What Are Ligands?

What Are Ligands?Chemical synthesis is a branch of chemistry, with chemical and biochemical composition characterized by the presence of certain essential chemicals which cannot be synthesized by other methods. It is defined as the process of creating chemical substances by making use of various chemical agents.Ligands are important in the course of Chemistry. If it is used with the wrong catalyst, it can throw off the synthesis process. In a way, there are two main categories of ligands; the ligands which consist of one or more of these substances, and the lands which are specific for a particular substance. In general, lands are non-protein molecules which can be found in many kinds of applications. They play a major role in the physical, chemical and biological processes in nature, and they are capable of absorbing the energy required to continue or complete them.Ligands are manufactured either chemically or biologically. Chemical synthesis means that the molecule of the ligand is created by an appropriate catalyst, whereas biological synthesis involves the recombination of amino acids and the formation of a new protein by an appropriate enzyme. Other ligands include sugars, lipids, enzymes, nucleic acids, enzymes, enzymes' line, which play a significant role in DNA synthesis, thiols, alcohols, ketones, and fatty acids.The actual structural unit of the macromolecule is referred to as the molecular bond, which is a set of hydrogen and oxygen atoms arranged in specific ways on the surface of the macromolecule. The term 'ligand' comes from the fact that the molecule of the ligand is the one whose bonds are in an unsaturated state. The name derives from the fact that the land must be physically attached to the receptor. This land has a variety of uses in medical science, food industry, and chemicals industry.Ligands are usually synthesized in the form of hydrocarbons and carbohydrates. Hydrocarbons and carbohydrates are derived from amino acids and fatty acids, respectively. The most important synthetic intermediates in the industry are deoxycholic acid, DHA, DHA, DPA, and ethylene glycol, all derivatives of the DHA ester.Ligands are used in many chemical processes, and their importance has increased greatly in recent years. Although many ligands are essentially poisonous, they are employed to make chemicals that have medicinal benefits.Chemistry is a complex field, and numerous techniques are developed to solve specific problems. In some cases, ligands are prepared at the same time as the chemical substance being made. For example, copper, nitrogen, and argon are commonly used as catalysts to allow the formation of various organic molecules. Other ligands are needed to help in the chemical synthesis of proteins, amino acids, and peptides.

Online Math Tutoring- Is Not Limited to Boundaries of a City, Country or Continent

Online Math Tutoring- Is Not Limited to Boundaries of a City, Country or Continent 0SHARESShare Online Math Tutors Caught in thoughts? Looking for a good Math tutor for your child? Technology has improved significantly over the last few years. Online tutoring website plays a vital role in providing students 24*7 academic assistance. A student can avail academic guidance from the ease of their home. You may choose a tutor through Online math Tutoring sites from anywhere around the globe. As an alternative to paying a private tutor, it is now possible to learn math online for very little effort. Tutor Pace, an Online Tutoring website offers you the most reliable, effective and affordable service. Having an internet connection will only make it easier to be able to get a tutor of your choice and plan your schedule as per your convenience. Depending on your area of concern, you may interact with experts and get your doubts cleared. The technology allows sharing a virtual classroom and audio-visual sessions. Whiteboard sharing is a good way to explain the subject. Let it be Geography, History, Science or Math, online tutoring can do magic. [starbox id=admin]

5 Ways Behavioral Interviewing Skills Help Professionally, Besides For Job Interviews - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 5 Ways Behavioral Interviewing Skills Help Professionally, Besides For Job Interviews - Introvert Whisperer 5 Ways Behavioral Interviewing Skills Help Professionally, Besides For Job Interviews Interviewing for a job is often daunting and stressful even if you have completed multiple interviews for positions in the past. The behavior-based interviews became wildly popular in the 1970s and is still one of the most popular interview forms used today. A behavior interview allows prospective employers the chance to get to know potential employees on a more intimate and personal level before deciding whether or not they are right for the role that is available. Knowing why behavioral interviewing skills help professionally aside from job interviews is advisable when you foresee a future for yourself working in business or as an entrepreneur on your own. Decision Making and Problem Solving Making decisions and solving problems are two of the most important tasks required of professionals in the workplace. If you are unable to solve problems or make tough decisions, it becomes increasingly difficult to obtain leadership positions and roles