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Why Vogel Prep?

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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.

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Why You Should Study Algebra

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Why You Should Study Algebra

At a time when our society is talking about self-driving cars, phones that use facial or voice recognition and students spending endless hours playing games with friends on the internet, we find that some students are not motivated enough to struggle with algebra.  So, we have come up with some reasons why your students should embrace the study of algebra:

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Have You Started Preparing for the January HSPT?

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Have You Started Preparing for the January HSPT?

The HSPT is a challenging test even for grown-ups, and for many 8th graders it is the first timed test that counts in their scholastic career. For 2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes), students must answer 298 questions, or spend 30 seconds per question. Questions will be divided in five subtests of questions in the five-major areas of knowledge (Math, Reading, Language, Verbal Skills and Quantitative Skills) that 8th grade students should have been exposed to during their last 7.5 years of school.  

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Today’s Education Forecast: 100% Chance of Change

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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!

Top Ten Reasons to Study Chemistry

Top Ten Reasons to Study Chemistry

Studying chemistry will allow us to live in a more balanced world. Chemistry is usually considered a central science as it brings together our understanding of our internal (bodies) and external (earth) environment while using principles from math, chemistry, biology, physics and medicine. Chemists and biochemists are some of the professions that are always in high demand, especially in today’s world. Any high-tech product, bodily function or environmental decision will require the recommendation of a chemist or biochemist. Here are some simple reasons why students should consider studying chemistry.

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Top Ten Reasons to Study Physics

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Top Ten Reasons to Study Physics

The choices made in high school and later in college will set a person’s life’s journey. The type of skills and jobs that we will do starting right out of college will be impacted by the subjects studied as undergraduates. Studying physics will empower individuals because they be able to understand how the world that surrounds them works.

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Why Should We Learn Algebra? Practical examples during Covid

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Why Should We Learn Algebra? Practical examples during Covid

At a time when our society is talking about self-driving cars, phones that use facial or voice recognition and students spending endless hours playing games with friends on the internet, we find that some students are not motivated enough to struggle with algebra.  So, we have come up with some reasons why your students should embrace the study of algebra:

Why Grammar Should Be in Every Student’s Tool Kit

Why Grammar Should Be in Every Student’s Tool Kit

A friend used to say that Grammar rules are like road signals on the highway. They clarify what people want to communicate in written format and avoid collisions or accidents (misunderstandings.) Imagine if your words are not communicating exactly what you mean. That is what happens when punctuation is not placed properly.   Saying “Let’s eat, Peter” is not the same as saying “Let’s eat Peter.” Capitalization, punctuation and correct word usage can make a story more comprehensible and interesting. It can distinguish writers, leaders, and educated people.   

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Time to Begin the Hunt for Scholarships and Grants

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Time to Begin the Hunt for Scholarships and Grants

Each year estimates are that billions of dollars in scholarship and grant support go unclaimed. As your student awaits his or her decision or prepares to enroll in an in-state university, spring is scholarship search and grant application season!

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Differences in Math Between the SAT and ACT tests

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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.

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Why Should Your Student Be Proficient in Spanish?

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Why Should Your Student Be Proficient in Spanish?

Americans are notorious for only speaking one language, whereas most Europeans and Asians are fluent in two, three or more languages because they have been close neighbors to countries with different languages. But that is rapidly changing in the USA. There are compelling reasons for today’s students to study and learn to speak Spanish as their second language, and Vogel Prep can help prepare your students to reach that goal.

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Six Ingredients to Successful ACT/SAT Prep

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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.

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What Is New At ACT?

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What Is New At ACT?

In July, The ACT released a new study that evaluated the validity and fairness of different score-usage policies. An older study had indicated that underserved students were less likely to take the ACT multiple times. But now with the availability of fee waivers and free studying resources, it is believed that there is a fairer playing field for all students. In addition, now the ACT has announced that, starting in September 2020, they will automatically calculate and report the superscore for all students!  While the ACT encourages colleges to evaluate their own policies, they believe superscoring provides a more valid and fair report.

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Juniors and Seniors: Making Summer Productive

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Juniors and Seniors: Making Summer Productive

As the temperatures rise and students begin to look forward to exciting summer plans, I want to remind all of them to remain focused and finish the school year strong. As the end to the school year approaches, so do AP exams and finals and I encourage students to apply themselves and to stay focused so that their grades do not suffer.  For rising seniors, this is especially important because many college applications deadlines fall in November and December so Fall Semester grades will not be included in your applications.  Below are a few more notes for juniors and seniors.

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A Case of Varsity Blues

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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.

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

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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:

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Check Students' Flexible Thinking

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Check Students' Flexible Thinking

It’s true that verbal and abstract reasoning are the cognitive skills that predict academic achievement. The ability to make sense of complex information is undeniably essential to learning at every age.

But once students leave the K12 classroom, research suggests that flexible thinking might be equally important to college and career readiness. As explained by author Eric Barker, “Schools reward students who consistently do what they are told— and life rewards people who shake things up.”

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Arizona's PSAT scores available online 12/10/18!

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Arizona's PSAT scores available online 12/10/18!

Attention Sophomores and Juniors who took the PSAT in October 2018!

Both Sophomores and Juniors are eligible to take the PSATs. Scores will be out in just a few days. If your student took the PSAT you want to look at the overall results to evaluate their comfort level with standardized testing as well as any potential strengths and weaknesses. If your Junior took the PSAT in October, you may want to compare the results with previous years and also assess if they qualify to enter the 2020 National Merit Scholarship competition.  

Regardless of whether your student is a Sophomore or a Junior, PSAT scores should provide parents and students an understanding of where students might be in terms of College Readiness and potential future College Entrance Exams at the time of the test. Here are some of the major insights that could help evaluate the situation:

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The PSAT/NMSQT Test: Why It Matters

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The PSAT/NMSQT Test: Why It Matters

When it comes to prepping for the SAT, most students and parents view the PSAT, or Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, as a simple test-run of moderate importance. However, the PSAT—and your student’s results—wields more influence than you might realize. Though available to students in both their sophomore and junior years, the stakes get higher during 11th grade, when PSAT results hold weight.

Here are a few key ways in which the PSAT goes beyond its role as a simple “practice” test.