Positive or Negative Impact of Stress on Students - 775 Words

University is known to be inherently stressful and demanding which in turns leaves little time for students to relax. (Lee Graham, 2001; Firth- Cozens, 2001) Stress can have a negative or positive impact on a student but it all depends on how they perceive it. An individual’s response to stress is determined by whether they see it as a challenge or a threat. This determines whether a person will take an active or avoidant or active strategies to cope with a situation. The way in which a student perceives academic stress will determine how they cope with it. It has been proven that some level of stress can be adaptive even considered healthy. (Seyle, 1956) This stops us from becoming an apathetic species but too much stress or chronic stress can have significant effects on both mental and physical health. It had been proven to reduce life expectancy. (Houtman, Jettingtonhoff , Cedillo, 2007) When the stressor interacts with the individual’s perception of the stressor it results in a reaction that is responsible for the adverse effects of stress. Stress is the result of an individual’s perception that lack the tools to cope with a particular situation from the past present or future. ( Lazarus , 1993) The individual tends to feel overwhelmed an unable to cope. ( Agolla Ongori, 2009) These adverse effects include high blood pressure, low metabolism which is linked to development of type 2 diabetes and heart problems. (Houtman, Jettingtonhoff , Cedillo,Show MoreRelatedCollege Is A Essential Tool For Life Essay1094 Words   |  5 PagesThe research topic of the connection between students who are in college and the level of stress they inquire financially and generally has had a huge impact on society. College is a very essential tool for life. College is meant to learn and experience a variety of techniques to use in your everyday life. On the other hand, college can become a very stressful place, whether it’s because of your financial status or in general. The increase in responsibilities after transitioning from a young adolescentRead MoreAnnotated Bibliography on Stress1762 Words   |  7 Pagesdefinitions of stress and how to cope with it, known as stress management. Stress affects health in a number of ways. It is defined by James (2011) as pressure or tension that comes in many shapes and forms and furthermore the body and mind in particular reacts psychologically and even emotionally. How Stress Affects Health This can affect how an individual feels, think and behave. Signs and symptoms can include sleeping problems, loss of appetite and difficulty concentrating. Stress can usually causeRead MoreMental And Physical Health Of College Students1469 Words   |  6 Pages Literature Review: Mental and Physical Health of College Students Jackie Brocious Misericordia University Literature Review: Mental and Physical Health of College Students This paper is focused on the sub-topic of mental and physical health of college students, either within healthcare-related fields or general graduate programs. This sub-topic is a branch of our group’s research purpose of identifying the occupational therapy (OT) student’s perception and confidence with an OT programRead MorePositive And Negative Effects Of Stress995 Words   |  4 PagesTypically stress is seen as having a negative impact on individuals. Yet there are more than just negative kinds of stress. Stress can have both positive or toxic impacts on a person. The causes of the stressors are what determine if the stress will have a positive or toxic influence. Having the skills to manage and cope with stress effectively will help the stress to have the most positive influence on a person. Childhood stress is a normal occurrence in today’s society. The stress that a childRead MoreThe Social And Physical Environment Of College Students831 Words   |  4 Pagesessays. Students spend copious amount of time on these tasks because they are ready and excited for their future. These young academics may be choosing an institution based on its research programs, athletics or study abroad opportunities. However, most of these students do not considered how this radical change in their social and physical environment can make an impact on their mental health. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health (2012) â€Å"More than 40 percent of college students haveRead MoreEmotional Labor : Psychological Stress1115 Words   |  5 Pagesa response to certain situations. Controlling feelings to perform a job is called â€Å"emotional labor†. Acting in a positive way with consumers is a job requirement of many employees; demonstrating high energy, interest, eagerness, joy, and warmth. Always holding a smile and showing kindness. Even when there are obstacles and complaints, the interaction with a client, patient or student has to be as smooth as possible. In an attempt to hide real emotions, staff often engages in emotional labor. Read MoreEffects Of Stress On A Young Student s Development1146 Words   |  5 PagesIt is known that students face various stress-related issues, whether it is a major test, an oral presentation, strict parents or just the stress of maintaining a good GPA. However, people may not realize that certain stress-related issues can have a huge impact on a young student’s development and even carry these issues into adulthood. College students are typically between ages 18-25, which is an important life-stage called emerging adulthood, as Jeffrey Jensen Arnett (2007) has written aboutRead MoreThe Issue Of Performing Well902 Words   |  4 Pagesdebated topic for quite some time now; students and researchers alike have come together to discuss the matter, sharing their ideas and experiences. Whilst I’ve no business fancying myself any manner of expert on the issue, what I’ve come to