THE SAT BIOLOGY-E/M TEST
All About The SAT Biology-E/M Test
What Is the Format of the SAT Biology-E/M Test and What Does "E/M" Mean?
The SAT Biology test is a 1-hour test consisting of 80 multiple-choice questions. The SAT Biology test is unique among the SAT Subject Tests in that you have a choice between the "E" version of the test, which focuses more on ecology (subjects such as ecosystems, biomes, food chains and webs, and the water cycle), and the "M" version of the test, which focuses more on molecular biology (subjects such as genetics, inheritance, respiration, and photosynthesis). All test-takers get the same 60 "core" questions, which cover all areas of biology. You can then choose between two 20-question sections, the ecology section or the molecular section.
What Is Covered on the SAT Biology Test?
Both the Biology-E and the Biology-M tests are designed to cover the material that would be covered typically in a high school biology course and lab. You are also expected to be familiar with algebra and how to use the metric system; some questions will ask you to interpret data as if you had completed a laboratory experiment, and will occasionally require you to do simple mathematical calculations.
The College Board gives an approximate outline of the how much of each area of biology the tests cover:
| Area | Percentage of Biology-E ( Devoted to Area ) | Percentage of Biology-M ( Devoted to Area ) |
|---|---|---|
| Cellular and Molecular Biology | 15 | 27 |
| Ecology | 23 | 13 |
| Genetics | 15 | 20 |
| Organismal Biology | 25 | 25 |
| Evolution and Diversity | 22 | 15 |
Although the test may not always be exactly 23% ecology or 27% cellular and molecular biology, you should be aware that the Biology-M test focuses more on cellular and molecular biology and cellular genetics, whereas the Biology-E test focuses more on ecology and evolution and diversity. Approximately one-fourth of both tests is devoted to organismal biology.
Does It Matter Whether I Take Biology-E or Biology-M? How Do I Choose Between Them?
The College Board doesn’t care whether you take the Biology-E or the Biology-M test, and almost the same number of students take each test. One is not designed to be harder than the other. You don’t even need to indicate which one you’re going to be taking until you’re actually taking the test. Your test booklet will contain both sets of questions, and instructions on how to answer either the ecology or molecular set of questions.
You should choose whichever test is geared toward your strengths in biology. If your biology course focused more on ecology or evolution, discussing food webs, predatorâprey relationships, nutrient cycles, and biomes, then Biology-E is likely to be the test for you. If your biology course focused more on cellular processes and biomolecules, discussing DNA, proteins, chromosomes, mitosis and meiosis, respiration, and photosynthesis, then Biology-M is probably the better test for you.
Colleges care far more about your score on the SAT Biology test than which form of the exam you tookâso your first consideration should be choosing the exam with which you’re most comfortable. As a guide, however, you may wish to consider the type of biology you might study in the future. If you’re applying for or are considering a program in biochemistry, genetics, or microbiology, then Biology-M might be a better choice; if you’re applying for or considering a program in environmental studies, ecology, or evolution, then Biology-E might be more suited for you.
Do I Still Have to Study Ecology if I Take Biology-M? Do I Still Have to Study Molecular Biology if I Take Biology-E?
The answer to both of these questions is yes, if you plan to do well. If you’re taking Biology-M, you may not be required to know ecology as in-depth as someone taking Biology-E, but you will still be asked some questions on ecology. And if you’re taking Biology-E, you shouldn’t overlook molecular biology. While you may want to spend more of your energy preparing for the specific test you’re taking, reviewing all of the material is your best bet.
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