<p>Hi, I'm a high school junior planning to apply to top colleges (including a couple of Ivies). One of my SAT Subject Tests is Biology E. I have taken it twice, once in freshman year and once in junior year. The first time I got a 680, and the second time I got a 700. I am trying to get a 750+.</p>
<p>The problem is, no matter how much I study, I cannot improve my scores (practice and actual test) above the high 600-low 700 range. In my freshman year, I studied for two weeks straight (which means that I locked myself in my room and only studied for the test). In my junior year, I studied for 4 weeks for 3-4 hours each day. I feel like I know enough to do well, but the reality is that I have a really bad memory and cannot memorize every single fact. Last time I took the test, I estimate that I left 4 questions blank and got 8 wrong. I feel like this is actually pretty good and that it was amazing that I knew enough to only miss that many. But to get a 750, I would only be able to miss about 4 questions, which is hardly anything. It seems like a normal person like me would not be able to do it.</p>
<p>So, normal people, I would like to know: Is getting a 750+ on Bio even possible for me, given that I have already put in so much study to only get lower scores? And if so, how?</p>
<p>Thank you so much! I appreciate any feedback.</p>
<p>It sounds like your memory is unusually bad. This isn’t good for a memorization-intensive subject like biology. Maybe work on improving your memorization skills in general?</p>
<p>Well, I think I’ve practiced enough. And I don’t know…I guess my memory is sort of bad. But maybe I exaggerated a bit – I don’t think it’s unusually bad, and I do use memorization techniques like flash cards, charts, etc. So I’m not sure what to do :/</p>
<p>Maybe try reading more slowly? Read a different prep book, or even, the AP book. (although that will go into unnecessary detail, possibly making your material seem easier in comparison) Also depends on how you did in the class. I took accelerated biology, which is a lower class than honors bio. (Advanced Biology H/AP is a 2nd year course for us) Without any studying whatsoever, I managed an 800 on the June test just from my knowledge in the class. Try taking AP bio (if possible) before you retake the SAT II, it’s sure to help!</p>
<p>As FutureENT so eloquently put: PRACTICE! SAT’s and other standardized tests are all about how well you can take the test. And in order to improve that, practice and of course, get to know the material. Read and practice with multiple prep books.</p>
<p>maybe its your teachers. Seriously i am at a really low tier high school and i have a 3.8 gpa and i got a 660 on math 2 but my friend who is at the best school in the my county has a 3.5 gpa and got a 750. He tells me his teachers were phenomenal. So things you just cant control</p>
<p>Reviewing helps a lot. For US History…I just took the test a couple of times, found out what I didn’t know, and learned it. Getting an 800 isn’t as hard as people make it out to be. With a lot of dedication, you can make it happen. Granted, getting an 800 on Math II was trivial for me, but I worked hard at US History and, with weeks of practice, nailed that one too.</p>
<p>Also, assuming you took biology freshman year, there is no reason to expect your score to go up as most of the knowledge base you accumulated freshman year is now gone. Taking an AP in the same topic makes the SAT II seem so easy in comparison as well, so that may help you out too.</p>
<p>I’m a freshman aspiring to take the SAT Bio. test.</p>
<p>I’m currently enrolled in a Biology course. We’re going to cover all the important topics for the test, however, the SAT demands more in-depth knowledge.</p>
<p>I’m planning on using a prep book in May. We would have covered all the areas by then, but I would have plenty of time to learn more obscure details and be able to ask my teacher for clarification. I’m not that great at self-teaching, but I also found that while reading through the prep book, slower is better.</p>
<p>Maybe try molecular? I got a 780 on that one no problem. I also took it after Honors Bio. Still, a 700 is really good and I think they might find it weird that you’re taking an SAT II 3 times rather than trying some different subjects.</p>