Olympiad Preparation
- US Biology Olympiad (USABO)
- US Medicine and Disease Olympiad (USMDO)
Course Preparation
- AP Chemistry
- AP Biology
- IBET/Honor Biology
- Honor Physics
- Honor/TJ Summer Chemistry
Our goal is simple: To create learning success stories, one student at a time.
I have BS/MS degrees in Chemistry and PhD degree in Biochemistry and currently working in a private company as a scientist.
For the last 20 years, I have committed to provide the highest quality tutoring for courses like AP Chem, AP Bio, AP Environmental Science, IBET, summer chem, and Olympiads for students at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST). My goal is to help students maximize the efficiency of their study time and to ensure that TJ students reach their academic potential. Many of my students have received ‘A’s in their classes, 5 on their AP exams, and 800s on their SAT II (when SAT II was there). Also successful in Olympiad exams.
For AP Exams, my recommendation is to start AP subjects preview from the summer and to continue taking lessons until the following May. This is because it is not as easy to recover GPA if students start lessons only after receiving low grades in the first semester. Many think that it is a good challenge to study by him/herself and receive high grades. This is a fine approach for some, but not for all. And even if a student can receive an ‘A’ by studying independently, they may waste time that could be better devoted to other academics/activities—or to sleep more. My students have unanimously say that my help has greatly increased their studying efficiency and managed their limited time for other activities.
Many students who were helped could get admission from Yale, Princeton, Harvard and MIT every year.
After COVID-19, my class is done by Skype internet only.
My class will be summarized very well and provide good practice problems. Problem solving is the best way to understand.
Picture of my class in 2019. Now, all by skype internet class
Biology Olympiad (USABO) tutoring: 2024-2025 class time for Feb 2025 exam
Class Time: Fri 830-1030 pm (EST) from Feb 2nd Fri, 2024 to the end of Nov (2 hr class)
11 REVIEW Session: Fri Dec 6 to Fri Jan 31st and additional classes during winter break (3 hrs class)
This class is for TJ students as well as students in all 50 states.
Current 8th, 9th, and 10th graders can start from Feb 2nd, 2024. Even 6th graders attended and understood as much as high school students.
Recent year's result: (more data are in Bio and 7th/8th graders sections)
2018 exam results: Taught 4 TJ freshmen, 3 freshmen made it scored as high as 28. (The fourth student joined Nov and had one point below the cut-off, 21. more sophomores and juniors)
2019 exam results: a total of 9 students passed, 1 freshman, 4 sophomores, 4 junior/senior (can be more, 29 in VA, 25 in TJ, 592 in the nation)
2020 exam results: 2 Freshmen, 2 Sophomores, 5 Juniors. One freshman took Skype session in NJ and one sophomore in TX who got the highest score in the 2020 open exam.
2021 exam results: total 11 passed and 6 students got over 30 score including students in NJ, TX and CA. One student passed the second round and becomes the finalist and another student ranked in the top 50. They took both 1st and 2nd round classes.
2022 exam results: Total 8 passed. 4 students got 30 to 40. 40 is the 2nd best in the nation. Two students are selected for the finalists in NJ and VA.
2023 exam results: 9 students who attended 2022-2023 class took the exam and 8 passed. Class had prospective middle school students and unfortunately, some high school students could not take the exam due to registration mistakes at school. 6 previous students reported to pass. This year's exam used shorter sentences in the most of problems and so it looked easy but as hard as the previous one (24 is cutoff). Since students understood basic concepts well, they could solve confidently regardless of problem types.
2024 exam results: 7 students passed who attended 2023-2024 and 2022-2023 classes. 4 students won with over 30. Cutoff 23. The highest score was 39. Students with18-22 received Honorable Mention Certificate that is new from this year. Hope they can make it next year.
Will finish Campbell Biology book by Nov and review during Dec/2024 to Feb, 2025 (non-tj students in all 50 states can take via Skype)covers 1,300 page/56 chapter content. Session hours can be mostly more than 2 hours to cover all the details in Campbell Biology and some 2nd rd content and to solve released exam problems (so, actual total time is more than 90 hours). Teaching less than 72 hours of Campbell book cannot cover all the details. Review session will be done mainly with old exams and with content from 2nd round books because Biolympiad Open exam has problems beyond Campbell Biology book.
