Hilltopmom Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 Tell me what we need to know about deciding between the 2 different Bio SAT subject tests. Thanks. Ds is doing a basic bio text program this year, Holt, with extra stuff I've added- labs, readings (EO Wilson, etc), & some Env Science. I was a Biology/ Ecology major a looooong time ago & looking at the two different tests, the ecology seems way easier- but maybe that's just because of my background. He had some snags with the molecular content this year, but we could test prep that area if need be. Is the scoring the same on the Two? Not wording that right- I mean, is the molecular harder but more people take the ecology perhaps making the grading easier on the molecular, like the scoring difference between Math 1 vs 2? He hasn't taken either practice test yet, I'm just looking ahead to spring, which is coming soon:) 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckymama Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 There is a single curve/scoring for Bio. It doesn't matter if the E or M subsection was taken. For those who don't know, the Bio Subject test has 100 questions. Questions 1-60 are answered by everyone. Questions 61-80 are chosen by those taking the 'E' option, while questions 81-100 are chosen by those taking the 'M' option. I would let your ds make his decision after he's covered most of biology. And he can change his pick at the very last minute, literally when he turns the page on the test booklet. One does not register for E or M, just Bio. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopmom Posted February 9, 2016 Author Share Posted February 9, 2016 There is a single curve/scoring for Bio. It doesn't matter if the E or M subsection was taken. I would let your ds make his decision after he's covered most of biology. Ok, awesome! Thank you. I wonder if more kids do the M or the E? Just out of curiosity. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckymama Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 Someone coming out of AP Bio would probably take M. Someone like my dd, who has been studying environmental science literally since fifth grade, would go for E. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopmom Posted February 9, 2016 Author Share Posted February 9, 2016 Lol, yeah, Dh is an environmental engineer, we live in a solar house in an intentional off grid community, used to drive a veggie oil powered car... He has spent his whole life hearing about environmental & ecology topics:) My guess is he chooses E. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SebastianCat Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 Don't mean to hijack the thread, but is the Bio subject test appropriate for a student who has taken one year (not AP) of high school biology? I'm thinking about having my DS take it this year - we looked at the practice questions online, and he got 25 out of 29 correct with no prep. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy in Richmond Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 OP, this table from the College Board for SAT II exam scoring from 2015 answers some of your questions: SAT Subject Tests Percentile Ranks This table shows about 31,000 test takers for Ecological vs about 42,000 for Molecular. How many problems you can miss for a given score (like 700) is pretty much the same for each of the two exams according the released sample tests I have from CB. The above link shows that the same score corresponds to a higher % for Ecological than Molecular. For example, a score of 700 is at the 61st percentile for Molecular but 72nd percentile for Ecological. So it looks like there are more strong students taking the Molecular exam. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daijobu Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 My dd is finishing up WTM biology and wants to prep for the SAT subject test in bio. (We aren't 100% sure everything on the test was covered in the course.) Does anyone have recommendations for resources? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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