Biology Test
G R A D U A T E R E C O R D E X A M I N A T I O N S®
Biology Test
Practice Book
This practice book contains
one actual full-length GRE Biology Test
test-taking strategies
Become familiar with
test structure and content
test instructions and answering procedures
Compare your practice test results with the performance of those who
took the test at a GRE administration.
Visit GRE Online at www.gre.org
Listening.
Learning.
Leading.
This book is provided FREE with test registration by the Graduate Record Examinations Board.
Note to Test Takers: Keep this practice book until you receive your score report.
The book contains important information about content specifications and scoring.
Copyright © 2001 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved.
EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE, ETS, the ETS logos, GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATIONS,
and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service.
The GRE Board recommends that scores on the
Table of Contents
Subject Tests be considered in conjunction with
other relevant information about applicants. Because
Purpose of the GRE Subject Tests ........................ 3
numerous factors influence success in graduate
Development of the Subject Tests ....................... 3
school, reliance on a single measure to predict
success is not advisable. Other indicators of compe-
Content of the Biology Test ................................. 4
tence typically include undergraduate transcripts
Preparing for a Subject Test ................................. 7
showing courses taken and grades earned, letters of
Test-Taking Strategies .......................................... 7
recommendation, the GRE Writing Assessment
score, and GRE General Test scores. For information
What Your Scores Mean ...................................... 8
about the appropriate use of GRE scores, write to
Practice Biology Test .......................................... 11
GRE Program, Educational Testing Service, Mail
Stop 57-L, Princeton, NJ 08541, or visit our Web site
Scoring Your Subject Test .................................. 65
at www.gre.org/codelst.html.
Evaluating Your Performance ............................. 68
Answer Sheet ..................................................... 69
Development of the
Subject Tests
Purpose of the GRE
Each new edition of a Subject Test is developed by
Subject Tests
a committee of examiners composed of professors in
the subject who are on undergraduate and graduate
The GRE Subject Tests are designed to help gradu-
faculties in different types of institutions and in
ate school admission committees and fellowship
different regions of the United States and Canada.
sponsors assess the qualifications of applicants in
In selecting members for each committee, the GRE
specific fields of study. The tests also provide you
Program seeks the advice of the appropriate profes-
with an assessment of your own qualifications.
sional associations in the subject.
Scores on the tests are intended to indicate
The content and scope of each test are specified
knowledge of the subject matter emphasized in
and reviewed periodically by the committee of
many undergraduate programs as preparation for
examiners. Test questions are written by the com-
graduate study. Because past achievement is usually
mittee and by other faculty who are also subject-
a good indicator of future performance, the scores
matter specialists and by subject-matter specialists
are helpful in predicting success in graduate study.
at ETS. All questions proposed for the test are
Because the tests are standardized, the test scores
reviewed by the committee and revised as necessary.
permit comparison of students from different
The accepted questions are assembled into a test in
institutions with different undergraduate programs.
accordance with the content specifications devel-
For some Subject Tests, subscores are provided in
oped by the committee to ensure adequate coverage
addition to the total score; these subscores indicate
of the various aspects of the field and, at the same
the strengths and weaknesses of your preparation,
time, to prevent overemphasis on any single topic.
and they may help you plan future studies.
The entire test is then reviewed and approved by
the committee.
BIOLOGY TEST
3
PRACTICE BOOK
Subject-matter and measurement specialists
Scores on the Subject Tests are reported as three-
on the ETS staff assist the committee, providing
digit scaled scores with the third digit always zero.
information and advice about methods of test con-
The maximum possible range for all Subject Test
struction and helping to prepare the questions and
total scores is from 200 to 990. The actual range of
assemble the test. In addition, each test question is
scores for a particular Subject Test, however, may be
reviewed to eliminate language, symbols, or content
smaller. The maximum possible range of Subject
considered potentially offensive, inappropriate for
Test subscores is 20 to 99; however, the actual range
major subgroups of the test-taking population, or
of subscores for any test or test edition may be
likely to perpetuate any negative attitude that may be
smaller than 20 to 99. Subject Test score interpre-
conveyed to these subgroups. The test as a whole is
tive information is provided in Interpreting Your
also reviewed to ensure that the test questions, where
GRE Scores, which you will receive with your
applicable, include an appropriate balance of people
GRE score report, and on the GRE Web site at
in different groups and different roles.
www.gre.org/codelst.html.
