I took various SAT I Prep classes here in addition to the weekly math course while I took AP Calculus in high school. Mike Shieh taught these classes and his help made a positive impact not only my SAT scores, but also in my classes at school. Mr. Shieh is the most dedicated and knowledgeable teacher that I have encountered during the stressful two years before applying to college. Not only does he take time to personally help each student in his classes, but he makes sure to cover key topics and even give you tips and tricks to help you complete your problems. Best SAT helped me achieve the SAT scores that I wanted and taught me how to become a more efficient problem-solver. This going unsaid, I took what I learned from the courses and reviewed the material on my own time as well to succeed. You definitely get what you put in, and if you're looking for a worthwhile tutoring company, Best SAT is the right place for you. read more

I took the Bio SAT II class here and scored a 780 (after taking honors not ap bio) and returned for the Math SAT II class and scored an 800. I took the Bio SAT with Mr. Murdock who was extremely organized and prepared. More than four years after taking the test, I still remember the large binder full of problems and summarized material I received on the first day of class that were way more useful than any ap bio book you can find. If you do the assigned readings and problems, and just consistently keep up with the class you will do extremely well on the test! Mr. Shieh was an awesome instructor for Math, both for the SAT and for geometry. His teaching style is effective and collaborative and the more you ask questions and participate the more thoroughly you will understand the material. Mr. Shieh is extremely clear and concise when answering questions and he will go out of the way to make sure you completely understand. The small group setting makes sure you won't get lost, and the informal lectures will ensure you are still paying attention! I have taken classes with ThinkTank, Ivymax, etc. as well but the quality of classes at Best SAT is unrivaled! Make sure you check them out before finalizing a tutoring company. read more

Went here for SAT classes sophomore and junior year. I'd say... it helped me get used to the format and everything of the SAT. Granted, I didn't do as well as I did in the SAT as I did in the ACT, it was still a great help. Best SAT has also helped me A LOT in the SAT II's. SAT Bio and SAT Math II were my choices (like every other Asian) after taking those classes, my average score doubled for each exam. Thank you, Best SAT!!!! read more

Not a fan. I took their SAT Bio class my freshman year in high school and I learned.. absolutely nothing. The teacher was terrible - half the class was falling asleep less than thirty minutes into the session. I don't feel it helped me at all, but maybe bio just wasn't my thing. But then again, I DID do pretty well on the AP Bio test a few years later, so maybe Best SAT just wasn't my thing. Yeah, I'm going to go with that. Sorry, Best SAT. read more

As far as prep classes go, Best was able to provide me with personable and knowledgeable instructors in Mr. Murdock and Mr. Shieh. It's a prep class, not a guranteed A pass. The courses are well designed, detailed, and comprehensive. I still remember the big black binder for Biology with more information than any Barrons or Princeton review book I had seen before. I remember the extra time that Mr. Shieh put in to help our Math Class understand those damn C-set geometry problems. The instructors at Best clearly care and put in the time to prepare and teach. If you put in the time and work too, you will definitely see results. read more

Once I started getting into more advanced classes in math, I began to have more problems with the subject. Throughout the years, I had two or three tutors who didn't really help me much before I started going to Best SAT in Fremont. Mr. Shieh was a great tutor for me. I had him for a tutor for most of high school, helping me in geometry, pre-calculus, and AP calculus. The classes are with other students taking the same course in school but despite this, Mr. Shieh definitely makes sure that each student understands what is going on. After a general lesson to reinforce what was learned in school, he goes around to each student to make sure they have understood the material. His teaching style is very clear and helpful. He goes through details that other teachers skim over. He also introduces methods that are easier and/or faster than what is usually taught. Mr. Shieh is also willing to help any student that needs extra help one-on-one. Overall, I highly recommend Best SAT and Mr. Shieh for any math help. Taking his classes certainly help me raise my grades in high school! read more

In order for Best SAT to work for you, you have to put in the time and effort into the subject. Like any other class in school, the teacher isn't going to breathe down your neck to make sure you've done the prep work. Unlike many other classes, Best SAT has flexible schedules and teachers that help students achieve incredible results for math subject SAT scores (I think 50% of students, after taking the prep courses, score a perfect 800 for math on either their SAT I or SAT IIs...something crazy like that). Mike Shieh is one of the most dedicated and hardworking SAT prep teachers there are. His family owned business model reflects his sincerity in teaching students all that he knows about the subject (this is observed in the fact that both his daughters are incredibly well rounded and attend amazing universities). I've talked to a lot of parents in the area and one name that is continuously repeated is Best SAT. read more

Best SAT is great supplement to honors chem or bio classes (more for chem). Mr lee is an awesome teacher! he really knows his stuff and if you're really struggling in honors chem then classes with him will help clarify everything. The most helpful was his SAT chem class. He has a pretty unique sense of humor and really gets all the material in your head before the test; plus he can answer pretty much any chem question you ask. i got an 800 in chem with best sat. bio wasn't as effective. i had mr murdock and i feel like self studying would have been sufficient for sat bio. but nevertheless the teachers know their stuff and i do recommend best sat. read more