understand in recent time is the sheer amount of importance one’s attitude trul y has when it comes to schoolwork. Though this idea may be dismissed as laughable by some, we can see now perhaps more than ever that a positive, optimistic outlook can not only makeRead MoreExtracurricular Activity Aiding Positive Development1501 Words   |  7 PagesBettering Students’ Lives: Extracurricular Activity Aiding in Positive Development More than half of American teenagers that attend school participate in some sort of organized activity (Gardner, Roth Brooks-Gunn, 2006). A structured organized activity may include athletic teams, school clubs and organizations like student council or drama club, youth groups, and more. Psychologists are becoming more and more interested in how adolescents are spending their leisure time and how it affects theirRead MoreEffects Of Teacher Stress On Middle School Students Behavior And Performance Essay1284 Words   |  6 PagesThe effects of teacher stress on middle school students behavior and performance. Teaching is a highly stressful occupation, particularly in a middle school environment. Middle school is a difficult level to teach. For students it is a time of adolescents and many changes occur developmentally and socially. The stress level of teachers affects their effectiveness in instruction, teacher student interaction, and classroom management. The articles that will be discussed in this research paper will

Walmart Donuts Target Audience Profile - 1978 Words

Target Audience Profile: Cravin’ Donuts is a gourmet donut shop located in Downtown Bloomington, Illinois. Cravin’ Donuts is taking the typical breakfast favorite to the next level with a variety of out-of-the-box flavors and options. Gourmet donuts have become a trend in the food world and Cravin’ Donuts is capitalizing with their extravagant flavors. Many retail shops across the country have been very successful in opening gourmet donut shops and Cravin’ Donuts is hoping to be one of them. Nestled in Downtown Bloomington, their store boasts character and opportunities to become a hometown favorite. Similar to many donut shops in Downtown Chicago and cities alike, Cravin’ is bringing a new luxurious options to the residents of†¦show more content†¦The donut shop is located in Downtown Bloomington, so the students of Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, and Heartland Community College are who make up a large amount of Cravin’ D onuts customers. As indicated in Exhibit 1, this market has a total of 27, 794 college students. There are 20,380 students from Illinois State [1] 2,090 students from Illinois Wesleyan [2] and 5,324 students from Heartland Community College [3], all male and female students between the ages of 18 and 24. Since the local universities are a huge part of the Bloomington-Normal area, targeting this group will be very beneficial for Cravin’ Donuts. Since our primary target audience is focusing on the local college students who make up a large portion of the Bloomington-Normal population, we are looking at full-time students who are either undergraduates or graduate students. The average income for the students is under $10,000, but due to the low prices at Cravin’ Donuts this will not be Exhibit 1 Target Audience Profile Primary Target Market: College Students Demographics:  · Age: 18-24  · Gender: Male and Female  · Education: Undergraduates/Graduates  · Occupation: Full Time Student  · Income: Under $10,000  · Location: Bloomington-Normal Estimated Target Size: - Illinois State: 20,380 [1] - Illinois Wesleyan: 2,090 [2] - Heartland: 5,324 [3] Psychographics †¢ Enjoys gourmet food †¢ Participates in late night activity †¢ ValuesShow MoreRelatedSituational Analysis of Starbucks13207 Words   |  53 Pagesthe supplier-related considerations. These factors are further discussed in later sections of the situational analysis. 3.1.1 Demographics Segment: The common target markets that the coffee industry chooses today, is where the saturation is fully populated in major cities. The heavy hitters in the industry primarily target their locations in hopes to gain profitable returns. McDonald’s has no issue with the generating locations and hitting targeted demographics. Primarily because, McDonald’sRead MoreEssay on Walmart16417 Words   |  66 PagesWalmart From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT (http://www.nyse.com/about/listed/lcddata.html?ticker=wmt) ), branded as Walmart, is an American multinational retail corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the worlds third largest public corporation, according to the Fortune Global 500 list in 2012, the biggest private employer in the world with over two million employees, and is the largest retailerRead MoreUnderstanding Marketing Management16709 Words   |  67 Pagescharismatic politician, a powerful message of hope, and a thoroughly integrated modern marketing program. The marketing plan needed to accomplish two very different goals: expand the electorate via broader messages while targeting very specific audiences. Multimedia tactics combined offline and online media, as well as free and paid media. When research showed that the more voters learned about Obama, the more they identified with him, the campaign added long-form videos to traditional print, broadcastRead MoreLogical Reasoning189930 Words   |  760 Pages........................................................................... 186 CHAPTER 6 Writing to Convince Others................................................................................ 197 Writing with Precision and to Your Audience .............................................................................. 198 The Introduction............................................................................................................................. 200 The Middle ...