Because of the diversity of undergraduate cur-
ricula, it is not possible for a single test to cover all
the material you may have studied. The examiners,
Content of the Biology Test
therefore, select questions that test the basic knowl-
edge and skills most important for successful graduate
The test contains about 200 five-choice questions, a
study in the particular field. The committee keeps the
number of which are grouped in sets toward the end
test up-to-date by regularly developing new editions
of the test and are based on descriptions of laboratory
and revising existing editions. In this way, the test
and field situations, diagrams, or experimental results.
content changes steadily but gradually, much like
To cover the broad field of the biological sciences,
most curricula. In addition, curriculum surveys are
the subject matter on which the students are tested is
conducted periodically to ensure that the content of
organized into three major areas: cellular and molecu-
a test reflects what is currently being taught in the
lar biology; organismal biology; and ecology and
undergraduate curriculum.
evolution. Approximately equal weight is given to
After a new edition of a Subject Test is first
each of these three areas. However, subject area
administered, examinees’ responses to each test
subdivisions indicated by Arabic numerals may not
question are analyzed in a variety of ways to deter-
contain equal numbers of questions.
mine whether each question functioned as expected.
The approximate distribution of questions by
These analyses may reveal that a question is ambigu-
content category is shown below.
ous, requires knowledge beyond the scope of the test,
I. Cellular and Molecular Biology
33-34%
or is inappropriate for the total group or a particular
Fundamentals of cellular biology, genetics, and
subgroup of examinees taking the test. Answers to
molecular biology are addressed. Major topics in
such questions are not used in computing scores.
cellular structure and function include metabolic
Following this analysis, the new test edition is
pathways and their regulation, membrane dynamics,
equated to an existing test edition. In the equating
cell surfaces, organelles, cytoskeleton, and cell cycle.
process, statistical methods are used to assess the
Major areas in genetics and molecular biology include
difficulty of the new test. Then scores are adjusted so
chromatin and chromosomal structure, genomic
that examinees who took a difficult edition of the test
organization and maintenance, and the regulation of
are not penalized, and examinees who took an easier
gene expression. The cellular basis of immunity, the
edition of the test do not have an advantage. Varia-
mechanisms of antigen-antibody interactions, and
tions in the number of questions in the different
cell-pathogen interactions are included. Distinctions
editions of the test are also taken into account in
between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are consid-
this process.
ered where appropriate. Attention is also given to
experimental methodology.
4
BIOLOGY TEST
PRACTICE BOOK
A. Cellular Structure and Function
16-17%
6. Gene expression and regulation: effects
Control of normal development; Cancer
1. Biological compounds
and oncogenes
Macromolecular structure and bonding
Signaling mechanisms in cells
Abiotic origin of biological molecules
7. Immunobiology
2. Enzyme activity, receptor binding, and regulation
Cellular basis of immunity; Antibody
3. Major metabolic pathways and regulation
diversity and synthesis
Respiration, fermentation, and photosynthesis
Antigen-antibody interactions
Synthesis and degradation of macromolecules
8. Bacteriophages, animal viruses, and plant viruses
Hormonal control and intracellular messengers
Viral genomes, replication, and assembly
4. Membrane dynamics and cell surfaces
Virus-host cell interactions
Transport, endocytosis, and exocytosis
9. Recombinant DNA methodology
Electrical potentials and neurotransmitters
Restriction endonucleases; Blotting and
Mechanisms of cell recognition, cell junctions,
hybridization
and plasmodesmata
Restriction fragment length polymorphisms;
Cell wall and extracellular matrix
DNA cloning, sequencing, and analysis;
5. Organelles: structure, function, and targeting
Polymerase chain reaction
6. Cytoskeleton, motility, and shape
Actin-based systems
II. Organismal Biology
33-34%
Microtubule-based systems
Intermediate filaments
The structure, physiology, behavior, and develop-
Bacterial flagella and movement
ment of plants and animals are addressed. Topics
7. Cell cycle, growth, division, and regulation
covered include nutrient procurement and processing,
gas exchange, internal transport, regulation of fluids,
B. Genetics and Molecular Biology
16-17%
control mechanisms and effectors, and reproduction in
1. Genetic foundations
autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms. Examples of
Mendelian inheritance; Pedigree analysis
developmental phemonena range from fertilization
Prokaryotic genetics (transformation,
through differentiation and morphogenesis. Percep-
transduction, and conjugation)
tions and responses to environmental stimuli are
Genetic mapping
examined as they pertain to both plants and animals.
