60: From DRC Congo to America: Creed's Graduation Speech
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.
Jun 02, 2022•7 min
Chad Cargill's ACT Test Prep
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 250,000 students over the last 32 years. He travels the Midwest each school day teaching students, faculty, and parents how to beat the ACT. His full workshop schedule can be found at calendar.chadcargill.com. His website is chadcargill.com.
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Episodes
59: ACT's Great Inflation - A Rant
You are paying more for everything in 2021. While inflation in the United States runs rampant, ACT is fully on-board participating in the great rate hike of 2021. Hold on to your wallets! ACT is about to make bank off of you.
Nov 12, 2021•18 min
58: My Graduation Speech and Challenge to the Class of 2021
To the graduates of the Class of 2021, congratulations on your high school accomplishments. Now, I challenge you to live a life that matters.
Apr 29, 2021•17 min
57: Live Q&A at the End of an Online Workshop
Listen in as students post questions at the end of one of my online workshops. I answer as they are posted, and you can listen to all my answers in this episode.
Apr 15, 2021•17 min
56: Why You Should Never Take the 5th Experimental Section of the ACT
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.
Apr 08, 2021•18 min
55: Trouble Finishing the Reading Test? This Trick Can Immediately Raise Your Score
If you find yourself running out of time in reading, many students give up on the last passage. Using this simple tip, students who struggle finishing reading can immediately raise their scores.
Apr 01, 2021•17 min
54: Master the Dash and Raise Your English Score Now
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.
Mar 25, 2021•20 min
53: 7 Keys to Writing a Winning Scholarship Essay
Follow these seven tips, and write a scholarship essay that wins.
Mar 18, 2021•18 min
52: 9 Ways to Stay Focused During the ACT Test
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.
Mar 04, 2021•24 min
51: 2 Important Rule Changes and How You Should Adjust
In this episode, we discuss two important rule changes that may affect when you take the ACT and how you keep time during the test.
Feb 25, 2021•17 min
Episode 50: Math - What is Tested? A Detailed Look at the July 2020 National ACT Math Test
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
Feb 18, 2021•16 min
Episode 49: Is the ACT Science Test Changing?
Although the ACT has been virtually the same for the last few decades, there are subtle changes that are important to know. In this episode, we'll discuss some of the changes you'll see in the science section of the test. I Ordered My Test and Answers. Now What? https://podcast.chadcargill.com/4
Feb 11, 2021•24 min
48: What are Zero Level Classes and How to Avoid Them
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 t...
Feb 04, 2021•22 min
47: Why GPAs are a Joke!
GPAs are used for many things like qualifications, scholarships, and even academic championships. Unless analyzed thoroughly and taken into context, they are almost meaningless numbers. Yet, many continue to use GPAs as a comparative measurement. In this episode, I'll tell you why they shouldn't.
Jan 28, 2021•25 min
46: QBQ! My #1 Recommended Book with John Miller
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.
Jan 21, 2021•49 min
45: A Look Ahead to 2021
As we start the new year, we reflect on the challenges of 2020 and turn our focus to a new beginning in 2021.
Jan 14, 2021•30 min
Episode 44: How to Determine if You’re a First Instinct Test-Taker
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-resear...
Dec 10, 2020•22 min
Episode 43: How To Do Scholarship Projects That Leave a Legacy with Drew Files
Drew Files was a great high school softball player at Moore High School in Moore, OK. While in high school, she wanted to use her talent as a way to inspire and help others. She decided to organize a softball game at her high school to raise money for a great cause. This softball game is now an annual event at the high school, making a huge difference for some amazing kids. Drew's legacy lives on through this game. In this episode, Drew shares her story and challenges students to make a differen...
Dec 03, 2020•27 min
Episode 42: Thanksgiving: Why I'm Thankful for School with Creed and Clarity Cargill
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.
Nov 26, 2020•38 min
Episode 41: ACT Writing - When You Should Take It and How To Get a Great Score
Students wonder if they should take the ACT writing test. And if so, how should the essay be written to get a great score. In this episode, we break down the ACT writing test and look at the strategies needed to maximize your score.
Nov 19, 2020•24 min
Episode 40: How To Correctly Use Who and Whom
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 _ ...
Nov 12, 2020•19 min
Episode 39: Interested in an Engineering Degree? Types of Engineering Explained
Many students say they want to be an engineer, but what kind of engineer is the question. In this episode, I explain the main types of engineering degrees and the general purpose of each type. Types of Engineering Degrees Offered at Oklahoma State Aerospace What is aerospace engineering? Aerospace engineering is the study of the science and technology of flight, and the design of air, land and sea vehicles for transportation and exploration. Biosystems What is biosystems engineering? The study o...
Nov 05, 2020•23 min
Episode 38: Best in Class: What Some Schools Do That All Schools Should Do
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."
Oct 29, 2020•21 min
Episode 37: Your Test Day Checklist - What You Must Bring to the ACT
Are you making sure you have everything you need for the morning of the ACT? This episode provides a checklist to make sure you are ready to walk out the door with everything you need to take the ACT.
Oct 22, 2020•23 min
Episode 36: Does Eating Certain Foods Help Raise ACT Scores?
Does what you eat the morning of the ACT help you raise your score? If so, what should those foods be?
Oct 15, 2020•16 min
Episode 35: 6 Things to Consider When Choosing Where to Take Your ACT
Students often pick their testing locations strickly on location, but there are 6 key factors you should consider to find the best test center for you.
Oct 08, 2020•23 min
Episode 34: How to Correctly Use Indefinite Pronouns and Raise English ACT Scores
Often, indefinite pronouns are used incorrectly. Even though I teach how to use them, I still make mistakes. Today I’m going to explain how to correctly use indefinite pronouns. And stick around for the end of the episode because I’ll tell you a small part of our adoptive family story. Learn more about embryo adoption at https://www.embryodonation.org. Join Last Chance Prep Oct 2020 and you will: • Review Key Content Asked on ACTs • Solidify Your Knowledge of Math Formulas and Calculator Usage •...
Oct 01, 2020•23 min
Episode 33: How To Effectively Practice for the ACT
A lot of students want to practice for the ACT, but effectively practicing for the ACT is much different than what most students are doing. In this episode, I'll teach you how to be purposeful and intentional with your ACT practice. Following these simple steps, your practice will be so effective, you'll be in prime position to see a direct result in your increased ACT score. Register now for Last Chance Prep with Chad Cargill. Just go to academy.chadcargill.com (academy.chadcargill.com), and sa...
Sep 24, 2020•27 min
Episode 32: Even More Misconceptions About the ACT and How to Avoid Them Part 3
This week we conclude our three-part series on misconceptions about the ACT. Often, I hear people telling students what they should do to raise their ACT scores. Sometimes it's valid, but far too many times, it's not accurate. In this episode, I clear even more misconceptions about the ACT.
Sep 17, 2020•32 min
Episode 31: More Misconceptions About the ACT and How to Avoid Them Part 2
Often, I hear people telling students what they should do to raise their ACT scores. Sometimes it's valid, but far too many times, it's not accurate. In this episode, I clear many more misconceptions about the ACT.
Sep 10, 2020•28 min
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