Dear Mr. Jeng,

            I would first like to thank you for 1.5 years of SAT class (has it really been that long? Wow…). Taking a 3-hour test is not the first thing I want to do every Saturday morning, but I’m glad I did. I will always remember your lessons, lectures, and maxims. I often hear my friends quote your words of wisdom, and I feel lucky to have heard them myself.

            Next, I would like to tell you that my 2100, 2200, and 2200 do not reflect what I have learned at Jeng Academic Center. I can distinguish who from whom and catch dangling modifiers, but what I really learned at JAC is never found on standardized tests. I learned how to bring the full potential out of this life I live. I don’t know if anyone else noticed your subtle philosophy lessons, or maybe I was just over thinking, but I remember listening closely to your personal stories and non-academic seminars. I realized that this SAT test that has made me hit my head, argue with my parents, and stay up until 2 AM to see scores was unnecessarily taking over my life. In school, all I heard was “What did you get on the SAT? Do you think I can get into this school with this score? No…I’m not going to college.” I was surrounded by the SAT, and I felt suffocated by this crazy test.

You once explained the insignificance of SAT in our futures. No one will care about my SAT score in college, and this test will just become a small speed bump in my life. And yet, I have spent hours of studying and endured mounds of stress for a 4-digit number that has tight control over my future…what?! After attending JAC for so long, I have come to appreciate that regardless of my score, I will succeed because I want to succeed and because I know I can succeed.

The one lesson I will take with me for the rest of my journey is that knowing how to get the answer is more important than the answer itself. A, B, C, D, and E have no meaning; the way to solve the problem is where all the learning is. It is easy to get caught up in the score, but JAC has taught me to care less about the grade and more about the knowledge, for SAT is only a small part of our lives while the knowledge we learn will stay with us forever.

            My 2200 is not very impressive, and, honestly, I thought I would be able to do much better. Yes, I am disappointed in myself, but then I remember the kind of person I am. I work hard, and I want the best, so wherever I go and whatever I do, I am confident that I will be able to accomplish my goals. Thank you for the SAT prep, but I really thank you for teaching me how to enjoy my life. I won’t let a test take advantage of me, and even though I have slain the SAT beast, I have more pride in being one of your students. Thank you, Mr. Jeng.

-       A.H., December 2010

When the time came for me to start preparing for the SAT, I honestly did not know what to do. I had only heard about Dr. Jeng from a few friends and wasn't entirely sure if JAC was the path that I wanted to take; however, after Dr. Jeng's interview, I felt that he was the right guide for me. During my SAT classes, Dr. Jeng didn't just help my fellow students and me with the SAT. He gave me essential advice on essay writing, intensive passage reading and quality grammar that typical English teachers had just skimmed over in school or mentioned only in passing, while also covering necessary math topics that I was simply not used to or had forgotten entirely. I immediately started to improve dramatically, whizzing past 2100 to 2200 and to 2300. At the end of it all, I was ready to take on the real deal in October. I received a score of 2280 (770 CR/ 710 M/ 800 W) on my first SAT attempt, far beyond my expectations several months before, but even then, I felt I could do better, and so one month later, I took the SAT for a second time. I am pleased to say that my November SAT score, 2310 (730 CR/ 800 M/ 780 W), representing a holistic score improvement of 370 points from my 194 on the PSAT is one of my crowning academic achievements to date!  Thanks a million Dr. Jeng!  Your teaching skills and willingness to guide your students have made me a stronger student and better person. And so, it's my pleasure to testify that if you are a student who is even remotely concerned with your SAT score or academic performance, Dr. Jeng is the man for you!   

-       A.D., November 2010

When I showed up to the first day of the SAT workshop last summer and heard Dr. Jeng say that the SAT is just “a stupid little test,” I wanted to give him a high-five.  I realized over the next few weeks that I wasn’t enrolled in the typical SAT workshop.  I did not learn any of the ubiquitous “test-taking skills.”  I did not memorize boring vocabulary lists that contained words such as “ubiquitous.”  I never even received a projected SAT score during my time at JAC.