2. Chromatin and chromosomes
Major distinguishing characteristics and phylogenetic
Nucleosomes
relationships of selected groups from the various
Karyotypes
kingdoms are also covered.
Chromosomal aberrations
A. Animal Structure, Function, and
Polytene chromosomes
Organization
9-10%
3. Genome sequence organization
Introns and exons; Single-copy and
1. Exchange with environment
repetitive DNA
Nutrient, salt, and water exchange
Transposable elements
Gas exchange; Energy
4. Genome maintenance
2. Internal transport and exchange
DNA replication; DNA mutation and repair
Circulatory, gastrovascular, and
5. Gene expression and regulation in prokaryotes
digestive systems
and eukaryotes: mechanisms
3. Support and movement
The operon; Promoters and enhancers;
Support systems (external, internal,
Transcription factors; RNA and protein
and hydrostatic)
synthesis; Processing and modifications
Movement systems (flagellar, ciliary,
of both RNA and protein
and muscular)
4. Integration and control mechanisms
Nervous and endocrine systems
BIOLOGY TEST
5
PRACTICE BOOK
5. Behavior (communication, orientation,
4. Fungi
learning, and instinct)
Distinctive features of major phyla
6. Metabolic rates (temperature, body size, and
(vegetative, asexual, and sexual
activity)
reproduction)
B. Animal Reproduction and Development
5-6%
Generalized life cycles
Importance (e.g., decomposition,
1. Reproductive structures
biodegradation, antibiotics, and
2. Meiosis, gametogenesis, and fertilization
pathogenicity)
3. Early development (e.g., polarity, cleavage,
Lichens
and gastrulation)
5. Animalia with emphasis on major phyla
4. Developmental processes (e.g., induction,
Major distinguishing characteristics
determination, differentiation, morphogenesis,
Phylogenetic relationships
and metamorphosis)
6. Plantae with emphasis on major phyla
5. External control mechanisms (e.g., photoperiod)
Alternation of generations
C. Plant Structure, Function, and Organization,
Major distinguishing characteristics
with Emphasis on Flowering Plants
6-7%
Phylogenetic relationships
1. Tissues, tissue systems, and organs
III. Ecology and Evolution
33-34%
2. Water transport, including absorption and
transpiration
This section deals with the interactions of organ-
3. Phloem transport and storage
isms and their environment, emphasizing biological
4. Mineral nutrition
principles at levels above the individual. Ecological
5. Plant energetics (e.g., respiration and
and evolutionary topics are given equal weight.
photosynthesis)
Ecological questions range from physiological adapta-
tions to the functioning of ecosystems. Although
D. Plant Reproduction, Growth, and Development,
principles are emphasized, some questions may
with Emphasis on Flowering Plants
4-5%
consider applications to current environmental
1. Reproductive structures
problems. Questions in evolution range from its
2. Meiosis and sporogenesis
genetic foundations through evolutionary processes
3. Gametogenesis and fertilization
to their consequences. Evolution is considered at the
4. Embryogeny and seed development
molecular, individual, population, and higher levels.