I took their SAT I and SAT Chemistry class a few years ago. Mr. Shieh was a mediocre teacher at best. He did teach me a few time-saving tricks my SAT I math. His accent, however, made it difficult to understand him sometimes. Their SAT I writing teacher was HORRIFIC. She was oddly obsessed with the fantasy genre (especially fairies). She spent a long time talking about some Lord of the Rings convention she want to and teach us anything useful. Overall, Best SAT's teacher quality is sub-par. The SAT Chemistry class did not really help either. The teacher droned on, not caring if the students were actually paying attention or understanding the material. I was averaging low 600s on my practice tests. When I finished the class, I decided to take my SAT Chemistry test. After an hour of struggle at the test center, I canceled my test right after. I went home, self-studied for the summer, retook the test in October, and got a 740. read more

I took his SAT I for math, and i found him absolutely amazing. Mr. Shieh is a pretty chill guy but i can understand that some people will find him a little creepy as he just kind of sits there waiting until you finish the problems that he assigns you. But he's a fairly strong teacher overall, i started in my sophomore year at his place and i must say it has been very helpful. He uses repetition to teach his students (as the case with me). I have gone through 2 SAT books, the Kaplan and the Blue book. He taught me small and easy tricks to hard problems that would have taken me a couple minuets to figure out. His one-on-one class is very well structured, taking a diagnostic test to evaluate your strength and weaknesses, and working from there. I started around a 620-650 and Mr. Shieh has helped me work my way up to the 750's. I highly recommend Best SAT along with Mr. Shieh for any help in math whether the SAT's, GMATS, or school in general. He's a really nice guy and is always willing to help. Keep in mind he's not in for the money, if he feels that you have achieved his standards, he will tell you to stop coming and refund what's left of the tuition (case with my cousin with the SAT). read more

Be very careful!!! It is Best SAT. It is a best Scam artist. Don't take any class from this place, before reading this post. I registered SAT classes for my kids. Mr. Shieh told me he teaches SAT for 30 years. Price is extremely high. I was thinking if it is good, price is fine. However, at first class, my kids told me he is a terrible teacher. They never had this kind of bad teacher in their life. He simply cannot explain a problem. I had to ask refund at same day after first class. He deducted $600 for deposit. I never paid deposit. I paid he full price at one time. I have to take him to court. read more

Extreme cheapskates who only care about a profit and not about the quality of their teaching. They tout a policy that you can get a refund within 3 classes. The 3rd class was on a Friday and the teacher left after so I called Monday morning to cancel and lo and behold they would not let me cancel. So I said fine, can you give me credit and I'll take a class on a different subject and again the answer was no. We pay a lot of money for these classes and would have liked to stay with this learning center but the selfish miser of an owner who does not understand the meaning of customer service makes it impossible. DO NOT RECOMMEND AT ALL. You are much better off at a different prep place such as Elite read more

Honestly, I don't know a more genuine business than Best SAT. Not only is it the oldest and most experienced learning prep center in the area, it is by far the most effective. Mr. Shieh has dedicated his entire life, and it shows. He is patient, kind, and knows exactly how to teach one to master a math problem. 90% of the students consistently get 780 or higher, and that has never wavered in the 25 years he has taught. As far as the other subjects, I personally know that I would not have done as well as I have without the help of Best SAT. Mr. Murdock is an amazing biology teacher--he gives you just the amount of information that you need so you don't overstudy anything that you wouldnt need to know. If you don't know, the chemistry teacher, Alex Lee, is the best in the Bay Area. He has a similar success rate to Mr. Shieh and is remarkable at explaining the material. For anyone who has doubts, please reach out. I don't think I've interacted with a more personal business and will speak highly of Best SAT for years to come. read more

I took their Math tutoring class Perfect place for slow learners like me. Constant repetition is the best way to learn for me, and if you don't get something, he will try other ways to help you learn the material. in example using diagrams or other formulas. Patient teacher, Mike Shieh, will give you his best to help you learn the material. If there is anything you need help with, he will definitely help you. The problem here is that most people don't understand what Mike's class is about, homework help is the main detail in his classes. Tutoring is mostly for other classes EX. the SAT chemistry class. (not to mention Mr. Lee the chem teacher there is hella boss) (garunteed learning in his class). One must ask questions in order to receive the tutoring one wants. If you dont ask for something, don't expect to get anything. 5 stars.... take their chemistry too read more

The class did not help at all! What a waste of money! Teacher does not know how to teach.

I took their Math tutoring class. I am not the best at math but this place has helped me maintain a good grade. If you do not understand the material, the tutor will help you in the best way possible. Mr. Shieh teaches with a positive attitude and does his best to help you succeed. read more

Best SAT helped me a lot. Mr. Shieh not only helped me achieve an A in precalculus, and AP Calculus BC but also helped me attain an 800 on the SAT Math II test. Mr. Murdock was also a great physics teacher who was really organized and prepared. The papers he gave me were far more useful than what my AP Physics teacher gave me to study for the AP test. read more

mike "shay" the math teacher won't win any awards for teacher of the year in my book. doesn't give a hoot if his students learn the material or not. his teaching style is impersonal and rote. that means, if you don't understand it the first time, you'll hear the exact same, dry explanation again. and again. and again. bare bone, drab surroundings and not cheap, either. read more