***OCTOBER 2013 - Biology E/M***

<p>I've decided to start the official thread for the October 5th SAT subject test in Biology E/M. </p>

<p>Hopefully there will be three stages to this thread:</p>

<p>Pre-hype: talk about preparation and expectations
Post-test: talk about how we felt we did (the bulk of the thread)
Score release: talk about what we got and if we made our goals</p>

<p>So I'm currently reviewing my prep book. I'm taking Bio M. I feel pretty good about it, especially since we can miss about 3 or 4 for 800. I'm a little worried about the experiments since one never knows what to expect.</p>

<p>Hi SATnotACT,</p>

<p>What materials do you use to study for SAT Biology?</p>

<p>Thanks
StevenToCollege</p>

<p>I’m using the Pearson guide to AP biology, which is associated with the Campbell Reese textbook. It’s very comprehensive and well written. I found it in a cheap book store. You can’t find it in Barnes and Noble unfortunately.</p>

<p>I’m using Barron’s E/M.</p>

<p>As someone who has taken this test in May 2013 and gotten an 800 on M, I would recommend memorizing EVERYTHING on Barron’s and then most of Princeton Review. Read over AP Biology Cliff Notes briefly to get basic ideas. Take the Barron’s tests first. Keep in mind that they are a little more difficult than the actual test. After finishing those, take the Princeton Review tests a few nights or a night before the actual test. I had about 6 questions from the PR practice tests on my actual SAT bio. Any questions, PM me.</p>

<p>The Pearson is NOT enough for an 800 in any section, btw. Probably not even a 720. Try Barron’s and Princeton Review.</p>

<p>You CANNOT miss 3 or 4 and expect an 800. At max, you can miss 2, usually. The curve is harsh. If you miss 4, that’s around a 740. The curve is brutal.</p>

<p>Hmm, I took Bio M awhile ago and got 800. I’m taking it again for fun. I know for a fact I missed at least 3, probably 4 (-5 raw with penalty). Maybe that just was a tough test. The curve is no physics, but it’s not as bad as M1. In the blue book, 77 is 800. I think the curve has been getting more generous over time, probably because the tests are getting harder. The blue book test was pretty easy. </p>

<p>I did use Barron’s for that test. Barron’s does have a great review and is almost sufficient by itself. The Barron’s tests, however, are actually poorly written and unrealistic. Not difficult, just not the same format as the real test. </p>

<p>I’m talking about the Pearson AP test prep series by Holtzclaw. It’s far better than Barron’s or PR. Of course I already have a good knowledge base from earlier study.</p>

<p>Well I’m taking another subject test so I figured I might as well add Bio. They charge enough for the baseline fee. I probably should take E since I already did M but it depends on my mood.</p>

<p>So Bio in less than 2 days. I am a bit excited and nervous. I’m going to study for some other tests to get my mind off it for awhile. Then I will go over sparknotes to refresh.</p>

<p>So are you sure -3 or -4 is still 800?</p>

<p>how was it guys
i skipped two and got at least 2 wrong :(</p>

<p>i thought i did pretty well, happy that there werent any diagrams…ik i missed a couple and i skipped 3</p>

<p>It wasn’t easy…
what was the answer for the vitamins one?</p>

<p>was that in the M section cuz i dont remember that (I did E)</p>

<p>i think it was similar structure
do u remember the third q in the parathyroid hormone graph set (there were 3 qs)</p>

<p>am i the only one that thought that test was ridiculously hard? the June 2013 test was much easier than this one… my multiple choice consisted of “EEEDDDD” at one point</p>

<p>yeah this was ****ing hard!!! barrons book didn’t help me at all!</p>

<p>The vitamin question asked to choose a correct statement about vitamins…
The two confusing ones were:
All animals need the same types of vitamins.
All vitamins have similar structures.</p>

<p>What do you think, guys?</p>

<p>was it harder than usual? i have no idea and i need a good curve aghhh</p>