Chad Cargill's ACT Test Prep

From a kid growing up in extreme poverty to now living in the United States, my son Creed gives his 6th-grade elementary graduation speech.

To the graduates of the Class of 2021, congratulations on your high school accomplishments. Now, I challenge you to live a life that matters.

Most ACT tests now have a 5th experimental section. Most stay and try on this section. In this episode, I explain what this section is and why you should never take it.

Most students pick a dash if it looks good. Many test-takers have no idea the rules for using the dash. A dash is on almost every ACT test you take. In this episode, we'll review the rule for a dash and look at examples how it is used.

Recently, I was asked during a workshop, "How do I stay focused during the ACT test?" In today's episode, I give 9 ways you can stay focused during the test. Let me know which ones of these distractions apply to you and how you handled them.

Source: ACT.org (https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/scores/understanding-your-scores.html) Mathematics 60 Preparing for higher math (57-60%) Number & Quantity (7–10%) Algebra (12–15%) Functions (12–15%) Geometry (12–15%) Statistics & Probability (8–12%) Integrating essential skills (40-43%) Modeling

According to Education Reform Now, approximately one-in-four college freshmen had to enroll in remedial courses during their first year in college. Looking at the total cost of these remedial classes, including private, public, and community colleges, the remedial class enrollment adds up to an estimated $1.5 billion annually. (Source: Study.com) Remedial (0-level) courses are identified by the first digit in the course number—a zero (0), e.g., UNIV 0123. These courses cannot be applied toward the degree, but do count for full-time enrollment status (except for honor roll eligibility). “0-level courses” can be counted toward NCAA athletic eligibility only if taken during the student’s freshman year. Some colleges use ACT scores to determine this. For some it will be at least a 19 in that ACT subsection. For others it will be a placement test students will take before enrolling. Freshman students receive recommendations regarding the need for remediation through the Entry Level Assessment Report (ELPA) provided when they enroll for their first semester. Remediation will normally take place during the first year on campus, preferably during the first semester. According to State Regents policy, curricular and performance deficiencies must be remediated within the first 24 hours of college credit. (Source: okstate.edu) Math Placement Exam Prior to enrolling in an OSU math class, you will need to complete the Math Placement Exam to ensure you have the best opportunity to succeed in your first math course. Incoming students should complete Math Placement after March 1 and it is recommended at least one week prior to your scheduled orientation program in order to enroll in math for your first semester. Please contact a local proctor to make neccessary arrangements, or If you have a webcam and a reliable Internet connection, you can take the Math Placement Exam with ProctorU for $10. Math Placement Exceptions There are a few exceptions for taking the math placement exam: The first exception is if you have taken a college-level math course that is posted on a college (not high school) transcript showing successful completion with a grade of “C” or better in a prerequisite or required math course for your intended major. You can find required prerequisites in OSU's Catalog for the math course(s) required for your major. The second exception is AP or CLEP exam credit. If you have your AP Calculus score and earned at least a 3 on the AB test, on the BC test, or on the AB subsection of the BC test, you do not need to take the math placement test. Please bring evidence of your AP score or CLEP exam credit to your orientation session. If you do not have your AP or CLEP scores, you should take the math placement test. Please note that zero-level, beginning algebra, intermediate algebra, and pre-college algebra courses are considered “pre-college level” and do not count as college-level math. Additionally, statistics courses do not serve as exceptions to taking the math placement. (Source: okstate.edu) OU- WHAT IS DEVELOPMENTAL STUDIES? The Developmental Studies program was developed to help students who do not meet the university's minimum mathematics, reading, and English requirements. Who Takes Developmental Studies Courses? The typical student is either a returning student who needs a refresher in mathematics, English, or reading before tackling college-level courses or a traditional student who does not have a strong foundation in high school mathematics, English, or reading. What Courses are Offered in Developmental Studies? Developmental English – This course is designed to prepare students for college-level English composition courses. It includes foundational techniques, such as developing strong thesis statements, constructing logical arguments, and utilizing communicative, persuasive rhetorical principles. Also included will be public speaking and presentation skills. This course serves as the prerequisite for Principles of English Composition (ENGL 1113). Developmental Reading – This course is designed to improve students’ reading skills in college courses. Skills presented will include improving vocabulary, active learning, concentration skills, finding main ideas, patterns of organization, note taking, outlining, annotating, point of view, and creative and critical thinking skills. Developmental Mathematics - These courses are designed to give students a refresher in mathematics, specifically basic and intermediate algebra. They serve as prerequisites to Mathematics for Critical Thinking (MATH 1473), College Algebra (MATH 1503), and Pre-calculus for Business, Life, and Social Science Majors (MATH 1643). How do Developmental Studies Courses Fit into OU Academics? Developmental Studies courses are zero-level courses that carry load credit only, counting towards full-time student status, including financial aid and all other aspects of student life. However, the courses do not satisfy degree requirements or count in GPA calculations. Developmental Studies courses must be taken and passed with a grade of C or higher before a student is allowed to take a college-level class, including mandatory Gen-Ed classes required for all OU degree programs. The Developmental Studies courses are to be taken upon intial enrollment at OU and in consecutive fall and spring semesters. How To Effectively Practice for the ACT https://podcast.chadcargill.com/33 How to avoid: Take hard classes. Take a English, math, and science classes your senior year. Take my workshop. Study my prep book. Your Test Day Checklist - What You Must Bring to the ACT https://podcast.chadcargill.com/37 Master These 5 Comma Rules and Raise Your ACT Score https://podcast.chadcargill.com/19

What makes a question an IQ or a QBQ? In today's episode you'll meet John Miller who is the author of the most impactful book I've read other than the Bible itself. But be warned, this episode may change your life. QBQ! changed mine. Special Guest: John Miller.

Are you a first instinct test-taker? Sometimes you're told, "Go with your gut" or "Pick whatever you initially thought was best." Is this true? If so, is it true for everyone? In this episode we dive into the strategy of first instinct test-taking. We'll identify what it is, examine why you would do it, and discuss how you can determine if you should use it. Articles referenced in the episode: https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/going-with-first-instinct-not-always-best-test-strategy-research-finds/2013/06 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200505/the-first-instinct-fallacy

Clarity and Creed spent the first several years of their lives in an extremely impoverished area of the world. Their original home is Kinshasa which is the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. After almost 5 years in the United States, they have a much different perspective of school than most who have always lived here in the United States. In this episode, Creed and Clarity share why they are thankful for their school and the United States.

In high school, choosing between who and whom was very difficult for me. But once I learned a simple trick, this became one of the easiest things in the English language. In this episode, we dive back into the English section of the ACT and learn when to pick who and when to choose whom. Louis Zamporini is a man _ I respect. It was King Henry VIII _ had six wives. I talked with Teresa _ was trying to paint the walls of her new living room. There is the new student _ you were asking about. For _ did Molly vote? _ will give the graduation speech on Friday evening? Our new neighbor, _ we met yesterday morning, works at Conoco. With _ are you rooming with for your freshman year at college? whom 2. who 3. who 4. whom 5. whom 6. Who 7. whom 8. whom He gave it to John and me/I. John and me/I went to the game. Between you and me/I, let's keep that a secret.

When I worked as an engineer at Lucent Technologies, we used benchmarking to study other companies, processes, and systems. Certain practices would be identified as "Best in Class." Some high schools have features, processes, and cultures that fit the "Best in Class" standard. In this episode, we discuss a few of these and why I call these "Best in Class."

Does what you eat the morning of the ACT help you raise your score? If so, what should those foods be?