5. Meristems, growth, morphogenesis, and
Principles of ecology, genetics, and evolution are
differentiation
interrelated in many questions. Some questions may
6. Control mechanisms (e.g., hormones, photo-
require quantitative skills, including the interpreta-
period, and tropisms)
tion of simple mathematical models.
E. Diversity of Life
6-7%
A. Ecology
16-17%
1. Archaebacteria
1. Environment/organism interaction
Morphology, physiology, and identification
Biogeographic patterns; Adaptations to
2. Eubacteria (including cyanobacteria)
environment; Temporal patterns
Morphology, physiology, pathology, and
2. Behavioral ecology
identification
Habitat selection; Mating systems;
3. Protista
Social systems; Resource acquisition
Protozoa, other heterotrophic Protista
3. Population structure and function
(slime molds and Oomycota), and
Population dynamics/regulation;
autotrophic Protista
Demography and life history strategies
Major distinguishing characteristics
4. Communities
Phylogenetic relationships
Interspecific relationships;
Importance (e.g., eutrophication, disease)
Community structure and diversity;
Change and succession
6
BIOLOGY TEST
PRACTICE BOOK
5. Ecosystems
Test-Taking Strategies
Productivity and energy flow; Chemical
cycling
The questions in the practice test in this book
B. Evolution
16-17%
illustrate the types of multiple-choice questions in
the test. When you take the test, you will mark your
1. Genetic variability
answers on a separate machine-scorable answer sheet.
Origins (mutations, linkage, recombination,
Total testing time is two hours and fifty minutes;
and chromosomal alterations)
there are no separately timed sections. Following are
Levels (e.g., polymorphism and heritability)
some general test-taking strategies you may want
Spatial patterns (e.g., clines and ecotypes)
to consider.
Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
2. Evolutionary processes
Read the test directions carefully, and work as
Gene flow and genetic drift; Natural
rapidly as you can without being careless. For
selection; Levels of selection (e.g.,
each question, choose the best answer from the
individual and group)
available options.
3. Evolutionary consequences
All questions are of equal value; do not waste
Fitness and adaptation; Speciation;
time pondering individual questions you find
Systematics and phylogeny; Convergence,
extremely difficult or unfamiliar.
divergence, and extinction
You may want to work through the test quite
4. History of life
rapidly, first answering only the questions about
Origin of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
which you feel confident, then going back and
Fossil record
answering questions that require more thought,
Paleontology and paleoecology
and concluding with the most difficult ques-
tions if there is time.
Preparing for a
If you decide to change an answer, make sure
Subject Test
you completely erase it and fill in the oval
corresponding to your desired answer.
GRE Subject Test questions are designed to measure
Questions for which you mark no answer
skills and knowledge gained over a long period of
or more than one answer are not counted
time. Although you might increase your scores to
in scoring.
some extent through preparation a few weeks or
As a correction for haphazard guessing, one-
months before you take the test, last minute cram-
fourth of the number of questions you answer
ming is unlikely to be of further help. The following
incorrectly is subtracted from the number of
information may be helpful.
questions you answer correctly. It is improbable
A general review of your college courses is
that mere guessing will improve your score
probably the best preparation for the test.
significantly; it may even lower your score.
However, the test covers a broad range of
If, however, you are not certain of the correct
subject matter, and no one is expected to be
answer but have some knowledge of the ques-
familiar with the content of every question.
tion and are able to eliminate one or more of
Use this practice book to become familiar with
the answer choices, your chance of getting the
the types of questions in the GRE Biology Test,
right answer is improved, and it may be to your
paying special attention to the directions. If you
advantage to answer the question.
thoroughly understand the directions before you
take the test, you will have more time during
the test to focus on the questions themselves.
BIOLOGY TEST
7
PRACTICE BOOK
Record all answers on your answer sheet.
Range of Raw Scores* Needed
Answers recorded in your test book will not
to Earn Selected Scaled Scores
be counted.
on Three Biology Test Editions
Do not wait until the last five minutes of a
That Differ in Difficulty
testing session to record answers on your
Raw Scores
answer sheet.