Fashion in 20 Years Free Essays

Erika Annalisa Sagh 2MEI 20 years of change? The over abundance in brands, the constant development for new products and the continual demand for innovation in style, will certainly remain relevant in 20 years as much as it does today. Fashion will develop quickly in the fields of production development and undoubtedly work forward instead of reliving the passed. However, the most intriguing changes in the fashion world within the next 20 years will be noticeable in the domains of manufacturing and sustainable revitalization of products and how they will connect. We will write a custom essay sample on Fashion in 20 Years or any similar topic only for you Order Now In application of the current European crisis it is clear that people are becoming more conscious of where there money is being spent and how they can possibly save more wisely. The morality behind the importance of helping and supporting your own economy will forever remain, though whether it will be practiced may technically be but a theory. Western cultures will continue to seek cheap manufacturing alternatives in second and third world countries, because it offers the possibility to over-produce and support the fast fashion addiction. As the evolution in economy triggers a direct growth within the field of manufacturing, the everlasting demand for innovating and luxurious goods will incline as well. These points all aid in allowing actual consumption within the coming years to multiply from its current state. If the future predicts to experience a noticeable growth of consumers, rising to approximately 1. 8 billion, it would be of no surprise that more brands will emerge and companies will be looking into producing their garments and products more quickly to feed the demand. The demand will undoubtedly create an abundance of opportunities for the fashion industry, as developments in style, textile and processing will be forced to transpire. However, as a state for humanity these so called windows of opportunities will possibly not create revolutionary changes. Accounting China’s current regression in foreign manufacturing demand, a shift from this current fashion driven country to another developing country may occur. The demand from western-based countries to China is slowly diminishing based mainly upon the fact that quoted prices have elevated beyond comfort. Though China is beginning to manage their organizations better, it raises some issues of whether western demand will remain located or as previously mentioned, shift. China does expect their economy to grow within the upcoming years, however this growth may account solely for domestic demand. In order to continually be apart of the fashion realm, China may have to keep their prices low or have the government interfere. More of the Chinese population is gradually becoming less interested to work in factories, while more comfortable positions within a store or hotel are sought after. In short, as the country grows away from the communistic regime the people will desire a much more comfortable lifestyle away from poor conditions and factory work. Now it is not to say that the manufacturers in other upcoming worlds wont be categorized as sustainable. It’s a known fact that the fashion industry is classified as one of the most polluting industries in the world, and much more focus is now being spent on how to change this. From the amount of fertilizer used in cultivating cotton to the abundant quantity of chemicals exhausted in processing plants, it is evident that the creation of fashion is drastically aiding in the progression of global warming. Though due to the size of the industry, any small changes such as the conservation of fresh water or the protection of environmental status would help. Eva Kruse, Chairman of the Nordic Fashion Association has already begun gathering support from celebrities and international designers to discuss sustainable options. With already 1000 people aboard, their long-term goal is to eventually declare sustainability as a worldwide fashion value. Though they aspire to soon take part in united nation conferences and create a code of conduct for the industry, the possibility of eliminating cheap manufacturing is nearly impossible. It is not saying that if the sector reacts to aspects of this code that it will not create a great impact, but that redesign, reuse and recycle will take precedence over fair wages. Clothing will be designed using biodegradable materials such as bamboo, milk or recyclable plastics and polyester. Clothing will no longer be apart of landmass and the environment itself will be considered more green and clean. However as stated, the use of these materials is undoubtedly more expensive to produce and manufacture into garments. Sustainable machinery will become more expensive to buy and maintain, while health codes, which will be implied, will also account for a raised budget. Since it will be the big companies, which will drive the demand they will be able to influence the consumers to agree with sustainability but perhaps not price. Prices can fluctuate gradually, however the public will never agree to pay ridiculously high amounts. As fast-fashion will not fade within the near future, people will still demand new seasons and more collection in order to satisfy their materialistic and trendy needs. Companies will have to agree in saving money through cheaper labour and not expect all products to be produced closer to home. Countries such as India, Bangladesh and Cambodia will most likely become visited terrain for production instead of China, whereas the likeliness of African labour is more questionable due to the unstable status of the government and disruption. In conclusion, there are many solutions available in creating a more sustainable fashion industry, however these solutions may be quicker to realize than the issue of fair trade itself. I believe that people are not ready to give up their addiction to buying, and fast fashion is not just a trend but also a new way of life. The idea of minimalistic buying will have to develop slowly within society, it may visible in 50 years but 20 years seems too soon. The categorized second world countries such as China are progressively becoming first world and it is unsurprising that their production price quotes are higher than before. I believe that if the fashion industry takes a strong shift towards sustainability that affordable manufacturing in second and third world countries will be sought out, to balance and maintain â€Å"cheaper† ticketed prices. In the future, the world may look different because certain countries, which are currently related directly to fashion, may disappear or even change their status, while new countries will appear in order to realize this sustainable aspiration. First step, be kind and save the planet we live on. Second step, find a way to live in a fair trade world. How to cite Fashion in 20 Years, Papers