            This is because Dr. Jeng doesn’t try to cheat the system by “teaching to the test.”  He doesn’t merely find every type of problem tested on the SAT, and teach his students how to solve it.  Instead, he tries to increase the aptitude of his students.  I cannot emphasize how valuable this is, not only for the SAT, but also for the rest of one’s life.  By actually teaching valuable knowledge as opposed to mere test-taking strategies, Dr. Jeng forced each student to apply him or herself, and brought out the potential in all of us.  He emphasized that we must all become “self-learners,” and that our learning must continue past high school, past college, throughout the rest of our lives.  Rather than trying to sum it up in my own words, I want you to read Dr. Jeng’s reply when I informed him that I got a 2370 on the SAT:

“I am happy not so much for your high score as for the concentration and focus that you have shown during the training process.  With this learning attitude you can conquer anything you set your mind on learning.  I hope this quality of yours will always be with you and will manifest itself in whatever you do.”

-       S.S., November 2010

In December, a few months after completing the SAT summer program at JAC, I took the SAT Reasoning Test. I received a 2260: 800 in Math, 780 in Writing, and 680 in Reading. It was a significant improvement from the 1800 I got on my first practice SAT test. The 460 point increase can mostly be credited to you and your class. Although at first I wasn't overjoyed to spend my summer in an SAT class, I soon realized that it had many benefits to offer. You were an amazing teacher, both encouraging and efficient. The effort and dedication you showed definitely paid off. Your class curriculum was also very beneficial, especially in writing. My PSAT score improved a drastic amount as well--in my sophomore year, I got a 179, and in my junior year, after taking the class, I got a 225. Again, I showed a great improvement. The SAT class at JAC definitely accounted for a majority of the increase. Thank you so much for teaching me; I truly appreciate everything. The class was more fun than I expected, and the results speak for themselves.  

 -V.L. (SAT 2260)

After my seven months as a student at Jeng’s Academic Center, I emerged not only with a higher SAT score, but also as a person filled with more knowledge, more curiosity, and more passion for the world around me. Dr. Jeng taught me a lot in those seven months, and I learned things that would help me succeed in my education beyond just the SAT. His witty humor and enthusiastic teaching style made SAT prep not simply bearable, but also surprisingly enjoyable. 

     In return for the seven hours I forfeited every Saturday for the sake of a higher SAT score, I received test-taking strategies that helped me immensely on the SAT and also skills that I could apply to all areas of learning. In between lessons on dangling modifiers and exponent rules, I came to realize the importance of learning for the sake of learning, for the sake of bettering oneself. I began to understand that a good SAT score can only take me so far in life, and a good education is an everlasting gift. Dr. Jeng, with his unyielding patience and kindness, shared with me his lifelong passion for learning, and instilled in me a passion of my own. I am truly grateful for all Mr. Jeng has taught me.

-L.P., Westlake High School

 As I was getting ready for my SAT from 8th grade to my junior year, for a while I only took practice tests by myself.  I thought I would be able to get a good score through my own studying, but I eventually hit my limit.  My test scores would not break above 1900 and I really wanted to do better. 

A friend referred me to the SAT course at Jeng’s Academic Center, and I am extremely thankful he did.  Dr. Jeng’s program pushed me to take many more tests, and his teaching techniques and lectures not only allowed me to master my weak points, but also taught me good life lessons.  His philosophy was not to become good at something, but to become great, even perfect.  He would not allow us to target a low test score and pushed us to do as well as we could.  Although he focused on the SAT with stacks of reading material, interesting and informative lectures, and lessons on all sections of the SAT, many of his techniques could also be used in other aspects of my life.