Scaled Score
Form A
Form B
Form C
800
143-145
124-126
118-120
What Your Scores Mean
700
113-115
98-99
91-93
600
84-86
71-72
64-66
Your raw score, that is—the number of questions you
500
54-56
44-46
37-39
answered correctly minus one-fourth of the number
Number of Questions Used to Compute Raw Score
you answered incorrectly—is converted to the scaled
score that is reported. This conversion ensures that
200
198
198
a scaled score reported for any edition of a Subject
*Raw Score = Number of correct answers minus one-fourth the
Test is comparable to the same scaled score earned on
number of incorrect answers, rounded to the nearest integer.
any other edition of the same test. Thus, equal scaled
scores on a particular Subject Test indicate essentially
For a particular test edition, there are many ways to
equal levels of performance regardless of the test
earn the same raw score. For example, on the edition
edition taken. Test scores should be compared only
listed above as “Form A,” a raw score of 84 through 86
with other scores on the same Subject Test. (For
would earn a scaled score of 600. Below are a few of the
example, a 680 on the Computer Science Test is not
possible ways in which a scaled score of 600 could be
equivalent to a 680 on the Mathematics Test.)
earned on that edition.
Before taking the test, you may find it useful to
know approximately what raw scores would be
required to obtain a certain scaled score. Several
Examples of Ways to Earn
factors influence the conversion of your raw score to
a Scaled Score of 600 on the
your scaled score, such as the difficulty of the test
Edition Labeled as “Form A”
edition and the number of test questions included in
the computation of your raw score. Based on recent
Number of
editions of the Biology Test, the following table gives
Questions
Questions
Questions
Questions
Used to
the range of raw scores associated with selected scaled
Raw
Answered
Answered
Not
Compute
scores for three different test editions. (Note that
Score
Correctly
Incorrectly
Answered
Raw Score
when the number of scored questions for a given test
84
84
0
116
200
is greater than the range of possible scaled scores, it is
84
96
47
57
200
likely that two or more raw scores will convert to the
same scaled score.) The three test editions in the
84
107
93
0
200
table that follows were selected to reflect varying
86
86
0
114
200
degrees of difficulty. Examinees should note that future
86
97
45
58
200
test editions may be somewhat more or less difficult
86
108
90
2
200
than those test editions illustrated in the table.
8
BIOLOGY TEST
PRACTICE BOOK
Practice Test
To become familiar with how the administration will be conducted at the test center, first
remove the answer sheet (pages 69 and 70). Then go to the back cover of the test book
(page 64) and follow the instructions for completing the identification areas of the answer
sheet. When you are ready to begin the test, note the time and begin marking your answers
on the answer sheet.
BIOLOGY TEST
9
PRACTICE BOOK
FORM GR9924
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
12
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
13
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
14
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
15
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
16
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
17
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
18
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
19
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
20
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
21
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
22
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any part of this test is illegal.
23
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any part of this test is illegal.
24
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
25
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
26
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
27
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
28
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
29
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any part of this test is illegal.
30
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
31
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
32
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
33
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
34
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
35
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
36
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
37
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
38
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
39
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
40
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
41
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
42
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
43
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
44
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
45
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
46
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
47
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
48
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
49
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
50
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
51
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
52
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
53
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
54
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
55
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
56
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
57
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
58
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
59
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
60
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
61
Unauthorized copying or reuse of
any part of this test is illegal.
62
64
Scoring Your Subject Test
Example: Suppose you chose the correct answers
to 105 questions and incorrect answers to 41. Divid-
Biology Test scores typically range from 490 to 790.
ing 41 by 4 yields 10.3. Subtracting 10.3 from 105
The range for different editions of a given test may
equals 94.7, which is rounded to 95. The raw score of
vary because different editions are not of precisely the
95 corresponds to a scaled score of 630.
