Studying For Biology

[ZFlink]

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I am starting to study for biology. From what I read on SDN the biology subject is very broad. I am going to use the KBB and Cliffs. My issue is that I like to take notes while I am reading, but that will take me so long to make a dent in these books. I do not know what to do. I was going to read them one time through and then take some notes the second time through.

What would you all recommend? I am hoping that my GPA is good enough (oGPA-3.72 sGPA-3.86) that if I get a 18-19 in this section that I should be good. I am not trying to brag about my GPA or anything, I just knew I needed to keep it fairly high because I am AWFUL at standardized test.

 

[study girl]

To stay awake and keep paying attention while studying biology, I took notes in the sides of my book. When the book talked about something, I would draw a small graph, picture, or diagram to remember it. I would even redraw diagrams. I am sure that writing on the side slowed me down a bit, but it also forced me to pay attention to what I was writing. I only studied 2 weeks for my DAT and I got a 20. However, I still believe that the best study aid for the Biology portion is just to do well in the class and stay fresh. I was luck enough to work as a tutor in biology for the 2 years before my DAT

 

[youknowthedrill]

I am starting to study for biology. From what I read on SDN the biology subject is very broad. I am going to use the KBB and Cliffs. My issue is that I like to take notes while I am reading, but that will take me so long to make a dent in these books. I do not know what to do. I was going to read them one time through and then take some notes the second time through.

What would you all recommend? I am hoping that my GPA is good enough (oGPA-3.72 sGPA-3.86) that if I get a 18-19 in this section that I should be good. I am not trying to brag about my GPA or anything, I just knew I needed to keep it fairly high because I am AWFUL at standardized test.

I also have to write things out to retain them. I'm glad I'm not the only one! I take notes and keep a couple of pages with me so I can review them when I have some down time while waiting in line. I'm taking the DAT in January and reviewing QR and general chemistry, and studying PAT this summer. I'll review Biology and Organic over Christmas. I'm curious if anyone else has any advice. You might have more luck if you post on the DAT forum.

 

[Jackson-Ave-Dental]

KBB and Cliffs might be enough if you get lucky but it might also not be enough if you get unlucky.

There are horror stories about how some people had absolutely nothing from cliffs... then again there are some stories about people saying that cliffs was all that you needed.

 

[dantemac]

Here's what I did: (22 Bio section...)

-Cliff's AP bio questions
-wrote out Topscore and Achiever bio questions
-DATQvault
-Kaplan and Barron's tests for extra practice / ADA 2007 free test

 

[Pandoo]

The Bio Section sucks. So broad.

 

[John Durian]

Yeah, bio section is really random. I remember one or two questions that asked about sponges and earthworms and shat like that...

 

[ZFlink]

Thanks guys for all the advice....

I do have another question. I have taken a practice exam and I felt like there was a fair amount of taxonomy questions on there. What would you all recommend on how to study Taxonomy?

 

[UCLAzy]

Thanks guys for all the advice....

I do have another question. I have taken a practice exam and I felt like there was a fair amount of taxonomy questions on there. What would you all recommend on how to study Taxonomy?

rote memorization

 

[HoustonDAT]

In order to conquer the Biology section, you must memorize the entire Campbell's Biology textbook.

 

[flin5845]

In order to conquer the Biology section, you must memorize the entire Campbell's Biology textbook.

That's overkill haha

 

[Jackson-Ave-Dental]

That's overkill haha

What gets the job done is just right in my opinion. 😀