What JAC Students have said about Jeng Academic Center

FEATURED TESTIMONIAL: Ray Zhang

My first impression of Dr. Jeng was that he was just another teacher in my life, but I could have never thought that he would become so much more. In addition to being an excellent SAT teacher, he is someone who actually cares whether I improve or not, unlike those other SAT programs that have to guarantee money back if I do not. He practically embodies himself in me and his students and takes much joy in seeing the real improvements we make.

On a personal note, he has provided me the tools to succeed in taking this test; from grammar rules to mathematical formulas, Dr. Jeng has taught me not just test taking strategies but real concepts, which were also useful later in my academic career. In total, I have made almost a 300 point improvement, but that is not what I am most thankful of. The wisdom and insight that he instills in me not only in academia but also in life are what I am truly honored to carry along with me to college. I now regard Dr. Jeng as a mentor who will always be a friend of mine and assist me in my future endeavors and for that I thank him and respect him.

SAT-I

My name is Mateen Saffarian and I am a student at Oak Park 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 if perfect for you.

-Duke University

English (SAT I ):

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.)

− Carol Yu, 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.)

− Carl Chen, 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.

− Sabrina Frank, Santa Catalina School, July, 2008

My name is Jenny Qiu and I am currently a full International Baccalaureate Candidate at Newbury Park High School. 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.

- Jenny Qiu, Newbury Park High School

Dr. De-Yin Jeng

"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."

- Kyle Brown, 11th Grade, 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!"

- Alexandra Portanova, 12th Grade, 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."

-Philip, Junior Westlake High [4/07]

"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."

-Chapman Chan, Junior Thousand Oaks High School [05/07]

"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."

-Kate Dana, Junior 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."

-Jessica Gaunt, Westlake High [4/07]