Chad Cargill's ACT Test Prep

Chad Cargill's ACT Test Prep

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Chad Cargill's ACT Test Prep episodes

  • Episode 20: High School Athletes: NCAA Eligibility, Recruiting & Your ACT

    Some athletes believe their ACT scores, high school classes, and grades won't matter. The NCAA says differently.

    Athletes must be an NCAA qualifier to compete. Part of the requirements is a combination of ACT and core GPA. You must meet the minimum core requirements to qualify. This varies by division.

    NCAA's Use of ACT Scores:

    1. Use a sliding scale of ACT and GPA.
    2. Do not use ACT writing.
    3. Use superscores.

      4. Some colleges have their own requirements higher than the NCAA.

      Some schools internally use a tier system for recruited athletes.

      If you think you may want to be a college athlete:

      -Verify you are on track to have all required core courses.
      -Calculate your core GPA
      -Calculate your superscore
      -Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center

      http://www.ncaa.org/student-athletes/future/educational-resources

      Division 1 Fact Sheet

      http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/Student_Resources/DI_ReqsFactSheet.pdf

      FULL QUALIFIER

      • Complete 16 core courses.
      • Ten of the 16 core courses must be completed before the seventh semester (senior year) of high school.
      • Seven of the 10 core courses must be in English, math or natural/physical science.
      • Earn a core-course GPA of at least 2.300.
      • Earn an SAT combined score or ACT sum score matching the core-course. GPA on the Division I sliding scale (Click on fact sheet link above)
      • Graduate high school.

      Division 2 Fact Sheet

      http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/Student_Resources/DII_ReqsFactSheet.pdf

      FULL QUALIFIER

      • Complete 16 core courses.
      • Earn a core-course GPA of at least 2.200.
      • Earn an SAT combined score or ACT sum score matching the core-course. GPA on the Division II full qualifier sliding scale (see back page).
      • Graduate high school.

      Many sports teams offer partial athletic scholarships. Often, these partials can be supplemented with academic scholarships.

      Objective scholarships are defined as money given to every student who meets defined objectives which are typically ACT and GPA related.

      I’d love to connect with you and keep you posted on upcoming episodes and resources. For a free downloadable pdf What Scholarship Committees Look for and How to Win Them, go to scholarships.chadcargill.com, and get your guide now.

      For a free downloadable pdf of Key Things You Must Know on Test Day, go to [testday.chadcargill.com](testday.chadcargill.com), and get your guide now.

      If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review on your podcast app. Leave a shout out for your high school, and I may read it on a future podcast.

      If you have questions, leave a comment here or on the Chad Cargill Workshops Facebook page.

      To view the workshop calendar, go to calendar.chadcargill.com. You can also order the prep book Chad Cargill's ACT and sign up for speed reading at chadcargill.com. If you are interested in hosting a workshop at your high school, call our office at (405) 454-3233 or email [email protected].

      chadcargill.com

      Twitter: @ChadCargill

      Thanks for listening to the podcast!

      16 min
    4. Episode 19: Master These 5 Comma Rules and Raise Your ACT Score

      There are five key comma rules you must know to score well in ACT English.

      1. Use a comma to separate main clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. The common coordinating conjunctions are and, but, or, nor, for, so, and yet. A main clause is one that has both a subject (s) and a verb (v).

      EX: We went to the store, and we spent our money.

      S/V, and S/V.

      -Some memorize the conjunctions with the word FAN BOYS

      2. Set off words, phrases, and clauses that are not needed (nonessential). Use commas around nonessential, transitional, or contrasting information. Non-restrictive elements function much like appositives.

      3 Examples Below:

      1. Intense preparation, then, is known to produce higher
        2. test scores. (transitional)
      2. Robert Frost, a Pulitzer Prize winner, is known for his
        3. poem “Birches.” (nonessential)
      3. Robert Kurson, not Stephen King, is my favorite
        4. author. (contrasting)

        3. Use a comma after an introductory phrase, clause, and adverb. Short introductory prepositional phrases do not require commas unless needed for clarity.