Fundamental Principles of Adult Education free essay sample

Fundamental Principles of Adult Education University of Phoenix AET 505 August 15, 2011 Abstract Part of being a good, quality educator is to learn the learning styles of the students and adapt to those forms of learning. Adult learning is growing, more and more are going to college at later stages in life. Out of the 35 people, there will be many different learning styles. Malcom Knowles is known for defining characteristics of adult learning. Malcom Knowles Malcom Knowles studied in the field of adult learning. His main goal was to develop a theory about andragogy, which is a theory specifically for adult learning. Knowles notes that adults are self-directed and are expected to take responsibility for decisions. Adult learning methods must accommodate this important aspect. Knowles notes six characteristics for adult learning:  ·Adults are independent  ·Have life experiences like family and work  ·Adults have goals they want to achieve  ·Adults want things to be relevant  ·Adults are practical and find ways to apply information to their work or life  ·They want to be shown respect Due to the characteristics of learning there have been developments of different teaching styles and theories. We will write a custom essay sample on Fundamental Principles of Adult Education or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Theories about adult education have been categorized into four main models. These models would be biological, psychological, sociocultural, and cognitive. Biological Growing old is a part of life, and unfortunately with age comes changes. These changes affect how we learn and take in new information. Our hearing decreases, our eyesight becomes poorer, and the brain becomes slower at absorbing and retaining new information. To accommodate to the more mature adults in the classroom, I would make sure the older adults were closer to me to hear me speak. I would make sure any handouts, homework, or textbooks have a decent sized font that they could read. Perhaps having frequent quizzes will help find out how well the older members of the classroom are retaining the information. Psychological Psychology is behaviors and mental processes. To learn is obviously a mental process, but how a person learns needs to be determined. Some people have a more hands on approach to learning, while others are visual learners. An example would be someone who had dyslexia and sees things backwards; they need different instructions to take in the information. Also, people act differently. An example would be myself, I have ADHD. I do not like to sit for long periods of time because I just can’t keep my concentration. Keeping the attention of such an age span could pose problems. Keeping lectures short, mixing things up, taking a break could all be ways to make sure everyone’s able to pay attention and get the most out of the teachings. Sociocultural The world that we live in shapes the people we are, how we do things, and how we live. Cultures dictate a lot of learning, as does family status. People that have families live busy lives. A traditional family today now has two working parents, along with kids. If they are taking classes in addition to their hectic schedule they don’t have time to waste, are focused and determined. Whereas, a twenty year old with no wife and no children is more likely the one to put less effort into the homework, more likely to miss class, and more likely to do the minimal amount of work to get by. Teaching methods must encourage all ages, cultures, and races. Cognitive Cognitive learning is how the brain processes information. All ages learn by experiencing, touching, and listening. In fact many species of animals learn by the same way. In the example of someone with dyslexia, their brain processes information backwards, so they have to retrain their brain and find a way they can process the information appropriately. With myself having ADHD, I don’t have the patience to sit through class lectures, which is why I do online learning. I can read a while, and then stop. I can work on my assignment for ten minutes, and then go do something else. As an instructor is important to find out how everyone processes their information nd work with them to retain it, otherwise the learning and teachings are pointless. Conclusion Life dictates who we are as individuals. Education is a choice, but it’s important as an educator to maximize the learning experience for every person that chooses to sit in a classroom or attend online. Adapt to the fact no two people will be alike on how they learn and absorb the information taught in class. Myself, as a teach and a s tudent want to achieve the best possible results and put forth all the effort I can to make sure my students are taught appropriately, and that I’m being taught appropriately. References Imel, Susan (2001) Adult Development No. 22 Knowles, M. (1975). Self-Directed Learning. Chicago: Follet. Knowles, M. (1984). The Adult Learner: A Neglected Species (3rd Ed. ). Houston, TX: Gulf Publishing. Knowles, M. (1984). Andragogy in Action. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Andragogy and Malcolm S. Knowles (1913-1997) Unknown Author, Retrieved from the World Wide Web on August 12, 2011 http://www. thinkquest. org/pls/html/think. library

Movie Summary Blood Diamond Essay Example

