Alex Heimbach

Alex graduated with honors from University of Chicago, receiving a BA in English and Anthropology, and then went on to earn an MA at NYU in Cultural Reporting and Criticism. In high school, she was a National Merit Scholar, took 12 AP tests and scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and ACT. She also has over 5 years of tutoring experience, during which she worked with almost a hundred students.
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Recent Posts

Do You Need SAT Scores to Transfer Colleges?

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Posted by Alex Heimbach | September 19, 2022

SAT

Determining all the different requirements for transferring colleges can be a huge hassle. One of the most common questions students have is whether they need to submit SAT scores to apply as transfer students.

There's no single answer to this question, but this guide will explain some common policies about SAT scores for transfer applicants. It'll also go over how to determine whether you need to submit SAT scores and how much attention schools pay to these scores when they also have your grades from another college.

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Should You Take the ACT With or Without Writing?

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Posted by Alex Heimbach | September 18, 2022

ACT, ACT Writing

Because ACT Writing is optional, many students are unsure whether they need to add the extra 40 minutes to the test. However, there's a simple answer to whether you should take the ACT with writing or without writing: it depends on whether the colleges you want to apply to require a writing score.

This guide will walk you through how the ACT writing section got started, how to determine whether you should take the ACT with or without Writing, and some other considerations you may want to keep in mind.

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Can You Take the SAT Online? A Guide to Computerized Testing

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Posted by Alex Heimbach | September 4, 2022

SAT

With all the news about the new digital SAT, you may be wondering if you can take the SAT online now. However, now that it's possible to take the SAT on a computer, that doesn't mean you can take the exam at home or any time you log onto the internet. 

What is taking the digital SAT like and how is it different from taking the SAT online? This guide will answer all your questions!

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The 12 Best Creative Writing Colleges and Programs

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Posted by Alex Heimbach | August 1, 2022

College Info

Finding a dedicated creative writing program at a school you're excited about can be a real challenge, and that's even before you start worrying about getting in. Nonetheless, there are some great options. In order to help you find the best school for you, this list rounds up some of the best colleges for creative writing in the United States.

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How to Teach the SAT: Best Tips for Tutors and Parents

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Posted by Alex Heimbach | January 17, 2022

SAT

When I started working as a professional tutor, I was fresh out of college with few qualifications other than high test scores and some volunteer experience. I struggled with tutoring my first few students—I didn't feel comfortable giving them assignments and I struggled to figure out how best to use our lesson time.

But after years of tutoring, I became thoroughly familiar with the ins and outs of the whole process. I've drawn on my hard-earned knowledge to create this guide laying out the key steps to helping someone excel at the SAT so that you know where to start when tutoring your own student or child. A big part of being a great tutor is being properly prepared—these seven steps will set you on the right path to raising your student's score:

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Do You Need to Take Both the ACT and SAT?

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Posted by Alex Heimbach | August 1, 2021

SAT versus ACT, ACT, SAT

As a high school student, I took both the SAT and the ACT. I’d been taking the SAT every couple of years since I was in middle school, so I planned to focus primarily on it. However, as a public school student in Colorado, I was required to take the ACT by my school. My scores on the two tests were relatively similar and I ended up submitting both.

Taking both tests, whether because of school requirements or personal preference, has become an increasingly common choice for students, especially those applying to top colleges. Though it isn’t necessary to take both the ACT and SAT, doing so might be the right plan for you. This guide will walk you through the pro and cons of taking both tests.

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How to Teach the ACT: A Guide for Tutors and Parents

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Posted by Alex Heimbach | June 28, 2021

ACT

I spent four years as a test-prep tutor, working with students on all aspects of the ACT and SAT. When I started out, I knew how to take the tests, but I wasn't that good at teaching them. Over the years, however, I've learned a lot about how to be an effective teacher, and it's largely not about the kinds of tips and tricks you might expect.

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SAT 1 vs SAT 2: What's the Difference?

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Posted by Alex Heimbach | June 19, 2021

SAT Subject Tests, SAT

You might have heard of something called the SAT II (or SAT 2) and wondered what it could be. A secret, harder version of the SAT, perhaps? The reality is less dramatic: the SAT II is just an old name for the SAT Subject Tests.