        3 Examples Below:

        1. To be able to compete on the collegiate level, many
          2. high school athletes practice their sport all year.
        2. If you are counting on a college scholarship, pay
          3. attention to your grades, class rank, community
          service, and standardized test scores.
        3. Occasionally, the person actually responsible for the
          4. vandalism will be caught and pay the damage.

          4. A series can be defined as three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence that have the same grammatical rank.

          EX: I am taking biology, calculus and history.

          -The comma before the word _and _is optional.

          5. Use commas to separate adjectives in a series that describe the same word.

          EX: The old, blue shirt was worn today.
          EX: The dark blue shirt was worn today. The second sentence does not have a comma between dark and blue because dark describes blue; whereas, in the first sentence old does not describe blue.

          -Can you replace the comma with the word and?

          -Can you reverse the words?

          Pages 41-49 of Chad Cargill's ACT prep book provides these rules, examples, exercises, and model ACT questions.

          I’d love to connect with you and keep you posted on upcoming episodes and resources. For a free downloadable pdf What Scholarship Committees Look for and How to Win Them, go to scholarships.chadcargill.com, and get your guide now.

          For a free downloadable pdf of Key Things You Must Know on Test Day, go to [testday.chadcargill.com](testday.chadcargill.com), and get your guide now.

          If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review on your podcast app. Leave a shout out for your high school, and I may read it on a future podcast.

          If you have questions, leave a comment here or on the Chad Cargill Workshops Facebook page.

          To view the workshop calendar, go to calendar.chadcargill.com. You can also order the prep book Chad Cargill's ACT and sign up for speed reading at chadcargill.com. If you are interested in hosting a workshop at your high school, call our office at (405) 454-3233 or email [email protected].

          chadcargill.com

          Twitter: @ChadCargill

          Thanks for listening to the podcast!

          19 min
        4. Episode 18: Summer Checklist - 12 Things to Accomplish This Summer

          Eight weeks from now, many will look back and wonder what happened to the summer break. Complete even a few of the items on this summer checklist, and you'll likely have had a productive college prep summer.

          Start a project (See episode #14 for details).

          scholarships.chadcargill.com

          Research colleges and majors (Upcoming episodes to discuss).

          Tour a few college campuses both large and small, near and far.

          Review 4-year high school course plan (See episode #5 as an example for math).

          Review college courses required for different majors (Upcoming episode to discuss).

          Work a blue collor job or fast-food job and save money.

          Get your prep book and start working lessons.

          Take a CLEP test for a subject just completed in high school (See episode #17).

          If you ordered a past ACT, start analyzing misses (see episode #4 how to do this).

          Practice speed reading.

          speedreading.chadcargill.com

          Read consistently.

          Love people!

          I’d love to connect with you and keep you posted on upcoming episodes and resources. For a free downloadable pdf What Scholarship Committees Look for and How to Win Them, go to scholarships.chadcargill.com, and get your guide now.

          For a free downloadable pdf of Key Things You Must Know on Test Day, go to [testday.chadcargill.com](testday.chadcargill.com), and get your guide now.

          If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review on your podcast app. Leave a shout out for your high school, and I may read it on a future podcast.

          If you have questions, leave a comment here or on the Chad Cargill Workshops Facebook page.

          To view the workshop calendar, go to calendar.chadcargill.com. You can also order the prep book Chad Cargill's ACT and sign up for speed reading at chadcargill.com. If you are interested in hosting a workshop at your high school, call our office at (405) 454-3233 or email [email protected].

          chadcargill.com

          Twitter: @ChadCargill

          Thanks for listening to the podcast!

          24 min
        5. Episode 17: CLEP Tests and Why You Should Take Them

          "CLEP exams help students earn college credit for what they already know, for a fraction of the cost of a college course." -College Board CLEP website

          $89 (Subject to change) plus small administration fee charged by test center.

          Most tests last 90 minutes.

          Key CLEP Facts:

          Students take CLEP exams on a computer at official CLEP test centers.