Movie Summary Blood Diamond Paper Blood Diamond is a 2006 film produced by director Edward Zwick. The main characters are Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, and Jennifer Connelly. It was filmed in Sierra Leone, Africa. And it tells the story of a mercenary and fishermen that join to find the biggest diamond ever seen by a person. The title of the movie refers to all the blood that had to be poured out to maintain a diamond business ran by the South African militia. The movie reflects the situation that was going on in Sierra Leone during that period -1990- and how the political frame influenced the corruption. The movie tells the story of a young journalist -whose character is interpreted by Jennifer Connelly- that visits South Africa with the intention of informing Americans about the situation in Sierra Leone and how the rebels abused the children and forced them to work in an illegal diamond extracting business. She meets Archer, a South African mercenary -whose character was interpreted by Leonardo DiCaprio-who made deals with the rebels and the government’s security institutions exchanging guns for diamonds. After a few months, they both meet Salomon Bandi –whose character was interpreted by Djimon Hounsou- who was a fisherman that got caught by the rebels and forced to work for them. When he was working for the rebels, he found a gigantic diamond and immediately hid it. Unfortunately, the place where he was working was attacked by the African army, and he was taken to jail. When he got out of jail, Archer joined him in the quest to find the hidden diamond with the only condition that they were going to split the profits if they found it. Even though they went through persecutions, shootings, threats, and explosions. They managed to find the diamond but Archer dies, and Salomon keeps it. We will write a custom essay sample on Movie Summary Blood Diamond specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Movie Summary Blood Diamond specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Movie Summary Blood Diamond specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The movie has a few strengths such as the plot and the quality of the actors. The story is well developed and explained. It’s also easy to follow up, and there are no ope

How to master your next phone interview

How to master your next phone interview In this era of texting, when phone conversations are increasingly rare, a phone interview can be a daunting step during the job hunt process. It’s hard enough to do a face-to-face interview, but in this case you have to  create a rapport with a potential employer with no facial expressions to guide you. And just because you’re not in front of someone, suited up and resume in hand, doesn’t mean that your conversation is any less important. In fact, a survey on CareerBuilder revealed that 87% of employers could tell if a job candidate was a good fit within the first 15 minutes of a phone interview. Here are a few tips to help keep you sane and increase your chances of success if you’re asked to dial in to get to know your future employer.Warm up your voice.Don’t let your phone interview be the first vocal contact you have with another person on interview day. Call a friend or family member and have a chat. If no one’s around, have a conversat ion with yourself in the shower. Do anything it takes to get in conversation mode so you don’t sound like you just rolled out of bed at interview time.Treat it like the real thing.So what if your interviewer can’t see you? Dress up as you would for an in-person interview, wearing professional, comfortable clothing that makes you feel your best. Sit upright in a real chair. Don’t slump on the couch, lie on your bed, or sprawl out. Act like a professional and you’re more likely to sound like one.Do your research.Your interviewer wants to know that you’re serious about the job, and the best way to show you really want it is to seek out information about your interviewer, the company, the position, the industry, etc. Do as much homework as you would for an in-person interview. If you are well informed, you will also be prepared for any question your interviewer might toss your way.Don’t babble too much.Filling awkward silences with babble is a t ic we all have in interviews, and it sounds even worse on the phone. Never talk to simply fill dead air and never keep your interviewer from getting in a word edgewise. Finish your sentences and allow room for the other person to respond- this is not only a good recipe for a natural interview conversation; it’s also a sign that you’re a considerate person.Talk to a face.If you can do a bit of Google stalking and find a photo of your interviewer, print it out or pull it up on your computer so you can look at it during your interview. This can help you connect with your interviewer and match her or his voice to a face. If you can’t find a photo of your interviewer, try looking at a picture of someone in your field that you respect and pretend that you are trying to impress that person.End on a positive note.No matter how well (or terribly) you think the interview went, make sure to end with pep and confidence. Thank your interviewer for the call, reiterate your in terest in the position, and remind him or her that you’d be a great fit- and a strong asset!- to the team. Even if you’re not feeling it, project professionalism and positivity in those final moments.  Then, immediately send a thank you note just as you would after an in-person interview.

The Ultimate SAT Biology Subject Test Study Guide

The Ultimate SAT Biology Subject Test Study Guide SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips If you’re applying to selective schools, you might have to submit SAT Subject Test scores along with your regular SAT (or ACT) scores. The Biology Subject Test (also called Biology SAT II) is a popular one because a vast majority of students take biology in high school, and most students find it less intimidating than chemistry or physics. This test can be a great way to fulfill your Subject Test requirements, especially if you plan on studying biology in college and want to show off your skills. In this study guide, I’ll give you all the background information you need to start studying for the Biology Subject Test as well as example questions, practice materials, and study tips to use along the way. Biology SAT Subject Test Overview: Format and Test Dates In terms of Biology SAT Subject Tests, you can choose to take either Biology Ecological (Biology-E) or Biology Molecular (Biology-M). According to the College Board's descriptions of the two SAT Subject Tests, Biology-E "leans more toward biological communities, populations, and energy flow," whereas Biology-M is more "geared toward biochemistry, cellular structure and processes, such as respiration and photosynthesis." Both versions have the same test format and guidelines: Total Time: 60 minutes Total Number of Questions: 80 multiple-choice questions Scoring: Scored on a scale from 200 to 800 No calculator allowed! Sixty of the questions are identical for both versions of the test, while the last 20 are specialized to either E or M. Biology E/M is offered on the May, June, August, October, November, and December SAT Subject Test dates. Should You Take the Biology Subject Test? Which Version? Now that you understand what the Biology SAT Subject Test entails, should you take it or not? To help you decide, you need to first find out if any of the schools you’re applying to require or recommend SAT Subject Tests. You can do this by simply