 After every test we took, Dr. Jeng meticulously explained every one of our errors and taught us how to find the right answer. His in depth teaching methodology allowed us to target our weaknesses and make them strengths. After a summer of hard training, I took the test in October and scored a 2270.  I excelled in every section of the test getting an 800 in Critical Reading, 750 in Math and 720 in Writing.  I would never have been able to get such a good score without the help of Dr. Jeng’s course.  If you want to raise your score and excel in every aspect of the SAT, then Dr. Jeng’s SAT course is perfect for you.

 -M.S., Oak Park High, Duke University

From walking alongside basic SAT vocab to running through fields of words and passages, Dr. Jeng has helped me master the SAT reading section. SAT reading used to be my monster under the bed, the fire-breathing, sleep-inducing dragon that was killing my SAT score.

After just a few weeks at JAC, I was able to conquer this formidable beast and greatly improve my score. Dr. Jeng has taught me useful reading skills that will continue to help me throughout college and life. His expertise, combined with his patience and constructive tutelage, will definitely aid any aspiring student in need of a little help.(鄭博士的耐心, 學識,及教法在短短幾週內讓我受益良多, 突破自己在閱讀方面的侷限.) 

-C.Y., Thousand Oaks High, (SAT 2310), June 2008, (UC Berkeley)

Jeng Academic Center provides a tutoring experience that is unlike any other I’ve had. Mr. Jeng creates a refreshing educational atmosphere dedicated to motivating and enlightening the student. At JAC, I have not only learned the answer, but also how the answer was derived. In essence, I discovered what Mr. Jeng called the “joy of learning.” This methodical and analytic approach is the key to successfully achieving high scores on any test.

In the SAT and Math IIC SATII classes, Mr. Jeng always pushed us to go beyond our best and earn the highest scores, which has led me to confidently believe in my own abilities in taking these tests. At first I saw these tests as looming obstacles to climb, but eventually I learned how to take the challenge by steps to achieve success. (鄭博士的教學生動活潑, 很能激勵學生學習意願, 我不只學得答案, 也知道答案的來由. 同時還感受到鄭博士口中的”學習樂趣.”他有條有理, 講求分析, 著重理解的教學方式, 最讓我受益不盡.)

− C.C., Oak Park High, (SAT 2340), March, 2008, (Yale University)

At the Jeng Academic Center, I have not only learned how to master challenging subjects, but I have also learned about important principles regarding life itself.  I believe that the reason JAC has such a big impact on students is that Mr. Jeng truly cares about his pupils’ wellbeing.  He teaches his students to persevere and think optimistically about difficult concepts and materials, which can then be adopted into the real world.  Students can come to the Jeng Academic Center for all subjects and will continually receive a greater understanding and appreciation for any material they find themselves to be struggling with.  JAC has given me confidence about my academic career and I am so grateful for that.

− S.F., Santa Catalina School, July, 2008

Let me tell you about my SAT I journey and tell you my reasons why you or your child should take this class.

Before coming to this class, I decided to study on my own for the SAT I. I took the test in November 2007 and thought perhaps a bit arrogantly that I scored at least a 2250. Unfortunately, I ended up with a 2180 (Critical Reading: 670, Math: 780, Writing: 730). A 2180, I thought, wasn’t exactly a horrible score but I was still extremely disappointed. When I decided to take the test again in June 2008, I thought that I had done all that I could have done to get at least 2250.

Apparently trying my hardest wasn’t enough. I actually ended up with a 2130, which was fifty points lower than my first score. Not only did my scores in critical reading and writing failed to improve, my math score went for a fifty-point dive from a 780 to a 730. At that moment, I decided that I definitely needed help.

Taking the SAT course at Jeng’s Academic Center was perhaps one of the best decisions I ever made. Dr. Jeng absolutely refused to hear my request to only settle for a 2250; he told me to shoot for a 2300. I thought that getting a 2300 or anything above would be impossible. But after hearing endless lectures on the correct use of the subjunctive and grammar lessons, receiving endless reading material (which were actually quite interesting), and taking countless numbers of tests, I began to think that achieving a 2300 was quite possible. Dr. Jeng really prepares you for the SAT well and he constantly ingrains new concepts. His practice tests were especially helpful because he carefully explains why every error is wrong and why the correct answer is right.

