Cracking the SAT II: Biology E/M, 2001-2002 Edition (Princeton Review: Cracking the SAT Biology E/M Subject Test) [Paperback]

Judene Wright (Author)

Book Description

Series: Princeton Review: Cracking the SAT Biology E/M Subject Test | Publication Date: March 20, 2001

The Princeton Review realizes that acing the SAT II: Biology E/M exam is very different from getting straight As in school. They don't try to teach students everything there is to know about biology--only what they'll need to score higher on the exam. There's a big difference. In Cracking the SAT II: Biology E/M, The Princeton Review will teach test takers how to think like the test makers and:

* Score higher by reviewing key biology concepts
* Earn more points by becoming familiar with the format of the test
* Safeguard against test traps that can lower scores
* Perfect skills by practicing review questions in each chapter

*** This book includes 2 full-length simulated SAT II: Biology E/M exams. All of the sample test questions are just like the ones test takers will see on the actual exam, and every solution is fully explained.

Contents Include:

I Introduction
Point 1: Approaching the Test Strategically
Point 2: Teaching You the Biology You Need to Know to do Well on the Exam
II The Exam Format, Question Types, and Strategies
The Format
Classification Questions
Five-Choice Questions
Laboratory Five-Choice Questions
Strategy 1: Study the Right Stuff the Right Way
Strategy 2: Practice the Right Stuff at the Right Time
Strategy 3: Easy Stuff First
Strategy 4: Take a Guess, but Guess Smart
Strategy 5: Choosing the "Wrong" Answer--Least/Except/Not Questions
Strategy 6: I, II, III--You're Out!
Strategy 7: Avoid the Camouflage Trap
Strategy 8: Avoiding the Temptation Trap--Predict an Answer
Strategy Summary
Special Tips for Laboratory Five-Choice Questions
III Cracking Cellular and Molecular Biology
Biologically Important Macromolecule #1: Protein
Biologically Important Macromolecule #2: Carbohydrate
Biologically Important Macromolecule #3: Lipid
Biologically Important Macromolecule #4: Nucleic Acid
Eukaryotic Cell Structure
What Goes On in the Cytoplasm: Chemical Reactions and Enzymes
Time to Talk about Cellular Respiration
Glycolysis
The Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex (PDC)
The Krebs Cycle
Electron Transport and Oxidative Phosphorylation
What Happens if Oxygen is NOT Available?
DNA Replicates Itself
Chromosomes
How chromosomes Govern Protein Synthesis: Transcription and Translation
More About Translation
How Translation Works, Part 1: tRNA
How Translation Works, Part 2: The Ribosome
How a Whole Cell Reproduces Itself: Mitosis
IV Cracking Genetics
Remember Why Chromosomes are Important
The Formation of Gametes: Meiosis
Let's Get Back to Genetics
Phenotype and Genes
Mating and Crossing
Punnett Squares
Sex and Sex-Linked Traits
Pedigree Analysis
V Cracking Evolution and Diversity
The Origin of Life
Evolution
Getting Organized: Phylogeny
Kingdom Monera
Kingdom Protista
Kingdom Plantae
Kingdom Fungi
Kingdom Animalia
VI Cracking the Structure and Functions of Organisms
Control of the Body, Part 1--The Nervous System
Control of the Body, Part 2--The Endocrine System
Transport Within the Body--The Circulatory System
Blood Typing
The Heart
Ventilation and Gas Exchange
Body Processing, Part 1--The Digestive System
Body Processing, Part 2-- The Urinary system
Support and Protection of the Body, Part 1--The Skeletal System
Support and Protection of the Body, Part 2--The Muscular System
Support and Protection of the Body, Part 3--The Skin
Reproduction and Development, Part 1--The Male System
Reproduction and Development, Part 2--The Female System
Reproduction and Development, Part 3--Fertilization, Embryology, and Fetal Development
The Structures and Functions of Plants
Behavior, Learning, and Coexistence
The Structures and Functions of Microorganisms
VII Cracking Ecology
What is a Population?
What is a Community?
More about the Community--Who's Who
Let's Talk about Ecological Succession
Getting Bigger--The Ecosystem
What Goes Around Comes Around--Nutrient Cycles
Getting Bigger Again--Biomes
VIII The Princeton Review SAT II: Biology E/M Subject Tests

