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 Steve's 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 judgmental 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 couldn't 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 - 140s Quantitative - 140s. Timed Practice Test #1 (PowerPrep) Verbal - 153 Quantitative - 154 Timed Practice Test #2 (PowerPrep) Verbal - 150 Quantitative - 155 ------------------------------------------------------ ACTUAL GRE SCORES Verbal - 159 Quantitative - 155 Analytical Writing - 4.5 read more

My daughter's experience with Steve was wonderful. She had heard about Steve through word of mouth at school, specifically from other athletes who had worked with him and had seen a significant improvement in their ACT score. My daughter had already taken a test prep class through a national test prep company where she went to a number of classes and had homework, but her ACT score did not improve. I reached out to Steve prior to the October ACT hoping to increase her score in a relatively short period of time - I truly did not believe that this would be possible. My daughter was in the end phase of sports recruitment and needed to improve her ACT for more highly selective academic schools. My daughter and a classmate (a small-group) met with Steve for 3 sessions each lasting 2 hours which was more consistent with Steve's "boot camp" approach. They used a variety of materials, including websites, prep books, and lessons to help get her prepared for all the sections of the exam. There was a lot of weekly homework assigned prior to each session, and my daughter was diligent in getting the work completed. Throughout the lessons, Steve kept detailed notes on her performance to help track improvement and keep me updated on her progress. The end result of this "boot camp" ACT test prep which only consisted of a three week period, was a 3-point improvement over her previous top score. Specific score increases included 2-point improvements each in Reading and English, and a whopping 4-point improvement in Science. I would recommend Steve to anyone seeking quality test prep. He utilizes every minute of the sessions, has wonderful test prep material and has a great method for teaching the material. Needless to say, with the increase in her ACT score, my daughter was recruited to her top school. read more

I decided to start preparing in order to return to school to get a Master's degree. Part of that preparation is standardized testing (the dreaded GRE), and I'm not the strongest of test-takers. I'm kind-of deficient in math, but far from thoroughly competent. I'm hoping to pursue a program concentrated on sustainable urban design and development, which demands a higher level of math competency. Statistics? No problem! High school algebra? Wah wah. I'm also a nervous test-taker, and learning skills to help me cope with that nervousness was really important to me. Steve Byer absolutely fit the bill, and exceeded my expectations. After shopping around, I happened upon Steve. He's incredibly personable, easy-going, and funny. Steve charges significantly less than other companies like Kaplan, and I truly feel that Steve cared about my success. After completing 15 hours of test preparation with Steve (we spent an extra session concentrating specifically on math), I was able to go in and confidently take the GRE. I was very well-prepared, and was able to remain calm using skills Steve had taught me during our sessions. My actual test score was significantly higher than scores from practice tests I'd taken prior to hiring Steve. I now have a great GRE score to add into my grad school application portfolio. I cannot recommend Steve highly enough. Steve also helps with ACT, SAT, and other standardized test prep. Where was he when I was in high school? read more

I've never written a Yelp review before, but felt I had to write this one. Steve is DEFINITELY the right tutoring choice. All of the tutors/programs are expensive so I did my homework. After investigating numerous options, I decided to go with Steve to help my son prep for the ACT. Other's seemed to "canned" in their process - we even started with another company and ended not continuing after the initial evaluation. Steve's individual approach created a unique (different from the other methods) baseline score. From there, he focused on test techniques, strategies and weaknesses in all subject areas. He came to our house (which was great) for 10 sessions providing practice materials, website resources, and numerous timed practice tests (full and subject specific). He went over all questions my son had and pointed out short cuts and the best way to approach problems to improve outcomes. Steve is flexible about scheduling and understands each person learns differently. He helped manage expectations and set "realistic and achievable goals". My son was more confident and had less test anxiety as he knew what to expect. He was so excited when he achieved his 1st time test goal score of 34!!! Steve was right on the mark. He's not a miracle worker, but if you are willing to put in the time and effort, Steve can definitely make difference. His methods work and he is such a terrific person. We can't thank him enough for his help and wouldn't recommend anyone else. read more

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 Kaplan's) 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 Steve's 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 Steve's 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 doesn't hurt that he's a nice guy!). I would definitely recommend him to any test taker looking to improve. read more

Steve was outstanding for our daughter. Our daughter is at a boarding school on the east coast but wanted to start test prep this summer while home. Steve and our daughter spent 18 hours in total getting her ready for her ACT and her score improved by 2 points, from a 31 in her untimed baseline that Steve gave to a 33 in her first attempt at the actual test this November. Steve was extraordinarily flexible in his interaction with our daughter, going from in person sessions while she was here at home, to remote and video sessions once she returned to school. He used a variety of materials and assessments to hone in on the specific places where she needed work, and clearly it made a big difference. Maybe most importantly he clearly connected with our daughter and gave her confidence and test taking skills that were important to her, particularly since she did not go into this as a strong standardized test performer. I don't think we could be happier in our choice of Steve--he is an outstanding tutor and truly customizes his interacation with his students in a way that is impressive, delivering not only great results, but a more confident and calmer student who knows they are ready. read more

We signed my daughter up for 5 sessions with Steve for the ACT. She had a very good score, but we were hoping for great -- and it happened. Steve came to the house, spent time focused on the areas where she had opportunities for improvement and helped her get her head around the test. A wonderful experience overall. As a parent, I felt great because: - Steve was very clear about the process -- what to expect and what not to expect. - He communicated with both of us so I could see what he expected as preparation -- it was all very thoughtful and clear in it's purpose. - He followed through in scheduling, keeping his eye on what needed to happen by when. And, he didn't let me drop the ball from a scheduling perspective. - His attitude was positive and encouraging without putting undo stress on my daughter. I would highly recommend Steve based on our experience. A really, really great guy and great tutor. Note: We actually got from good to great after 3 sessions -- which was what we could fit in before her April ACT test at school. We had to sign up for June before we got the results from April and we are still waiting for her June ACT. read more

