From the Back Cover
SAT SUBJECT TEST - BIOLOGY E/M
Master the exam and score higher!
The Most Complete SAT Biology E/M Review
Everything you need to know for the SAT Biology E/M
exam, selected and presented by high school teachers and college instructors with extensive biology experience. Review covers both Biology-E (Ecology) and Biology-M (Molecular).
The Best SAT Biology Practice Exams Available
6 full-length SAT Biology practice tests based on official exam questions released by the College Board – balanced to include every SAT Biology topic and type of question you can expect on the actual exam. 2 full-length exams are also included on CD.
Total Explanations of SAT Biology Exam Questions & Answers
Each SAT Biology practice test comes with detailed feedback on every question. We don’t just say which answers are right – but explain why the others are wrong, so you’ll be prepared for the SAT Biology E/M
exam!
Proven Test Prep Methods
REA’s focused SAT Biology content and practical advice has helped millions of students score higher. With our step-by-step plan, you can get an excellent score on the SAT Biology E/M exam!
Get the World’s Most Advanced SAT Biology Software
REA’s SAT Biology TestWare combines a realistic test environment with the most powerful scoring analysis and diagnostic tools available. With every SAT Biology practice test you take, you’ll gain knowledge and confidence for the real exam. Automatic scoring and instant reports help you zero in on the topics and types of questions that give you trouble now, so you’ll succeed when it counts!
Students with Disabilities – use the only SAT software with an extended time function designed to match your test-day experience.
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Introduction
Preparing for THE SAT BIOLOGY E/M SUBJECT TEST
About the SAT Biology E/M SUBJECT TEST
Who Takes the Test and What Is It Used For?
Students planning to attend college should take the SAT Biology E/M Subject Test if:
(1) Any of the colleges they apply to require the test for admission;
OR
(2) The student wishes to demonstrate proficiency in Biology.
The SAT Biology E/M exam is designed for students who have taken one year of college preparatory biology (either a general survey course or one with emphasis on Ecology or Molecular Biology), a one-year course in algebra, and have laboratory experience. However, due to the variation in high school biology courses, most students will encounter questions that test material with which they are not familiar.
Who Administers The Test?
The SAT Biology E/M Subject Test is developed by the College Board and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). The test development process involves the assistance of educators throughout the country, and is designed and implemented to ensure that the content and difficulty level of the test are appropriate.
When Should the SAT Biology E/M be Taken?
If you are applying to a college that requires Subject Test scores as part of the admissions process, you should take the SAT Biology E/M Subject Test toward the end of your junior year or at the beginning of your senior year. If your scores are being used only for placement purposes, you may be able to take the test in the spring of your senior year. For more information, be sure to contact the colleges to which you are applying.
When and Where Is the Test Given?
The SAT Biology E/M Subject Test is administered six times a year at many locations throughout the United States; most test centers are at high schools. For more information on specific testing dates and locations, consult the registration bulletin or your high school guidance counselor.
To receive information on upcoming administrations of the exam, consult the publication Taking the SAT II: Subject Tests, which may be obtained from your guidance counselor or by contacting:
College Board SAT Program P.O. Box 6200 Princeton, NJ 08541-6200 Phone: (609) 771-7600 E-mail: sat@info.collegeboard.com Website: www.collegeboard.com
Is There a Registration Fee?
Yes. There is a registration fee to take the SAT Biology E/M. Consult the College Board website for information on the fee structure. Financial assistance may be granted in certain situations. To find out if you qualify and to register for assistance, contact your academic advisor.
Can I Use a Calculator?
Calculators are not permitted on the SAT Biology E/M. The metric system of units is used, so review of metric units may be helpful.
Format of the SAT Biology E/M
The Biology E/M is a one-hour exam consisting of 80 multiple-choice questions. Each question has five possible answer choices, lettered (A) through (E). The common core, which appears on both the Biology-E and the Biology-M Tests, consists of 60 questions. It covers Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ecology, Classical Genetics, Organismal Biology, and Evolution and Diversity. Its emphasis is on Organismal Biology.
In addition to the common core, you will be required to take a specialty section comprised of 20 questions, making 80 the total number of questions you will be answering on any form, or in any administration, of the SAT Biology E/M. One of these specialty sections is the Biology-E Test, which covers principles and applications of Ecology. The other specialty section is the Biology-M Test which covers concepts and principles of Molecular Biology. Remember, these specialty sections are taken in addition to the common core. However, you will not be able to take both the Biology-E and the Biology-M Tests in the same administration.
