ACT Science / Topic
Data Representation
Data Representation passages present graphs, tables, and diagrams from a single study and ask you to read, compare, and extrapolate from them. They are the most direct passage type on the ACT Science test — and the best place to bank fast points.
What the exam asks
- Look up values in tables and multi-curve graphs, matching units and axes
- Identify trends: direct, inverse, and non-monotonic relationships
- Interpolate between data points and extrapolate beyond the plotted range
- Translate between representations (table row ↔ graph point ↔ verbal claim)
- Combine information from two figures to answer one question
How to attack this passage type
titles → axes and units → legend → trends; skim text only as needed
as x increases, does y rise, fall, or turn around? Note where it changes
extend the established trend line/pattern past the last data point
check whether the question's units match the axis units before comparing
Question bank breakdown
8
43
16 easy · 16 medium · 11 hard
Skills covered
Every question in the bank comes with a per-choice explanation, so you learn why each wrong answer is wrong — not just the key.
Sample question
From the free tier of the ScoreMint ACT Science bank — try it, then check the answer.
According to Table 1, how much O₂ was produced at 30°C after 120 seconds?
- A. 5.1 mL
- B. 9.2 mL
- C. 11.8 mL
- D. 12.5 mL
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Correct. Reading directly from Table 1: the row for 30°C and the column for 120 s gives 9.2 mL.
Study tip
Go to the figures first and read the question's variable names literally — most Data Representation answers are a single lookup or one-step trend read, so the passage text is usually optional.