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Standardized Tests
Updated SAT Biology Subject Test guide with historic syllabus context, its 2021 discontinuation, and practical alternatives for current undergraduate applicants.
By Rohan Ganeriwala3 min read
From the Journal
Standardized Tests
Previously, the SAT was a pen-and-paper examination designed to test the language and mathematical skills of applicants aspiring for undergraduate courses abroad. The verbal section was used to gauge students’ ability in decoding how evidence is used to support a claim or the importance of vocabular
Standardized Tests
SAT is moving online. Moreover, the SAT Subject Tests and the SAT optional Essay are getting discontinued. What does this mean for you?
Standardized Tests
A revision of the basic concepts students tend to forget.
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Important update (2026): SAT Subject Tests were discontinued by the College Board in 2021 and are no longer offered. The current Digital SAT has Reading and Writing and Math sections; it does not include separate subject tests. This guide remains available as historical context for families reviewing older requirements.
The Biology Subject Test focusses on two aspects: not only does it tests your understanding of the main concepts of biology, it also assesses your ability to apply the basic principles so as to solve specific problems in biology. In one hour, you have to answer 80 questions of which 60 are multiple-choice questions related to core principles in biology. The remaining 20 questions are also multiple-choice questions related to Biology-E (Biology Ecological) or Biology- M ( Biology Molecular). This test is highly recommended for students who are interested in pre-medical and science programs.
Cellular and Molecular Biology (12.5% on E and 25% on M)
Cell Structure and Organization, Mitosis, Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration, Enzymes, Biosynthesis, Biological Chemistry
Ecology (25% on E and 12.5% on M)
Energy Flow, Nutrient Cycles, Populations, Communities, Ecosystems, Biomes, Biodiversity, Effects of Human Intervention
Genetics (12.5% on E and 25% on M)
Meiosis, Mendelian genetics, Inheritance Patterns, Molecular Genetics
Organismal Biology (25% on both E and M)
Structure, Function, and Development of Organisms (with emphasis on plants and animals), Animal Behaviour
Evolution and Diversity (25% on E and 12.5% on M)
Origin of Life, Evidence and Patterns of Evolution, Natural Selection, Speciation, Classification and Diversity of Organisms
Although colleges, generally, do not have a preference between ecological and molecular biology exams, a high score on the ecology exam is deemed more impressive than the same score on the molecular paper. Note that the Biology SAT Subject Test is used by very few colleges either to award course credit or to place students out of introductory-level courses.
The "E/M" seen against the exam's name refers to its two streams: Biology Ecological and Biology Molecular. The Biology Ecological, just as the name imply, involve an understanding of interaction among organisms, in particular on a landscape level or on a community level. However, the Biology Molecular deals with the learning of the inner workings of cells and organisms. To exhibit a vested interest in the Biology Subject Test, you must be clear about your specific area of interest. However, if you have other reasons to take the exam, you must choose the version that best suits your aptitude. Because only 20 questions on the test are specialized in nature, adhering to either ecological or molecular biology, you mustn’t worry too much about your choice. The remaining 60 questions are same for both versions, and they relate to questions from both topics, regardless of your choice.
If you are considering biology, medicine or the life sciences, focus on strong academic performance in relevant science and mathematics courses, the most rigorous curriculum available to you, and evidence of sustained interest beyond the classroom. Check each university’s current admissions and programme pages; the Digital SAT does not have a Biology section.
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