looking at our other article for a full list of schools that ask applicants to send Subject Test scores (we also introduce these schools’ specific requirements). If you already know that you need to take Subject Tests, there are a few reasons you might look to the Biology test as a viable option. Want to get better grades and test scores? We can help. PrepScholar Tutors is the world's best tutoring service. We combine world-class expert tutors with our proprietary teaching techniques. Our students have gotten A's on thousands of classes, perfect 5's on AP tests, and ludicrously high SAT Subject Test scores. Whether you need help with science, math, English, social science, or more, we've got you covered. Get better grades today with PrepScholar Tutors. When to Consider Taking the Biology Subject Test Here are three cases in which it's a smart idea to consider taking the Biology SAT Subject Test. #1: You Just Took a Biology Class It's best to take the test in the spring right after you finish a biology course to cut down on study time. Here is the College Board’s recommended preparation for the Biology Subject Test: A one-year introductory college preparatory course in biology A one-year course in algebra Laboratory experience The Biology Subject Test is an especially good idea if you’ve just taken AP Biology (and have already prepared for the AP test). Subject tests are less intense than AP tests, so in comparison, it will probably seem like a breeze to you. #2: You Haven't Taken a Science Subject Test Most colleges that require or recommend SAT Subject Tests are looking for one in the humanities and one in the sciences (except for a couple of outliers such as MIT, which wants math and science Subject Tests). If you need to take a Subject Test in the sciences and you’re nervous about it, Biology is the way to go. It should be slightly easier for you than Physics or Chemistry will be if you’re a stronger humanities student. Why? The Biology test involves fewer obscure concepts and calculations, and you can rely slightly more on memorization and basic logic to answer the questions. #3: You Have a Special Interest in Biology If you’re interested in pursuing biology as a course of study, it’s a great idea to take the Biology Subject Test as a way to demonstrate your aptitude for the subject. If you’ve also done other specialized programs or projects in high school related to biology, taking the Subject Test will only bolster the cohesiveness of your application. Alright, let's do this. Assuming some or all of the factors listed above apply to you, and you’ve decided to take the test, there’s still one more decision to make: Biology E or Biology M? How to Decide Between the Biology E and Biology M Versions I gave you a short description of the content of each of these two tests in the previous section, but it probably wasn't enough information for you to make a decision. This choice ultimately comes down to whether you’re more comfortable with the macro or micro aspects of biology. SAT Biology-E deals more with large-scale energy flow in ecosystems and changes in the environment over time. By contrast, Biology M focuses more on the chemical elements of biology that occur on a minuscule scale. If you’re more of a science-oriented student, you’ll probably be better off with Biology-M. If you’re more into subjects like history and English, Biology-E might be a better choice. Keep in mind that the two tests aren’t completely different. There are only 20 questions out of 80 that are specific to either E or M. For this reason, I wouldn’t stress too much over your choice. If you took a biology class and did reasonably well in it, you shouldn’t have a problem with either version of the test. Oh, and for anyone who’s wondering- yes, you can take both Biology-E and Biology-M, but you can’t take them both on the same test date (makes sense, considering they’re almost the same test!). Biology-M is more about this type of stuff. You know- all the creepy things happening at the molecular level inside your body. Right. Now. What’s on the Biology SAT II? Here’s a content overview provided by the College Board that lists the division of topics for each version of the Biology SAT Subject Test: From the chart, you can see that many more questions are devoted to Cellular and Molecular Biology on the Biology-M test, and many more are devoted to Ecology on the Biology-E test. Notice that Biology M also has slightly more questions on Genetics, whereas Biology E has slightly more questions on Evolution and Diversity. Both tests have the same number of questions dealing with Organismal Biology. These topics should all be familiar to you if you’ve taken a biology course. The types of skills tested on both Biology-E and Biology-M include the following: Recalling fundamental concepts and specific facts (about 30% of test) Applying biological knowledge to practical scenarios presented on the test and solving problems using mathematical relationships (about 35% of test) Making inferences and forming conclusions based on qualitative and quantitative data (about 35% of test) Essentially, 70% of questions will present a scenario and then ask you to make deductions or calculations based on it. The scenario could be a chart of bacteria growth or a description of a lab procedure. It’s important to know the fundamental parts of an experiment (independent and dependent variables) and be able to project your understanding onto unfamiliar situations. The other 30% of questions just ask you to recall biological facts directly. I'll provide examples of different types of questions you can expect to see on the test in the next section. You might see questions about changes in species population density in a particular ecosystem. It's the ciiiiiircle of liiiiiiifeeeee! Biology Subject Test Question Types Here are a few official examples of the different types of questions you might see on the Biology Subject Test. Each question corresponds to one of the three skills I mentioned above. Type 1: Data Interpretation As I mentioned in the previous section, many of the questions on the test ask you to look at data and make deductions from the information given. In this question, although species Y isn’t explicitly mentioned in the chart, we know from the background information that whatever percentage of species X is planted, species Y seeds must make up the remainder. To answer the question, we have to figure out where the graphed line intersects with the line that indicates the 25% mark on the x-axis (that is, the harvest at the point where 25% species X and 75% species Y were planted). It appears that the harvest was 50% species