In a nutshell, Stephen is worth far more than what we paid for his services. He has a complete understanding of the current college landscape with their strengths and weaknesses and passes that information on in a particularly easy way to digest. He was easily accessible and knows his stuff. Whether it be SAT prep or help with essays and deadlines/timelines, he easily adapted to todays strange COVID climate. I could not recommend him more. His support gave my daughter the confidence to apply to only the schools that she felt that she would truly enjoy and she ultimately landed early decision at her very top choice. Thank you, Stephen! You made a potentially dour situation much easier to navigate. You are also dry and funny which helped the medicine of college applications much easier to swallow.**I am not going to change this essay, but I noticed after posting I used the word easy way too many times. Stephen would have immediately noticed this and gently remind me that there are other words too.

We used Steve Byer to help our high school junior prepare for his December 2020 ACT and SAT. We scheduled 6 sessions leading up to the tests and over that period of time were able to improve significantly from the practice tests taken at the beginning of the sessions. Through Steves help our son achieved his goal composite ACT score of 32 and brought his Reading and English scores up significantly from early practice test levels. Wed recommend Steve without hesitation.

Thank you Stephen! I came to you with a short time window and my daughter needed an increase in her score. In just five sessions with you she was able to increase her score by 100 points!Stephens skills are a great value for the money and he is a pleasure to work with!

I highly recommend Steve Byer! We worked with Steve to help my daughter prepare for the ACT. She had her sights on a very high score and he helped her achieve that. Beyond being extremely knowledgeable in the various subjects, he also helped her with test taking strategies and time saving solutions. Steve is a dedicated professional who provides all the tools needed for success (i.e. homework, practice tests, online resources). We were even willing to add additional hours after our daughter completed his initial tutoring recommendation, but Steve was very honest and felt she was well prepared and didn’t require the additional time and expense. He was right and she ultimately achieved the score she was hoping for!

Steve worked with our son for about 16 hours over eight sessions to get him ready for the ACT. Steve used a variety of materials, including websites and prep books to help get him prepared for all the sections of the exam. Throughout the lessons, Steve kept detailed notes on my son’s performance to help track improvement and kept me updated on his progress. My son raised he score by 6 points after working with Steve. I highly recommend him.

Steve brought a strategic and holistic approach to the way that I prepared for the ACT test. He brought an actual game plan for me to follow on test day, along with scientific analysis and breakdown to see what I needed to work on and what I could utilize for the best scores. My composite score went up 4 points, and I only worked with Steve for a very short amount of time. Steve genuinely cares about improving your score, and he did everything to make sure I got the highest possible score. I am positive that his work with me is what improved my score, and I sincerely feel that he is the best in the business!

Steve helped our daughter prepare for the SAT and ACT. His straight forward and strategic approach helped her stay focused on her goal and was highly motivating. The individualized feedback was extremely helpful. The scores went up and the process was painless. Thank you Steve!

Steve worked with our oldest child this summer and into the fall when he prepared for the ACT. He provided our son a discipline and thoroughness of the how to prepare and take the ACT and it showed in the results. Our son had a strong improvement from the first ACT to his most recent exam results. Steve is excellent at what he does and I have and will continue to recommend him to friends and family as their children prep for the ACT and SAT.

I highly recommend Steves one on one tutoring services. After just six sessions (12 total hours), my sons first official SAT score was quite satisfactory (December 2018). In addition, his score had significantly improved from the practice tests he took as part of his test prep. Steve takes a well organized, analytical approach to tutoring while, at the same time, he creates a supportive and positive learning environment. In addition, Steve was very responsive to my questions and initial concerns. My son will now just have to take the state mandated April SAT test as a junior and he will have completed this college prerequisite. I credit Steve with making the SAT test taking process a rather smooth one for my son.

Steve helped my daughter prepare for another ACT test. He was able to come to our house for after-school visits which made the process very convenient. After the sessions our daughter took the ACT and her composite score was 5 points higher than the initial practice ACT. Steve is very professional, thorough and adept at clearly explaining strategies and instruction. Highly recommend Steve for any test preparation.

Steve worked with our son for 16 hours over 8 sessions and we believe his test taking strategies and encouragement to push himself to achieve better than a good enough score were exactly what he needed. He took the test and couldnt have done any better. We would highly recommend Steve.