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! read more

We worked together for about 4hrs over two weeks to get ready for the GRE. We used a variety of materials, including websites, prep books, and one-on-one meetings to help prepare for all portions of the exam. Even though we did not finish a full course of preparation,I still improved substantially on the GRE. Specifically, when we first started together, I had a 142 Quantitative score, and a 149 Verbal. After the 2 week my score improved to a 152 Quantitative and a 155 Verbal for a total improvement of 16 points! Steve is good at explaining the test and strategies needed to improve quickly. While a solid base is need for fast improvement in a short time frame he is able to teach if needed, areas that may not have a solid foundation. The key to my success with Steve was his ability to quickly assess the areas I was the weakest and focus strategies to improve those first. He is easy going and personable. He always tries to use the time as efficiently as possible. He was also willing to drive to my local area making it easier for me to get the help I needed. read more

Steve is truly the person you want as a tutor. First of all, he is a good person! Truly understands what life has to throw at you and he works around it with you. I was able to work with Steve and improve my GRE score by 11 points while working with Steve. He was very understanding through the process and truly helped me reach my full potential. He gave me confidence, different strategies, let me figure out what way is best for me and then he adjusted his teaching methods to the way I learn. The best tutors, professors, etc. are able to adjust to the specific learning of that individual and Steve did just that. He helped in all aspects of preparing me for the GRE and becoming confident in myself. The pricing may seem crazy as an upfront shock, but in comparison to the tutors and tutoring services around the area, he is the best price and you get a lot of perks from material when working with Steve. All in all, he is a really great tutor! Thanks Steve! read more

Steven is without a doubt an exceptional tutor for standardized testing. But he is SO much more than that. He has an incredible ability to "read" his student and tailor the way he teaches and the words he chooses that will best resonate with the individual. We were in awe of the way he interacted with our son Max, who's a junior in high school. Within five minutes of meeting, Steven had our son's complete and total attention For a two hour stretch! As a result of Steven's incredible support, Max earned top scores for both the ACT and SAT. For the ACT, his Composite score improved from a 31 to a 34 on the ACT, including perfect scores of 36 in Science and Reading! On the SAT, Max scored in the top 95% on his first attempt. Through it all, Max felt confident, calm and balanced because of the tremendous support and guidance he continues to receive from Steven. We can't recommend Steven highly enough. He is amazing! read more

Steve helped me tremendously in one two hour session. He did that by being very sensitive to my previous math GRE failures, and he gave me an honest appraisal of where I was and what I was lacking-the basics. Steve used a variety of materials, including websites, prep books and test materials from the official ETS GRE guides, some of which I hadn't seen before. I had been studying inefficiently, trying to solve GRE math question after GRE math question, and not understanding why I just wasn't scoring higher after multiple test attempts. During this diagnostic session, we came up with a detailed plan so I could be as prepared as possible for the next exam. He redirected my course, and I now feel that I am finally on the right track! That is huge! I feel confident that I will be able to achieve the score I need for the grad school of my choice. read more

Steve is a great tutor and teacher, very experienced and punctual, every lesson he was just in time.My daughter was an unusual student - ESL student and her English was very weakness. My daughter and Steve worked together for about 20 hours over 10 sessions to get her ready for the ACT. They used a variety of materials, including websites, prep books, and one-on-one meetings to help get her prepared for all the sections of the exam. Throughout the lessons, Steve kept detailed notes on her performance to help track improvement and keep me updated on her progress. Specifically, through their sessions together, she improved her ACT Composite score by 2 points. This improves her chances of getting into colleges, and came about even with challenges from English as a learned language.Steve gave her real confidence for the ACT. read more

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!!! read more

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 21 Math 22 Reading 23 Science 14 20 Composite September 2018 ACT (OFFICIAL): English: 32 Math: N/A (did not take) Reading: 34 Science: 26 Composite: 27 Because 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. read more

Steve - We want to thank you for the very positive impact you have had on Jordan this year. Your thorough knowledge of the ACT testing process has helped our son develop both his skill and confidence to become a very positive test-taker. We are pleased with the results and grateful for your caring approach. Jordan and Steve worked together for 12 sessions to get him ready for the ACT. We used a variety of materials, including websites, prep books, and one-on-one meetings to help get him prepared for the exam. Specifically, through our sessions together, Jordan scored a 32 on his first ACT ever, which was about 3 points higher than his untimed diagnostic. This composite score included scores of a 35 in Science and a 34 in English. Thanks Steve! read more

We couldn't be more pleased with the results of the ACT prep tutoring sessions our son completed with Steve. We appreciated Steve's professional manner and schedule flexibility. We were also thankful for Steve's pre and post testing communication. You definitely could tell he was sincere in encouraging him to do his best. Steve's ability to focus on our son's testing strengths and weaknesses was instrumental in giving him the confidence to test better. He was able to provide him with testing strategies that improved his composite test score by 4 points. The bonus of these sessions is that he will be able to use these techniques in the future. It was a great and stress free experience for all of us which is difficult to find these days! read more

Stephen worked with my son, Evan, in preparation for taking the ACT in April. They met at a location near our home which was great for us! Stephen was diligent confirming appointments, responding to progress inquiries, and assigning homework and study materials for each session as well as providing great resources for additional self help. He was able to keep my child engaged and was able to help with challenging topics. My son was able to complete the test with more confidence due to the strategies Stephen provided him during their sessions. We saw a 7 point increase in his composite score from practice test to formal test. Five weeks with Stephen proved to be worth their weight in GOLD. Thank you for your help, Stephen! read more

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! read more