The official name of the SAT II Biology is actually the SAT II Biology E/M. The test has this strange name because it’s actually two tests built into one. One test, the Biology E Test, emphasizes ecology and evolution. The other test, the Biology M Test, emphasizes molecular biology and evolution. On test day, you will take either the Biology E or the Biology M test. You can’t take both.
The Biology E and Biology M Tests aren’t completely dissimilar. In fact, out of a total of 80 questions, the two tests share a core of the same 60 questions. The test contains an additional 40 questions, split between the E and M specialty sections. So if you take the Biology E test, you will only have to answer the section of 20 ecology and evolution questions. If you take the Biology M, you need only answer the molecular biology and evolution section.
We’re guessing you didn’t sign up to take the SAT II just for the sheer pleasure of it. You probably want to get into college and know that the only reason for taking this test is that colleges want or require you to do so.
Colleges care about SAT II Subject Tests for two reasons. First, the tests demonstrate your interest, knowledge, and skill in specific subjects. Second, because SAT II tests are standardized, they show how your knowledge of Biology (or History or Math) measures up to that of high school students nationwide. The grades you get in high school don’t offer such a measurement to colleges: some high schools are more difficult than others, and students of equal ability might receive different grades, even in classes with a relatively similar curriculum.
When it comes down to it, colleges like the SAT IIs because the tests make the colleges’ job easier. SAT II tests allow colleges to easily compare you to other applicants and provide you with an excellent chance to shine. If you got a 93% on your Biology final and a student at another high school across the country got a 91%, colleges don’t know how to compare the two grades. They don’t know whose class was harder or whose teacher was a tougher grader. But if you get a 720 on the SAT II Biology and that other kid gets a 650, colleges will recognize the difference in your scores.