The 1st round class will be recorded and so can be given if start late. Classes are recorded. Late attendees can watch the previous videos and catch up with the current class.
For 2nd round exam study essential parts of Plant Biology book, Biochemistry book, Cell Biology book, Genetics, Animal Physiology, Evolution, Systematics, and Ecology book which are all college books.
2024 2nd round exam prep: Students who passed the second round exam were all accepted by MIT. This year's seniors (2023) who won the finalist coud go MIT and Harvard. It inspired me to continue the second round class. It started from July and paused Dec/Jan because they needs to concentrate on the 1st round exam. Pass this year's 1st/2nd round exam does not guarantee next year's exams. Please, conatct about this class. Feb/Mar 2024, we will continue the second round class by solving old 2nd round exams.
* A middle school student is taking the current USABO class (2023) and won the 2023 National Science Bee Champion and also got the 1st place on the National Biology Exam. The student answered all chemistry/biology questions before other students answered.
USMDO: US Medicine and Disease Olympiad
This is a new bio-Olympiad. My USABO class covers USMDO contents. USABO class of units of I II III and VII covers USMDO. In addition, human physiology in my USABO second round class can boost USMDO exam.
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TJ Summer Chem for 2024: (All school students for Honor/pre AP can attend)
Start from Jan 14th, 2024 to June/2024 online session. Every Sunday from 12 to 2 pm EST
Due to the mid-term exams, students may not start from this date. Late-joining students can take the recorded class videos.
Usually, TJ school summer chem covers >85% of AP chem within 6 weeks and so this summer teaching is very difficult without proper preparation. TJ summer chem used publisher's AP PowerPoint slides and another company's on-line exam problems. Once they understood my teaching well, the exam was easier. My students who took this course could study well in ap chem. (Langley/McLean HS in VA students could pass Chem Olympiad after taking my summer chem course and ap chem). Even 7th/8th graders took this, understood well, and could prepare USNCO early.
IBET (TJ 9th grade honor biology) and pre-USABO class
for rising 6, 7, 8, 9th graders in 2024
This course covers IBET biology textbook and ~85% of Campbell AP biology book. Many smart students are not satisfied with middle school science and there are not great teaching places for them. This class helps smart young students understand biology earlier and them prepare for the science Olympiad and USA Biology Olympiad. The teaching covers about ~85% of each chapter in AP biology book and is connected to USA Biology Olympiad in high school. Since no honor biology book is good for smart students, I use Campbell Biology In Focus book and cover TJ honor biology-level parts. This way, students get used to Campbell book, understand biology systematically and feel easy to study AP Campbell biology book for Biology Olympiad. After this course, students join USABO class that starts Feb 2025. USABO class covers 100% of the USABO book and a lot of extra topics for USABO exam because USABO exam content is more than Campbell AP bio book.
If there are enough students, the class will start from May 5th, 2024, and ends Dec 2024. Every Sun, 430-630 pm EST. If join late, students can review the recorded videos.
AP Bio/AP Chem for May/2024 exam
If there are enough students, the class will start from mid Feb.
Total ~22 hours.
AP Bio/AP Chem During Summer
If there are enough students, the class will start from mid June to mid Aug.
Total ~50 hours (25 sessions). 2-3 classes a week
Contact:
Bio & Chem Preparation Academy
Charles Lee
10617 Jones St Fairfax VA 22030
(Near the Fairfax Court House)
E-mail: Charles22033@yahoo.com and one of the following emails
Summer chem: summerchemfortj@gmail.com
pre-USABO/IBET: ibetfortj@gmail.com
USABO: usaboexam@gmail.com
(Please, send to both address, just in case it is delivered to a spam)
I am working at a pharmaceutical company. Due to heavy amount of work, I stopped servicing AP environmental Science, AP BIO, AP chem and honor chem. I will come back for these classes later.
For AP chem/Honor chem, TJ summer chem can cover them.
For AP Bio, students can take some part of USABO class.
When you email, please fill out followings. These are optional, not mandatory. Please, give me some info.
Student name:
Grade.