with more authority. Before scheduling an upcoming interview it is important to review how you excel in problem-solving and when making decisions in the workplace. Employers are likely to ask questions such as: What are your preferred methods to solve problems in the workplace? Have you encountered a difficult problem at work in the past? If so, what steps did you take to remedy the issue? How comfortable are you with working with other members of your team to come to decisions or to fix issues that have arisen? What are your weaknesses when it comes to solving problems? How have you worked towards improving on the weaknesses that you perceive in yourself? Boost Your Self-Confidence When you are well-versed in behavior-based interviews, gain self-confidence even outside of the interview process. Once you become familiar with behavior-based interview questions it is much easier to feel confident and comfortable with yourself and your professional abilities. Self-confidence is necessary for networking and expanding your reach, regardless of the market or industry you work in each day. Having confidence in yourself is a way to attract other confident individuals and professionals in your life. When you believe in yourself, your abilities, and what you bring to the workplace, obtain any position or role you desire with less anxiety or self-doubt. Some questions you may be asked that are related to confidence during an interview include: How do you remain confident when handling customers or clients who are dissatisfied with the service they have been provided? What are your best workplace skills? Can you rank your knowledge of each subject on a scale from 1 to 10? Are you comfortable with leading a team during meetings and when communicating with clients and customers? What are your weaknesses in terms of your confidence and workplace skills and abilities? How do you remedy your weaknesses when faced with big problems and challenges? Are you comfortable with leading presentations or taking on the responsibility of an entire team? Where do you see yourself in five or ten years if you are still working in the industry? Is this position optimal for the type of growth you are seeking as a professional? How can we help you to achieve the professional goals you have set for yourself? What is your dream position with the skills and abilities you already have? Do you plan to expand on the skills you have already developed in the workplace? If so, how do you intend to obtain the necessary skills and abilities required for potential advancements in your career? Remain Motivated Once you have a clear understanding of behavior-based interview questions that are most commonly asked throughout the interview process, remain motivated in other business-related scenarios and situations. Self-motivation and discipline are both essential elements necessary for success as an entrepreneur or any professional working in a business-centric industry. Motivation is imperative when setting and sticking to both short and long-term goals, even if they are not work-related. Leadership Qualities Leadership qualities do not appear overnight and often require plenty of hard work, consistency, and dedication. Building leadership qualities help to obtain positions while moving up on the ladder in any workplace. When you understand the importance of behavior-based interview questions and you are familiar and comfortable with them, maintain a sense of leadership along with the self-confidence you have built in yourself. Some of the leadership questions that you may be asked while interviewing with an employer who is using behavior-based questions include: Do you consider yourself a leader at home and at work? If so, how do you lead others in your household or who are on your team throughout a project? What has been the most difficult leadership position you have taken on? How did you face the challenges you were presented as a leader? Do you enjoy working as a leader or do you prefer to be lead by others who are managing projects? If you do not enjoy leadership positions, can you expand on your reasons why? Are you comfortable with sharing leadership positions with others or do you prefer to take lead on a project and tackle it yourself? If you do not like working with others in leadership positions, are you able to elaborate? Improve Communication Skills Being comfortable with behavior-based interview questions is a great way to improve on your communication skills. Communication skills are essential whether you are interested in landing a new job or if you are meeting with colleagues or friends for dinner after work. Having the ability to properly communicate and convey your message is a way to captivate your audience while garnering attention from those around you. When you feel confident in what you say, others are much more likely to listen. Some of the most prominent questions you may be asked regarding your communication skills when you are in an interview include: What is your preferred communication style? Do you enjoy meeting face-to-face or do you prefer another form of technology to communicate with others? Do you find it difficult to work with others who have vastly different personalities from your own? How comfortable are you with engaging with clients or customers who have been