Why Vogel Prep?

Why Vogel Prep?

Vogel Prep is a tutoring and test prep resource which helps students excel, due to its excellent tutors and proprietary strategies and solutions that really work. At Vogel Prep, we are proud to provide the best tutoring and test prep options in Arizona. This is the reason why we have had students coming from as far as Prescott or Ahwatukee. Our adaptation of technology (Zoom) now provides us the flexibility to tutor your student from anywhere, whether it is at home, in college, or while traveling.

Today’s Education Forecast: 100% Chance of Change

Today’s Education Forecast: 100% Chance of Change

In the four amazing months since the pandemic took hold, we’ve seen dramatic changes in our educational system on a daily basis. Earlier this week, most Phoenix area school districts changed their opening plans to reflect the spiking virus numbers in our state. Scottsdale Unified District (SUSD) said its in-person classes will wait until the case numbers improve and not before September 8th. Initially, SUSD was focused on two major options for its fall campaign: “Return to Learn Program.” The options were either Full Return to Campus Live or Full Time Online. However, they have changed their earlier offer to deliver in-person classes, to insure the safety of all stakeholders. Interestingly and confusingly, all schools are having to adapt and change their plans depending on the guidance from the AZ health department and our government officials. These new developments are coming just weeks before schools are scheduled to start. And parents are expected to respond immediately and make provisions for their family’s many needs. Easier said than done!

Differences in Math Between the SAT and ACT tests

Differences in Math Between the SAT and ACT tests

Of all the differences between these two tests, Math is the most significant (other than the fact that the ACT has a Science section and the SAT test does not have Science.) Most students naturally do better on one of these than the other.  The best way to find out which is best is to take a “mock” ACT test and a” mock” SAT test and compare the scores. Another way is to take Vogel Prep’s highly predictive “ACT vs SAT Comparison Test”. There are no charges for these tests and follow-up consultations at Vogel Prep.

Six Ingredients to Successful ACT/SAT Prep

Six Ingredients to Successful ACT/SAT Prep

It’s a bad idea to take an official ACT or SAT test without proper preparation. Repeat — don’t take a test cold. At Vogel Prep, we know that private tutoring is the best way to do test prep; that’s what we do. One-on-one tutoring is usually best; but small classes (3 to 10 students) can be helpful for some students as well. Vogel Prep offers both, depending on the student’s learning style, personal availability, and budget considerations.

A Case of Varsity Blues

A Case of Varsity Blues

As you are aware by now, the FBI has uncovered a $25 million operation where wealthy parents have paid for their children to cheat their way into some of the “best” colleges in the country. Actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin are just some of the people named in this scandal.

Now higher education institutions are under pressure to take a close look at the many students who received unfair advantage, as well as their own admissions practices. USC just announced that students involved in the admissions scandal are prevented from registering for classes and getting transcripts until the investigation is completed. Some other universities affected by the scheme (UCLA, University of Texas at Austin and Wake Forest University) are either planning to take no action or still investigating.

SAT vs. ACT: Which Test Is Best for You?

SAT vs. ACT: Which Test Is Best for You?

Since both the SAT and ACT are acceptable for colleges, how do you decide which take to take? The tests are a bit different, and some students might do better on one than the other, depending on the student’s thinking style, academic knowledge, time management, and test-taking savviness. So how do you find out which test is best test for your student? You expose and test them on both tests’ formats, then compare the results and discover if one is more favorable for your child.  

How can we expose students to both formats? Here are some options:

Special Accommodations for the SAT and ACT

Special Accommodations for the SAT and ACT

Students who receive extra time for tests in school may also be eligible for extended time on standardized tests from ACT and/or College Board (SAT, SAT Subject Tests, PSAT, and AP exams). Some common reasons to qualify are ADHD, dyslexia or other learning issues or medical conditions. ACT or College Board may also approve students to take tests with extended time over multiple days, sometimes over multiple weeks. To protect students’ privacy, they do not disclose information about accommodations when reporting scores to colleges or scholarship programs.

SAT/ACT Decisions: Should I Complete “The Essay”?

SAT/ACT Decisions: Should I Complete “The Essay”?

Any student preparing for SAT or ACT testing has an important decision to make: Should I complete the optional essay portion of the exam? In most cases, yes! With the right preparation, and a little practice, the essay task will go from daunting to doable.