          CLEP exams contain multiple-choice questions.
          CLEP exams take about 90–120 minutes to complete, depending on the exam subject.
          CLEP exams are offered year-round at more than 2,000 CLEP test centers across the country.
          Students receive their CLEP exam scores immediately after completing the exam (except for College Composition and Spanish with Writing).
          More than 2,900 U.S. colleges and universities grant credit for CLEP. A college’s CLEP credit policy explains:

          -Which CLEP exams are accepted by the institution

          -What CLEP score you need to receive credit
          -How many credits are awarded for a particular CLEP exam

          The policy may also include other guidelines, such as the maximum number of credits a student can earn through CLEP. Before signing up for a CLEP exam, talk with your academic advisor to figure out how an exam fits in with your education plan." -From clep.collegeboard.com website

          Who Can Take CLEP Exams?

          Anyone interested in earning college credit and saving time and money can take a CLEP exam. CLEP launched in 1967 as a way for adult students and military service members to earn degrees inexpensively while also being able to meet work and family responsibilities.

          34 different exams are offered for CLEP credit:

          Composition and Literature

          These exams cover topics related to American and British literature and composition.

          American Literature

          Analyzing and Interpreting Literature
          College Composition
          College Composition Modular
          English Literature
          Humanities

          World Languages

          These exams assess comprehension of French, German, and Spanish.

          French Language: Levels 1 and 2

          German Language: Levels 1 and 2
          Spanish Language: Levels 1 and 2
          Spanish with Writing: Levels 1 and 2

          History and Social Sciences

          These exams cover topics related to history, economics, and psychology.

          American Government

          History of the United States I
          History of the United States II
          Human Growth and Development
          Introduction to Educational Psychology
          Introductory Psychology
          Introductory Sociology
          Principles of Macroeconomics
          Principles of Microeconomics
          Social Sciences and History
          Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648
          Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present

          Science and Mathematics

          These exams cover various science disciplines and different levels of math.

          Biology

          Calculus
          Chemistry
          College Algebra
          College Mathematics
          Natural Sciences
          Precalculus

          Business

          These exams cover various business disciplines.

          Financial Accounting

          Information Systems
          Introductory Business Law
          Principles of Management
          Principles of Marketing

          Search for the college or university on the College Board website by clicking on "See Which Colleges Accept CLEP."

          For Example:

          Oklahoma State University in Stillwater accepts these for credit:

          OSU - Stillwater

          Exams, Minimum Score for Credit, Credit Hours Awarded

          Business

          Financial Accounting, 50, 3
          Introductory Business Law, 50, 3
          Principles of Management, 50, 3
          Principles of Marketing, 50, 3

          Composition and Literature

          College Composition, 54, 3

          Foreign Languages

          French Language Level I, 50, 6
          French Language Level II, 59, 9
          German Language Level I, 50, 6
          German Language Level II, 60, 9
          Spanish Language Level I, 50, 6
          Spanish Language Level II, 63, 9

          History and Social Sciences

          American Government, 50, 3
          Human Growth and Development, 50, 3
          Introduction to Educational Psychology, 50, 3
          Introductory Psychology, 50, 3
          Introductory Sociology, 50, 3
          Principles of Macroeconomics, 50, 3
          Principles of Microeconomics, 50, 3

          Science and Mathematics

          Biology, 50, 4
          Calculus, 50, 4
          Chemistry, 50, 9
          College Algebra, 50, 3
          Precalculus, 50, 5

          Order Transcripts ($20 fee per transcript)

          To award credit for CLEP, colleges, universities, or other organizations typically require that you send an official CLEP transcript.

          https://clep.collegeboard.org

          19 min
        6. Episode 16: Part 4 of 4: Scholarships - How to Lose in an Interview

          Avoid these interview mistakes:

          • Glance at watch
          • Chum up with friend on interview staff
          • Only look at one person when answering
          • Hold pencil or pen and play with it during interview
          • Chew gum
          • Lounge, slump, or recline in chair
          • When brought into interview room (area), interviewee just grabs a chair without being
          told where to sit
          • Elaborates on one answer too long
          • Starts questioning interviewer with questions like the following:
          -"Well, what would you do?"
          -"What are your thoughts on this subject?"
          -"Tell me what is your biggest weakness?"
          • Gets overly excited about an answer (ex. A football player talking about a game.)
          • Say phrases like (you know, yah, honestly, okay, sure, man, etc.) Not that being personal is bad, but overusing these phrases takes away from the quality of you and your answers.
          • Set like a statue with a moving mouth and blinking eyes only
          • Many exaggerated movements with hands, arms, back (leaning), and legs (crossing and
          shaking).
          • Repetitive finger movements like twiddling thumbs, cracking knuckles, or taping fingers.
          • Use large words that you really don't know what they mean (proverbial, paradigm, diabolical, etc.) If you really know what they mean and they are appropriate, then use them.
          • Blame someone else for a problem you had. Make excuses for your actions.
          • Be overly arrogant. Just brag on yourself beyond what is appropriate.
          • Correct the interviewer's grammar or pronunciation of a word.
          • Interrupt the interviewer's question with something you want to say.
          • Answer a different question than was asked.
          • Answer a question by talking negatively about yourself
          • Answer every question in very general terms. Never be specific about any experience or quality you have.
          • Get noticeably frustrated with the interviewer when he/she asks very specific questions about an uncomfortable topic for you.
          • Answer questions about a team by taking all the credit and giving no credit to the team.
          • Have the interviewee's cell phone, pager, or watch alarm sound.
          • Assuming this is a job interview, ask, "How much vacation do I get?"

          Here are a few interview elements that are acceptable, but students may perceive them as bad.

          • The interviewee pausing a few seconds before answering a really difficult question.
          • The interviewee getting choked, coughing several times, and asking for a drink of water
          or a very quick break for a drink.

          26 min
        7. Episode 15: Part 3 of 4: Scholarships - How to Win in the Interview

          Interviews are inevitable. We all have to face them. You will have interviews for scholarships, clubs, organizations, internships, and ultimately permanent jobs.

          You should review potential, common questions you may be asked in an interview. Consider the questions and formulate a brief answer. Write a few bullet points for each question. Before you go to an interview, review your answers as practice. You can also have a friend ask you these questions as practice.

          INTERVIEWING BASICS

          • Dress appropriately
          Boys should wear a suit with a reasonable tie. The tie should just cover the buckle of the belt. The belt should match the color of the shoes. Shoes should be brown or black. Do not wear white socks. Pants should completely cover your socks and the back of the pant leg should reach the heel of your shoe. A black, gray, or dark blue suit is recommended. A well pressed white or light blue shirt is recommended as well. You should also consider wearing a T-shirt under your dress shirt especially if the dress shirt is thin. Select a shirt with a comfortable collar. You do not want to be tugging at the neck of your shirt during an interview.
          Girls should wear a business attire such as a dress or pant suit. The suit should be a dark solid color, although this is not absolutely necessary. Avoid flashy or revealing clothes. Skirts should not be too short or too long. An inch or two on either side of the knee is acceptable. Be cautious of the skirt appearing too short when you are sitting. Make sure no undergarments can be seen in any way. Avoid clothes that easily wrinkle as you may be in them for a long period of time. Avoid elaborate jewelry. You want the interviewer to focus on your answers, not on your jewelry. A small purse with a shoulder strap is acceptable. Make sure the color of the purse matches your shoes.
          • Ask questions
          Prepare good questions to ask at the end of the interview. Asking a question such as "When can I expect to hear something?" is appropriate.
          • Research
          Do as much research about the company, scholarship, organization, etc. as possible prior to the interview. If you can find out who is going to be interviewing you, learn as much as you can about him/her and his/her position/title/responsibilities as well.

          Common questions might include the following:

          1. Tell me a little about yourself.
          2. What are your strengths?
          3. What is your biggest weakness? (Turn this into a positive. Answer with something like "I think I can accomplish anything; therefore, I tend to overwork because I will finish anything I start regardless of the difficulty.")
          4. What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
          5. Who do you most admire and why?
          6. Identify a conflict you have encountered and how you handled that conflict?
          7. Identify a situation where you have taken a leadership role and how you handled that position?
          8. Do you view yourself as a leader or a follower? Why?
          9. Why should we select you?
          10. What do you not like about yourself?
          11. Who is your role model?
          12. What type of decisions do you struggle making?
          13. Describe yourself 20 years from now?
          14. What is your anticipated major? Why?
          15. What could you have done better in high school?
          16. How would you respond if I said that your interview was not very good?
          17. Identify a time that you had to take a chance and how you handled the situation.
          18. Tell me why we should select you.
          19. Name one thing that best describes you.
          20. Name one cartoon character that best describes you and tell why.
          21. Name one adjective that best describes you.
          22. Do others try to be like you? Why?
          23. Have you ever "stretched the truth" in an interview or on a resume?
            24. 32 min
          24. Episode 14: Part 2 of 4: Scholarships - The 5 Keys to Submitting a Winning Scholarship Application