same difficulty. The differences in ranges among
The subscore columns in the worksheet can be
different editions of a given test, however, usually are
similarly used to tally your correct and incorrect
small. This should be taken into account, especially
responses to the questions that contribute to each
when comparing two very high scores. In general,
subscore. We suggest that you circle the “•” if you
differences between scores at the 99th percentile
chose the correct answer, and put a minus sign beside
should be ignored. The score conversion table on
the “•” for an incorrect answer. Space is provided at
page 67 shows the score range for this edition
the bottom right of the worksheet to calculate and
of the test only.
enter your three raw subscores. The subscore conver-
Subscores are reported as two-digit scaled scores.
sion table will show you the scaled subscores that
The maximum possible range of Subject Test
correspond to your raw subscores.
subscores is 20 to 99. Like total scores, the actual
range of subscores for any test or test edition may be
smaller than 20 to 99.
The worksheet on page 66 lists the correct answers
to the questions. Columns are provided for you to
mark whether you chose the correct (C) answer or
an incorrect (I) answer to each question. Draw a line
across any question you omitted, because it is not
counted in the scoring. At the bottom of the page,
enter the total number correct and the total number
incorrect. Divide the total incorrect by 4 and subtract
the resulting number from the total correct. This is
the adjustment made for guessing. Then round the
result to the nearest whole number. This will give you
your raw total score. Use the total score conversion
table to find the scaled total score that corresponds to
your raw total score.
BIOLOGY TEST
65
PRACTICE BOOK
Worksheet for the Biology Test, Form GR9924 Only
Answer Key and Percentages* of Examinees Answering Each Question Correctly
QUESTION
TOTAL
SUBSCORE
QUESTION
TOTAL
SUBSCORE
QUESTION
TOTAL
SUBSCORE
Number
Answer
P +
C
I
1
2
3
Number
Answer
P +
C
I
1
2
3
Number
Answer
P +
C
I
1
2
3
1
E
53
•
71
D
37
•
141
A
51
•
2
E
60
•
72
C
23
•
142
D
60
•
3
B
87
•
73
D
38
•
143
A
67
•
4
E
44
•
74
E
20
•
144
A
46
•
5
C
83
•
75
E
47
•
145
E
50
•
6
B
84
•
76
D
28
•
146
A
90
•
7
D
36
•
77
C
40
•
147
C
70
•
8
A
34
•
78
D
88
•
148
A
84
•
9
E
57
•
79
C
69
•
149
B
68
•
10
A
75
•
80
D
63
•
150
B
76
•
11
E
62
•
81
A
73
•
151
B
68
•
12
A
32
•
82
B
46
•
152
C
78
•
13
A
51
•
83
B
61
•
153
D
71
•
14
D
55
•
84
D
54
•
154
B
69
•
15
D
25
•
85
C
79
•
155
B
83
•
16
C
37
•
86
B
90
•
156
B
80
•
17
B
38
•
87
C
27
•
157
D
84
•
18
C
44
•
88
A
62
•
158
B
32
•
19
E
60
•
89
A
78
•
159
C
66
•
20
A
44
•
90
C
53
•
160
A
41
•
21
B
33
•
91
A
75
•
161
A
66
•
22
B
31
•
92
D
11
•
162
E
63
•
23
D
69
•
93
C
70
•
163
D
68
•
24
C
69
•
94
D
58
•
164
E
75
•
25
E
23
•
95
E
49
•
165
B
49
•
26
D
36
•
96
A
90
•
166
D
74
•
27
E
26
•
97
C
49
•
167
B
75
•
28
C
25
•
98
B
39
•
168
A
68
•
29
B
22
•
99
D
51
•
169
C
35
•
30
C
27
•
100
A
35
•
170
B
69
•
31
A
19
•
101
E
40
•
171
B
75
•
32
A
78
•
102
C
58
•
172
C
65
•
33
B
50
•
103
C
55
•
173
E
62
•
34
C
23
•
104
C
51
•
174
C
50
•
35
D
49
•
105
A
50
•
175
C
55
•
36
D
34
•
106
D
42
•
176
B
50
•
37
A
61
•
107
C
81
•
177
B
38
•
38
E
21
•
108
A
76
•
178
C
46
•
39
A
43
•
109
C
31
•
179
C
70
•
40
C
34
•
110
D
55
•
180
B
74
