SAT Subject Test

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 taking up medicine as a major in college, as the SAT Biology Test offers them an ideal platform to show their strengths and 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 time. The 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 focuses on chemical elements of biology at a microscopic level. A science-oriented student must take this version. Students must prepare for ‘Ecology’ as more questions are devoted to it. Biology E has slightly more questions on Evolution and Diversity.

Both tests have an equal number of questions on Organismal Biology.

The two versions aren’t entirely different. Of the 80 questions, 20 are specific to either E or M.

Depending on your interest and comfort, you can take Biology Ecological (Biology E) or Biology Molecular (Biology M).

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 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