Along with regular SAT scores, SAT Subject Test scores are mandatory to ensure admission to most schools, especially in the USA. The SAT Biology test is beneficial for those students who plan on studying biology or plan to take up medicine as a major in college as the SAT Biology Test offers them an ideal platform to show their strengths as well as demonstrate their aptitude for the subject.
Which to choose?
The answer is simple! One must understand whether it’s the macro or micro aspect of Biology he is comfortable with.
Biology-E deals with energy flows within the ecosystems and changes experienced by the environment with the passage of time. Majority of the questions are from Cellular and Molecular Biology. Biology M also has slightly more questions on Genetics.
On the other hand, Biology-M focus on chemical elements of biology at a microscopic level. This version must be taken by a science-oriented student. Students must prep themselves on the topic ‘Ecology’ as more questions are devoted to it. Biology E has slightly more questions on Evolution and Diversity.
Both tests have equal number of questions on Organismal Biology.
The two versions aren’t entirely different. Out of the total 80 questions, 20 are specific to either E or M.
You can choose to take either Biology Ecological (Biology-E) or Biology Molecular (Biology-M) depending upon your interest and comfort.
Both versions have the same test format and guidelines:
- 60 minutes
- 80 multiple-choice questions
- Scored on a scale from 200 to 800
- No calculator allowed!
Biology E/M is offered on all regular SAT test dates.
Topic-wise breakdown of content*:
Cellular and Molecular Biology: Cell structure and organization, mitosis, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, enzymes, biosynthesis, biological chemistry
- Biology E: 12 questions
- Biology M: Around 21- 22 questions
Ecology: Energy flow, nutrient cycles, populations, communities, ecosystems, biomes, conservation biology, biodiversity, effects of human intervention
- Biology E: About 18-19 questions
- Biology M: About 10-11 questions
Genetics: Meiosis, Mendelian genetics, inheritance patterns, molecular genetics, population genetics
- Biology E: 12 questions
- Biology M: 16 questions
Organismal Biology: Structure, function, and development of organisms (with emphasis on plants and animals), animal behavior
- Biology E: 20 questions
- Biology M: 20 questions
Evolution and Diversity: Origin of life, evidence of evolution, patterns of evolution, natural selection, speciation, classification and diversity of organisms
- Biology E: Approximately 17-18 questions
- Biology M: 12 questions
(*Sourced from: testprep.about.com)