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Special Accommodations for the SAT and ACT

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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.

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Celebrating Ten Years of Vogel Prep!

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Celebrating Ten Years of Vogel Prep!

Has it really been ten years? It seems like only yesterday that we set out to equip students with the tools necessary to realize their potential by creating the most personalized tutoring service in the Valley, but it’s true—we started this business in the summer of 2008, and it’s with a combination of pride, exhilaration, humility, and gratitude that we look back at our first decade serving Arizona students and recall the hard work that it took to get here. But hard work is far from the whole story.

Q-Read: Quality Reading

Q-Read: Quality Reading

Is your student a struggling reader?  A reluctant reader? A middle school student nervous about high school reading requirements?  Or a high school student concerned about the challenges of the reading passages on the ACT or SAT tests? Perhaps a future college student concerned about the imminent load?

Vogel’s unique Q-Read: Quality Reading was designed by expert teachers to help middle and high school students improve reading speed and comprehension and develop the skills needed to successfully handle both classroom reading and reading test requirements.

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

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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.

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Boot Camp: Get Ready, Get Set, Succeed

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Boot Camp: Get Ready, Get Set, Succeed

ACT or SAT Boot Camp: Sound intense? It is, but it’s also an excellent option for busy high school students. If heavy homework loads or extracurricular activities make it difficult to schedule test prep during the school year, Vogel Prep’s summer Boot Camp is the answer.

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SAT Subject Tests: Five Tips

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SAT Subject Tests: Five Tips

Subject Tests are one-hour tests that are designed to assess academic readiness for college. SAT Subject Tests focus on very specific subject areas such as Math (Level 1 or 2), Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Literature, United States History, World History, Spanish and more. While SAT Subject Tests are often seen as tests for only those applying for admission to elite universities, every student wanting to go to a four-year college could benefit by taking at least three SAT Subject Tests. Why? Because there is no downside and lots of upside.

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4 Easy Steps to Better Essay Scores on AP Exams

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4 Easy Steps to Better Essay Scores on AP Exams

Looking forward to writing essays for the upcoming AP Exams? You are among the few!

For the majority of students, essay writing is one of the most dreaded aspects of the AP Exams. Unfortunately, the pressure doesn’t end there. Essay writing is a fundamental component of academic life in college. Whether you like it or not, the beloved essay, along with the requirement for you to write one, isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon.

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Writing Skills: Why They Matter in the Digital Age

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Writing Skills: Why They Matter in the Digital Age

While the history of written language is subject to debate, its significance to humanity is absolutely clear. Writing has played a vital role in modern human development and progress. As an essential component in human communication, written language allows a writer to preserve and transmit a message throughout time and space. The reader, then, is afforded greater opportunity to contemplate the message, internalize it, and formulate a response.

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ADHD: What every parent NEEDS to know

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ADHD: What every parent NEEDS to know

ADHD: What every parent NEEDS to know

Let’s start with a clarification. ADHD is a medical condition, not a personality flaw. Just as you need to be aware of, monitor, and support any other medical condition your child might have, the same is true of ADHD. Here’s why:

A child who isn’t paying attention, isn’t learning

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Selecting High School Classes Wisely

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Selecting High School Classes Wisely

Selecting the high school courses that will best enhance a college application should not be done haphazardly, or hastily. As the college admissions process becomes ever more competitive, students need to be mindful of what will ultimately wind up on their transcripts.   Here we’ve provided a how-to guide for making smart decisions about which high school classes need to be taken.

AP courses and exams in college admissions process!

AP courses and exams in college admissions process!

According to a recent study by The Washington Post, 16.1% of students in Arizona took an AP course and scored a 3 or higher in their final AP exam. On a national level, 22.4% of all public high school students scored a 3 or higher on their respective AP exams. By the numbers, a successful showing in an AP exam most certainly sets a student apart from the pack. By scoring a 3 or higher in just one AP exam, a student has a distinct advantage over 77.6% of students nationally.

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Considering a Private College Counselor?

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Considering a Private College Counselor?

Today, private college counselors play an integral role in helping students navigate the seemingly daunting task of applying to college in an increasingly competitive educational landscape.  Here are four reasons to consider engaging the services of a private college counselor to help you and your child through this process.

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Test Prep…Timing and Balance Matter!

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Test Prep…Timing and Balance Matter!

Avoid cramming for any significant test it is advisable that students begin their test prep in earnest approximately 6-12 months ahead of their planned exam.  For example, since most students will take the ACT or the SAT in their junior year, it’s beneficial to begin studying during the summer between 10th and 11th grade.   Enlisting the services of an experienced test prep tutor the summer before your child’s junior year is an investment no parent will regret.  By embarking on valuable test prep sessions long before the actual exam date, students feel less stress, and are therefore able to devote their full attention to the material being reviewed.

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Nutrition Is Important Before an SAT or ACT

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Nutrition Is Important Before an SAT or ACT

When it comes to prepping for the ACT or SAT, plenty of teachers and parents emphasize the importance of test prep, practice tests, and quality study habits. Though they’re certainly not wrong, it’s just as important to remember to treat your body right in preparation for high-pressure exams like the SAT or ACT. After all, your mind is an organ at home in your body, so proper nutrition goes a long way to boost your brain before the big day. How can students take advantage of the power of brain food?

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Guarantee a Return on Your Test Prep Investment

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Guarantee a Return on Your Test Prep Investment

Merit-based scholarships have among the most significant impact on reducing college costs overall. While these scholarships allow parents and students to get the best bang for their buck, they’re also an inspiring award for all the hard work your student puts in throughout his or her high school career.

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What Colleges Look for in High School Transcripts

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What Colleges Look for in High School Transcripts

Because college admissions are more competitive than ever, an accepted application often comes down to the details. For instance, high school transcripts are an excellent way for students to positively differentiate themselves from other applicants. But what exactly are colleges looking for in a transcript, other than good grades?

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New Year’s Resolutions for the College Bound Student

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New Year’s Resolutions for the College Bound Student

From freshmen to seniors, there are worthwhile strategies that students can employ in the New Year that will vastly improve the college admissions process ahead. With the clean slate of the New Year, consider these academic resolutions as you and your student make your way through 2017, together. 

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College Readiness Begins in Middle School

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College Readiness Begins in Middle School

Middle schools is a time for developing study habits, preparing pre-requisites for rigorous high school work to considering college.  Middle school students and their families should use these critical years to plan and prepare for the future ahead.