            Should you include all community service and leadership on your application?

            When listing something on a scholarship application or resume, typically you will list the organization with which you did the project, your title, and your roles and responsibilities.

            Your project description is where your application will be sorted as a winner or loser. Most students don't even include a description. If they do include a description, it is usally basic and doesn't give the reader the necessary information to get the application in the special pile.

            Here are the five keys to writing a winning scholarship or resume description.

            1. Always start with a word ending in ed.
            2. Include numbers.
            3. Do your projects in teams.
            4. Include money.
            5. Put what you did last in the description.

              6. I’d love to connect with you and keep you posted on upcoming episodes and resources. For a free downloadable pdf What Scholarship Committees Look for and How to Win Them, go to scholarships.chadcargill.com, and get your guide now.

              For a free downloadable pdf of Key Things You Must Know on Test Day, go to [testday.chadcargill.com](testday.chadcargill.com), and get your guide now.

              If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review on your podcast app. Leave a shout out for your high school, and I may read it on a future podcast.

              If you have questions, leave a comment here or on the Chad Cargill Workshops Facebook page.

              To view the workshop calendar, go to calendar.chadcargill.com. You can also order the prep book Chad Cargill's ACT and sign up for speed reading at chadcargill.com. If you are interested in hosting a workshop at your high school, call our office at (405) 454-3233 or email [email protected].

              chadcargill.com

              Twitter: @ChadCargill

              Thanks for listening to the podcast!

              26 min
            6. Episode 13: Part 1 of 4: Scholarships - Show Me the Money!

              Two General Types of Scholarships:

              1. Fee Waivers
              2. Cash Awards

                3. Restrictions:

                1. Where Used
                2. How They are Used
                3. When They are Used

                  4. Specific Types of Scholarships:

                  1. Major
                  2. Situations

                    3. Key Steps:

                    1. They Must Know Who You Are
                    2. Do Something Different Than Your Peers
                    3. Word It in a Way It will be Read

                      4. Seperate Scholarships in Two Categories:

                      1. Require Writing Portion/Essay
                      2. No Writing Portion/Essay

                        3. Sort Scholarships By:

                        1. Due Date
                        2. Priority/Likelihood of Winning/Value

                          3. Then clock in and start your job. This will be the best $/hr job you will likely ever have. Show me the money!

                          Join the free parent's Q&A May 8th at 2pm CST.

                          Click here and save your spot!

                          I’d love to connect with you and keep you posted on upcoming episodes and resources. For a free downloadable pdf What Scholarship Committees Look for and How to Win Them, go to scholarships.chadcargill.com, and get your guide now.

                          For a free downloadable pdf of Key Things You Must Know on Test Day, go to [testday.chadcargill.com](testday.chadcargill.com), and get your guide now.

                          If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review on your podcast app. Leave a shout out for your high school, and I may read it on a future podcast.

                          If you have questions, leave a comment here or on the Chad Cargill Workshops Facebook page.

                          To view the workshop calendar, go to calendar.chadcargill.com. You can also order the prep book Chad Cargill's ACT and sign up for speed reading at chadcargill.com. If you are interested in hosting a workshop at your high school, call our office at (405) 454-3233 or email [email protected].

                          chadcargill.com

                          Twitter: @ChadCargill

                          Thanks for listening to the podcast!