X, which means it must also have been 50% species Y. Therefore, the correct answer is C. Type 2: Applying Concepts In this question, you’re asked to apply your biology knowledge to a given situation. Why did the results recorded in the graph occur based on what you know about the experiment? From the background information (and from studying for the test), we know that thymine is one of the four main nucleotide bases present in DNA. Choice E makes the most sense as an answer to this question because as the embryos develop, they’re consistently forming DNA using the radioactive thymine that’s available to them. As I wrote above, you'll also be asked to apply your knowledge of the scientific method and lab procedures to specific scenarios on the test. Take a look at the next question dealing with this radioactivity experiment: The correct answer is choice C. This would be an appropriate control scenario because RNA contains uracil instead of thymine. The results of the experiment upon adding radioactive uracil would demonstrate definitively that the original experiment measured DNA and not RNA synthesis. Type 3: Recalling Facts You'll also see questions like this on the Biology Subject Test that ask you to recall basic facts. The answer to question 1 would be (B), and the answer to question 2 would be (A). Sometimes these questions are accompanied by diagrams. Here's an example of one in a slightly different format: This is a little more challenging since you need to identify the parts of the flower that the numbers are labeling and also remember the functions of those specific parts. The answer to question 6 is (A), and the answer to question 7 is (D). 10/10 would pollinate. Where to Find Practice Materials for the Biology Subject Test If you're looking to prep for the Biology SAT Subject test, you'll need some quality study materials. I've compiled a list of where to find the best practice tests and review guides. Free Online Sample Questions and Tests This is a list of online (official and unofficial) practice materials for the Biology E/M Subject Test. Most of these resources don't provide complete practice tests, but there are tons of questions available that will expose you to the full range of the content on the exam. Official Biology Subject Test Practice Questions We'll start with the best of the best: official practice questions created by the College Board. All of these questions are extremely realistic and very similar to the ones you'll see on test day. General Biology: 24 practice questions with answer explanations. Biology-E: Five questions specific to Biology-E. Biology-M: Five questions specific to Biology-M. The SAT Subject Tests Student Guide: Pages 20-24 offer a total of 17 biology questions (11 on general biology, three on Biology-E, and three on Biology-M). Answers and explanations are available here. CrackSAT Practice Tests and Questions Although all of these tests are much shorter than the real thing, they're still incredibly useful as practice materials. Note that since there's less of a focus on lab and data analysis, these questions might be less challenging than those on the actual test. SAT II: Biology Google Site This site has two full-length practice tests and two diagnostic tests. It doesn't have automatic scoring since all pages are scanned PDFs, so these are good to print out and take like the real test. Be sure to emulate real testing conditions as closely as possible: follow the official time limit and take them in a quiet room without distractions. Free Online Content Review Khan Academy is a free website and partner of the College Board that provides tons of learning materials, including video lessons, practice questions, and answer explanations, for the SAT and various school subjects. Its biology section is especially helpful since it offers an overview of essential concepts, many of which you'll find on the Biology SAT Subject Test. In addition to in-depth videos that teach you the basic (and even more advanced) biology concepts, Khan Academy offers more than 80 biology practice questions. While these questions don't look like those you'll see on the Subject Test, they're still useful for helping you learn and retain the fundamentals of the subject. Paid Review Books In addition to free resources, there are a few helpful review books you can buy that are specifically for Biology E/M. You can also check out this article that focuses on the best books to use for the Biology Subject Test based on your score level. The Official SAT Subject Test in Biology Study Guide: This official book is a must-have. It includes two full-length Biology tests (that were actually administered in the past!) as well as detailed answer explanations and a few test-taking tips. Buy it for around $13 on Amazon. The Official Study Guide for ALL SAT Subject Tests, 2nd Edition: This book contains official practice tests for all SAT Subject Tests, including, of course, the Biology test. It's a good choice if you're planning to take other SAT Subject Tests and prefer having one comprehensive resource. The current price is around $19 on Amazon. Barron's SAT Subject Test Biology E/M, 6th Edition: Although this is an unofficial resource, it's got a lot of material you can work with, including more than 350 questions and two full-length practice tests. It currently sells for about $16 on Amazon. Cracking the SAT Subject Test in Biology E/M, 16th Edition: This book by The Princeton Review aims to get you a perfect 800 on the Biology test. Although its questions aren't as realistic as those in official resources, it does offer a solid array of learning material, from helpful test-taking strategies to practice tests. You can buy it for around $14 on Amazon. Sterling SAT Biology E/M Practice Questions: High Yield SAT Biology E/M Questions: If you want a comprehensive resource of Biology practice questions, look no further. This book offers an astounding 1,500+ practice questions and answer explanations. The current cost is about $23 on Amazon. And when you're done taking practice tests, you can reward yourself with something that would be unacceptable to consume in public. In the immortal words of the Goo Goo Dolls, "And I don't want the world to see me / 'Cause I don't think that they'd understand / When everything's made to be chocolate / I just want you to know who I am." Want to get better grades and test scores? We can help. PrepScholar Tutors is the world's best tutoring service. We combine world-class expert tutors with our proprietary teaching techniques. Our students have gotten A's on thousands of classes, perfect 5's on AP tests, and ludicrously high SAT Subject