•
41
E
34
•
111
C
89
•
181
C
33
•
42
E
85
•
112
E
33
•
182
A
58
•
43
A
79
•
113
E
65
•
183
B
51
•
44
C
41
•
114
E
71
•
184
A
74
•
45
D
61
•
115
A
92
•
185
C
53
•
46
D
43
•
116
C
58
•
186
D
63
•
47
C
22
•
117
C
61
•
187
D
58
•
48
A
57
•
118
A
83
•
188
A
47
•
49
C
83
•
119
B
64
•
189
B
40
•
50
B
21
•
120
A
49
•
190
C
53
•
51
B
51
•
121
E
67
•
191
A
44
•
52
E
81
•
122
C
81
•
192
A
40
•
53
A
23
•
123
D
91
•
193
D
53
•
54
A
42
•
124
C
76
•
194
B
45
•
55
B
59
•
125
B
82
•
195
B
41
•
56
E
48
•
126
D
66
•
196
D
64
•
57
B
63
•
127
E
47
•
197
B
44
•
58
A
65
•
128
C
79
•
198
D
47
•
59
D
37
•
129
D
31
•
199
C
35
•
60
E
25
•
130
A
86
•
200
B
51
•
61
B
89
•
131
C
29
•
62
B
28
•
132
D
56
•
63
D
15
•
133
E
32
•
64
E
23
•
134
A
63
•
65
A
43
•
135
C
84
•
66
E
62
•
136
A
84
•
67
B
35
•
137
B
81
•
68
B
26
•
138
C
46
•
69
E
54
•
139
D
53
•
70
D
36
•
140
B
45
•
Correct (C)
Subscores:
1) C – I/4 = ____________ SS = ____________
Incorrect (I)
2) C – I/4 = ____________ SS = ____________
3) C – I/4 = ____________ SS = ____________
Total Score:
C – I/4 = ____________
Scaled Score (SS) = ____________
*The P+ column indicates the percentage of Biology Test examinees that answered each question correctly; it is based on a sample of December 1999 examinees
selected to represent all Biology Test examinees tested between October 1, 1997, and September 30, 2000.
66
BIOLOGY TEST
PRACTICE BOOK
Score Conversions and Percents
Score Conversions for
Below* for GRE Biology Test,
GRE Biology Test Subscores,
Form GR9924 Only
Form GR9924 Only
TOTAL SCORE
SUBSCORES
Raw Score
Scaled
Raw Score
Scaled Score
%
Raw Score
Scaled Score
%
Raw Score
Scaled
Sub 1
Sub 2
Sub 3
Score
Sub 1
Sub 2
Sub 3
Score
199-200
990
99
81-83
590
37
62-65
99
26
31
59
196-198
980
99
78-80
580
33
61
98
25
23
29-30
58
193-195
970
99
75-77
570
31
60
97
24
22
28
57
190-192
960
99
72-74
560
27
59
96
22-23
21
27
56
187-189
950
99
69-71
550
25
58
95
21
20
26
55
184-186
940
99
66-68
540
22
67
57
94
20
19
25
54
181-183
930
99
63-65
530
19
66
56
93
19
18
24
53
179-180
920
99
60-62
520
17
65
55
92
18
17
23
52
176-178
910
99
57-59
510
15
64
54
68
91
16-17
16
21-22
51
173-175
900
99
54-56
500
12
62-63
66-67
90
15
15
20
50
170-172
890
99
51-53
490
10
61
53
65
89
14
14
19
49
167-169
880
98
48-50
480
8
60
52
64
88
13
13
18
48
164-166
870
98
45-47
470
7
59
51
63
87
12
12
17
47
161-163
860
98
42-44
460
6
58
50
62
86
11
11
16
46
158-160
850
97
39-41
450
5
56-57
49
61
85
9-10
10
14-15
45
155-157
840
96
36-38
440
4
55
48
59-60
84
8
9
13
44
152-154
830
95
33-35
430
3
54
47
58
83
7
8
12
43
149-151
820
94
30-32
420
2
53
46
57
82
6
7
11
42
146-148
810
93
28-29
410
2
52
45
56
81
5
6
10
41
143-145
800
92
25-27
400
1
51
44
55
80
3-4
5
9
40
140-142
790
91
22-24
390
1
49-50
43
54
79
2
4
8
39
137-139
780
89
19-21
380
1
48
42
53
78
1
3
6-7
38
134-136
770
87
16-18
370
1
47
41
51-52
77
0
2
5
37
131-133
760
85
13-15
360
1
46
40
50
76
1
4
36
128-130
750
84
10-12
350
1
45
39
49
75
0
3
35
125-127
740
81
7-9
340
1
44
38
48
74
2
34
122-124
730
79
4-6
330
1
42-43
37
47
73
1
33
119-121
720
76
1-3
320
1
41
36
46
72
0
32
116-118
710
74
0
310
1
40
35
44-45
71
113-115
700
71
39
34
43
70
110-112
690
69
38
33
42
69
107-109
680
66
36-37
32
41
68
105-106
670
63
35
31
40
67
102-104
660
60
34
30
39
66
99-101
650
56
33
29
38
65
96-98
640
53
32
28
36-37
64
93-95
630
50
31
27
35
63
90-92
620
47
29-30
26
34
62
