Since I didn’t see anyone creating an sat biology june 2017 thread, I decided to create one for preparation. What are you guys doing to prepare? I’m using my AP Bio knowledge, ap cliffnotes, and sat barrons.
i’m also using barrons and ap bio knowledge. doing old practice tests has also been super helpful, esp for areas that the ap curriculum doesnt cover
Are the old practice tests from the collegeboard sat subject tests?
@lolabenchik @spongebobsquare I am an absolute newbie at this so can you explain how the answer sheet fill ins and personal information fill ins work on test day. It’s probably the only thing bothering me at the moment. And I’m using Barron’s at the moment.
I took the ACT and an SAT subject test before and a few AP’s, follow the proctor’s instructions carefully and you’ll be fine. The proctor gives everyone more than enough time to fill in all the personal information. Use a number 2 pencil for everything and don’t leave any stray marks. That’s about it. Go to the SAT checklist.
I already took the AP test just a few weeks ago so I’m pretty confident for the exam. BUUUUUUUT I didn’t get an SAT specific review book so darn hahaha. I think it’ll be fine though, I loved AP Bio. I’ll just study my AP book and hope for the best. xD
Same here, but at least get the barrons sat biology book, it’s really helpful and taught me concepts outside of ap biology that you will need to know for sat bio.
@spongebobsquare any examples of other possible concepts?
@motherpugger @spongebobsquare @lolabenchik How are you guys doing as far as review? I just finished my Barron’s book yesterday and I rose more than 100 points than pre-Barron’s so yay for that!! ^:)^
@motherpugger Definitely review the the domain, kingdom, phlyum, and animals that belong to each. Also, parts of the heart, eye, ear, digestive system. ecology, parts of plants, and that’s about it. I think most of the other stuff is covered by ap bio 
@onlyworthypotato I took the first barrons practice test and got 720 on E and 740 on M, which is a step up from my 650 on the diagnostic test. I’m hoping for an 800 though!
@spongebobsquare Wow those are great scores on my own!!! I’m sure that if you don’t get that 800 you’ll get really close. Honestly I’ve never taken a single AP class so it was obvious why on the diagnostics test I got a 530 and now I’m scoring 760s ish on E. God I was so lost!! :)) Your personal opinion though, is Barron’s harder than the actual test? Also, is the curve anything like it is on Barron’s? And come actual test day is E or M harder?
M is easier for people that took AP bio and perhaps for people that had a rigorous honors class that emphasized M. Some high schools emphasize E and/or some students can answer E questions out of general knowledge or common sense. So there is not easier or harder section. Depends what course you took and what’s your personal strength.
@onlyworthypotato Based on what everyone has said so far on barron’s bio practice tests, they are a bit harder than the actual test, so maybe add around 30 to 60 points to your barrons test score. I think the curve changes every test because on past discussion threads, people have said they left 3 blank and got at least 2 wrong and still got 800, which is impossible based on the barrons and sparknotes scoring method. But I still think barron’s scoring method is mostly accurate. People also say on the day of the test, you can skim over both E and M to decide which one to take, so prepare for both and when you see the actual E and M, you can tell which one is harder and then do the other one instead.
@spongebobsquare @am9799 Thank you both for the wonderful advice!! I’m definitely going to be applying all this come test day.
@onlyworthypotato No problem! Glad I could help!
i know barron’s tests are harder, but what about princeton review? i’ve been cramming for saturday and have gotten the following scores: barrons 740 and 770, princeton review 740. certainly an improvement from the 580 on the diagnostic LOL, and i think i’m ok for a 700+ because of ap bio, but i’m still really worried because i need to get 770+.
i think a lot of my problems are just caused by sleep deprivation/lack of thinking, but yeah i don’t want to risk anything.
also, anyone have any last-minute cramming tips?
@jg18 Just make sure that you know not just the actual terminology and how it works but how to apply it in any given situation; how the concept would play out in the real world because unfortunately the test can’t be pure knowledge otherwise everyone would have such an easy time with it lol
Try not to overthink! Every question is testing a concept and the answer closest to that concept is the correct one. Think straightforward. Every year there are kids that bypass the obvious answers because they get wrapped up in thinking that some other answer “could” also be true in some “weird bizarre” situation that “might” have happened…
SO how’d you guys do