<p>I'm taking the bio subject test in June and I need a book that has what will be on the test. My school does an overview of bio but not as detailed as the test needs. What the best, most detailed prep book to get a handle on the more intricate parts. If it helps I'll be taking Ecology not molecular.</p>
<p>I haven’t looked at all the prep books, but I used Barrons book and the Sparknotes online review. I ended up with a 730 on the Bio-E.</p>
<p>I’d like to know this as well - especially for those aiming to score an 800.</p>
<p>Firstly, SAT II Bio is designed to be crazily difficult that getting 800 is almost impossible. However, I recommend Barrons book. It has all the nitty gritty that can be on the test. You can do very well on the SAT II Bio knowing everything from Barrons.</p>
<p>If you can’t get Barrons, try for an AP book 
and a Kaplan. Avoid Princeton Review Bio.</p>
<p>^Thanks! Would you say that even a stellar* AP Bio curriculum is not sufficient prep for an 800?</p>
<p>*I say stellar in the sense that every student who has taken AP Bio at my school in the past three years has received a 4 or 5, with a 80% 5 rate.</p>
<p>I got a 5 on my AP Bio, but 750 on my SAT Bio. Yes, it is ridiculously difficult to get an 800 on SAT II Bio and I would say that a stellar AP Bio curriculum will not suffice.</p>
<p>Here’s why it’s difficult to get 800:</p>
<p>There are 2 types of SAT Bio test:</p>
<p>easy test with a very mean scale. And a mean test with still a hard scale.</p>
<p>On an easy test, a single mistake (from the 80 something questions) will drop you from 800.</p>
<p>On a hard test, you can miss only up to 3-4 before you drop to 790, and you are very likely to run into very random and trivial questions like: Which of the following best describe (specific eagle)'s nesting period? (real question my friend had to answer)</p>
<p>barrons! I scored mid- 700s for practice tests and got a 780. I also did really well for AP Bio (self) so maybe that was it.</p>
<p>I used Cliffnotes for summaries of materials, and Barron’s for practice with the hardest questions. Taking the Biology-M SAT II, I ended up with a 780.</p>
<p>The practice for the subject test also helped me review for the AP exam, which I was ecstatic to discover that I got a 5 on!</p>
<p>Yes, I also need help in this area, I will be taking both tests so i would like to have one that will completely prep you for both.</p>
<p>@ ImSoAmbitious: AP Bio by Barrons, difficult but comprehensive. You should find everything you need there (except for SAT II practice tests )</p>
<p>Is there a significant difference in the curves and/or difficulty between Bio E and Bio M?</p>
<p>Barrons + Cliffnotes</p>
<p>@ashgrove: there’s no significant difference. E/M is basically the same test with the exception to the last 20 questions which you’ll choose which you want to do E or M.</p>