The GRE Biology subject test is one of six subjects tests offered by ETS. Unlike GRE general, the subject tests measure your knowledge of a particular field of study. Each subject test contains questions from selected areas. For example, GRE biology tests you in the following areas – Cellular and Molecular biology, Organismal Biology, and Ecology and Evolution. Each of these areas contributes approx. 30-34 percent to the total number of questions.
If you have a non-biology background and plan to enroll in a biology program, you might be asked to test the GRE Biology subject. In this article, I will list ten of the best Biology prep books you can use to prepare for your Biology subject test. Some of these books are traditional prep books from companies like Kaplan and Princeton review, while others are textbooks that offer a detailed study of a particular topic.
In this Article
- 1. Campbell Biology by Jane B. Reece
- 2. Kaplan GRE Subject Test
- 3. GRE Biology Test Secrets Study Guide
- 4. Sterling Test Prep GRE Biology Practice Questions
- 5. Cracking the GRE Biology Test by Princeton Review
- 6. Sterling Test Prep GRE Biology: Review of Cell and Molecular Biology
- 7. Molecular Biology of the Cell
- 8. Organismal Biology: Everything You Always Wanted to Know
- 9. The Ecology Book: Big Ideas Explained
- 10. Ecology: Evolution, Application, Integration
1. Campbell Biology by Jane B. Reece
This is the go-to book when it comes to GRE biology. You will find this recommended in almost any GRE forum you come across. This is not a typical test prep book like those offered by Kaplan, so that you won’t find any practice material in it. However, for learning GRE biology topics, it is an incredible resource.
Key Features:
- Complete review of all the GRE biology topics.
- Clear and easy to understand language.
- Colorful pictures and illustrations for a better learning experience.
- Real-life examples where necessary.
Get it here.
2. Kaplan GRE Subject Test
Kaplan is a highly regarded test prep company. Anyone who has ever taken a standardized has probably heard of them. Kaplan’s GRE Biology prep book offers a comprehensive review of all the significant areas of the test. It also features a full-length practice test and hundreds of practice questions.
Key Features:
- In-depth review of key content areas
- Essential terminology defined in a context
- Practice quizzes covering key concepts
- Detailed answer explanations
- Proven score-raising strategies
Get it here.
3. GRE Biology Test Secrets Study Guide
Mometrix is one of the few companies that make prep books for GRE subject tests. Its GRE Biology prep book contains a detailed overview of the test and an in-depth review of the three subject areas tested on the exam.
Key Features:
- A detailed overview of the GRE Biology Test
- A breakdown of cellular and molecular biology
- An in-depth look at organismal biology
- A guide to ecology and evolution
- Comprehensive practice questions with detailed answer explanations
Get it here.
4. Sterling Test Prep GRE Biology Practice Questions
You can study all you want, but you are unlikely to do well on the test without practice. This is where Sterling’s GRE Biology book comes in. This book offers some 1550 high yield Biology practice questions with detailed answer explanations.
Key Features:
- 1,550+ GRE Biology practice questions with detailed explanations covering all biology topics.
- Questions are organized into 25 topical chapters.
- Review of foundations of the topics tested on the exam.
- Includes explanations for why a particular answer is incorrect.
Get it here.
5. Cracking the GRE Biology Test by Princeton Review
Princeton Review is well known for its “Cracking the GRE” series of books. Its GRE Biology book offers a complete review of the various GRE Biology topics. It also includes a full-length GRE Biology subject test.
Key Features:
- Offers a complete review of GRE Biology topics.
- Includes a full-length GRE Biology Subject Test.
- Helpful strategies and practical advice on how to tackle questions.
- Contains illustrations and diagrams for various topics.
Get it here.
6. Sterling Test Prep GRE Biology: Review of Cell and Molecular Biology
Unlike the previous Sterling book on this list, this one is not a practice book. It offers a detailed review of cell and molecular biology and several test-taking strategies.
Key Features:
- Provides a detailed and thorough review of Cell and Molecular Biology topics tested on the GRE Biology.
- The content covers foundational principles and theories necessary to answer related questions on the test.
- The information is presented clearly and organized system to provide students with a targeted review tool.
- Offers practical advice and test-taking strategies on how to approach the test.
Get it here.
7. Molecular Biology of the Cell
This is not a test prep book but a textbook dedicated to the study of molecular biology. If you are not happy with other books’ rudimentary lessons, this book is ideal for detailed study.
Key Features:
- Covers all the topics related to molecular biology that are tested on GRE Biology.
- Clear and easy to understand the text.
- Contains colorful pictures and diagrams for many of the topics.
- The Sixth Edition has been extensively revised and updated with the latest research in cell biology.
Get it here.
8. Organismal Biology: Everything You Always Wanted to Know
This Sterling book offers a detailed review of all the organismal biology topics tested on GRE biology. It has clear and easy to understand explanations and examples. You will learn about evolution, comparative anatomy, plants, microorganisms, human anatomical systems, and physiological processes affecting the organism.
Key Features:
- A detailed review of all the organismal biology topics tested on GRE biology.
- Contains easy to follow explanations.
- It is ideal for both beginners and intermediate learners.
- Contains colorful pictures and illustrations for difficult topics.
Get it here.
9. The Ecology Book: Big Ideas Explained
If you want to learn ecology from the ground up and ace your GRE Biology test, then this is the perfect book. It explains complex ecology topics in a fun and creative ways by using illustrations and easy-to-understand language.
Key Features:
- Learn GRE ecology topics from scratch.
- East to follow illustration-based lessons.
- Explores and explains more than 85 of the key ideas, movements, and acts that have defined ecology
- Simple chronological structure from early concepts to recent discoveries.
Get it here.
10. Ecology: Evolution, Application, Integration
This book offers an excellent review of the ecology and evolution part of the GRE Biology test. You can learn about ecology and its evolution from the beginning. The book contains plenty of diagrams, tables, and charts to help you grasp the different concepts.
Key Features:
- Complete review of ecology and evolution topics that are tested on GRE Biology test.
- Offers easy-to-understand explanations that are delivered in short chapters.
- Contains illustrations, diagrams, colorful pictures, and charts.
- The text also helps students develop scientific reasoning skills.
Get it here.