State.
School.
Parent name/email
Phone number.
skype ID:
Have read Campbell biology book?
Any prior class(es) for chem and bio?
Class is done via skype.
1) Go to skype.com
2) make ID.
3) invite me. My ID is APCHEMBIO.
4) I will reply. Then we can communicate.
Here are some testimonials
Student1
After the first quarter, I thought it was impossible to get an A in AP Chemistry, even after meeting with multiple tutors. Dr. Lee, however, helped me get A in the class, a 5 on the AP, and an 800 on my Chemistry SAT II! I was so pleased with his help.
Student 2
Since I didn’t take summer chemistry, I struggled in AP Biology, which requires a strong chemistry background. Fortunately, thanks to Dr. Lee’s help, I was able to maintain an A all year in AP Biology and got 5 in AP!
Student 3
After taking summer chemistry, I thought that AP Chemistry would be easy. It wasn’t, but by working with Dr. Lee, I’ve been able to keep an A in the class.
Student 4
Dr. Lee's easy explanations simplified summer chemistry for me and helped me end up with an A. His short and concise teaching helped me do other activities.
Student 5
I took AP Environmental Course for about 20 hours for 6 days just before the test. It was more than enough for me to get 5. His summary and material were super excellent.
Student 6
It is very hard to hear that students get 800 in Bio SAT subject in TJ. Oh! My god! I got 800 in SATII subject! HIs last minute summary was very helpful.
Student 7
I will major in law and so IBET was not my favorite subject. Teacher's explanation was too much to catch up. Dr. Lee's explanation helped me get out of the hell. I should have met him from the beginning.
Students 8.(after National Chem Olympiad test. But not selected as one of 20 in the nation. of course this student got A, 5, 800 in chem)
All the calculation problems I feel good about. I practiced a lot, so I could do them quickly. I know some people who only did the first question on the free response out of 8 total questions. Some didn't even finish the free response questions. I managed to finish all the free response questions with some extra time left, so I think I was fast.
Students 9
I am very happy to let you know that I made USABO semifinals!!!! I came 2nd in THE ENTIRE SCHOOL!!!, the only person who beat me was a junior student, I beat tons of other kids. It means that I am the first in sophomore. THIS IS VERY GOOD NEWS!!!!!! Thank you so much for your support, I really appreciate it. I will talk to you later since I am in school right now.
From Parents- whose kid took AP chem, AP Bio, and AP ES together in the sophomore year. (started with me after getting lower grade than expected in school)
It is with tears in my eyes that I thank you for all you did to help my son. He got 800 for Chemistry and 800 for Biology. I will never never be able to thank you enough. (sent June after receiving SAT score) We got back from vacation and checked his AP scores. He got 5 for Bio, Chem, Environmental Science. Once again, thank you so much for preparing him so well for the exams. He could not have done it without your guidance and instruction. In the short time, he was with you, you helped him see his capabilities and strengths and to not give up. I am very happy about these results for him. (sent July after receiving AP score)
Student 10 (after freshman year in a college whose major is chemical engineering. got A, 5, 800 in chem)
I just wanted to say with your help I have acquired not only understanding of general chemistry but also confidence which laid a solid foundation that continues to help me with various courses and my chemical engineering major. Thank You.
Students 11
Who can teach three AP subjects well in the world!! He integrated them well and so I felt I learned one subject for two years. After learning three, I felt chem, bio, environmental science are all one subject. Got all three 5. Thanks.
Student 12
Thank you for all of your knowledge you shared with me as well as your guidance. Even if three hours every Saturday night seemed too long and tiring, I always felt they were well-spent. I'm pretty sure that you are the only teacher in the world that can cover a whole unit in three hours. :) your subject-related jokes and stories also made each session fun and exciting. I have a lot to say and I didn't know how to say it, but overall, I am very thankful to have met you and I learned from you. It has been a little under two years, but I feel as if I have known you for much longer. You are like an uncle to me. Your care and consideration, from staying up late to check homework, (...), have helped this humanities-loving girl gain confidence as a student of science. I will definitely repay all of your kindness and efforts as a CEO or other successful person someday! Sincerely
Student 13
My daughter was encouraged by Dr. Lee. She never studied late. However, after she took his class, I must persuade her to sleep early. Great encouraging teacher Dr. Lee is!!!!