This guide will explain what the SAT II was and outline the differences between the SAT 1 vs SAT 2.

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What Do Ivy League Schools Think of the ACT?

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Posted by Alex Heimbach | March 15, 2021

SAT versus ACT, ACT

As an ACT tutor, I often fielded questions about whether the test would be looked down on by admissions officers, especially those at Ivy League schools. Because the SAT was the dominant college admissions test for so long, many students and parents worry that—at least in the Northeast—schools still prefer the SAT over the ACT. However, that time has definitely passed, and schools will now accept either test equally.

Read on for a more in-depth explanation of how Ivy League schools view the ACT today, and learn the differences in testing policies that might affect your decision to take the ACT or SAT.

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Average ACT Scores: What They Mean For You

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Posted by Alex Heimbach | October 18, 2020

SAT/ACT Score Target, ACT

The average ACT score for US students is a 20.6. The middle 50% of students score between a 16 and a 25. The following chart breaks down the nationwide average by section:

English

Math

Reading

Science

19.2

20.2

21.2

20.6

 

However, when you’re thinking about college admissions the nationwide average isn’t important: what really matters is the average score of the students you’re being compared with.

If you’re a high achieving student applying to very selective schools you’ll need a score much higher than the national average. If, on the other hand, you’re applying to certain state schools, a 20 is a totally acceptable score.

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Average SAT Scores: What They Are and What They Mean

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Posted by Alex Heimbach | October 10, 2020

SAT

When they first start tutoring, almost all students ask the same question: what is the average SAT score? 

The answer varies a bit every year, but for students in the class of 2019, the average SAT score was a 1051. I’ve created a chart by section below.

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What Is the ACT? A Complete Explanation of the Test

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Posted by Alex Heimbach | January 19, 2020

ACT

If you've found this article, you've probably vaguely heard of the ACT (and if you hadn't before, well, you have now!). Maybe you have some idea that it has something to do with college, but you're still pretty confused about what exactly it is. I'm here to help!

The ACT, like the SAT, is a standardized test used for college admissions. If you're planning to apply to college in the US, you'll almost certainly have to take one of these tests (and you might still need to even if you're planning on going to school outside the US).

This article will take you through everything you need to know about the ACT, including why students take it, what it tests you on, and when you should plan to take it yourself.

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ACT Admission Ticket: What It Is, How to Print, and What to Do If You Lose It

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Posted by Alex Heimbach | October 6, 2019

ACT

If you're planning on taking the ACT, you may know that you'll need an admission ticket (and photo ID) to get into the testing center. Because ACT, Inc. makes such a big deal about these tickets, figuring out how to get it just right can be one of the most stressful parts of registering for the test. But don't worry—the process isn't as complicated as it seems.

This guide will walk you through exactly what the ACT admission ticket is, how to get one, and what to do if you lose yours (it's not as bad you think!).

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Pronoun Agreement on ACT English: Tips and Practice

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Posted by Alex Heimbach | June 22, 2019

SAT Writing, ACT English

Pronoun agreement errors are an especially confusing type of ACT English question because people often misuse pronouns, especially when you speak. In fact, I just made a pronoun mistake: can you spot it?

Take a closer look at the second half of my first sentence: "people often misuse pronouns, especially when you speak." Who is "you" referring to here: "people." However, the correct pronoun for the third person plural is "they." The correct version of the sentence is "people often misuse pronouns, especially when they speak."

On the ACT English section, you'll be expected to spot these kind of errors in a variety of different contexts. I'll go over both the basic rules for pronouns and the common mistakes you'll see on the test, so that you can approach the test with confidence.

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What Is the SAT? A Complete Explanation of the Test

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Posted by Alex Heimbach | May 26, 2019

SAT

If you’re thinking of applying to college, it’s vital that you know what the SAT is and how it will affect your application process.

So what is the SAT? It’s one of two standardized college admissions tests in the US. (The other is the ACT.) It's run by the College Board, a non-profit that also administers the PSAT and the AP (Advanced Placement) program.

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