SAT II biology or chemistry?

Test Preparation
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<p>I have a dilmena.</p>

<p>I'm looking to take either the SAT II bio or chem in June...and as I know my school's science courses are deficient, I'm torn between which to take. This is all assuming that I will study hard enough...but I've got a month to practice and if I get there, I'll simply stay for an extra test (I'm taking the Latin regardless, and please correct me if I'm wrong - you CAN take extra subject tests you didn't sign up for)</p>

<p>Here's the deal. Bio and Chem were both half-year courses, 90 minutes a day, every day, block scheduling, yeah, yeah...didn't learn much in either class, or nearly as much (I presume) as would be tested on the SAT IIs. My bio teacher flat out told me last year, "This isn't going to prepare you for the SAT II bio." (I love my school's science program, but can't you tell? These were honors courses, mind you)</p>

<p>I did a little review and took a few practice tests in Biology last year - meaning I've already drained the PR book's practice tests, but I'm not entirely sure if I even read all the questions...heheh, I guessed on like half of them and the highest I got was a 580. Yeahhh.</p>

<p>So earlier this year in Chem, a class so thoroughly boring I doodled the poor hell out of my notebook and/or was on the verge of falling asleep but got an A+ (go figure?), I asked my chemistry teacher - a PhD, mind you - if this would prepare me for the SAT II chem.</p>

<p>"Uhm...I'm not really sure..."</p>

<p>He looked in the book. "Yeah, probably..."</p>

<p>After taking the course and then looking at a few problems in the book, I wasn't...too convinced.</p>

<p>However, chemistry was possibly not as bad as bio, I mean, I understood the concepts more (until I just tuned off, but I still got good grades =P). Furthermore, the course just ended at the end of January...it's got to be...kinda...fresh in my mind? </p>

<p>My bio course ended in June of sophomore year. On the other hand, I'm taking anatomy and physiology currently, which is somewhat along the lines of biology, but it's only a part, I imagine. Would it be better for me to study chem, or study bio? Does anatomy and physiology help enough? ... </p>

<p>Much thanks.</p>

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<p>What do you want to major in? I'm taking both on the 10th.</p>

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<p>Chem is reputed to be one of the hardest SATIIs. I don't know about Bio, but I think it's considered to be easier than chem. I wouldn't know personally since haven't taken either. However, I'm taking SATII Bio June...</p>

<p>You say you drained the PR practice tests? Have you tried reading the book? I'm getting Barrons. It should be arriving from Amazon sometime soon. Try self-teaching...then take some more tests.</p>

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<p>Bio and Chem are very different sciences, and depending on what kind of student you are the difficulty can change drastically. Bio is a lot of memorizing, not nearly as much abstract conceptualizing and problem solving. Chemistry is basically the opposite, lots of problems, not to much memorization, lots of applications of concepts to given materials. Given that chem was more recent, and that you understood the concepts well, I would say chem is the better choice. I feel like simply taking practice tests will be enough for you, since I feel that with chem, the more you do it, the more it becomes 2nd nature. As a counterexample to schoolduh, I got an 800 on the chem, and a 770 on the bio, I got a 5 on AP chem last year, with a 2nd semester test avg of like 97 (with practically no studying), whereas in AP Bio this year I have to work much harder to keep my avg hovering at like 92.</p>

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<p>Mmm... but if Bio is geared towards knowledge, wouldn't reading the material be more helpful? Yes... practice makes perfect for chem. lol...</p>

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<p>yeah i guess, but i don't retain very much from reading, doing problems works much better for me, but like I said, it all depends on the person</p>

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What do you want to major in? I'm taking both on the 10th.

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<p>Haha, neither at the moment, but this is subject to change...many, many, many times.</p>

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You say you drained the PR practice tests? Have you tried reading the book? I'm getting Barrons. It should be arriving from Amazon sometime soon. Try self-teaching...then take some more tests.

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<p>Sort of. Was planning to do bio last year and did the two practice tests and did terrible. I didn't read the entire book though. </p>

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Bio and Chem are very different sciences, and depending on what kind of student you are the difficulty can change drastically. Bio is a lot of memorizing, not nearly as much abstract conceptualizing and problem solving. Chemistry is basically the opposite, lots of problems, not to much memorization, lots of applications of concepts to given materials. Given that chem was more recent, and that you understood the concepts well, I would say chem is the better choice. I feel like simply taking practice tests will be enough for you, since I feel that with chem, the more you do it, the more it becomes 2nd nature. As a counterexample to schoolduh, I got an 800 on the chem, and a 770 on the bio, I got a 5 on AP chem last year, with a 2nd semester test avg of like 97 (with practically no studying), whereas in AP Bio this year I have to work much harder to keep my avg hovering at like 92.

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<p>Yeah, the problem with studying for bio last year was too much memorization. I couldn't do it in the time available...I'm leaning towards chem right now. Definitely more recent, and I probably learned more in chem anyways. Still a little indecisive though.</p>