difficult to deal with in the past? Are you able to remain calm, cool, collected, and professional at all times while communicating with disgruntled clients or employees? How do you approach clients or customers who are unhappy with the products or services you provide? What steps do you take to ensure that our clients and customers are satisfied with the service they have received from us? Are you willing to remain flexible with new methods of communication available for our clients and customers as we continue to expand our business? What are your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to communicating with others? Have you taken the necessary steps to improve on them? How did you discover your communication weaknesses and did it affect your last position? Understanding the importance of behavior based interview skills is a way to feel confident and comfortable with the decisions you make while meeting with employers and hiring managers. The more comfortable you become in your own skin and with the skills you have, the easier it becomes to answer behavioral-based questions with honest and thoughtful responses. Author Bio:

Nationwide Reading And Math Abilities

Nationwide Reading And Math Abilities 12th grade students reading/math scores increased slightly, since their record lows in 2005, according to federal results released November 18th, cited by an article in The New York Times. These reading and math tests comprise the National Assessment of Education Progress test. The Department of Education administered this test to what it determined to be a representative sample of about 50,000 12th grade students nationwide in the spring of 2009. The Department of Education stated that the average 12th grade student scored 288 on the reading assessment portion on a 500-point scale marking a slight increase from the average 2005 score of 286. Roughly 38% of 12th grade students scored at or above the tests proficiency level. If we go back almost 20 years and compare todays national reading results, these scores are not quite what they should be, said Steven Paine, a member of the National Assessment Governing Board. Paine noted that these increases represent mild short-term improvements but long-term decreases. The average test score dropped four points from 292 in 1992 to 288 in 2009. Naturally, students who said they read a lot scored much higher on the reading assessment test than students who said they read little. Students who said they read 20 or more pages every day for school scored 25 points higher than those who reported only reading five or fewer pages a day. For the math assessment test, average 12th graders scores increased from 150 in 2005 to 153 this year. The math assessment is scored on a 300-point scale. Twenty-six percent of 12th graders scored at or above the proficiency level in 2009. These scores cannot be compared to any test scores before 2005 because the governing board changed the test that year. However, in comparison, the 2006-administered national assessment of economics test showed that 42 percent of 12th graders were proficient. On the most recent science and history assessments 18 and 13 percent, respectively, of 12th graders scored proficient. Educators and school policy makers closely examine the assessment test scores, looking for slight nuances of improvements. However, officials have not yet determined if these improvements are significant. Significance depends on the tests margin for error, which increases as the number of test takers decreases. Test administers noted that it is a big challenge within itself simply to persuade high school students to take the test seriously, performing to the best of their abilities. Students are not scored individually; so there is no incentive to perform well and no consequences of performing poorly.

What Science Tells Us about Playing the Guitar.

What Science Tells Us about Playing the Guitar. Scientific Reasons for Playing Your Guitar. ChaptersThe Guitar Creates Real PleasurePlaying the Guitar Helps StressGuitars Removes PainThe Guitar Boosts Your Brain's ActivityPracticing Guitar Trains your HeartThe Guitar Boosts Self-ConfidencePlaying Guitar Improves Your Creativity and ConcentrationGuitars Improve Your Appeal.You wonder why guitarists seem so relaxed and calm on stage?  Why they seem so cool when playing guitar chords on their acoustic guitar or playing guitar solos on their electric?Do they have a better GP? Better health and fitness? (We doubt it.) Do they all do crazy amounts of yoga between practicing their music theory, fingerstyle, or barre chords? Do they all practice mindfulness whilst working on their fretboard, power chords, or guitar tricks? Sort of.Discover how a Fender can stimulate gray matter, annihilate stress and even boost your sex appeal! It's not all about tablature and chord progressions!Throughout time guitars has been a musical instrument that attracted, even fascinated.  For a child or t eenager it's the ideal partner to seduce and express oneself freely through personal compositions, picking up the great hits of our favorite guitar players.There's no age to play guitar: whether you are 8, 18, 38 or 68 years old makes no difference. From that moment you want to play the guitar, as soon you're motivated, is the right time to get started.You can also play all styles of music on the guitar that you enjoy such as blues, rock, pop, reggae, funk, punk or classical music.  