Steve tutored my son for the ACT test. They met weekly at my sons convenience and near our home. My son felt that Steve kept him on task, provided excellent study resources and gave him a deeper understanding of the materials. His score rose 5 points from his initial practice test to the actual test. I appreciated Steves frequent communication and his regular updates on progress. Steve is an excellent choice for ACT tutoring.

Steve worked with my son for about 18 hours over nine sessions to get him ready for the ACT. They used a variety of materials, including websites and prep books to help get him prepared for the exam. Throughout the lessons, Steve kept detailed notes on his performance to help track improvement and keep me updated on his progress. Steve connected well with my son and was very engaging in the tutoring sessions. Steve was the first person my son texted when he finished the test. My son’s scores arrived today and he scored 2 points higher than his goal and much improved from where he started. We highly recommend Steve!

Our son worked with Steve to prep for his ACT. They spent eight sessions getting ready for the test. During this time, Steve used a variety of materials to help get my son prepared for all the sections of the exam. With Steves help he was able to manage his time effectively, look for evidence, and become consistent in his test scores. In the end, my son achieved a 5 point gain. This score will solidify his admission to all of the schools on his list.

My daughter had a terrific experience being tutored by Steve. She was preparing for the ACT and was hoping to improve her score by a few points. In a mere 5 sessions, my daughter raised her composite score 3 points and most noticeably raised her English score by 10! Steve always gave clear instruction and made sure my daughter knew what to expect on all sections of the exam. He kept detailed notes regarding her progress and conveyed her progress to me in a regular manner. Steve was professional in every way. Id highly recommend Steve for any tutoring needs.

I reached out to Steve this summer to help me prepare to take the GRE so I could apply to graduate programs and it was the best decision I could have made. Steve was able to work around my full-time work schedule to meet with me and over the course of five sessions I saw a vast improvement in my ability to study for and process the material.Steve is a very knowledgeable tutor and was able to explain concepts and strategies in a way I could easily understand. He never makes you feel badly about not understanding concepts, answers all questions thoroughly and is always happy to go over material until you grasp it. I was able to achieve scores in both verbal and quantitative that I never would have thought possible at the start of the summer and he gave me the gift of confidence going into the test which was truly priceless. I would recommend his services to anyone who is in need of help studying for a major test.

I only rarely write reviews but I definitely wanted to write a review 100% recommending Steve Byer for ACT/SAT Tutoring. After my daughter took the ACT at the end of junior year and did not receive the results either she wanted or that we believed correlated with her academic performance, I sought out a tutor to help her both with test taking strategy and test anxiety issues, as I believed those two areas were the root of her problems. I really appreciated Steve’s methodological approach to helping my daughter achieve a better score. He would have her do multiple practice tests between their tutoring sessions and then do an in depth analysis of her performance in each section to determine where she needed reinforcement both in substantive subject matter, as well as on test taking strategies to maximize her score, working with her on those areas during their sessions. Through their work together over just eight sessions, she was able to increase her score 6 points, jumping from the 75th percentile to the 95th percentile, drastically improving her chances of admission at her top schools! I recommend Steve’s services to help your son or daughter achieve their full potential.

Steve was a terrific tutor and I really enjoyed working with him. I came to him very last minute for GRE prep and he was able to find time to meet with me, and tailor his instructions to accommodate my limited time frame. He was particularly effective with the Writing section, helping me understand the nuanced insight the essays require, in my own way. He also helped put together an adaptable, understandable technique that I was able to apply to much of the Verbal Reasoning section. I was very pleased with the instruction, as well as my score.

Steve worked with our daughter over a period of a few months and enabled her to get a 4 point gain on her ACT the next time she took the test. He really helped her with testing strategies and preparation and was super to interact with. Would highly recommend him!

We used Steve as a tutor for our son who jumped 140 points on his SATs in 3-2 hour sessions!! My son commented on how well he broke down the English components for him to understand in a way that was never taught to him. Steve was an excellent communicator and tracked his improvement with detailed notes. We were on the fence as we tried another tutor before without results..don’t hesitate to give him a try-I highly recommend! My son even more happy that he doesn’t have to take his ACTs-he was convinced he had to.Julie B.