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

The Princeton Review realizes that acing the SAT II: Biology E/M exam is very different from getting straight As in school. They don't try to teach students everything there is to know about biology--only what they'll need to score higher on the exam. There's a big difference. In Cracking the SAT II: Biology E/M, The Princeton Review will teach test takers how to think like the test makers and:

* Score higher by reviewing key biology concepts
* Earn more points by becoming familiar with the format of the test
* Safeguard against test traps that can lower scores
* Perfect skills by practicing review questions in each chapter

*** This book includes 2 full-length simulated SAT II: Biology E/M exams. All of the sample test questions are just like the ones test takers will see on the actual exam, and every solution is fully explained.

Contents Include:

I Introduction
Point 1: Approaching the Test Strategically
Point 2: Teaching You the Biology You Need to Know to do Well on the Exam
II The Exam Format, Question Types, and Strategies
The Format
Classification Questions
Five-Choice Questions
Laboratory Five-Choice Questions
Strategy 1: Study the Right Stuff the Right Way
Strategy 2: Practice the Right Stuff at the Right Time
Strategy 3: Easy Stuff First
Strategy 4: Take a Guess, but Guess Smart
Strategy 5: Choosing the "Wrong" Answer--Least/Except/Not Questions
Strategy 6: I, II, III--You're Out!
Strategy 7: Avoid the Camouflage Trap
Strategy 8: Avoiding the Temptation Trap--Predict an Answer
Strategy Summary
Special Tips for Laboratory Five-Choice Questions
III Cracking Cellular and Molecular Biology
Biologically Important Macromolecule #1: Protein
Biologically Important Macromolecule #2: Carbohydrate
Biologically Important Macromolecule #3: Lipid
Biologically Important Macromolecule #4: Nucleic Acid
Eukaryotic Cell Structure
What Goes On in the Cytoplasm: Chemical Reactions and Enzymes
Time to Talk about Cellular Respiration
Glycolysis
The Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex (PDC)
The Krebs Cycle
Electron Transport and Oxidative Phosphorylation
What Happens if Oxygen is NOT Available?
DNA Replicates Itself
Chromosomes
How chromosomes Govern Protein Synthesis: Transcription and Translation
More About Translation
How Translation Works, Part 1: tRNA
How Translation Works, Part 2: The Ribosome
How a Whole Cell Reproduces Itself: Mitosis
IV Cracking Genetics
Remember Why Chromosomes are Important
The Formation of Gametes: Meiosis
Let's Get Back to Genetics
Phenotype and Genes
Mating and Crossing
Punnett Squares
Sex and Sex-Linked Traits
Pedigree Analysis
V Cracking Evolution and Diversity
The Origin of Life
Evolution
Getting Organized: Phylogeny
Kingdom Monera
Kingdom Protista
Kingdom Plantae
Kingdom Fungi
Kingdom Animalia
VI Cracking the Structure and Functions of Organisms
Control of the Body, Part 1--The Nervous System
Control of the Body, Part 2--The Endocrine System
Transport Within the Body--The Circulatory System
Blood Typing
The Heart
Ventilation and Gas Exchange
Body Processing, Part 1--The Digestive System
Body Processing, Part 2-- The Urinary system
Support and Protection of the Body, Part 1--The Skeletal System
Support and Protection of the Body, Part 2--The Muscular System
Support and Protection of the Body, Part 3--The Skin
Reproduction and Development, Part 1--The Male System
Reproduction and Development, Part 2--The Female System
Reproduction and Development, Part 3--Fertilization, Embryology, and Fetal Development
The Structures and Functions of Plants
Behavior, Learning, and Coexistence
The Structures and Functions of Microorganisms
VII Cracking Ecology
What is a Population?
What is a Community?
More about the Community--Who's Who
Let's Talk about Ecological Succession
Getting Bigger--The Ecosystem
What Goes Around Comes Around--Nutrient Cycles
Getting Bigger Again--Biomes
VIII The Princeton Review SAT II: Biology E/M Subject Tests