The following chart summarizes the distribution of topics covered on the SAT Biology E/M exam:
Topics Covered Approximate Percentage Approximate Percentage
in Common Core of E Test of M Test
Cellular/Molecular Biology 15 27
Ecology 23 13
Classical Genetics 15 20
Organismal Biology 25 25
Evolution and Diversity 22 15
Note: Every administration of the Biology E/M Test includes 60 common core questions.
About This Book and TESTware®
This book-along with our exclusive TESTware® software-will provide you with an accurate and complete representation of the SAT Biology E/M Subject Test. Inside you will find a course review designed to provide you with the information and strategies needed to do well on the exam, as well as six full-length practice tests based on the actual exam. Three of our model tests are aimed specifically at students taking the Biology-E Test, and three are geared toward those taking the Biology-M Test. REAs practice tests contain every type of question you can expect to encounter on the SAT Biology E/M Test. Following each test, you will find an answer key with detailed explanations to help you master the test material.
Practice Tests 1 and 4 are also included on the enclosed TESTware® CD-ROM. By taking these tests on the computer, you will gain the additional study features and benefits of enforced time conditions.
How to Use This Book
What Do I Study First?
Remember that the SAT Biology E/M Subject Test is designed to test knowledge that has been acquired throughout your education. Therefore, the best way to prepare for the exam is to refresh yourself by thoroughly studying our review material and taking the sample tests provided in this book. They will familiarize you with the types of questions, directions, and format of the SAT Biology E/M Subject Test.
To begin your studies, read over the review and the suggestions for test-taking, take one of the practice tests (Biology-E if you are studying Ecology, or Biology-M if you are studying Molecular Biology) to determine your area(s) of weakness, and then restudy the review material, focusing on your specific problem areas. The course review includes the information you need to know when taking the exam. Be sure to take the remaining practice tests to further test yourself and become familiar with the format of the SAT Biology E/M Subject Test.
When Should I Start Studying?
It is never too early to start studying for the SAT Biology E/M test. The earlier you begin, the more time you will have to sharpen your skills. Do not procrastinate! Last-minute studying and cramming is not an effective way to study, since it does not allow you the time needed to learn the test material. The sooner you learn the format of the exam, the more comfortable you will be when you take the exam.
Test-Taking Tips
Although you may be unfamiliar with standardized tests such as the SAT Biology E/M Subject Test, there are many ways to acquaint yourself with this type of examination and help alleviate your test-taking anxieties.
Become comfortable with the format of the exam. When you are practicing to take the SAT Biology E/M Subject Test, simulate the conditions under which you will be taking the actual test. Stay calm and pace yourself. After simulating the test only a couple of times, you will boost your chances of doing well, and you will be able to sit down for the actual exam with much more confidence.
Know the directions and format for each section of the test. Familiarizing yourself with the directions and format of the exam will not only save you time, but will also ensure that you are familiar enough with the SAT Biology E/M Subject Test to avoid nervousness (and the mistakes caused by being nervous).
Do your scratchwork in the margins of the test booklet. You will not be given scrap paper during the exam, and you may not perform scratchwork on your answer sheet. Space is provided in your test booklet to do any necessary work or draw diagrams.
If you are unsure of an answer, guess. However, if you do guess-guess wisely. Use the process of elimination by going through each answer to a question and ruling out as many of the answer choices as possible. By eliminating three answer choices, you give yourself a fifty-fifty chance of answering correctly since there will only be two choices left from which to make your guess.
Mark your answers in the appropriate spaces on the answer sheet. Each numbered row will contain five ovals corresponding to each answer choice for that question. Fill in darkly, completely, and neatly the circle that corresponds to your answer. You can change your answer, but remember to completely erase your old answer. Any stray lines or unnecessary marks may cause the machine to score your answer incorrectly. When you have finished working on a section, you may want to go back and check to make sure your answers correspond to the correct questions. Marking one answer in the wrong space will throw off the rest of your test, whether it is graded by machine or by hand. When taking the test, you may want to occasionally check your answer sheet to be sure that you are filling in the oval that corresponds to the question you are answering. This is especially important for those taking the SAT Biology E/M Test. For the Biology-M Test, you will need to fill in ovals 81-100; therefore, ovals 61-80 on your answer sheet will remain blank. Be sure to pay close attention to this when you begin the Biology-M Test.
You don't have to answer every question. You are not penalized if you do not answer every question. The only penalty results from answering a question incorrectly. Try to use the guessing strategy, but if you are truly stumped by a question, remember that you do not have to answer it.
Work quickly and steadily. You have a limited amount of time to work on each section, so you need to work quickly and steadily. Avoid focusing on one problem for too long. Taking the practice tests in this book will help you to learn how to budget your time and pace yourself.
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