Test scores. Whether you need help with science, math, English, social science, or more, we've got you covered. Get better grades today with PrepScholar Tutors. How to Study for the Biology Subject Test Here are a couple of pointers to keep in mind as you study for the Biology SAT Subject Test. Don’t Over-Prepare Remember that this isn’t an AP test- there are no free-response questions, and much of the test involves interpreting information that’s already been provided to you. Therefore, if you recently took a final exam for a biology class or the AP Biology test and felt pretty confident about your performance, you shouldn’t have any issues acing the Subject Test. I’d still recommend taking a practice test (as discussed in my next point), but there’s no need to kill yourself with studying if the information is fresh in your mind. If it’s been a year or so since you took a biology class, a few hours of review might be in order. Again, though, this test shouldn’t be especially challenging for you if you’ve already completed a mid- to high-level biology course. Take Plenty of Practice Tests Even if you feel very comfortable with the subject matter, you should take at least one practice test as an experiment to see how high you’re scoring. This way, if you’re at a satisfactory score level, you can avoid wasting time with additional studying. If your results are lower than expected, analyze your mistakes and then study the relevant content areas (or just do similar practice problems if your mistakes are related to data interpretation more so than they are to general biology knowledge). You can also do some practice questions for each version of the Biology test on the College Board website and/or those in the other resources listed above. Practice tests can help raise alarms about unexpected problem areas on the test. Acing the Biology Subject Test: 3 Essential Test-Taking Tips In this section, I'll give you a few tips for when you actually sit down to take the Biology SAT Subject Test. Tailoring your strategy to the format and content will do wonders for your score! Tip 1: Read the Background Information- but Don’t Overthink It As you saw from the examples above, questions on the Biology SAT Subject Test often come paired with background information to contextualize the data being provided to you. This will come in the form of a paragraph that describes the experiment so you don’t get confused when you look at the corresponding chart or graph. Always take a moment to read this paragraph, as it sometimes contains information that isn’t clear if you view the data in isolation. However, don't get too wrapped up in understanding every aspect of the experiment. It’s best to maintain a practical mindset and just focus on understanding the parts you need to know so you can answer the questions. Take the second sample question above. Here it is again for your reference: You can see that some of the information in the paragraph- such as the fact that radioactivity was measured in "counts per minute"- doesn't actually help you answer the question. Be efficient, and avoid dwelling on smaller details that might not be important. Tip 2: Don't Linger on Hard Questions As you're taking the Biology Subject Test, you might come across some questions you can't figure out right away. If you spend more than 30 seconds on a question without getting any closer to the correct answer, skip it for the time being and move forward. Lingering on problems that give you trouble spells danger for this test, so try to answer all the less challenging questions first so you don't run out of time at the end and miss any easy points. Tip 3: Keep Guessing to a Minimum Although there's no guessing penalty on the regular SAT, SAT Subject Tests are still under the fractional-point subtraction's reign of terror. This means that guessing incorrectly is worse for your score than leaving a question blank. Answering a question incorrectly on the Biology Subject Test will cause you to lose 1/4 a point, leaving a question blank results in no loss or gain of points, and answering a question correctly earns you one point. As a result, don't guess on a question unless you can eliminate at least one wrong answer choice. Otherwise, you're taking too much of a risk. If you're completely stumped by a question, just leave it blank. If you can't decide between five answer options that all seem equally viable to you, leave the question blank. Conclusion: How to Prep for the Biology SAT Subject Test The Biology Subject Test can be an easy and convenient way to fulfill your SAT II requirements for college applications. You have the option of taking either Biology-E (ecological) or Biology-M (molecular), but 75% of the questions are the same on both tests. Both versions of the test are an hour long and include 80 multiple-choice questions that deal with topics ranging from cell biology to genetics to evolution. Though these questions mostly cover basic biology knowledge, there's also a significant amount of data interpretation and analysis of experimental scenarios. Take a practice test to see where you stand, and do additional studying if you find your knowledge is lacking. If you were successful in your high school biology class, you should generally have no problem doing well on this test with just a little bit of preparation! What's Next? Are you currently taking AP Biology? Learn more about the format and content of the AP test, and get a rundown of the best resources you can use to study for the exam! You should also read our complete review guide for AP Biology. You can use it to brush up on some skills that will come in handy for the Biology Subject Test as well. While you're studying for the Biology Subject Test (or even if you're just taking bio), take advantage of our articles reviewing key bio concepts. Start with our exploration of the distinction between homologous and analogous structures, then go on to our guides to enzymes, the photosynthesis equation, cell theory, cell membranes, and the endoplasmic reticulum. Still not sure whether you should take the Biology Subject Test? Check out this expert advice on which Subject Tests you should take based on your goals and interests. Need a little extra help prepping for your Subject Tests? We have the industry's leading SAT Subject Test prep programs (for all non-language Subject Tests). Built by Harvard grads and SAT Subject Test full or 99th %ile scorers, the program learns your strengths and weaknesses through advanced statistics, then customizes your prep program to you so that you get the most effective prep possible. Learn more about our Subject Test products below: