

ACT says this format accounts for roughly 15–20% of Science passage material.

The challenge is not memorizing science facts.

It is keeping each viewpoint separate.

Conflicting Viewpoints is just one of several ACT Science passage formats — the ACT Science strategy guide covers the others, and the Enhanced ACT complete guide ties Science into the rest of the test.

Build a mini-map

For each scientist/model, write:

• claim;
• reason;
• prediction.

Example:

Scientist 1

Claim: The decline was caused mainly by temperature.

Prediction: Cooler years should show smaller declines.

Scientist 2

Claim: The decline was caused mainly by a new predator.

Prediction: Areas without the predator should not show the same decline.

Now questions become much easier.

Agreement vs disagreement

Two scientists may agree on:

• the observed data;

but disagree on:

• the cause.

Do not confuse shared evidence with shared explanation.

Question type 1: who would agree?

Find the exact claim.

Then match it to the viewpoint.

Question type 2: how would Scientist 2 respond?

Answer from Scientist 2's logic, not your own opinion.

Question type 3: new evidence

Suppose new data show:

declines occurred even where the predator was absent.

Which viewpoint is weakened?

Scientist 2.

The key is to connect evidence with a prediction.

Question type 4: both scientists

Look for common ground.

Example:

Both may agree that:

• population declined;
• temperature changed;

while disagreeing about what caused what.

Do not overread

Conflicting Viewpoints can look text-heavy.

You do not need to memorize every sentence.

Track:

• claim;
• mechanism;
• prediction.

Original mini-example

Researcher A

A lake's algae bloom was caused by higher water temperature.

Researcher B

The bloom was caused primarily by fertilizer runoff.

New evidence: Nearby lakes warmed equally but did not bloom; the affected lake received unusually high runoff.

Which viewpoint is more strongly supported?

Researcher B

Common traps

• mixing scientists;
• using your outside science knowledge;
• treating partial agreement as full agreement;
• ignoring what new evidence actually tests.

If you're still weighing whether to prioritize this section, see our guide on whether you should take ACT Science. For the rest of our test-prep breakdowns, browse the ACT guides.

Bottom line

For Conflicting Viewpoints:

separate the claims before answering the questions.

A 20-second viewpoint map can save several minutes of rereading.

Official source

• ACT Science Test Description: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/description-of-science-test.html

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