You'll just have to choose the corresponding guitar.  However, to be sure to make the proper sounds and not get your family or neighbors screaming, it's recommended to learn the basics of this instrument by taking guitar lessons - with a qualified and reliable guitar teacher.Whether you take online courses, classes with an independent teacher or guitar lessons in a music school doesn't matter, so long as it's right for you. Once you acquire the early guitar basics, you'll discover that you can start play ing many pieces - and you'll even be able to teach others how to play guitar.But beyond that pleasure of playing or reproducing songs, playing guitar has many other implications for you, including your well-being and your health.It's perhaps the essence of any musical practice, and the guitar is not exempted from providing a genuine pleasure.According to a neuro-scientific study from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, listening to and playing the guitar will release wellness hormones including the famous dopamine, commonly called the happiness hormone.Playing the guitar can help your mood!Strangely, and according to the same study, playing the guitar and listening to music would trigger the same chemical process in our brain as sexual intercourse.Some will readily say that playing the guitar is a sort of musical masturbation. The word is maybe a bit strong but the facts are there: the more you listen to music, the more you go at it with your guitar, the more you take pleasure in doing it. That's why your brain will secrete this Hormone that is dopamine.Maybe this explains why guitarists look so damn cool when they play songs on stage!Playing the Guitar Helps StressWe all have busy days. And, whether it's in our private sphere or in the workplace, there are always moments when we get more tense. We're sure you know what we're talking about.Between upsetting bosses, bills that fall at the wrong time, traffic jams, bad weather, an appointment you don't want to face, there are a thousand reasons get stressed during the day.Luckily, once you take possession of your Gibson Les Paul guitar or your Telecaster, plug in your guitar to the Marshall guitar amp, tune your guitar, play the first guitar strings, strum a few chords â€" all these stresses seem to all fade away in no time.Whether you're taking guitar lessons with a teacher or playing in your room by yourself, the result is the same: you're going to relax by playing your 6-strings (this is also true for clas sic bass or acoustic bass!).According to a double study by the University of Loma Linda in California (USA) and the School of Medicine and Applied Biosystems, it has been proven that stress is significantly reduced as soon as one plays an instrument â€" guitars are amongst these.The guitar is good for your health and your mood.  Believe it or not, the guitar's virtues have been known since it's origins, at least instinctively. Blues guitar emerged historically from a time of immense pain for the black community in the United States - and it was felt as both a lament and a community support.And many of your favorite songs will have been written by musicians in moments of difficulty. In this sense, music - and even those small motions of fingerpicking, or concentrating on moving from one guitar chord to the next - is profoundly therapeutic.Also, it seems a lot of this is played out directly on the genetic level, the musical vibrations act on our immune system in response to blood pres sure, which allows us to fight against viruses. Remember this when you are next ill: get playing your pentatonic or major scale, or those songs by Clapton or Hendrix, and maybe you'll feel a little better.Some essential small accessories related to guitar like the pick, the capo, a metronome, just in case and you're ready!Guitars Removes PainIf you have chronic pain, suffering, whether physical or psychological, learning to play guitar and listening to music can disconnect your mind and thereby greatly reduce pain.Destress by playing the guitar!Concentrating on the intonations, the musical vibrations, on the atmosphere rather than on pain, while listening to music helps your body to relax and your mind to escape.This is a study by the University of Utah (United States) in connection with the Center for Research on Pain which was able to demonstrate these effects of music on our body.Think about this when you are feeling lazy and don't want to go to your guitar lesson. Think about th is when you are struggling with a difficult chord progression. Consider this when you are practicing your guitar tabs or your ear training. All of this will help you in the long run - and not just in your ability in how to play the guitar.A recent Scottish study has shown that if you play the guitar - but it works just as well with any musical instrument - you are more able to sharpen your brain functions and activity.This would particularly favor the fight against mental degeneration in the medium and long term. Meaning, simply, by getting yourself on to a guitar course, by whacking through those basic chords and fret positions, by practicing rock guitar, jazz guitar, or rhythm guitar, you are actually