I took 5 sessions with Steve over the span of a month and half.Steve was very well organized and his teaching method is very efficient.My test results speak for themselves. I improved my overall composite between tests by a whopping 7 points. Additionally, my percentile rank jumped from the 51st Percentile to the 86th Percentile. My scores break down as follows:Prior Official Results:English 21Math 22Reading 23Science 1420 CompositeSeptember 2018 ACT (OFFICIAL):English: 32Math: N/A (did not take)Reading: 34Science: 26Composite: 27Because of my improvement on the test, I qualified for acceptance into the Jane Addams College of Social Work where I begin working on my Masters degree. This would not be possible without the help of Steve Byer. Thank you.

Going into college entrance exam season, it wasnt clear to me what would be the most effective and efficient way of arming my twin teenage sons with the comfort and skills that would allow them to choose the right test and to perform their best. Each has his own strengths and weaknesses, and their study and learning habits differ vastly. Once Steve met with us and reviewed their baseline untimed scores, he easily guided each of my sons to the test that would elicit the best results, and he confidently assured that tutoring them together would not only meet each boys individual needs but would enhance each others learning, by virtue of the group process.Indeed, Steve was exactly right. He helped my kids to put in perspective the importance of these tests and to set goals commensurate with their college choice aspirations. His teaching style elicits discipline and engagement, without instilling undue stress and worry. Hes calm and steadfast in his claim that if a person is willing to put in the practice and study time and comes prepared to tutoring sessions, he or she can incrementally improve. He makes the goal score feel accessible, and this helped to keep both of my kids motivated, hard-working and hopeful.The three of them worked together for 24 hours, over 12 sessions, and utilized a variety of materials, including prep books, websites, and group meetings to get them ready for the test. He tracked their progress, keeping me updated throughout, and though he worked with them together, he tailored the lessons to each of my kids. Now that both boys have sat for their chosen test, its abundantly clear that Steve assessed them accurately, and guided and taught them well. My sons each reached their goal scores, one improving 3 composite points (4 with super score), and the other improving 6 composite points, to do so. Needless to say, both of my kids are pleased with the outcome, as am I, and I suspect this will open doors at schools they might not have considered.From beginning to end, and especially as measured by the results, Steve successfully ushered my kids through what could easily have been a stressful and demoralizing process. He simply understands these tests and how to master them, and we couldnt be happier to have benefitted from his expertise.

Worked with Stephen for 4 hours and he added at least 6 points to my GRE score. I told him exactly what I needed to do and he created a foundation that I could use for further study as opposed to teaching me page one of a book. Thanks Stephen

Steve helped me tremendously. I had a great experience working with him. I took a practice exam for the gre and did poorly. I decided it would be best to get a tutor and I came across his website. I absolutely do not regret hiring him as a tutor. He gave me the skills and tools that I needed to tackle on the gre. He is very patient and knows how to explain things in multiple ways to make sure you understand the content you are having trouble with. When taking standardized tests, I usually have some anxiety which can hinder performance. Steve gave me the confidence that I was lacking. On exam day, I felt prepared and confident. At the end, I received a score that is considered highly competitive for the programs I applied to.

Steve Byer is an excellent choice for an ACT tutor. As a mother of 4, I have been through many tutors. Steve Byer’s work with my daughter gave her a 4 point increase on her ACT, and brought her schools of choice within reach. Steve worked with her for about 16 hours over eight sessions to get her ready for the ACT. He used a variety of materials, including websites and prep books to help get her prepared for all the sections of the exam. Throughout the lessons, he kept detailed notes on her performance to help track improvement and kept us updated on her progress. What was especially notable were the increases in English (6-8pts) and Science (7pts). We highly recommend Steve for an ACT tutor as long as your child is prepared to do their part. My only wish was I had used him for my other 3 kids!!!

I decided to go back to grad school (to pursue a Masters of Public Health program) 3 years ago, at age 32. I was nervous about taking the GRE, especially the math section. After shopping around, I found Steve Byer, and completed 12 hours of test prep with him, covering the whole exam. He charges half of what Kaplan or the other large companies do, and hes an awesome tutor with a lot of experience, and great interpersonal skills. He really helped me conquer my fear of math, making the problems easier to grasp. He was also very patient and reassuring regarding my test-taking anxiety :)When I finally took the test, it was a breeze, and I was able to significantly raise my final score from my initial practice test scores. I was accepted into all of the programs I applied for, and received my degree from the Indiana School of Public Health, where I received scholarship funds and was one of only 5 students selected for the Delta Sigma Honor Society. After getting my MPH Ive been able to follow my dreams as a self-employed freelance health writer and educator, and I really have Steve to thank for helping me get my scores where they needed to be to succeed. You cannot get a better value for such a wonderful tutor!

