ANATOLIY BURAC: Hello. My name is Anatoly Barak. I’m a freshman.
THATCHER STUBBLEFIELD: And I’m Thatcher Stubblefield, also a freshman.
BOTH: Welcome to EagleAir Radio.
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ANATOLIY BURAC: ACT is a test that students take to get into college. We interviewed two students, junior Claire Smithwick and junior Mia Stubblefield.
THATCHER STUBBLEFIELD: My sister.
ANATOLIY BURAC: Claire Smithwick already took the ACT while junior Mia Stubblefield is taking ACT prep. We wanted to know how to best prepare for an ACT test.
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THATCHER STUBBLEFIELD: What is the ACT?
MIA STUBBLEFIELD: The ACT is a test that students take that is required by colleges.
THATCHER STUBBLEFIELD: Why do we take the ACT?
CLAIRE SMITHWICK: Students take the ACT because it helps them get into better colleges that they want, and it also helps the colleges choose between two candidates.
THATCHER STUBBLEFIELD: Claire, where’s the ACT taken?
CLAIRE SMITHWICK: The ACT is taken typically on Saturdays– multiple different Saturdays throughout the year. And it can be taken at many different schools too.
THATCHER STUBBLEFIELD: Do all students have to take the ACT?
MIA STUBBLEFIELD: No, it’s not standardized. But if you want to get into a good college, I recommend taking the act.
CLAIRE SMITHWICK: Also, if a student fails, then they can retake it as many times as needed.
ANATOLIY BURAC: Mia, is ACT free?
MIA STUBBLEFIELD: The ACT does cost money. The written portion costs $20 more. It should be $80. And if you’re just taking the regular ACT, it’s $60.
ANATOLIY BURAC: Claire, how hard is the ACT?
CLAIRE SMITHWICK: The time limit for the act makes it more difficult. But if you study for it, it makes it more doable.
ANATOLIY BURAC: Claire, what’s the hardest thing for students when taking the ACT?
CLAIRE SMITHWICK: I would say time management, again, is the hardest thing because it is very difficult to move quickly while also being very careful to not mess up.
ANATOLIY BURAC: Mia, what are some ways that you can practice for the ACT?
MIA STUBBLEFIELD: I’m taking an ACT prep class, so that really helps. And we just practice the ACT a lot and go over it a lot and just get into a good habit of techniques that we could use to help us.
THATCHER STUBBLEFIELD: What other strategies do you use to prepare for the ACT?
MIA STUBBLEFIELD: There’s not a lot of strategies, but it’s just– you just got to take time out of your day to study for it. You just have to really get comfortable with it and take practice tests because the ACT changes. There’s no set questions.
ANATOLIY BURAC: What can help you with the time limit?
MIA STUBBLEFIELD: Just like if you don’t understand a question, if it gets difficult, then skip it. Don’t stay on it for too long.
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ANATOLIY BURAC: Thanks to audio Audionautix.com for providing free music for this podcast. Take this advice so next time you take the ACT, you can feel more confident.
THATCHER STUBBLEFIELD: My name is Thatcher.
ANATOLIY BURAC: And my name is Anatoliy.
THATCHER STUBBLEFIELD: Thank you for listening.
ANATOLIY BURAC: And see you soon.
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