staving off conditions like dementia and Alzheimer's.So don't take pills to increase your brain activity: take guitar lessons, compile your tabs, work your scales, study them and play - and your brain will thank you.Learn how to play these distinct styles of guitar!Practicing Guitar Trains your HeartDid you know that rockers have a fascinating cardiovascular system?Indeed, researchers in the Netherlands have revealed that musicians and people who practice a musical activity such as playing guitar for at least 100 minutes a day have a significant drop in blood pressure but also heart rate compared to a person who would not play music.This was reinforced by another study from the Berklee School of Music in Boston, USA, led by the Chair of the Department of Music Therapy, Mrs. Suzanne Hanser.Playing music has a real impact on our health, especially for the elderly. As the heart slows down, stress is decreased as well as anxiety and depression.While you're totally absorbed by your guitar playing, as you forget yourself to the music, blood pressure at the heart drops to completely normal levels, you feel more relaxed. This is why, after a solid time of guitar practice, you might feel less worried about life.And if, by chance, you take guitar lessons where you learn to sing at the same time, it will also have a positive effect on your lungs, making them work their oxygen capacity.Maybe that is why these top guitarists enjoy such longevity...The Guitar Boosts Self-ConfidenceThe guitar is an excellent outlet.Even if singing brings an immediate benefit, playing and creating your own music allows you to express yourself fully, to show others who you are, the emotions you feel, to convey a message, ideas.By expressing yourself totally and without any censorship with the guitar, you will release a strong emotional charge, which will increase your confidence.Singing a song, playing a song, can be easy for some, but creating, composing, inventing a piece is a personal challenge, and once you have achieved it, you will have gained self-confidence.You will know that you are capable of inventing something unique.Developing any old skill can help your confidence. But when you are learning such things as improvisation, complex lead guitar passages, and perf ormance, you'll be showing the world - and yourself - that you can do something really excellent.Find out all of the different ways a good guitar player can earn a living...Playing Guitar Improves Your Creativity and ConcentrationThe more you play the guitar, the more your brain stores information. Once you have acquired all the basics of the guitar - like the main chords, alternate picking, placing your fingers to perform chords or make your first solo - you'll realize that you'll want to learn again and again. The open chords won't be enough: you'll want to develop the range of advanced guitar techniques!It's as if you had put your finger in a gear and could no longer undo it.Are you a beginner guitar player? You need this 'everything guitar'guide...With the guitar, it's a bit like this: after freeing yourself of the techniques you acquired through lessons, you'll access the creative part of the guitar.According to a very serious study of the very serious University of Cambridge, musicians and guitarists continue to be creative even when they stop playing their instrument.They have invested so much in their music that their whole environment becomes a pretext for composing or making changes to their music.It's often during a walk, on a tour, in the evening with friends that you'll hear a sound, a rhythm or that you will feel a certain emotion and want to put it into music.Guitars Improve Your Appeal.It is cliché but nevertheless proven scientifically. The guitar enhances your attractiveness. Ah, the guitar and guitarists!Psychology researchers have done music-related studies that show that women more easily associate musical ability with intelligence, but also with commitment, the notion of hard work and physical prowess.Learn to play these sexy guitar-based songs to seduce your crush!Playing the guitar boosts your confidenceWhy do people like guitarists?Here are two or three reasons that will make you want to take guitar lessons to pull.The guitarist is su pposed to be more creative and more imaginative than other men.The music and the guitar are addressed directly to people's brains: the American neuroscientist Daniel Levitin explains that music played on the guitar solicits almost all areas of the brain and the emotions it generates imply structures around the primitive brain, namely the seat of all our emotions. In short, guitar music comes into contact with our oldest emotions and it's impossible to control them.The guitarist has a transgressive side: myth of the bad boy or not, the guitarist is synonymous with freedom, the man who frees himself from society's rules to make his own way.What if the guitar was the remedy for old age?In conclusion, it can be said that the guitar is the best medicine against boredom and depression.It relieves guitarists and brings many physical and mental benefits.So enjoy your neurons by strumming your Gibson strings like the best guitarists!Quickly take your dose of serotonin, endorphin or oxytocin. Now go with your Superprof as we debunk popular misconceptions about the guitar...