I took the test a third time in November 2008 and definitely knew that it was going to be a large number; how large was still a mystery. When I got my score back, I was extremely shocked. I received an 800 in Critical Reading, an 800 in Math, and a 780 in Writing which totaled to a 2380. I improved 130 points in Critical Reading (my weakest subject), 70 points in Math, and 50 points in Writing: an increase of 250 points.

I could have never gotten what I wanted and more without Dr. Jeng’s help. If you really want your score to go up to your desired range, then you can definitely do so with Dr. Jeng.

- J.Q., Newbury Park High School, MIT

Physics/Calculus

"After attending JAC's program, I have absorbed so much understanding to my head that it has helped me not only in Physics and Calculus, but also in my SAT's SAT II's and AcaDeca. Dr. Jeng taught me that concept, for me, is much more useful than memorization. His most famous quote that I will never forget is this: "Understanding Stays; Memory Fades." And I have used that to help me in all my classes. Starting from a C/B- in Pre-Calculus last year, in just about a month, I was up to an A and one of the top students in the class. This year, I am currently studying Calculus and Physics and passing both classes with an A as well. Jeng's Academy is One-of-A-Kind. Attending his program will, undoubtedly, push your current scores for ANY class up exponentially and effortlessly."

 - K.B., Oxnard High School [4/07]

"I came to Jeng Academic Center when I needed extra help with my High School Calculus AB AP Class. I tried sessions with other tutors, but none of them was able to recognize each problem I threw at them as Dr. Jeng could. Not only did Dr. Jeng recognize all the problems, but he was able to instantly recall the steps to solving the problems and help me understand them. There is nothing he doesn't understand!"

 - A.P., Westlake High [03/07] 

"When I first met Dr. Jeng, I was, without a doubt, an ambitious hard-working student who had set high goals for the PSAT and academics generally. Unfortunately, I could see no way of achieving my goals; every practice test I took on my own seemed to confirm that the objectives I had set for myself were totally unrealistic. Dr. Jeng, however, quickly and steadily guided me towards where I wanted to be. His approach, though it taught me countless specifics, aimed primarily at developing a broader strategy for academic success. In the first class I took with him during the summer before my freshman year, I learned not only the difference between a gerund and a participial but also the logic behind learning. From each test I took and corrected, I gained at once a mastery of tense agreements and a deeper insight into the beauty and rationale of language. In following years, I took other courses ranging from the Critical Reading Course to the complete SAT I Preparation Course. Each class opened my eyes to the essence of the subject matter from which I quickly grasped the specifics. Now well into my junior year, I can confidently say that studying with Dr. Jeng was one of the wisest choices I have ever made. Studying with Dr. Jeng has made me a more accomplished scholar and a better person overall. Returning to my original goal, I am happy to report that I scored a perfect 240 on the PSAT, which proves that the combination of dedication, ambition, and experienced guidance will bring success. I gladly and fully recommend any and all educational opportunities offered by Dr. Jeng to anybody who has the passion and drive to succeed."

-P.S., Westlake High, Yale University [05/07]

SAT I/SAT II

"Dr. Jeng has been a great help for me. With his vast array of knowledge ranging from SAT writing all the way to AP chemistry, there is not much that this man does not know.  He has helped me as he will always try his best and will make sure that I understand the material."

-C.C., Junior Thousand Oaks High School [05/07] 

Chemistry/Math

"The Jeng Academic Center really helps me grasp my studies and apply the teaching to my school work. It is a great place to achieve academic success."

-K.D., Westlake High [3/07] 

"I started coming to JAC one year ago for help in Algebra II. I was having a hard time understanding the concepts in school. A friend recommended JAC to me and it has helped me in a huge way. I am doing better in math now and it is because of Dr. Jeng, who is very patient and always explains things in a way that I can understand them. It was a great decision that I started tutoring here. I will never go anywhere else."

-J.G., Westlake High [4/07]