Students 14
I never expected I could pass biology Olympiad in 9th grade. From 8th grader after TJ exam, I was trained very well by Dr. Lee and I made it. His way of delivering topics is concise and very efficient
Student 15
I studied AP bio book for USABO. I thought I understood well. After taking Dr. Lee's explanation, I could understand more deeply and connect same concepts in different chapters, which was almost impossible by myself. Anyway, thanks to his lecture, I could pass USABO in freshman year.
Parents 16
My 9 years old boy took ap bio and got 5 in AP exam and 800 in SAT. Continued to take ap chem at age 10 and also got 5 and 800. I attempted to send several academies but Dr. Lee's academy was the only place he wanted to go.
Student 17
I am a home school student after leaving a private school. I took courses at George Mason and NOVA. The speed of teaching in there was slow. Dr. Lee teaches very fast because all students want to catch all of his explanation and so I could turn on my brain for 2 hours of USABO class. He covers much more than Campbell biology book because of the exam content. I hope I can pass USABO exam next year.
Student 18
My first kid was dominant over the second one in academia and activities. I was not happy to observe the second one felt inferiority to the first one. After hard study with Dr. Lee, the second one could pass USABO exam with high score. The second one shouted that I could pass USABO competition that the first one could not make. From this moment, he had more confidences in all. I cried because the second one did not express inferiority that he had not openly expressed. Passing USABO was a small gift compared to obtaining his confidence.
(my addition. he could get the highest grade in freshman chemistry in an Ivy school)
Student 19
My daughter took Dr, Lee's TJ summer chem with TJ 9th graders at her 7th. Unexpectedly, she could catch Dr. Lee's points very well. So, at 8th grader, she continued AP chem. I hope this early start can help her win Chem Olympiad.
(my addition. she passed it at 9th grade)
Student 20
My son, 7th grader, is taking USABO class and took TJ summer chem this year. I majored in chemistry and my husband is MD. I took chem class and review together. Dad is taking USABO class and review together. Dr, Lee's lecture was easy to catch for my son who inspired all my family.
Student 21
I was fortunate enough to take classes from Dr. Lee starting from the summer of 8th grade through the winter of 10th grade. I was able to learn the basics very well through lectures on all the chapters of Campbell’s Biology, which was supplemented with going through past USABO questions and reviewing other textbooks. In 9th grade, I passed open exam and managed to qualify for semifinals, but didn’t do particularly well. In 10th grade, I did much better on both the open and semifinal rounds, mostly due to the additional textbooks that I’d begun learning material from Dr. Lee's 2nd round class. In 11th grade, I did slightly better on semifinals and managed to qualify for the training camp.
Although dedicated studying for the USABO helped me greatly, being an active member of my school’s Science Olympiad and Science Bowl teams also gave me a lot more biology knowledge that I found to be useful for doing well on the USABO exams. I also found that reviewing unfamiliar topics found in past USABO questions was incredibly helpful.
(my addition: passed 1st round exam in 9th, 1st/2nd round in 10th (top 50 in the 2nd round exam), 1st/2nd round in 11th (in top 20, so passed the semifinal and had summer USABO training camp. He showed a fantastic progress that colleges love.)
Student 22
My son joined the USABO class in his 6th year and understood very well. He loved Dr. Lee's lecture. He took it again in 7th grade and also TJ summer chemistry. Thanks to Dr. Lee's teaching he could win in the middle school science competitions in 7th grade. In 8th grade (2023 Fall), he took the 1st round class again and also the 2nd round class. Hope he has a good fruits in 2025/2026 USABO exams.
(my addition: this student won the 2023 National Science Bee Champion and also got the 1st place on the National Biology Exam in his 7th grade. The student answered all chemistry/biology questions before other students answered according to parents. I provide college-level problems for USABO class. He could solve each chapter with >90% in 6th grade. He claimed that he read each chapter ~20 time. I questioned during class that how he could remember and answer well. His answer was reading 20X. He inspired me to teach more.)
Test Preparation
- AP Chemistry
- AP Biology