Ask a Private School Admissions Expert Emily Glickman

Ask a Private School Admissions Expert Emily Glickman Varsity Tutors brings you insider tips and advice straight from nationally recognized admissions experts. Emily Glickman is the founder and president of Abacus Guide Educational Consulting, a leading private school consulting service in New York. She currently serves as an alumni admissions interviewer for Columbia Universityand is a vastly well-known expert on private school admissions. Emily has also been featured in several prestigious publications such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. VT: What is the typical timeline for private school admissions? Emily: Families should start to think about private school admissions about a year and a half before a child starts a new school.While the private school admissions process officially starts right after Labor Day, advanced planning means you have more time to research and sometimes visit schools, study for required exams, and improve your familys and students admissions profile. If your child applies to private school, plan for a busy fall!Usually, private schools upload applications to their websites in late August or early September.Then its a sprint:essays, interviews, testing, references, and transcripts.Before you know it, its the New Year and its almost time for February or March decisions. VT: What is the typical process that admissions officers go through to evaluate applications? Emily: Private school admissions directors review a students whole profile: parent and (for middle school and high school) student essays, interviews, school reports, and teacher recommendations. VT: What are the most important things children need to have represented on their applications? Emily: Kids need to seem like they will be successful in a new school.Every admissions officer likes an articulate, friendly, easy-going student with a solid academic record. VT: What are common mistakes parents make when applying to these programs? Emily: Sometimes parents think they need to snow admissions directors with extensive talk about their vast real estate holdings, multiple doctorates from the worlds best universities, and thirty board memberships.While private schools like generous, community-minded people, nobody likes a showoff. VT: How should parents go about determining the culture of a private school, and whether it would be a good fit for their children? Emily: When parents evaluate private schools, they should start with an open mind and a willingness to look at a number of schools. In New York City, its a sellers market, so buyers need to give themselves many possible options.Families should go to school-sponsored events and talk to current parents. Some of my clients have found YouTube videos of school events and the school newspaper to be good ways to ferret out real information that you dont get from marketing materials. VT: How important are standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Emily: For NYC kindergarten admission, ERB scores are critical.I find that for middle school and high school, students grades carry more weight and sometimes will mean more than a disappointing ISEE or SSAT score. VT: What tips do you have in regards to ISEE prep, SSAT prep, and preparation for other standardized assessments that private schools might require? Emily: If students want to have the best possible choice of schools, they should prep.In my experience, prepping can dramatically improve students scores.That said, some parents want to prep years in advance!That is too much.Children are only children for a short period.Test prep should be practiced in moderation, and only when it is productive. VT: What are the most important things parents need to have well represented about themselves when meeting with admissions officers? Emily: Parents need to seem like pleasant, community-minded, thoughtful people who will reflect well on the school. VT: How does networking and having in-school connections affect one's chances of admission? Emily: At almost all schools, some more than others, networking matters.Connections help, especially when a student is qualified. In many ways, NYC private schools are like country clubs.If you know someone there, youve proven yourself to be their kind of person. VT: How can a student best prepare for admissions interviews? Emily: I work directly with students and coach them on how best to answer questions.For kids who want to prepare on their own, my best advice is to show your best self.Its not the admissions officers business if your favorite activity is playing Xbox while scarfing nachos. Instead, discuss your favorite school subject or your interest in American biography. Check out Abacus Guide Educational Consulting for more information or get in touch with Emily at info@abacusguide.com The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

ACT Science Extracting Signals Through Noise to Improve Your Score