                          36 min
                        3. Episode 12: Why Junior College is a Great Option with Rose State President Dr. Jeanie Webb

                          Dr. Jeanie Webb is President of Rose State College in Midwest City, Oklahoma. She is a product of the community college system. There are many benefits to attending a junioir college. Some key advantages include:

                          • Cost
                          • Size
                          • Proximity
                          • Involvement
                          • Non-traditional Students
                          • Specialty Programs and Cooperative Programs with Local Businesses

                            • Many times students don't even consider their local community college because they believe they are settling for something less, but junior college shouldn't be considered settling. Through partnerships with larger universities, classes transfer and degree plans smoothly transition to the next college.

                            Many times, the cost of a community college will be 25% that of a major university. By attending your first two years at a community college, students often avoid $50,000 or more in unnessary debt.

                            When you graduate from your university with your 4-year degree, nobody will be concerned your first two years were at a community college. I argue it will be applauded because it shows where you started and that you worked to get to the university your last two years.

                            To learn more about your local community college, check with your high school counselor or do an internet search for community colleges in your area.

                            To learn more about Rose State College, go to Rose.edu.

                            Dr. Webb"s Bio

                            Free Webinar Q&A for Parents. Click here to register and save your spot.

                            I’d love to connect with you and keep you posted on upcoming episodes and resources. For a free downloadable pdf What Scholarship Committees Look for and How to Win Them, go to scholarships.chadcargill.com, and get your guide now.

                            For a free downloadable pdf of Key Things You Must Know on Test Day, go to [testday.chadcargill.com](testday.chadcargill.com), and get your guide now.

                            If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review on your podcast app. Leave a shout out for your high school, and I may read it on a future podcast.

                            If you have questions, leave a comment here or on the Chad Cargill Workshops Facebook page.

                            To view the workshop calendar, go to calendar.chadcargill.com. You can also order the prep book Chad Cargill's ACT and sign up for speed reading at chadcargill.com. If you are interested in hosting a workshop at your high school, call our office at (405) 454-3233 or email [email protected].

                            chadcargill.com

                            Twitter: @ChadCargill

                            Thanks for listening to the podcast!

                            Special Guest: Dr. Jeanie Webb.

                            40 min
                          • Episode 11: How to Become a Great Writer with Thomas Umstaddt Jr.

                            Special Guest Thomas Umstaddt Jr.

                            Novel Marketing Podcast
                            Christian Publishing Show
                            Author Media

                            It's easier now more than ever to publish a book.

                            Indie is self-publishing where you pay for everything upfront. You design, print, market, and sell your book.

                            Traditional is signing a contract with a publishing company who takes control and the financial risk of your book. The publishing company will pay for editing, layout, cover, printing, marketing and selling the book. You will market and sell your book along with the publishing company.

                            Writing short stories is a great way to develop your writing.

                            Key Writing Craft Concepts:

                            Show Don't Tell
                            Tight Writing

                            Where can you start learning from Thomas?

                            Novel Marketing Podcast
                            Christian Publishing Show
                            Author Media

                            What do we both want to read?

                            Peter DeHaan's 52 Churches.
                            Click here to learn more about Peter's work or to order his book.

                            I’d love to connect with you and keep you posted on upcoming episodes and resources. For a free downloadable pdf What Scholarship Committees Look for and How to Win Them, go to scholarships.chadcargill.com, and get your guide now.

                            For a free downloadable pdf of Key Things You Must Know on Test Day, go to [testday.chadcargill.com](testday.chadcargill.com), and get your guide now.

                            If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review on your podcast app. Leave a shout out for your high school, and I may read it on a future podcast.

                            If you have questions, leave a comment here or on the Chad Cargill Workshops Facebook page.

                            To view the workshop calendar, go to calendar.chadcargill.com. You can also order the prep book Chad Cargill's ACT and sign up for speed reading at chadcargill.com. If you are interested in hosting a workshop at your high school, call our office at (405) 454-3233 or email [email protected].

                            chadcargill.com

                            Twitter: @ChadCargill

                            Thanks for listening to the podcast!

                            48 min

                          About Chad Cargill's ACT Test Prep

                          From the publisher's feed

                          Chad Cargill took the ACT test 18 times in high school raising his score 13 points and scoring in the 99.5 percentile. He is the nation's leading ACT test prep workshop presenter having taught nearly…