Steve was a great tutor for the GRE. He was really flexible and worked with my schedule. We met at a convenient place to work. If I didn’t understand a question he would provide me with a simple question so I would understand the basis of that type of question. It truly helped me on the GRE and helped me think differently than when I previously took it. He taught me strategies and provided me with amazing resources so that I could be successful. I earned the best score out of the three times I took the exam. I learned a lot from Steve by increasing my vocabulary and learned more about the quantitative portion of the GRE. I would definitely recommend him to friends that are struggling with this exam!

As someone who works a full-time job and was taking courses for a career change, it was imperative that I also began studying for the GRE to achieve my goal of applying to graduate programs in a timely fashion.Since I was a working adult who was also taking classes 2 evenings out of the week and on Saturdays from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, it was imperative that I not only find a good GRE tutor, but one who also could cater to my schedule. Having heard through word-of-mouth what a good tutor Steve was and seeing his Yelp reviews, I immediately queried him on his availability.Thankfully, Steve made time for time for teaching me GRE tips, tricks, and mastery.Before working with Steve, I had another tutor who did not cater to my learning style. Not only did Steve help me get a higher score on the GRE (I had taken it once before several years ago, before changing careers), he did so in a manner that made sense to me and adapted his teachings to my strengths and weaknesses.Steve was such an effective tutor, not only did I do well, but I referred him to my cousin who was taking the ACT!

I met with Steve for 5 sessions to help me get my GRE math score on track. I had taken a Kaplan course before I took the GRE for the first time, but I scored abysmally in Quantitative Reasoning-- so low that I doubt my Kaplan work had any effect upon my score. Private tutoring was my last ditch effort to improve. Steve directed me to official GRE study materials (which were much more true to test than Kaplans) and helped me recognize question patterns and develop a testing methodology. After ten hours working together I scored a whole 14 points higher in Quantitative Reasoning, which translated to a raise of 25 percentile points!What especially impressed me about Steves work as a tutor was his flexibility and availability. I had only three weeks between our first tutoring session and my second attempt at the GRE, and Steve accommodated my schedule beautifully: he even was willing to meet near my house. He also kept me engaged and accountable through text and email, always underlining that I could call or email him for math help in a pinch.Thanks to Steves direction and study aids, I have more than surpassed the Quantitative score goals I had when I signed up for tutoring. Steve definitely gives you a plan (and it doesnt hurt that hes a nice guy!). I would definitely recommend him to any test taker looking to improve.

I came across Steve Byer in my pursuit to find the perfect GRE prep course. I spent 10 hours working with Steve and it was the best decision I made. Not only were Steve’s services a fraction of the cost of big name companies like Kaplan, Manhattan Prep, Princeton Review, etc. But also, I benefitted from the one-on-one nature of Steves tutoring service.I am NOT a confident test taker, and especially when it comes to standardized tests. Steve was instrumental in helping to ease some of the anxiety I had and also tailored our program to focus on the areas in which I needed the most work. Steve is extremely qualified and was never judgemental regarding any questions or concerns I had.When I first started working with Steve, my practice test scores were in the 140s. I saw incredible improvement over the course of the next 4 weeks. Thanks to Steve, when I sat for the actual test, I received the highest scores of any practice test I took during my time working with Steve. I couldnt be happier with the time and dedication Steve put forth on my behalf. I am ecstatic with my scores and unbelievably grateful that I will not need to take the GRE for a second time. Thank you, Steve!!Finally, I want to emphasize how passionate Steve is toward his students. He was 100% available to me outside of scheduled tutoring hours and was more than willing to answer questions and look over work during his free time. There were many times in which he checked in with me to see how I was progressing. This dedication would not occur with a larger company like Kaplan or Princeton Review. I highly recommend Steve to anyone who is seeking help for standardized tests and/or tutoring in any academic areas.Thank you, thank you, thank you, Steve!!-Kelly B.Initial Untimed GRE Practice Test (PowerPrep)Verbal - 140sQuantitative - 140s.Timed Practice Test #1 (PowerPrep)Verbal - 153Quantitative - 154Timed Practice Test #2 (PowerPrep)Verbal - 150Quantitative - 155ACTUAL GRE SCORESVerbal - 159Quantitative - 155