About the Author

Judene Wright holds a master's degree in physiology and biophysics from the University of California, Irvine, and a bachelor's degree in animal physiology from the University of California, San Diego. Judene is a senior lecturer in biology with The Princeton Review, and is the senior biology developer and editor for The Princeton Review Hyperlearning medical-based preparatory courses (MCAT, DAT, OAT, and MedStart). She has developed The Princeton Review SAT II Biology E/M preparatory course, and is also involved in training new instructors for The Princeton Review. She also teaches anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry at several universities and community colleges in California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Princeton Review; 2001-2002 edition (March 20, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375761810
• ISBN-13: 978-0375761812
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #673,515 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book was excellent, November 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Cracking the SAT II: Biology E/M, 2001-2002 Edition (Princeton Review: Cracking the SAT Biology E/M Subject Test) (Paperback)

Most other SAT II Bio books such as the Kaplans and Peterson are to in-depth and try to cram too much knowledge into your head. This book goes over exactly what you need to know, and presents the information in a very practical way.

The great thing is that the two practice tests are almost identical to the real SAT's. If you MUST get one book, this is the one. If you would like two, then I recommend this and the Kaplan.

BTW I got an 800 with this and the Kaplan combined

P.S. The Peterson's is completely off track and gives so much extraneous information that it's practically better to buy a textbook than use that. The Kaplan is lengthy and deep but provide you with some of the small tid-bits of knowledge that MIGHT be on the test.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Book Cover Only the Basics, February 1, 2002

By 

Anthony (Orange County, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cracking the SAT II: Biology E/M, 2001-2002 Edition (Princeton Review: Cracking the SAT Biology E/M Subject Test) (Paperback)

I took the test recently and I only chose this book to study from. The only reason I chose this book because based on the ratings given by the raters at Amazon.com. I came to be disappointed by the results, because most of the responses were not fairly accurate from what I see.
The book first of all does touch most of the basics and topics of the ideas but it does not help you eliminate most of the answers. I was able to complete half the test fairly okay but the other half I could not comprehend because the topics were explained very briefly. The vocabulary covered such as speciation was covered in the book, but it still lacked vocabulary that I did not know.
Another dissappointing thing about the topic was that it did not cover the anatomy of the ear which was covered on the test. Also, the pictures in the book were confusing. The pictures were totally different from the real SAT II that could throw people off. Finally, the test questions were not fairly accurate because it was too simple in comparison to the real test. The book is only great study tool if you combine with another book to study from.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great, but lacking, January 14, 2004

By 

Lana Shusterman (staten island, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cracking the SAT II: Biology E/M, 2003-2004 Edition (College Test Prep) (Paperback)

Well I've taken the test and I did fairly well, a 740, decent, but not great. However I managed to go through about 3/4 of this book and finished the rest later just for the heck of it. So here's essentially the basis of this book. First the sections give you generally accurate information and provide you with practice sets and questions after each section. However, though most sections cover 80-100 percent of the needed SAT II information there are some key lacking points. Firs the ear and eyes are not covered. And let me tell you this: THERE IS ALMOST ALWAYS A QUESTION ON THEM! Yes two tests in a row there have been questions on the eyes and ears, hm... Also genetics is a bit brief, while evolution is simply great. Also let me note that the SAT II had fewer molecular questions in general in the regular exam part, then analysis and organism biology. So using this with the Kaplan book, and studying will likely get you at least a 750-800 depending on study time.