87-89
610
43
28
25
33
61
84-86
600
40
27
24
32
60
*Percentage scoring below the scaled score is based on the
performance of 19,924 examinees who took the Biology Test
between October 1, 1997, and September 30, 2000.
BIOLOGY TEST
67
PRACTICE BOOK
Evaluating Your
Your three subscores show your relative strengths
or weaknesses in the three subfield areas of the GRE
Performance
Biology Test. The raw subscores are scaled in such a
way that they are related to the total scores on the
Now that you have scored your test, you may wish to
test. On the average, a person who has a comprehen-
compare your performance with the performance of
sive background in the field can expect to have
others who took this test. Both the worksheet on
subscores equal to about one-tenth of his or her total
page 66 and the tables on page 67 use performance
score. Thus, if you have a total score of 600, and your
data from GRE Biology Test examinees.
undergraduate program placed equal emphasis on the
The data in the worksheet on page 66 are based
three areas of Biology represented by the subscores,
on the performance of a sample of the examinees
you would expect to have a scaled subscore of about
who took this test in December 1999. This sample
60 in each area. If, however, your subscores differ by
was selected to represent the total population of
more than a few points, you may take this as an
GRE Biology Test examinees tested between Octo-
indication that your lower score shows weakness, and
ber 1997 and September 2000. The numbers in the
you may wish to concentrate your review efforts on
column labeled “P+” on the worksheet indicate the
topics in that area.
percentages of examinees in this sample who answered
It is important to realize that the conditions under
each question correctly. You may use these numbers
which you tested yourself were not exactly the same as
as a guide for evaluating your performance on each
those you will encounter at a test center. It is impos-
test question.
sible to predict how different test-taking conditions
The first table on page 67 contains, for each scaled
will affect test performance, and this is only one factor
score, the percentage of examinees tested between
that may account for differences between your practice
October 1997 and September 2000 who received
test scores and your actual test scores. By comparing
lower scores. Interpretive data based on the scores
your performance on this practice test with the
earned by examinees tested in this three-year period
performance of other GRE Biology Test examinees,
will be used by admissions officers in the 2001-02
however, you will be able to determine your strengths
testing year. These percentages appear in the score
and weaknesses and can then plan a program of study
conversion table in a column to the right of the scaled
to prepare yourself for taking the GRE Biology Test
scores. For example, in the percentage column oppo-
under standard conditions.
site the scaled score of 630 is the number 50. This
means that 50 percent of the GRE Biology Test
examinees tested between October 1997 and Septem-
ber 2000 scored lower than 630. To compare yourself
with this population, look at the percentage next to
the scaled score you earned on the practice test.
68
BIOLOGY TEST
PRACTICE BOOK
®
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