ACT Science Extracting Signals Through Noise to Improve Your Score ACT SAT Prep and College Admissions Blog “Ever thought about taking the ACT?” “Yeah, I've thought about it...the questions are supposed to be more straightforward than the ones on the SAT.” “Then why not give it a shot?” “It has that Science Section! There's no way I can get through that!” The ACT Science Section is perhaps the most misunderstood section on any of the main college entrance exams, and it's intimidating enough to scare many students away from taking an otherwise very manageable test. But it doesn't need to be. Perhaps the most insidious aspect of the ACT Science Section is actually something very simple: its name. In fact, the Science Section is barely about science at all, but about data: charts, tables, graphs, and your ability to read them. In much the same way as a reading comprehension question or a long word problem in math, the Science Section tests your ability to extract signals through noise. Can you quickly find your way through a mess of informationâ€"information that you may or may not needâ€"to find the pieces of data that give you the right answer? From CollegeVine: The Science section of the ACT consists of 40 multiple-choice questions that you’ll answer over the course of 35 minutes.Just like the other sections of the ACT, the score that you receive on the Science section of the ACT will be a scaled score ranging from 1-36. This number is scaled from your raw score, which is the number of questions that you got correct on the Science section and each section of the exam is weighted equally. Let's look at a sample ACT passage: See how “noisy” that passage is? Charts, graphs, tablesâ€"all thrown at you at once, and it's almost a guarantee that you've never encountered this science before. To make matters worse, there are unfamiliar terms, acronyms, all sorts of chaos that you need to filter out in order to make sense of the passage. So how do you do that? First, you don't really need to “read” the passage straight through at all! (For more info on how to manage your time on test day, see this post on Albert). The trick is to do a quick survey, to identify what may be important. Look for terms that may be important, so that you can find them later. For example, RCRF seems important. So does cosmic ray flux. Look at differences in the tables and figuresâ€"low clouds, middle clouds, high clouds. Timelines occur on the X-axes of the 3 figures. Also see if you can spot trends or patterns. For example, in Table 1, both flux in the first column and Low Cloud Cover in the second column show a simple upward trend. None of the trends on the Science section will be complicated, but it's important to be able to spot them. Now that we've found some important signals buried in all the noise of the passage, let's try a questionor two. Look at Question 15 first (this is a mid-level questionâ€"questions in each passage tend to get a bit more difficult as you move on, but not too much!) Here we have a couple of “signals”: low and high clouds and relative cosmic ray flux (RCRF). So we need to zoom into figures and tables that address this information. We also need to find a graph that pretty clearly shows direct correlation. With just a glance, we can see that Figure 3 shows a strong correlation between cloud cover and RCRFâ€"the graphs are almost exactly the same! And what kind of clouds are shown on that graph? Low ones. The graph for high clouds in Figure 1 doesn't show a clear correlation at all. So we know that the statement is consistent with Figure 1 and 3. Answers A and B both assert that the statement is correctâ€"but only A correctly states why: because the graphs for low clouds and RCRF are almost exactly the same. Let's try a slightly harder question. Question 17 is the last question for the passage, and the ACT Science Section sometimes asks you to use a tiny bit of basic scientific intuition for these questions. Again, you want to use High and Low clouds as signals. But now it's introducing some new informationâ€"some clouds are made up of ice crystals, and some of water droplets. But there's nothing about water and ice in the passage! No worriesâ€"all you need to know is the simple scientific concept that water freezes and turns to ice as the temperature gets colderâ€"basic stuff! So if high clouds are made up of ice, and low clouds are made up of water, clearly the higher clouds are colder. So that rules out A and B. To choose between C and D, look at the altitudesâ€"C asks us about the 3.2-6.0 km range (middle clouds), while D asks about the 6.0-16.0 km range (high clouds). Since only D pertains to high clouds, D is the correct answer. See how easy it is? Signals through noise. Once you practice a few of these, it becomes much easier to see how to navigate your way through the ACT Science Section. And ultimately, although this isn't really a science test at all, the skills you acquire from mastering this test will be extremely helpful in college and beyondâ€"whether you're taking science classes, or doing anything else that involves sifting through large amounts of data to find the information that really matters. About the Author Steve Markofsky is one of our most experienced and qualified test prep tutors. For more information on ACT/SAT tutoring and to see profiles of tutors like Steve, click here.